false-accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." It is not necessary, indeed, that all these evil qualities should be combined in the same person: but there is in self-love a tendency to produce them, so far as a person's circumstances are calculated to call them forth. Nor vs^ill there be found in such persons any redeeming quality, or any thing to compensate for these evil dispositions. Their selfishness so engrosses their minds, as to render them in- capable of any noble exertion, either in a way of piety or benevolence. The lover of self will love none else, at least not in such a degree as to make any great sacrifice either for God or man.]
2. To the cause of Christ in the world —
[It is granted, that a man who is " a lover of his own self" may be instructed in the truths of religion, and observant of its forms: " He may have a form of godliness; but he will be destitute of its power :" nor is there any great hope of ever benefiting him by the ministration of the Gospel. The word preached either sinks not into his mind at all, or, if sown in his heart, is " choked with thorns and briers, so as to bring forth no fruit to perfection." Nor is this all the evil that ac- crues from his hateful dispositions. He sets others against the Gospel ; and " causes the way of truth to be evil spoken of," and " the very name of God to be blasphemed." Besides, by his spirit and conduct he stirs up corruption in all around him ; and even foments in them, by re-action, the very dispositions exercised by himself Hence, instead of unity in the Church, there will be dissension ; and the minister will derive nothing but grief from those over whom he ought rather to rejoice. This I apprehend to be the primary idea in the Apostle's mind, when he calls the times, of which he speaks, " perilous," that is, troublesome, grievous, and perplexing. And certainly it must go ill with any Church where such characters abound.]
We may see, then. What is mainly to be looked to,
1. In estimating our own character —
[I would not undervalue religious sentiments : but they are of no worth, if they be not productive of suitable disjwsitions and conduct. Do not then inquire, whether you have attained a scriptural creed, and " a form of godliness ;" but whether *' the truth has made you free ;" free from selfish principles and selfish habits. The man whose heart is right with God will account nothing of any value, any further than it can be improved for the honour of God and the good of man. Even life itself is held by him only as a victim ready to be sacrificed, whenever a proper occasion shall call for it. See how the