delusive expectations, and to seek from God that true faith which alone can sanctify and save the soul.
2. To those who really possess the faith of Christ.
Such, I doubt not, are to be found amongst you. Yes, some of you, I trust, can call God to witness, that you have again and again "fled to Christ for refuge as to the hope set before you," and that you " count all things but dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord." To you then I say, that God has conferred upon you the greatest gift that you can possess in this world. Crowns and kingdoms, in comparison of it, were no more than the dust upon the balance. In possessing real faith, you have obtained the forgiveness of all your sins. You have also within your own bosom a sanctifying principle, which shall progressively trans- form you into the very image of your God. And for you is reserved " an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." What then will you render to the Lord for these great benefits ? This do : Consecrate yourselves to God so wholly and entirely, that when the question is asked, " Who hath believed our report ? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?" all who witness your life and conversation may point to you> and say, " That man carries his own evidence along with him : however I may doubt of others, I can entertain no doubt respecting him.' This, my dear brethren, is what God expects from you. He expects that you should " shine forth as lights in the world, and so hold forth the word of life, as to prove to all, that we have not laboured in vain, or run in vainu."
u Phil. ii. 15, 16.