Christ Jesus. As for those who dream of sinless perfection, I marvel at them. Let them explain their notions as they will, they put away from themselves one-half of the Apostle's experience, and suffer incalculable loss, in exchanging true scriptural humility for Pharisaic pride, and unscriptural self- complacency. The being emptied of all our own imaginary goodness, and being made truly thankful to God for the blessings we receive in and through Christ, is that which constitutes the Christian warfare, and that which alone will issue in final victory.]
2. How little true religion there is in the world — [We hear every living man complaining at times of troubles,
civil, domestic, or personal : and we find every man at times exhilarated on some occasion or other. But we might live years with the generality of men, and never once hear them crying, " O my inward corruptions : what a burthen they are to my distressed soul!" Nor should we see them ever once rejoicing in Christ as their suitable and all-sufficient Saviour. Yea, if we were only to suggest such a thought to them, they would turn away from us in disgust. Can we need any further proof of the prevalence, the general prevalence, of irreligion ? May God make use of this indisputable fact for the bringing home of conviction upon all our souls !]
3. What consolation is provided for them who have ever so small a portion of true religion in their hearts —
[Many experience the sorrows of religion without its joys; and they refuse to be comforted because of the ground they have for weeping and lamentation. But if their sins are a just occasion of sorrow, their sorrow on account of sin is a just occasion of joy : and the more they cry, O wretched man that I am, the more reason they have to add, " Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ." Let this ascription of praise be our alternate effusion now ; and ere long it shall be our only, and uninterrupted, song for ever.]