Do not, I beseech you, brethren, take your own experience as the standard of truth, or imagine that no one else can possess what you have never received : but look to God for the accom- plishment of his gracious promises to your souls s ; and never rest, till you have obtained those supplies of his Spirit, whereby alone you can attain the Christian character, or be ever fitted for the realms of bliss *."]
2. Those who profess to live in the enjoyment of them —
[Regard not the contempt with which ungodly men may treat you : but let the Apostle's direction be followed by you daily, with increasing earnestness. Be careful, however, not to give any just occasion for reproach. Let there be nothing extravagant, either in your profession or your practice. Religion, if it have its just influence upon your soul, will render you patterns of sobriety, of prudence, and of true wisdom : it will cause you to " walk wisely before God, in a perfect way." At the same time, it will bring into your soul a peace that passeth all understanding and a joy that is un- speakable and glorified. There will be, indeed, occasional changes in your frame, even as there are in the natural world : there will be times for the tears of penitential sorrow to flow down, as well as for the radiance of the noon-day sun. But the more you live on Tabor, the more will you behold the Saviour's glory : and the more you survey the promised land from Pisgah's top, the more will you be fitted for the everlast- ing enjoyment of it.]
s Prov. i. 22, 23. * John xvi. 7— 11.