all who are exposed to trials will not be able to bear them, some therefore will be offended; but the holy God will accomplish his ends, both in them that are saved and in them that perish.

On the whole, true saints have abundant reason to be encouraged; but hypocrites and self-deceivers may well be dismayed, for if they are not exposed in this life, they are sure to be hereafter.

SECTION II.

If men must be tried as gold is tried in the fire, then it is of great importance that they should examine and prove themselves, and it cannot be unsuitable to urge this duty here.

1. The difficulty of this work, ought to excite you specially and resolutely to undertake it; since your welfare requires that it should be performed. If it were an easy thing to ascertain the real state of the heart, you might more safely delay the investigation; but it has never been considered an easy task, and perhaps you, as well as others, may find a difficulty in two respects, in bringing your heart to the work, and in successfully conducting the examination; defer it not therefore, if you would attain well founded peace, and avoid final shame and perdition.

2. The discovery of sincerity and holiness, after a faithful examination, will abundantly reward you for your pains; I need not describe the value and the blessedness of such a discovery; the experience of it, alone, can be useful to you.

3. The vast interests of your souls in this mattter, ought to awaken you to the utmost diligence in examining yourselves. Your eternal happiness stands or falls

with your sincerity; bring your hearts then to the trial; your thoughts cannot be occupied on a more momentous subject; a portion of your time cannot be employed to better purpose ;` a business more worthy of your closest attention cannot be named.

4. Remember, that whether prepared or unprepared, whether saints or sinners, you must ere long stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and be approved or condemned. Therefore examine and prove yourselves now, and be willing that God should try you as he pleases in this world, that confusion and wo may not overwhelm you at last.

CHAPTER XII.

Proposing various helps for discovering sincerity and detecting hypocrisy.

SECTION 1.

I shall venture here to offer some observations which may assist to the discovery of sincerity.

1. Every true reason of humiliation for sin is not a proper cause of doubt whether we have genuine holiness or not. It is the unhappiness and the sin of some good souls, to construe every thing unfavorably to themselves; they judge not candidly, and therefore cannot expect the comforts which piety confers on others.

2. The doubts and fears which we indulge concerning the unsoundness of our hearts, do not prove that we are destitute of holiness. Saints who are free from doubts and fears, are rarely to be met with.

3. Let him who would ascertain the state of his heart, examine it impartially, remembering, that for the smallest as well as for the greatest manifestations of sanctifying grace, God must be praised.

It may be of advantage to such, occasionally to propose to themselves questions like the following:

Do I seek the approbation of God, or the applause of men, in my religious exercises?

Is it the reproach and shame which attend sin at present or the misery which will follow it hereafter, or is it love to God and hatred of sin that restrains me from the commission of it?

Do I heartily rejoice to see God's work carried on in the world, and his glory promoted by the instrumentality of others, though the honor and the benefits of it result not to me?

Is there no duty so difficult or self-denying, but I desire to perform it when required?

Am I resolved to follow Christ, and practise holiness at all times and in all events?

Am I rigidly conscientious in abstaining from secret sins, and in performing secret duties?

Such questions proposed in a calm and serious hour, can hardly fail to reach the heart.

SECTION II.

As the upright and sincere are apt to apply to themselves the characteristics of hypocrites or self-deceivers, so these on the contrary, are eager to appropriate to themselves the graces and expectations of saints; some remarks must therefore be made to discover their ruinous mistakes.

1. It is not enough to clear a man from self-deception,

that he does not know himself to be deceived. Doubtless many are deceived, and will finally perish, who are not now sensible of their state, because they have never seri. ously examined it and ascertained the truth.

2. A man may be deceived himself, though he hates hypocrisy in another, and though he show great zeal in the cause of God; these, and similar dispositions may arise from different motives of the worst kind.

3. The reputation which a man's piety may have gained among Christians, will by no means prove that he does not deceive himself, he may have a name to live while dead; nor will the respect which he may show to the servants of God avail, this may spring from selfish and unholy motives.

Let such persons press these, and similar questions, upon their consciences.

When I attempt to perform any duties towards God, do I engage my heart in them?

Am I not influenced by self-interest, worldly advantage, reputation, or ease, in my religious proceedings?

Have I not made such reserves as are inconsistent with the obligations of a Christian?

By what am I deterred from the commission of sin? How is my conscience regarded in reference to secret sins and duties?

SECTION III.

I have only to add some advice, to such as may read this treatise.

1. Let it be your great object to have a holy heart, a renewed and right spirit. All the helps and directions in the world will not preserve you from delusion and run, unless your heart is sanctified.

2. Make religion the business of every day; let it regulate all your conduct, and engross your affections. Consider well the motives of your actions; maintain a constant watch over your propensities; and especially when visited by sickness or trouble, give vigilant heed to the admonitions of conscience.

3. Away with all temporising in religion; be an honest man, faithful to your Master and true to yourself; live not for this world, but for heaven; keep your heart under the awe of God's presence, and hourly pray, “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, O Lord, for I wait on thee."