him^ ' John ix :il.
228 PSALMS, Lxvi. 16. [379.
him, he will be found of us j but if we forsake him, he will for- sake us."]
2. Learn to estimate them by a right standard — [If we judge of our emotions by their intenseness, or by the
degree of elevation or depression produced by them, we shall deceive our own souls. The votaries of false religions are sometimes transported beyond the bounds of reason, and are agitated even to madness. A mistaken course of religion too will often operate very strongly on the mind, and leave us, after all, in a state of spiritual death. True religion is sober, discreet, practical : it consists in, or rather is inseparably con- nected with, " a spirit of love, and of power, and of a sound mind." It directs to heaven ; but does not lead us to neglect our earthly duties. It must be judged of by its practical effects. The grace that leaves us under the defilement of any " spiri- tual or fleshly filthiness," is no grace. That alone comes from God, which leads to God ; and that alone will have any saving efficacy, which assimilates us to " the Divine image in righte- ousness and true holiness."]
3. Endeavour to improve them for the good of others —
[We are not proprietors of our talents, but stewards, to whom they are entrusted for the good of others. We must indeed be much on our guard against conceit, and talkativeness, and a readiness to draw attention to ourselves, and to make self the topic of our conversation. A person of this complexion is a very hateful and disgusting character: and too many such, it must be confessed, there are in the religious world. But whilst we avoid such a spirit as this, we must delight to communi- cate to others the blessings we have received, and to encourage from our own experience a diligent and patient waiting upon God. It is obvious, that if we can say, " What my eyes have seen, my ears have heard, and my hands have handled of the word of life, that same declare I unto you," our words will come with tenfold weight. We repeat however, that a general communi- cating of our experiences in large companies is in our judgment highly inexpedient: it is a fruitful source of pride, discourage- ment, and hypocrisy. But in the confidence of friendship we may unbosom ourselves one to another, and declare, to the abundant edification both of ourselves and others, what God has done for our souls. In seasons of temptation and spiritual trouble, we may by such a communication administer unspeakable comfort to an afflicted brother. Nor is it necessary that we advert particularly to ourselves : if we give the result of our experience, the effect will be the same. The light we have received should not be hid under a bushel: if we have " freely received, we should freely give."]
' 2 Cor 1.6.
380.J PSALMS, Lxvii. 1 — 7. 229