And how is it with the greater part of those who profess godli- ness P As the former " set not their heart aright," so these *^ in their spirit are not stedfast with God." What lamentable insta- bility is found in many who embrace the Gospel as a system, and number themselves amongst the Israel of God ! They " name the name of Christ ; but depart not from iniquity." they " pro- fess to know him ; but in works deny him :" they " have a name to live ; but are really dead :" or, if they " run well, it is only for a season •" they are soon diverted from their course ; they are drawn aside by temptation ; and though they " begin in the Spirit, they end in the flesh." Thus it was in the Apostle's days : and thus we are taught to expect it will be in every age, till that blessed period shall arrive, when " all nations shall serve the Lord," and " the Canaanite no more be found in the House of the Lord of Hosts." The good-ground hearers are but few, in com- parison of those whose unfruitfulness or instability disappoint the
T 2 efforts
efforts of the labourer. Discontent with respect to what God has done, and distrust as to what he will do ; a love of present gratifications, and a contempt of future good ; a renunciation of God himself for base and worthless idols; are not evils peculiar to that generation : they exist and operate amongst ourselves with undiminished force ; and in the conduct of the Israelites we have a mirror, wherein we may see our own faces, with the ex- ception of a few who serve God in spirit and in truth. There is indeed, thanks be unto God! " a generation of righteous" per- sons, who are truly *' upright," and truly " blessed'*." But, for the most part, the present generation has little reason to boast against that which is mentioned in our text: yea rather, inas- much as our privileges exceed theirs, and our obligations to holi- ness are greater, it may well be doubted whether we are not more criminal than they ; and whether they in the day of judg- ment will not rise up against us and condemn us.]
Address,
1 . Those who are satisfied with themselves — [We are told that *' there is a generation that are pure in
their own eyes, but are not washed from their filthiness^." Yes, thousands are well satisfied with themselves on account of their outward morality, though they have no real spirituality of mind, no entire devotedness of heart to God. But let it be remem- bered, that " God looketh not at the outward appearance, but at the heart :" he " requireth truth in the inward parts." And to the heart must we also look : for " as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." I mean not that we should take no notice of our actions ; because if they be bad, our hearts must of neces- sity be bad also ; since it is " out of the abundance of the heart that we both speak" and act. But actions, though good in appearance, vvill not suffice to prove our integrity before God. By the heart alone he judges: (acts are regarded only as proofs and evidences of our state :) and according as that is found up- right or hypocritical before him, will our sentence at his tribunal be. Let us then look well to the truth of our profession, and to the stability of our ways. Let us see to it, that our " heart is set aright " to glorify his name, and that our spirit is stedfast with him, whatever temptations or difficulties be put in our way. For then only " have we a good hope," when we are " Israelites in- deed, and without guile °."]
2. Those who are conscious of their departures from God —
To see that we have erred from his ways is the first step to- wards a return to him. If you see then a resemblance between yourselves and the Jews of old, be thankful that " God has not