found chaff at last n* When therefore we consider how weak our faith is, and that it is " by faith we stand," we have reason to fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into God's rest, any of us should seem to come short of it0.]
We shall conclude the subject with some suitable advice —
1. Bear in mind what you once were —
[To " look to the rock whence we were hewn, and to the hole of the pit, whence we were digged," will be a good anti- dote to pride. While we remember what we were, we shall see no reason but for humiliation and thankfulness before him, who has made us to differ both from others and from our former selves5.]
2. Consider what you still are —
[You are, we trust, " brands plucked out of the fire :" true ; but you still bear the marks of the fire upon you ; and have a disposition to catch fire again, the very instant you are exposed to temptation. Let every one view himself in this light ; and he will see need enough of attending to the exhor- tation in the text.]
3. Be aware of the deceitfulness of your own
hearts —
[In ten thousand instances we must have seen how liable we are to err even in things wherein we are most confident. So blinded are we at times by pride, passion, or interest, that we think ourselves right, when others evidently perceive, that we know not what spirit we are of. Let us be aware of this tendency to deceive ourselves ; and beg of God both to search our hearts, and to guide our feet.]
4. Guard against temptations to sin —
[Many are the temptations that assault us from without. From these we should flee, shunning both the occasions and the very appearance of evil. Many also are our temptations from within. These we should resist in their very first rise. We may easily extinguish a fire at its commencement, when all our efforts may be baffled, if we suffer it to proceed. For all is that direction necessary, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation."]
5. Live wholly in dependence on the power and grace of Christ —
n Luke xxii. 3 1 . ° Heb. iv. 1.
P Tit. iii. 3 — 6. 1 Cor. iv. 7.