advocates for, what they call, moderation, would reflect on this We do not mean to plead the cause oi real enthusiasm: but we affirm, that the world's standard of piety is very different from that by which Christ will estimate our characters in the last day.]
1. Their conceit — -
[Self-sufficiency and self-conceit not only consist with a lukewarm state, but necessarily grow out of it : for lukewarm- ness prevents a close examination of ourselves ; and a want of self-examination generates security. Thus the Laodiceans, with all their lukewarmness, " thought themselves rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing," while they were really in a very " wretched and miserable condition, be- ing altogether poor, and blind, and naked." It is only by en- gaging heartily in religion, that we find out our defects. We have no conception how destitute we are of every thincr that is good, till we come to exercise ourselves in spiritual duties : then we find, that, instead of being rich, we are inexpressibly poor : instead of having a deep insight into the great mystery of godliness, we are awfully bhnd; and, instead of being duly habited to meet our God, our best " righteousnesses are but as filthy rags," and we have nothing wherewith to cover the nakedness of our souls. But all this is hid from us, while we satisfy ourselves with outward duties, and have no enjoyment of God in them. We feel competent to all which we are in- clined to perform ; and therefore fancy that we possess all the energies necessary for what we ought to perform. But this is an error, which confirms and increases our lethargy, and will, if not removed, prove fatal to our eternal interests.]
We are next to turn our attention to, II. The counsel which our Lord gave them.
He first bids them apply to him for all that they stand in need of —
[Christ is the only fountain and the all-sufficient source of spiritual blessings : and here, in a kind and most affec- tionate manner, he "counsels" them to come to him for the things which they wanted. He had described the wretched- ness and misery of their state in three particulars ; and he points them to himself as having an inexhaustible fulness, exactly suited to their necessities. Were they poor/' Come, says he, for " gold," even for all the gifts and graces of my Spirit, which Mill stand the severest trial, and will make you "rich towards God." Were they naked? Come, says he, for " white raiment," even for the unspotted robe of my right- eousness, wherein you shall " be clothed," so that " the shame of your nakedness shall not appear" even to the penetrating
eye