The profession of Jesus is easy to nature. There is nothing irksome to the flesh in being called a Christian. But to know Jesus in heart, to confess him with the tongue, and to follow him in our life, will ever expose us to reproach and contempt. But if, with Philip, we have really found that blessed person of whom…

It is very remarkable, after the prophet pronounces the curse of confiding in the flesh, and the blessedness of trusting in the Lord, he immediately adds, ‘The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked,’ ver. 9. Hence we may infer, that the poison of pride, vain confidence in the flesh, and self-righteous hopes, may lurk under the most…

As mutual love subsists between Jesus and his believing members, so there is a mutual choice of each other. Hence, saith the church, ‘I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.’ Cant. 6:3 So also there is a mutual inhabitation; every believer dwells in Christ, and Christ in him. This is only comfortably experienced by continuing in the truth.…

He that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God. John 3:21. This is an infallible touchstone of true conversion, given by the oracle of truth. He that trusteth to his own heart is a fool. Prov. 28:26 Sincerity may be attended with diffidence. Sincere upright souls know…