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Degree; and ranking human Works amongst the Refuse of Things.

Afp. Do You afk the Reason of this Remonftrance?It is to preferve Us from the mifchievous Error of the Pharife. Who, measuring Himself, not by the true, fublime, and extenfive Sense of the Law, but by a false, debased, and mutilated Interpretation, became haughty in his own Conceit, and abominable in the Sight of GOD.-Hear Him trumpeting his own Praise; I am no Extortioner, no Adulterer *. This, the poor vain Creature fanfied, was a fufficient Obedience, paid to the Second Table. See Him ftill ftrutting in his own imaginary Plumes; I faft twice in the Week; I give Tythes

*Luke xviii. II.

αν

This feems to give the genuine Signification of ro vnXov EV avoρwπois, Luke xvi. 15. Not that which is highly efteemed, EVTIuov, svdogov. The Propofition, taken in this Senfe, is neither neceffarily nor univerfally true. The Meeknefs of Mofes, the Fortitude of Joshua, the Wisdom of Solsmon, were highly efteemed among thofe very Men, to whom our LORD addreffed his Difcourfe. Yet none can suppose, that the Endowments of thofe illuftrious Perfonages, were an Abomination in the Sight of GO D.

Whereas, whatever is high and lifted up, haughty and conceited; every Sentiment of Self-admiration, and all the Fruits which fpring from that bitter Root; thefe are certainly and invariably Objects of the divine Abhorrence.-This Interpretation, I think, is moft fuitable, not only to Fact in general, but to the Import of this Word in particular: See Rom. xi. 20. Where it occurs in a fimilar Acceptation, un vno pove. Be not high-minded. It feems alfo beft to quadrate with the Tencur of our SAVIOUR's Reproof; Ye are they that justify Yourselves before Men, but all fuch arrogant Attempts, and every fuch elated Air, the most holy GŎD beholds with Deteftation,

Tythes of all that I poffefs*. This, He foolishly
dreamt, was a due Compliance with the De-
mands of the first Table.-The young Ruler,
feems to have been under the fame Delufion,
when He had the Affurance to declare; All
thefe Things, which are prescribed by the divine
Youth
Law, have I kept from my up +.

A more peftilent Opinion, it is scarce poffible for the Mind of Man to entertain. And nothing can appear more egregiously mistaken, if We confider the vast comprehenfive Scope of the facred Precepts; and are convinced, that they require a moft exact Conformity, in every Particular, and every Punctilio.

Ther. Is there nothing valuable then, in Regularity of Conduct, and Integrity of Heart? Is there no Excellency, in our Acts of Charity, and Habits of Virtue?

Afp. From our Fellow-creatures they stand intitled to Respect, Imitation, and Gratitude. But before infinite Perfection, they must drop their Claim, and lie proftrate in the Duft; imploring Forgiveness, not challenging a Reward. We all discern a Beauty and a twinkling Luftre in the Stars, when viewed under the Shades of Night. But, when the magnificent Source of Day arifes, their Beauty vanishes, their Luftre is Darknefs. Such are human Accomplishments, when compared with the perfect Law,

*Luke xviii. 12.

+ Matt. xix. 20.

Law, or beheld by the piercing Eye, of the fupremely glorious GOD.

Ther. Methinks, this Notion confounds the Difference of Good and Evil; and, by rendering all our Actions blameable, would render them all alike. This is levelling with a Witnefs!

Afp. It only fhews, that there are Blemishes in all. Whereas, Some are Flaw and Blemish all over. Is there no Difference between the Leopard's Spots, and the Æthiopian's Soot? If I maintain, that neither of them are perfectly white, does this imply, that both are equally black?

I am only alledging, That all We perform, however fpecious it may feem, is very far fhort of our facred Rule; and therefore cannot procure the divine Favour, or intitle Us to the Kingdom of Heaven.-Nay, that if GOD should enter into Judgment with Us, on the Foot of our own Performances; He would difcover fuch Defects, even in the choiceft Instances of our Obedience, as would render them Matter of Condemnation *, not meritorious of Applaufe.

Be

*To this Affertion St. Cyril, in Concert with several other Fathers, bears a very express Testimony: Auto nμwv και το ορθώς εργασθαι δοκον, μομφης και αιτίας αμοιρησειεν αν 8 τι πο περιεργαζομενα τε και βασανιζοντο Θεό. Even thofe of our Actions, which feem to be performed in a right Manner, could not efcape Cenfure and Blame, if GOD should examine, and bring them to the Test.

Be pleased to observe this Penknife-What can be more exquifitely keen, than the Edge; or more nicely polished, than the Blade? But, how do they appear, when beheld through one of those Microscopes?

Ther. The Edge lefs fharp than the Woodman's Ax, or rather more blunt than his iron Wedge. The Polish resembles a Mass of coarse Metal, rudely hammered on the Anvil.

Afp. How very delicate is the Cambric, that forms your Ruffles; and gives fuch an ornamental Air to your whole Drefs! Nothing can be finer, than the Threads; or more exact, than the Texture. But what is their Appearance in a microscopic View?

Ther. You would take the fine Threads for hempen Cords; and would almost be positive, that they had been wattled together, by the clumfy Hands of the Hurdle Maker; rather than curiously wove, in the Artist's Loom.

Afp. That lovely Piece of Enamel, which makes a Part of your Lady's penfile Equipage, quite charms the Spectator, with the Juftness of its Figure, and the Radiancy of its Colours. But

Ther. Under the Scrutiny of this fearching Inftrument, it lofes all its Elegance; and inftead of winning our Admiration, provokes our Contempt. It looks like a Heap of Mortar, plaistered on by the Mafon's Trowel.

Afp.

Afp. You fee then, Theron, what gross Indelicacies, what bungling Inequalities, this fupplementary Aid to our Sight difcovers, even in the most finished Works of human Art. So, and abundantly more, does the immaculate Purity of GOD, difcern Imperfections in our most upright Deeds, and most guarded Hours.

I faid, immaculate Purity-For, GOD is not only unerringly wife to detect, but infinitely pure to abhor, all Contamination. Have You confidered this Attribute of the GODHEAD, Theron?

Ther. I have; and not without Amazement at the charming, the awful Defcriptions of it, which occur in the facred Writings.-GOD is not only holy, but, as the Lawgiver of the Jews very fublimely expreffes Himself, glorious in Holiness *. The facred Penmen, treating of this illuftrious Perfection, feem to labour the important Point. They indulge the loftieft Flights of Imagination; they employ the boldest Figures of Speech; and add the most glowing Colours of Eloquence; not without frequent Acknowledgments, that all the Force of Language, is abundantly too feeble, for the unutterable Subject.

One of the Prophets, addreffing the KING eternal, immortal, invifible, breaks out into

*Exod. xv. II,

this

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