events, it is time enough yet to think of turning seriously to God 'I ]
2. Among those who profess some regard for rehgion —
[They judge that a moral conduct, with a regular ob- servance of the outward forms of religion, is all that is
required*^ Or, that the embracing of the truths of the
Gospel, and joining themselves to the Lord's people, is a true
and scriptural conversion^ Or, that the having, at some
former period, had their affections strongly exercised about religious things, is a proof of their present acceptance with
God^ Or, that a present pleasure in religious duties,
with a partial mortification of sin, is a sufficient evidence of their sincerity'^ ]
But the vanity of these delusions will appear, while we,
IL Shew when and how they shall be removed —
The eyes of all will sooner or later be opened, and their vain conceits be dissipated —
1. Some will have their errors rectified in cofi- version —
[When the Spirit of God enlightens the mind of man, he scatters the clouds of ignorance and error ; and, as far at least as respects the foregoing delusions, guides them into the knowledge of the truth. He shews us, not only that our sins are known to God, but that we are in danger of condemna- tion on account of them, and that we ought to turn to God
instantly, and with our whole hearts^ He discovers to
us also, that no form of godliness, no change of sentiment, no moving of the affections, no partial reformation of the life, will suffice ; but that, if we will serve the Lord in truth, we must give up ourselves wholly to him and without reserve "^
^ Acts xxiv. 25. If other delusions have proved fatal to thou- sands, this has destroyed tens of thousands. The folly of it appears from James iv. 14, Luke xii. 20. and Gen. vi. 3. Prov, i. 24 — 31.
^ Our Lord warns us against this mistake, Matt. v. 20.
f But what did this avail the Foolish Virgins ? Matt. xxv. 1 — 12. or Judas? xxvi. 21 — 24. See also, Matt. xiii. 30, 40, 41, 42.
g Such notions are common, Matt. xiii. 20. but awfully delusive, Heb. vi. 4—6. 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21.
^ This is the thought of many, Isa. Iviii. 2, 3. Ezek. xxxiii. 31, 32. Ps. Ixxviii. 34, 35. But nothing less than an uniform and un- reserved obedience to God will prove us to be God's children, 1 John iii. 7. Mark ix. 43 — 48.
i Acts ii. 37. and xvi. 30. ^ pg. xviii. 23. and Heb. xii. 1..
558.] sinners' self-flattering delusions exposed. 273
Particularly he makes us to see " the liatefulness" of
the most refined hypocrisy, and even of the remains of sin, which, in spite of our most earnest endeavours to destroy it, yet war in our members^ ]
- 2. Others will have their misapprehensions re- moved in condemmition —
[Too many, alas ! hold fast their delusions in spite of God's word, and all the merciful or afflictive dispensations of his pro- vidence. But, as soon as ever they come into the eternal world, they will be undeceived. The sight of a holy God, together with the hearing of that sentence which their once compassionate, but now indignant Judge will pass upon them; and, above all, the feeling of the torments of hell, will convince them of their mistakes, and leave them no room to doubt, but that the care of the soul was " the one thing needful," and that every word of God shall be fulfilled in its season ]
Advice —
1. Confer not with flesh and blood in the concerns of religion —
[All unregenerate men endeavour to bring down the word of God to some standard of their own ; and consequently will discourage in us every thing that goes beyond the line which they have drawn for themselves. But, if they deceive us, they cannot afford us any remedy in the eternal world. The word of God is the only standard of right and wrong ; and by that we shall be judged in the last day. Let us therefore regulate our sentiments and conduct, not according to the opinions of fallible men, but according to the unerring declarations of God himself. And instead of endeavouring to lower the demands of God to our wishes or attainments, let us labour to raise our practice to the strictest requisitions of God's law"".]