ness of my salvation? If this be made clear to my mind and conscience, through the enlightening grace of the Holy Ghost, then I may freely and fully take the promises for my portion.

The Christian professor who neglects this inward search, this looking into the glass of God's word, that he may see his spiritual character, as a man beholds his natural face in a glass,* will be ready to fancy himself to be something when he is nothing, and thus miserably deceive himself. Such a work of self-examination will be deemed legal, and tending to bondage, though it be the duty enforced upon him by an inspired Apostle: "Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your ownselves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates."+ Respecting the Lord's Supper, St. Paul also says, "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."+

Heavenly Father! make me sincere in my selfexaminations. May I come to the light, that so, my whole heart being searched by "the candle of the Lord,"§ every lurking evil may be discovered and rooted out, crucified, and destroyed.

Happy are they who can discern, with humility and a thankful heart, their own state, as justified and sanctified believers in Christ Jesus. All the promises scattered throughout the sacred volume, like the stars in the firmament, are theirs. Every thing that is needful for life and godliness, for support and protection, is theirs; for

"Jesus gives us in his word,

Food and med'cine, shield and sword."

O! my soul, be thankful for such a Saviour, who hath said, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."|| Hath he said, and shall he not +2 Cor. xiii. 5, 6.

James i. 23-25.

1 Cor. xi. 28.

do it? Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? He who is the Truth will never disappoint the hopes which he hath raised, or the promises which he has made.

"How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in his excellent word."

my

99*

For Jesus has said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but words shall not pass away." The following passages set forth the character of God's people, and the promises annexed to that character. The graces of the Spirit, like the radii of a circle, all meet in the heart of the believer. Without the indwelling Spirit, we have no spiritual life. All profession is vain, and religion but an empty sound.

O! my soul, these precious portions of God's word may well cause thee to make diligent search, whether thou art indeed in the way of life;-whether thou possessest these features of the new creature in Christ Jesus.

FAITH.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."-Acts xvi. 31.

"Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."-Rom. ix. 33.

"He that believeth on him shall not be confounded."-1 Pet. ii. 6.

REPENTANCE.

"Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”— Acts ii. 38.

"Whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy."-Prov. xxviii. 13.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."-1 John i. 9.

* Matt. xxiv. 35.

"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."-Matt. v. 4.

LOVE.

"He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” -John xiv. 21.

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Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."-Psa. xxxvii. 4.

OBEDIENCE.

"If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people."-Exod. xix. 5.

"He that doeth the will of God abideth for ."-1 John ii. 17.

ever.".

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love."-John xv. 10.

TRUST.

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. -Psa. cxxv. 1.

"Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he."Prov. xvi. 20.

"Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe."-Prov. xxix. 25.

FEAR.

"Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings."Mal. iv. 2.

HONOUR.

"Them that honour me I will honour.".

1 Sam. ii. 30.

PRAYER.

"Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered."-Joel ii. 32.

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee."-Psa. 1. 15.

"All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."-Matt. xxi. 22.

HUMILITY.

"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."-1 Pet. v. 6.

"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up."-James iv. 10.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."-Matt. v. 3.

MEEKNESS.

"The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way."-Psa. xxv. 9.

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."-Matt. v. 5.

PURITY.

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."-Matt. v. 8.

SUFFERING FOR CHRIST'S SAKE.

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven."-Matt. v. 11, 12.

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with him."2 Tim. ii. 12.

PERSEVERANCE, OR STEDFASTNESS IN THE FAITH.

"He that endureth to the end shall be saved." -Matt. x. 22.

"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."-Rev. ii. 10.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things." -Rev. xxi. 7.

These beautiful passages delineate the New Creation of God. However plausible our profession of religion may be, if we bear not these marks of discipleship, we have no right to Christian privileges, Christian promises, or Christian prospects of future glory. Though sprinkled with water at the baptismal font; though regular communicants at the table of the Lord; though zealous assertors of certain opinions, and warm adherents to some favourite minister; we are, in the sight of God, if destitute of charity, no better than "sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."*

Lord! bestow this adorable gift of thy divine Spirit, this heavenly love, on me thine unworthy servant. Impart it to all those who have it not, and increase it in those who have received it, that thine image may be visibly discerned in the hearts and lives of all who call themselves Christians, that they may hold the faith in unity of the Spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.

If I have received the grace of faith, of repentance, love, obedience, trust, fear, humility, meekness, and purity; if I honour God before men; if I live in a spirit of prayer; if I suffer, for righteousness' sake; if I continue stedfast in the faith; I am a member of Christ's mystical body, and all the promises annexed to these graces are my portion.

As the word of God reveals to us our real state and character, so is it admirably adapted, through the Spirit, to comfort the mourners in Zion, and to pour the oil of gladness into the wounded heart. The sorrowful sighing of the humble and contrite, the longing desires of the loving believer, are answered in so gracious a manner, as would for ever banish despondencies and fears, were not unbelief and distrust so deeply rooted in our hearts. Lord, remove from me every root of bitterness, that I may not be faithless, but believing.

* 1 Cor. xiii. 1.