Some, however, will admit the Scriptures to be the only true standard of religious sentiment : but then they suppose them- selves to be perfectly equal to the task of extracting from them the mind of God. They feel no need of divine teaching : they are unconscious of the blindness of their minds, and of the bias that is upon their hearts on the side of error. Hence they will take some few particular passages which favour the prejudices they have imbibed ; and on them they will build, as securely as if it was impossible for them to err.]
2. His own purposes and resolutions —
[Every one has, at some time or other, thought with him- self, that it was desirable for him to be prepared for death and judgment : and most persons have formed some faint purposes at least, if not a fixed resolution, that they will amend their lives, and prepare for their great account. In some imminent danger, or under some distressing occurrence, the purpose may have been formed with a view to a speedy change : but, in general, the convenient season is looked for at somewhat of a distant period. But the power to turn to God is doubted by none. The sufficiency of man to execute his own purposes and resolutions is never questioned. Every one supposes that he shall be able to effect whatever his judgment shall direct, and his necessities require. As for any need of divine assistance for these things, men have no idea of it. Their own strength is equal to the performance of all that they judge necessary for their salvation ; and therefore they may safely defer the great work of their souls to any period which it may suit them to assign.]
That I may dissuade you from such vain con- fidence, I proceed to state,
II. The folly of it- Even in relation to earthly things an overweening confidence in our own judgment and strength is a mark of folly : but in reference to the concerns of the soul it is folly in the extreme. For,
1. It robs us of the benefit we might receive from trusting in God —
[This is particularly intimated in the words immediately connected with my text: " He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool ; but whoso walketh wisely shall be delivered." Now here the "walking wisely" is put for trusting in God, rather than in ourselves : and the person who so conducts himself, "shall be delivered" from those evils into which the self-confi- dent must fall. Indeed the very honour of God is concerned to leave us, that we may reap the bitter fruits of our own folly.