7. But who are the living witnesses of these things? I beseech you, brethren, as in the presence of that God, before whom _hell and destruction are without a covering: how much more the hearts of the children of men?_ that each of you would ask his own heart, “Am I of that number? Do I so far practise justice, mercy and truth, as even the rules of Heathen honesty require? If so, have I the very _outside_ of a Christian? The form of godliness? Do I abstain from evil, from whatsoever is forbidden in the written word of God? Do I, whatever good my hand findeth to do, do it with my might? Do I seriously use all the ordinances of God at all opportunities? And is all this done, with a sincere design and desire to please God in all things?” 8. Are not many of you conscious, that you never came thus far; that you have not been even _almost a Christian_? That you have not come up to the standard of Heathen honesty? At least, not to the form of Christian godliness? Much less hath God seen sincerity in you, a real design of pleasing him in all things. You never so much as intended, to devote all your words and works, your business, studies, diversions, to his glory. You never even designed or desired, that whatsoever you did, should be _done in the name of the Lord Jesus_, and, as such, should be _a spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God through Christ_. 9. But supposing you had; do good designs and good desires make a Christian? By no means, unless they are brought to good effect. “Hell is paved, saith one, with good intentions.” The great question of all then still remains. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart? Can you cry out, “My God and my all?” Do you desire nothing but him? Are you happy in God? Is he your glory, your delight, your crown of rejoicing? And is this commandment written in your heart, that he who loveth God love his brother also? Do you then love your neighbour as yourself? Do you love every man, even your enemies, even the enemies of God, as your own soul? As Christ loved you? Yea, dost thou believe that Christ loved _thee_, and gave himself for thee? Hast thou faith in his blood? Believest thou the Lamb of God hath taken away _thy_ sins, and cast them as a stone into the depth of the sea? That he hath blotted out the hand-writing that was against _thee_, taking it out of the way, nailing it to his cross? Hast _thou_ indeed ♦redemption through his blood, even the remission of _thy_ sins? And doth his Spirit bear witness with _thy_ spirit, that thou art a child of God?