in the esteem of others, is the height of his ambition. But the Christian desires that God, and God only, may be glorified. He seeks not applause from man : he cherishes no fond con- ceits of his own superior excellence : much less does he go about to establish a righteousness of his own, wherein to stand before God. Instead of admiring himself for his own attain- ments, he will trace them all to their proper source, and give God the glory of them : yea, the more he is enabled to do for God, the more he feels himself indebted to God. He dares not " to sacrifice to his own net, or to burn incense to his own drag;" but accounts himself, after all, an unprofitable servant; and says, " Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be the praise."
Now, whether we can discern the difference, or not, in others, we may easily detect it in ourselves ; and, consequently, may easily discern " whose we are, and whom we serve." And I cannot but recommend it to all, to be jealous over them- selves, lest they mistake the virtues of the flesh for the graces of the Spirit ; and lest, " having a name to live, they prove really dead4."]
For an improvement of this subject, observe,
1. How excellent a religion is ours !
[They form a very erroneous idea of Christianity, who view it as a system of doctrines merely, irrespective of the effects to be produced by them. I will readily grant, that mysteries, however grand, are of little value, if they operate no sanctifying change within us. But let any person contemplate the change wrought by the Spirit on the heart and life of a believer ; let him see poor selfish creatures transformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus, and walking in the world as he walked ; let him go into the world, the family, the closet, and see the dispositions and habits of the true Christian ; will any one obtain even a glance of this, and not admire the religion from whence it flows? I charge you, brethren, rest not in partial views of Christianity : satisfy not yourselves with look- ing at it as a system of mysterious doctrines, propounded for speculation only. No ; view it in all its practical efficiency ; and then you will acknowledge that it is worthy of all possihle honour, respect, and love.]
2. How easily may we ascertain our state before God!
[We may surely, without any great difficulty, find what our tempers and dispositions are ; and whether we are in the daily habit of imploring help from God for the improvement
1 Rev. hi. 1.