I ought? or is my belief a mere assent of the understanding? Do I realize, that God is indeed and in truth my Father? Do I think of him as a parent? Whenever I look around on his ample creation, do I read him in all things, so that my heart, inspired with the truth, can say, "My Father made them all "? Do I remember his goodness in giving me existence, in providing for me in helpless infancy, and in extending his mercy continually over me? Am I thankful for my existence, believing it was given me for a blessing and not a curse? And do I prove that I am thus thankful, by abstaining from every practice that will injure my physical or moral constitution? Do I behold in all the good and ills of life; in all sore trials, and adversities, and afflictions, the hand of a wise and good parent; and can I say in all things, "It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good; clouds and darkness are round about thee; justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne"? Am I influenced by that fear of the Lord, which is to hate evil? Do I fear to break his commandments because I realize his goodness and compassion ? Am I really ashamed to sin, as I should be in view of the divine beneficence? Do I strive to keep my heart clean, so that I may enjoy God in his works, in his word, and in all his dealings with me, knowing that the pure in heart see God? Do I remember him when sunshine and prosperity are around me, or do I then forget that he is my father, and that from him cometh down every good and perfect gift? Do I derive comfort in my sorrows and affliction by flying to him as my refuge, my rock, my protection? Have I the true spirit of adoption, which leads me in spirit to say, " Abba, Father"? Can I, in the fulness of my soul, in spirit and in truth, exclaim, "Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none on earth that I desire beside thee: My heart and my flesh fail; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever"? 2. Do I believe in the moral government of God? He has told me in his word, that his eye is "in every place, beholding the evil and the good." Do I realize this? I am told, that "he will by no means clear the guilty;" that the soul that sinneth it shall die;" that “though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not go unpunished;" that "the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth, much more the wicked and the sinner." I frequently bring forward these expressions of Scripture to show that punishment follows directly after sin, and cannot be evaded. But do I really understand and feel the force of them? Do they come upon me in secret places, when evil intentions are in my heart; and do they drive these intentions away? Furthermore. Do I believe the truth of God in relation to his dealings with those, who "deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly"? The Scriptures inform me, that "in every nation, he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him;" that the man whose delight is the law of the Lord, shall be like "a tree planted by the rivers of water, his leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper; " that true wisdom's "ways are pleasantness, and all her paths peace." Do I conduct as though I believed this? Am I determined to seek the direction of that wisdom which is from above, which is "first pure, then peaceable, gen tle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy"? Do I believe, that in keeping the commandments there is great reward? And am I led to seek this reward, not from the mere love of the reward itself, but from a supreme love of righteousness and truth? Do I desire that happiness which is to be found only in well-doing? And is it my prayer, my aim, my strife, that I resist temptation, and live "a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty "? And do I truly believe, that God will do as he has said; that to the wicked and perverse he will measure out just punishment, while all those who serve him he will bless with the true light of the sun of righteousness? That he has said it, and will do it; for "he is not man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent"? Are these things believed and realized by me? 3. Do I believe in Jesus Christ? Do I believe in him as the greatest moral teacher the world has ever seen? Do I believe, that he is the Son of God? that he was commissioned by the Father of all to come into this world and declare the truth to mankind? Do I believe, that he was divinely inspired as no other man ever was? that he was the "brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person"? That "in him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily;" that is, all that fulness necessary to the accomplishment of a world's salvation? Do I believe in him as the Saviour of the world, who will "see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied"? who will "finish sin, make an end of transgression, and bring in everlasting righteousness"? Do I believe, that "all power is given him in heaven and on earth”? that he is "the head of every man"? that he "gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time"? and that his meat and his drink was to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work? Do I believe," that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of things in heaven, and things in the earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father"? And does this belief lead me to "rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory"? Do I believe in Christ in word only? or do I obey his commandments? Do I consider that he requires my service rather than profession? Do "I live by the faith of the Son of God"? Do I delight to imitate and view the spotless character of Jesus? Do I receive him as my prophet, priest, and king? Do I perceive a moral glory in him above all created intelligences? Do I strive to be benevolent, compassionate, forgiving, meek, and peaceful, as he was when on the earth? Do I behold him as "the resurrection and the life"? as the forerunner, who hath entered into that within the vail, and who will bring all, by the power of God, to share with him the bliss of immortality? Is he all my soul desires? Can I truly say; 4. Is the doctrine of love my guide? Do I truly understand, that "God is love"? and that "whoso dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and Is God the highest object of my love? God in him”? And am I wil ling to forsake other objects for the sake of enjoying this love? Do I feel its influence within me, prompting me to love others? Do my good desires, kind wishes, and fervent prayers go up for all men; for strangers and acquaintances, enemies and friends; the vile and the vicious? Do I bless those who curse me, and pray for those who despitefully use and persecute me? Do I feel truly charitable towards those who may honestly differ from me in faith; and am I willing to make all due allowance for their prejudices, partialities, or opinions? Do I fully comprehend the meaning of Paul, when he informs me, that "In Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith, that worketh by love"? Am I gratified and happy when I meet with · brethren of other denominations, and with them converse and expatiate on "the love of God which is in Christ Jesus the Lord"; and as I hold such communion, do I feel the prejudices of party giving way within me, and my whole soul glowing with the fire of brotherly love? When saved from the power of temptation, do I love the more? When in danger and affliction, or when rescued therefrom, do I first of all, remember that God who suffers not a sparrow to fall to the ground without his notice, and with whom the very hairs of our head are all numbered? In short, does all my life, and its enjoyments and afflictions, clouds and sunshine, serve to convince me, that the only true happiness within is love to God, and love to man; and do I pray in spirit for the enjoyment of this love, now, and forever? We have thus noticed a few general questions in relation to great leading doctrines of the Bible, as these doctrines bear on the moral conduct of man. It is our busi |