humbly, and laboured for it diligently. Have you then this evidence at least that it has been accomplished ? If not, you can have no reason to think that you have ever yet experienced the change, which characterizes all who are made heirs of salvation.]
2. As a ground of humiliation —
[If you were the most eminent saint that ever lived, it would be well to bear in mind what you once were, and what you would still have been, if Divine grace had not wrought a change within you. Look then at those who " are afar off;" and, when you see their alienation from God, their enmity against his people, their distance from even a hope of salvation, behold your own image, and be confounded on account of your past abominations : yea, " walk softly also before God all the days of your life," in the recollection, that, as that once was your state, so it would be again, if the grace that originally interposed to change you, do not continually maintain that change in your souls.]
3. As a source of gratitude and joy —
[It is scarcely needful to say, that they who have expe- rienced a restoration to God's favour, should bless and magnify their Benefactor and Redeemer. But have not those also, who are at the greatest distance from God, reason to rejoice and sing ? Yes surely ; for they may look at those who are now in heaven, and say, " The blood which availed to bring them nigh to God will also avail for me." O joyful thought! Ponder it in your hearts, ye careless sinners : consider what the Lord Jesus Christ is both able and willing to do for you. Every saint, whether on earth or in heaven, was once in your state ; and if you will seek remission through the blood of Christ, you shall be partakers of their privileges, both in this world and in the world to come.]