Are we then going to him, and relying on him, and receiving from him all that we need for the salvation of our souls? Are we looking to him daily, and to him alone, for " wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and complete redemp- tion ? " O ! inquire whether you are thus living a life of faith on the Son of God, as having loved you, and given himself for
you
Then see, whether, in compliance with God's command, you have come out from the ungodly world, and set out upon a journey towards that land, that good land flowing with milk and honey, which, however, you never have seen, nor can see till your pilgrimage shall have come to a close. And are you, in your way thither, sacrificing to God your dearest interests and most darling lusts ? Say, do you take your very Isaac, and sacrifice him with your own hand? This will shew you whose children you are : for none but a child of Abraham can ever so resemble that father of the faithful : whilst it is equally certain that " every child of his will thus walk in his steps g."]
Application —
1. Make use then, I pray you, of this test, for the ascertaining of your state —
[You are not Christians because you were born of Chris- tian parents, and have been educated in the Christian faith. True Christianity is seated in the heart, and displays itself in
the life1' And remember, there is no medium between
children of God and children of the wicked one: so that, if it cannot be said with truth that God is your Father, it must be said, " Ye are of your father the devil1 :" and with him must you take your portion, even " with him, whose ye are, and whom ye serve." I pray you, then, " examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; and prove your own selves" with the utmost diligence ; lest, while ye call yourselves Abraham's children, and hope to " sit down with him for ever in the kingdom of your God," you be disclaimed by him at the last, and be "thrust out of the mansionk" where he dwells, and where no unclean thing can ever enter.]
2. And use also this example as a stimulus to your exertions —
[See the heights to which your father Abraham attained ; and strive, to the utmost of your power, not to come short of them ]
g Rom. iv. 12. h Rom.ii. 28,29. Cite, and expatiate on this. ' ver. 44. k Luke xiii. 28.