\. See that the Christian's character. Brethren, be yours —
[Here is an easy test whereby to try yourselves : Are you indeed seeking after God ? and are you truly lovers of his sal- vation? Nothing is easier to ascertain than this. The lovers of pleasure, of riches, and of honour, plainly manifest their character : you may see it in the disposition of their minds, and in the daily habit of their lives. They use the means which are suited to their respective ends. I blame not them for this : for it is not the pursuit of earthly things, but the inordinate pursuit of them, that is displeasing to God. But where the world is sought only in a legitimate way, the means are used in order to the end : no man expects to reap where he has not sowed. Are you then using the means of salvation, in daily prayer to God, in an earnest application to the Saviour, and in a diligent performance of every known duty ? You may easily ascertain your true character, if you will try yourselves by this test : and therefore to every one of you I say, " Examine your- selves, whether ye be in the faith : try your own selves."]
2. See that ye walk worthy of that character — [Be not content to live without a real enjoyment of th(» divine presence. The lukewarm are in some respects more
c Hos. vi. 3. d Ps. cxxv. 1.
odious to God than tliose who are altogether destitute of any religion : because, in professing themselves the Lord's people, they bring nothing but disgrace upon him by their want of zeal and love. 1 say to you, Brethren, and I say it from God himself, " Be either colcl or hot." If God be not worthy to be loved and served, cast off his service altogether : but if he be worthy, then love and serve him with your whole hearts. It is in this way only that you can attain any joy in the Lord. It is in this way only that you can gain such discoveries of his love, as shall constrain you to abound in grateful adoration and thanksgiving. In the want of joy, you may indeed be thank- ful, if you can mourn and weep : but God forbid that you should be satisfied with such low attainments as will leave you destitute of all comfort in religion. You are here to prepare for glory: you are here to anticipate the glory that awaits you : you are here, both in word and deed, to be magnifying the Lord, in some measure as he is magnified in heaven. Aspire, then, to this state, which is recommended in my text : " Let all those that seek the Lord rejoice and be glad in him : and let all such as love his salvation, say continually. The Lord be magnified ! "]