“But what,” some would say, “is the use of this preaching? We are all already faulty; we can none of us have a place among these choice first fruits of GOD’S harvest.” Brethren, faultlessness, pure faultlessness, is no longer ours; but comparative faultlessness (and Bible faultlessness, after all, is only comparative freedom from wilful sin) may, and, I trust, does pertain to many of us; and for each degree of nearness to faultlessness, if I understand the Bible aright, there is its peculiar reward. I would put you on your guard against losing that reward, by sinking to a lower level. I would urge you to hold fast what you have, to subdue yourselves, to resist the world and the devil, to be ever on the watch against danger, and to flee speedily from temptation, if it is too strong to fight against, to seek strength and sanctification in means of grace, to pray constantly (and strive constantly to make good your prayer), that CHRIST would keep you from falling, and finally present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. SERMON VII. PAST MERCIES REVIEWED. (NEW YEAR’S EVE.) GENESIS, XXXII., 10. _I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies_, _and of all the truth_, _which thou hast showed unto Thy servant_; _for with my staff I passed over this Jordan_; _and now I am become two bands_. THESE are Jacob’s words. They form part of the prayer which he offered to GOD, when, on his return from Haran, he found that Esau was coming out against him with four hundred men.