...the comforts of it. These are pointed out, in very expressive words, by the Apostle in the text — ' If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God ; and whatsoever we ask, we receive of him.' What greater comfort can there be than conscious virtue,...

...ought not to condemn me, and may never fail to condemn me where it ought. xLiii.• 1 JOHN iii. 21. If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. I. Our acquittal at the bar of conscience. This will be experienced, 1. In the removal of guilt from...

...this silent monitor, although our happiness entirely depends on a constant attention to its dictates. "God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things; but if our hearts," that is, our conscience, " condemn us not, then may we have confidence towards God." You, my young...

...do they know of us ? of our inward state ? of our principles and motives ? What says the heart ? " If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God." Yet even on this testimony we must not absolutely rely — " God is greater than the heart, and knoweth...

...no inconsiderable thing ; for the inference is certain and infallible. " Beloved," says St. John, " if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God." And the rule by which the heart must judge is this : — " He that practiseth righteousness is righteous,...

...let him apply to these inquiries that very just and affecting observation of St John. 'If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts and knoweth all things.' But as there are habits of acting, so are there habits of speaking ; habits of lying, which is as much...

...spiritual standard, will soon find his own conscience bring in a verdict against him : " And if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things." No repentance or amendment can compensate for past offences : because we cannot in any instance exceed...

...length. And in so plain a case it is most certainly God's deputy, and speaks his mind ; " If our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things." 2. It is that, therefore, the refusal whereof none of you would avow. Who among us can have the confidence...

...word, and to find it right, for then we have rejoicing in ourselves alone, and not in another ; for " if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God;" may lift up our face without spot unto him, and comfortably appeal to his omniscience ; " Thou, O Lord,...

...spirit may make us certain, where they concur, as they ought to do, that we are the children of God. ' If our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God:' which is St. John's rule, and comprehends both the evidences in the text; for our heart judges both...