SO fearful of its delusions, that you determine never to take its report of any thing without comparing it with the sacred records, and imj^loring direction from God that you may not err. And be assured, that, till you are brought to renounce all dependence on yourselves, and to depend only on the Lord, you are not, you cannot be, in a state of acceptance with God : for, if he pronounces you fools, he will surely deal with you according to your proper character.]
2. How necessary is the knowledge of Christ —
[Till we come to know what provision God has made for us in the Son of his love, we shall of necessity continue guilty of the folly which is here reprobated. But when once we are assured that there is another in whom we may trust, and who possesses in himself all the fulness of the Godhead, we are encouraged to look beyond ourselves, and to place our confi- dence in him. Now the Lord Jesus Christ is that person, who is sent of God for that very end, and " is of God made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Here, then, we have all that our necessities can require. By this, all temptation to creature-confidence is cut off: for who would lean upon a reed, that has Omnipotence for his support? or who would build upon the sand, that can have for his founda- tion " the Rock of ages?" Seek, then, I pray you, the know- ledge of this Saviour ; and beg of God to shew you what an inexhaustible fulness is treasured up for you in him ; and how impossible it is that you should ever fail, if only you trust in him. Once begin in truth to " live by faith in the Son of God," and you " shall not be ashamed or confounded world without end.]