The Scriptures of truth, the word of God, contained in the books of the Old and New Testament, are the balances of the sanctuary, in which persons, principles, and practices, are to be weighed; and sad it is where they are found light and wanting: men, both of high and low degree, when put here, are lighter than vanity. The Pharisee, or self-righteous person, when weighed in the balance of God’s law, which is holy, just, and good, will be found wanting of that holiness and righteousness he pretends to, and appear to be an unholy and an unrighteous man; his righteousness, neither for the matter of it, nor manner of performing it, being agreeable to that law, and so no righteousness in the sense of it, ( Deuteronomy 6:25), it being imperfect, and so leaves him to the curse of it, ( Galatians 3:10), and not being performed in a pure and spiritual manner that it requires, is rejected by it; and miserable will be the case of such a man at the day of judgment, when his works will be found wanting, and not answerable to the demands of a righteous law, and he without the wedding garment of Christ’s righteousness, and so naked and speechless. The hypocrite, and formal professor, when weighed in the balance of the Scripture, will be found wanting the true grace of God; his faith will appear to be feigned, and his hope groundless, and his love to be in word and in tongue only, and not at all to answer to the description of true grace given in the word of God; and bad will it be with such persons at last, when at the bridegroom’s coming they will be destitute of the oil of true and real grace; only have that which is counterfeit, and the mere lamp of an outward profession, which will then stand them in no stead, or be of any avail unto them: in the same balances are the doctrines and principles of men to be weighed; and, such as are according to them are solid and weighty, and are comparable to gold, silver, and precious stones; but such as are not are light, and like wood, hay, and stubble, which the fire of the word will reveal, try, and burn up, not being able to stand against it; and if these are weighed in the balances, they will be found wanting of real truth and goodness, and be but as chaff to wheat; and what is the one to the other? there is no comparison between them; and dreadful will be the case of false teachers, that make and teach an abomination and a lie; and of those that are given up to believe them, these will not be able to stand the trying hour of temptation, and much less the last and final judgment. Sad for preachers of the word to be found wanting in their ministry, and hearers to be wanting in their duty; not taking care neither what they hear, nor how they hear, or whether they put in practice the good they do hear.

Dan. 5:1-9 Belshazzar bade defiance to the judgments of God. Mos historians consider that Cyrus then besieged Babylon. Security an sensuality are sad proofs of approaching ruin. That mirth is sinfu indeed, which profanes sacred things; and what are many of the song used at modern feasts better than the praises sung by the heathens to their gods! See how God struck terror upon Belshazzar and his lords God's written word is enough to put the proudest, boldest sinner in fright. What we see of God, the part of the hand that writes in the book of the creatures, and in the book of the Scriptures, should fil us with awful thoughts concerning that part which we do not see. I this be the finger of God, what is his arm when made bare? And what is He? The king's guilty conscience told him that he had no reason to expect any good news from heaven. God can, in a moment, make the hear of the stoutest sinner to tremble; and there needs no more than to le loose his own thoughts upon him; they will give him trouble enough. N bodily pain can equal the inward agony which sometimes seizes the sinner in the midst of mirth, carnal pleasures, and worldly pomp Sometimes terrors cause a man to flee to Christ for pardon and peace but many cry out for fear of wrath, who are not humbled for their sins and who seek relief by lying vanities. The ignorance and uncertaint concerning the Holy Scriptures, shown by many who call themselves wise only tend to drive sinners to despair, as the ignorance of these wis men did.

Dan. 5:10-17 Daniel was forgotten at court; he lived privately, and wa then ninety years of age. Many consult servants of God on curiou questions, or to explain difficult subjects, but without asking the way of salvation, or the path of duty. Daniel slighted the offer of reward He spoke to Belshazzar as to a condemned criminal. We should despis all the gifts and rewards this world can give, did we see, as we may be faith, its end hastening on; but let us do our duty in the world, an do it all the real service we can.

Dan. 5:18-31 Daniel reads Belshazzar's doom. He had not taken warnin by the judgments upon Nebuchadnezzar. And he had insulted God. Sinner are pleased with gods that neither see, nor hear, nor know; but the will be judged by One to whom all things are open. Daniel reads the sentence written on the wall. All this may well be applied to the doo of every sinner. At death, the sinner's days are numbered and finished after death is the judgment, when he will be weighed in the balance and found wanting; and after judgment the sinner will be cut asunder and given as a prey to the devil and his angels. While these thing were passing in the palace, it is considered that the army of Cyru entered the city; and when Belshazzar was slain, a general submissio followed. Soon will every impenitent sinner find the writing of God' word brought to pass upon him, whether he is weighed in the balance of the law as a self-righteous Pharisee, or in that of the gospel as painted hypocrite __________________________________________________________________

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