We need go no further to prove that men, " measuring themselves by tliemselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise^"'\
That we may be preserved from this most destruc- tive habit, we will point out,
III. The most effectual antidotes —
1. Study the holy law of God —
[That is the only true standard of good and evil : and " by that is the knovi^ledge of sin." That reaches to the inmost thoughts and dispositions, as well as to the outward acts. — It was by a view of that, as extending to every desire of the soul, that Paul was made to feel himself a guilty and undone sinner"^: and that once understood, will bring all of us into the dust before God.]
2. Watch the motions of your own hearts — [Little do we suspect how much evil we should discover, if
we were to mark the motives and principles by which we are actuated. Even when we are influenced by a good principle in the first instance, Satan will find some occasion to sow tares with the wheat, and to defile our very best actions. Let us then exercise a holy jealousy over ourselves : let us not be too confident, even when we are most unconscious of any secret evil ' : let us especially be on our guard against every self- complacent thought : and let us abase ourselves, that we may be exalted of our God.]
3. Bear in mind the strictness of the scrutiny in the day of judgment —
[God " weigheth" not our actions only, but "our spirits:" there is not a thought of our hearts that is not open to his all-seeing eye. He views at once the rule, and the observance of it ; and every deviation from the line of absolute perfection is marked by him. True indeed it is, that whilst we are looking to the blood of Christ to cleanse us from our secret faults, and to the Spirit of Christ to perfect in us his good work, God will not " be extreme to mark what is done amiss :" but, if we harbour any secret lust, or indulge any unhallowed principle, our God will search it out, and judge us according to it"*. Our self-commendation will then avail us nothing; but we shall stand or fall according to the decision of an omniscient and unerring Judge.]
i ver. 12. "^ Rom. vii. 9.
1 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4. ^ 1 Cor. iv. 5.