[It is not by negative virtues, no, nor by positive virtues of an external kind, that we are to judge of ourselves, but by the disposition of our minds towards God. We may be able to say with the Pharisee, " I am no extortioner, not unjust, no adulterer;" and may be able to add with him, "I fast twice in the week, and give tithes of all that I possess;" and yet be odious characters in the sight of God. If we would not deceive ourselves, we must inquire into the sense we have of our obli- gations to him, the determination we feel to approve ourselves faithful to him in the whole extent of our duty, and the confi- dence with which we are enabled to cast our care on him for body and for soul, for time and for eternity. Without this, whatever else we may possess, we are only "as sounding brass, and as tinkling cymbals : " and "if a man think himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. We must therefore prove our own selves, that so we may have rejoicing in ourselves and not another''."]
2. How to secure a favourable testimony from your God—
[Man may easily be deceived : but God will assuredly judge according to truth. He "weigheth," not the actions only, but " the spirits" of men. And when he shall come at the last day, as he certainly will, in majesty and gloi'y infinitely more terrible than that displayed at Sinai, he will testify of us before the assembled universe : and it will be a small matter that he has not to lay to our charge a neglect of outward services, if he have to accuse us of a want of those holy dispositions which we should have entertained and exercised towards him.
We entreat you then, Brethren, to look well to the state and habit of your minds: see to it, that you "delight yourselves in God ; " that your whole life be a life of faith in him, of love towards him, and of zeal for the glory of his name: and, whilst you are presenting to him your own bodies and souls as a living sacrifice, present to him that great Sacrifice which was once offered on Mount Calvary for the sins of the whole world, and which alone can avail for your final acceptance with him. Much as he despises the blood of bulls and goats, he will not despise the blood of his only dear Son ; but will, for the sake of it, pardon all your sins, and accept, yea and reward too with everlasting happiness and glory, all yoiu: imperfect services.]
r Gal. vi. 3, 4.