but we are stirred up to greater diligence and circumspection; and are stimulated to exert ourselves more earnestly for the securing of the prize. But what if we lean too much to the favourable side ? It will be too late to remedy our error when once we pass into the eternal world. There is no repentance in the grave. It will be no excuse to say, " Lord, I was mis- taken ; I did not think so much strictness was necessary ; I thought that such characters as I were safe"." Now, therefore, "judge yourselves, that ye be not judged of the Lord." Inquire now, what is the tenour of your life. Do not be contented to examine whether you have committed any gross sin ; but inquire whether you are running as in a race, and striving to the utmost to glorify your God by all possible acts and offices of love ? Examine particularly, whether all that you do is, not to purchase heaven, but to testify your love to Christ ? If you bring yourselves to any lower standard than this, you will deceive yourselves to your eternal ruin. But, if, after a strict inquiry into these things, " your conscience condemn you not, then have you a scriptural confidence towards God^."]^
u Matt. vii. 22, 23. ^ 1 John ill. 21.
y If this were the subject of a Charity Sermon, it would be proper here to recommend the charity, and to exhort them to beneficence ; but at the same time to caution them against the idea of meriting heaven by their alms-deeds ; and to remind them, that their love must spring from faith in Christ, and be exercised sunply for his sake, and to his glory.