impress on our minds by an application of them to our hearts and consciences. There are three distinct characters, to whom, in prosecution of our purpose, we shall address ourselves :
I. To those who make a profession of religion, but walk unworthy of it —
[Our Lord not only intimates, but expressly declares, that there are " many " who deceive themselves in the matter of religion. It is of infinite importance therefore that we should have just and accurate notions of vital godliness ; and that we should bring our experience of religion to the touchstone of God's word. It is evident that a person may have much, which bears the semblance of piety, while he is far from feeling its genuine influence. He may say, " Lord, Lord," that is, he may not only profess to believe in Christ, and to submit to his authority, but may profess it with considerable zeal and con- fidence ; he may also preach, and even work miracles, in the name of Christ, and yet be destitute of that, which alone can prove him to be a true Christian. The examples of Simon Magus, and of Judas, sufficiently confirm this melancholy truth ^ It becomes us therefore to inquire, not only what notions we entertain, but what effects they produce on our hearts and lives? Are we " doing the will of Grod ?" Are we doing it cheerfully, uniformly, progressively ? Do we walk with God, setting him constantly before us, endeavouring to approve ourselves to him in all we do, and worshipping him statedly in the Church, the family, and the closet? Do we act towards our neighbour, as we, in a change of circumstances, should expect him to act towards us ? Do we pay a strict regard to truth and honesty in all our dealings ? Do we exer- cise candour in judging, patience in forbearing, kindness in pardoning, generosity in relieving ? In short, is love the prin- ciple, that regulates all our conduct ? And are we conscien- tiously discharging all our relative duties, as husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants, magistrates and subjects? Are we, moreover, duly attentive to the work- ings of our own hearts, in order to suppress the motions of pride, envy, malice, covetousness, impurity, or whatever else may defile the soul ? Are we studious to mortify sin in the thought and desire no less than in its outward actings? Now such is the true way to judge of our state : for only in propor- tion as we are enabled to practise these duties, have we any scriptural evidence of our acceptance with God. We do not mean that the performance of these duties constitutes the ivhole
a Acts viii. 13, 23. John vi. 70, 71. For further instances of false confidence, see Ps. Ixxviii. 35, 36. Jer. vii. 4. Jolm viii. 39, 41, 44.