The great test of your soul's health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you "fairer than the children of men"—"the chief among ten thousand"—the "altogether lovely"? Wherever Christ is thus esteemed, all the faculties of the spiritual man exercise themselves with energy. I'll judge of your piety by this barometer: does Christ stand high or low with you?

If you've thought little of Christ, if you've been content to live without his presence, if you've cared little for his honour, if you've been neglectful of his laws, then I know that your soul is sick—God grant that it may not be sick to death! But if the first thought of your spirit has been, how can I honour Jesus? If the daily desire of your soul has been, "O that I knew where I might find him!" I tell you that you may have a thousand infirmities, and even scarcely know whether you're a child of God at all, and yet I'm persuaded, beyond a doubt, that you're safe, since Jesus is great in your esteem. I care not for your rags, what thinkest you of his royal apparel?

I care not for your wounds, though they bleed in torrents, what thinkest you of his wounds? are they like glittering rubies in yours esteem? I think none the less of you, though you liest like Lazarus on the dunghill, and the dogs do lick you—I judge you not by your poverty: what thinkest you of the King in his beauty? Has he a glorious high throne in your heart?

Wouldest you set him higher if you couldest? Wouldest you be willing to die if you couldest but add another trumpet to the strain which proclaims his praise? Ah! then it's well with you. Whatever you mayest think of thyself, if Christ be great to you, you'll be with him ere long. "Though all the world my choice deride, Yet Jesus shall my portion be; For I'm pleased with none beside, The fairest of the fair is he"