that the work must be done, and he engages in it in a humble dependence on his God : and he looks to the future judgment, as the period when all his labours shall be compensated, and his hopes fulfilled. Now, 1 would ask, would every one that sees you, know you by these marks? The husbandman, with- out intending to attract notice, discovers to all, his views, his occupations, his desires. Are yours also in like manner appa- rent to all who behold your life and conversation! Doubtless your daily calls of duty are not so visible to every observer: but upon the whole, the great scope and end of your life is not a whit less visible to all who are round about you. Here then you may easily ascertain your own character. If eternity be not ever in your view ; if all you do have not a reference to it ; if you be not willing both to do and suffer every thing that may conduce to your future welfare ; and if you be not " looking for, and hasting unto, the coming of the day of Christ," as to the period for the completion of all your wishes, you do not belong to this holy family : you may call yourselves Christians ; but you are not Christians indeed. We read of those who " said that they were Jews, and did lie:" so you say that you are Christians ; but your whole conduct gives the lie to your profession. If you are Christians in deed and in truth, " your works of faith, and labours of love, and patience of hope, are known to all ;" and they vouch for you, that " you are the elect," the children of the living Godf.]
2. How to anticipate your certain end —
[All imagine that they are going to heaven ; and will not be persuaded to the contrary. But, if you have ears to hear, and hearts to understand, you shall know this day whether you are going to heaven or to hell. Ask yonder husbandman: * Have you been ploughing and sowing your ground this year?' ' No ; I have had other things to do.' — ' And do you expect a harvest ? ' ' Yes, I shall have as good a crop as any of my neighbours.' — ' But do you think that you shall obtain the end without the means?' 'Tell me not about means and end: others give themselves a great deal of unnecessary trouble : and I shall have as good a crop as my neighbours : nor shall any one persuade me to the contrary.'
Now what, suppose you, will be the issue ? Will the event accord with this man's expectations ? Will he not, when the time of harvest comes, find that his confidence has been delu- sive ; and that his barns are empty, whilst the granaries of others are filled with store ? Then I agree that you shall be your own judges. If you can form a doubt about the issue of that man's confidence, especially when it is repeated for many
f 1 Thess. i. 3, 4.