I must entreat all then to shun this deadly heresy ; and to search and try themselves, and see what effect the promises have produced upon them ; for, as God is true, " without holi- ness shall no man see the Lord."]
3. Those who are seeking the end by the appointed means —
[Shall you fail of success ? Assuredly you shall not : for " the word cf promise will bring forth fruit in you, as it doth in all the world." Treasure up in your minds all " the exceed- ing great and precious promises," which " in Christ Jesus are yea and Amen:" dwell upon them: plead them before God in prayer: declare to him your affiance in them: expect their accomplishment : limit not the Holy One of Israel in any thing: bear in mind that with him all things are possible. Verily, if you will thus believe, you shall see the glory of God. Sin shall be weakened in you: Satan shall flee before you: all the principalities and powers of hell shall be bruised under your feet : in a word, Christ shall be formed in you, and " you shall be changed into his image from glory to glory by the Spirit of your God." Strengthened by these, your consolations shall be rich, your progress rapid, your victories secure : and in due time you shall possess the full substance of all the pro- mises in the complete attainment of God's perfect image, and the everlasting fruition of his glory.]
2 Cor. vii. 3. Ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
THERE is in every man a quick sensibility with respect to any thing that may affect his character : even a slight insinuation, that seems to convey re- proof, is keenly felt. On this account we ought to be extremely cautious, not only when criminating others, but even when vindicating ourselves ; because a necessary self-vindication may easily be construed as art oblique censure upon others. We cannot but admire the delicacy of the Apostle's mind, when asserting the integrity of his conduct towards the Church at Corinth. There were some in that place who had traduced his character : for the sake of others therefore it was necessary that he should