are some of the marks of those "whose end is destruction;" look well to it that you be not found amongst them, "reprobate concerning the faith," far from the kingdom of God.... That same Word describes the saints of the Most High; they are "born again of God;""new creatures in Christ;"2 they "through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body;"3" meek and humble," "hungering and thirsting after righteousness,” “pure in heart;"4" they are a peculiar people, zealous of good works ;"5 and yet they trust not in those works; "by grace are they saved, through faith, and that not of themselves, it is the gift of God;" all their "righteousnesses they count as "filthy rags;" they say with Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world;""pilgrims and strangers upon earth," they "watch and pray" lest they should enter into temptation, they look for that city that hath foundations whose Maker and Builder is God... ... These, and such as

these, are the children of God.

Brethren! if

we will search the Bible with a real and prayerful desire to ascertain what are our prospects for eternity, we can hardly fail of knowing whether or no the pearl of great price, the kingdom of God, be ours. But I would bid you,

2. Look at your Lives, search them also, and compare them with the Word. Do your lives show the fruits of faith? do you walk in love, forbearing and forgiving, "doing unto others as ye would they should do unto you?" "do you honour the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of your increase," be that substance little or great? are you living, "not conformed to this world" and its ways, but "transformed by the renewing of your mind," holding communion with the people of God, taking pleasure in their society, your path the narrow way? If you are masters, does your example tend to God's glory? do you care for the souls as well as for the temporal wellbeing of your servants, "remembering that you also have a master in Heaven?" If servants, are ye" shewing all good fidelity," not with eye service "as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart fearing God?" "not answering again, but adorning the doctrine of

God your Saviour in all things?".... Yea, whatever may be our calling, does our light shine before men? and are we walking worthy of our vocation? Once more I would say,

3. Look at your Hearts, examine them, that your religion be not only surface deep, but vital. True it is, that "the heart is deceitful above all things," still I say search it, and withal, ask God to search it. Some knowledge of it may be attained, or St. John would not have spoken, as he has done, in the 3rd chapter of his first epistle.' What then of our hearts, brethren? Are Are they sin-convinced hearts? knowing their just condemnation by nature and by practice. Are they believing hearts? resting only on Jesus and rejoicing in Him. Are they crucified to the world and sin, warring a good warfare? Are they prayerful, aspiring, heaven-born spirits, mounting upward and pressing forward, "looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ?"... Oh! that we would try ourselves by these tests, clouds of doubt and fear would be dis

"For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God," (20th, 21st verses).

persed that now discourage the believer, and souls now afar off would press into the kingdom of God. Men would live happier lives, and die happier deaths, if they would but do this; there would be more godly sorrow, and more pressing forward for the prize. But whilst our text suggests inquiry to all, to some it bears yet more solemn sounds, and speaks, in accents hardly to be mistaken,

II. A Word of Warning. To the delaying soul, the waverer halting between between two opinions, asking the way to Zion," but not in earnest; " ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth," it sounds the note of warning. Alas! it cannot be said of such, "he shall not be afraid of evil tidings;' what though "thou art not far from the kingdom of God," yet, as with the manslayer, if found without the city of refuge, safety was not his, so it is with you; if without the kingdom of God, salvation is not yours," you are yet in your sins." Oh! "haste thee, escape for thy life, stay not in all the plain lest thou be consumed." For consider,

1. The worth of the soul. Let it be allowed that "thou art not far from the kingdom of God," yet so momentous is the result that who

1 Psa. cxii. 7.

can but tremble at the very possibility of coming short? Mark that vessel, it is nearing home, the white cliffs of England are in sight, the wind is prosperous, it is not far from "the haven where it would be;" and yet behold that spectator on the shore, he is all anxiety, he walks to and fro with eager step, counting the moments till the vessel shall have cast anchor; it is not far from safety, but it is not yet safe, and IT CARRIES RICHES THE LOSS OF WHICH WOULD BEGGAR HIM FOR LIFE; hence his care, and the world wonders not. And can you, my until you have

fellow sinner, be content reached the refuge, until Christ be yours, until "not far from," but within the kingdom," all things are yours and ye are Christ's." The loss of thy soul would beggar thee, not for time merely, but for eternity; cast not away then thy hope of glory, delay not on any pretence however specious, but lay hold on eternal life while it may be yours. I would observe further that,

2. The deceitfulness of sin urges you not to loiter by the way, nor to be content with this record concerning you, "not far from the kingdom of God." The conscience that now will not suffer you to be satisfied with your state may by little and little be "seared" and