indifference: he would not have been guilty of denying or dishonouring the Saviour on any account : but the double- minded man cares not what dishonour he brings on the Gospel, provided he may but escape the evils with M'hich he is menaced for his adherence to it. He is " Hke the wave," now raised, now depressed, and driven hither and thither as the wind impels it; whilst the upright soul is as the rock, which, amidst all the storms and tempests that assail it, is un- shaken and unmoved.]
Let US LEARx then from hence,
1. The vast importance of self-examination — •
[Men do not easily see their own duplicity. " The heart is deceitful above all things," and readily persuades us, that our doubtful confidence in God, and ovn* partial obedience to him, are all that is required of us. But God discerns the in most recesses of the heart, and sees there all the latent work- ings of worldliness and unbelief: nor will he at the last day approve of any but those whom he can attest to have been " Israelites indeed, and without guile." As for " the fearful and unbelieving," he will assign to them no other portion than " the lake that biu'neth with fire and brimstone"." O let us fear, lest, after all our profession, " our religion prove vain," and we be found to have " deceived our own souls p."]
2. The indispensable necessity of being " renewed in the spirit of our minds" —
[Never, till that takes place, shall we possess " the single eyeV' and walk before God in one undeviating path of holy obedience. We may take up a profession of religion ; but in- stability will mark our every step. To rely on God uni- formly, and to " follow him fully," are far too high attainments for the natural man. Let me then intreat you to seek of God a new heart, and to pray that he would " renew a right spirit within you." Then may you hope to be " stedfast, and im- moveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord :" and then shall you be fixed " as pillars in the Temple of your God, that shall go no more out for ever'."]
" Rev. xxi. 8» p Jam. i. 26. •« Matt. vi. 33, 24.
' Rev. iii. 12.