391. DAN 5:27. THE SOLEMN SCRUTINY

Dan_5:27. The Solemn Scrutiny

(for the close of the year.)

"Tekel; thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting"’97Dan_5:27.

On a previous occasion we directed you to the various circumstances connected with the original application of these words. We now design to consider the passage in an accommodated sense. At this season of the year men generally try to ascertain the state of their temporal circumstances; whether they have been prosperous or adverse during the past year. The season itself is calculated to call forth our more serious feelings and prayerful reflections, that may be profitable to our souls. This evening, therefore, we wish you to ascertain really what you are in the sight of God: it is most important to ascertain this. Now let me guard you,

I. Against all false and unsafe Methods of laboring to ascertain this.

Do not weigh yourselves, 1 In the scale of comparative excellency.

This is a common but foolish custom. How many excuse themselves on the ground that they are better than others! Many rest entirely upon this. No doubt some of the old world were better than others: yet all perished who were out of the ark. So Sodom; so Jerusalem; so at the last day. You have nothing to do with others, not to answer for them, &c. Do not weigh yourselves,

2. In the scale of your own opinion.

We are not situated to bear true and impartial witness. "The heart of man is deceitful," &c. No man knows his own heart rightly. The Pharisees thought highly of themselves. So Saul, &c. Peter trusted his own heart, &c. What numerous cautions we have that we do not deceive ourselves! The man without the wedding garment; five foolish virgins. Do not weigh yourselves,

3. In the scale of the estimation of your fellow-men.

If you are not able to know yourselves how can those do it who have no access to your hearts? Men may err either way They may treat you as Job was treated, or they may be deceived, as the disciples were with Judas, or the apostles with Simon Magus.

II. We want you to weigh yourselves in the Scales of Revelation.

In the balance of the sanctuary.

"To the law and to the testimony," &c. Try yourselves by the truth as it is in Jesus. See Heb_4:12. Here we cannot err. The word of God will make our true characters really manifest. And let me urge you,

1. To weigh your spiritual character.

Is it natural, or changed and renewed? Is it a character of guilt or pardon? Of reigning sin or reigning grace? Is it the old or the new man?

2. Weigh your principles.

True religion is comprised in two grand essentials; love to God, and love to man. "Thou shalt love," &c. Do you confide in God? Trust in God? Delight in God? Do you feel compassion for the ungodly? Do you love all the true disciples with pure hearts fervently? The language of the religion of the Bible is, "Glory to God it the highest, on earth peace, and good will towards men."

3. Weigh your graces.

(1) Have you unfeigned faith? Faith resting on Christ? Glorying in Christ? Trusting your souls to Christ? Bearing fruit to Christ’s glory?

(2) Have you joyous hope? Good hope through grace? Hope like an anchor cast into that within the veil? Hope of heaven? Hope of a blessed resurrection?

(3) Are you clothed with humility? Do you feel yourselves to be dust and ashes? Less than the least of all saints? Is Christ all and in all?

(4) Are you exercising patience? In toil; in suffering, &c. Do you in patience possess your souls?

4. Weigh your experience.

And that in three things.

(1) In knowledge of God, of Christ’s love, of the Holy Scriptures, &c.

(2) In enjoyment; more peace, more of the love of God, and more of the mind of Christ.

(3) In strength. Can you do more spiritual work? Suffer more? Fight more?

5. Weigh your usefulness.

Are your talents consecrated? Do you feel God has an entire right to you? Is it your meat and drink, your prayer, your study, your sincere desire, to do good, and to live for eternity?

Application

1. Weigh yourselves now, seeing all deficiencies may be supplied. God waits, Christ prays, and the Spirit is ready to do all for you that you can possibly need.

2. All shall finally be weighed in the scales of impartial justice. Let the careless sinner repent, and prepare to meet his God.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS