I have in some measure anticipated my second head, yet I will proceed more fully to point out,
II. Its reasonableness —
The reasonableness of it appears from this, that we know incomparably more concerning ourselves, than we do, or can do, respecting others. We know more of our own,
1. Motives —
[There are workings of mind, of which even we ourselves are scarcely sensible ; and which, whilst they appear good at the time, we find afterwards to have been evil. The two Apostles who would have called fire from heaven to consume a Samaritan village gave themselves credit for a holy and becoming zeal ; whilst, in fact, they were actuated by pride and revenge : our blessed Lord told them, that " they knew not what spirit they were of." In examining our own hearts, we shall find, that, on different occasions, there has been much amiss in relation to our motives, where our actions have appeared most excellent and praiseworthy: but of the motives of others we could judge only by the actions themselves : and therefore it is but reasonable that we should account others, of whom we know no evil, better than ourselves, who have been conscious of much that has been contrary to the mind of God. The mixtures which we have discovered in ourselves of pride and vain-glory, of self-seeking and self-complacency, and of many other hidden abominations, should make us ever to lie low both before God and man.]
2. Exertions —
[We cannot but blush and be ashamed when we look back upon the sloth and indolence which we have indulged, especially when engaged in holy exercises. How slight has been our application, when reading the word of God ! How languid our frame, when drawing nigh to him at the throne of grace ; our confessions being destitute of all contrition ; our prayers, of fervour ; our thanksgivings, of gratitude ! In the house of God, how have our minds wandered to the very ends of the earth; yes, and sometimes too, perhaps, been filled with all evil, when we have professed to have been engaged in the service of our God ! In short, we cannot but be con- scious, that we have but too often trifled with God and our own souls, when we should have been running as in a race, and striving, as in a contest, for our very lives. But in reference to others, we know not these things : and therefore it is in the