them ; since, in the midst of all their boasted regard
for him, they held fast their besetting sins'*
The Jewish ritual being abolished, it may be thought that this address is inapplicable to any of the present day : but it may justly be applied,
1. To self-righteous formahsts —
[There is still, as Solomon expresses it, " a generation that is pure in their own eyes, but are not washed from their filthiness." There are many whose whole religion consists in a performance of outward duties. Among the Papists this is an acknowledged fact : but it is also true of us Protestants, though to a less extent than it was a century ago. A regular attendance on all the public ordinances ; a strict observance of the fasts and feasts of our Church, particularly of the time of Lent ; a daily reading of the Psalms and Lessons for the day, and a recital of certain prayers ; a rigid adherence to some par- ticular forms, with an uncharitable censuring of all who are not equally strict in their attention to them ; these, and other similar habits, form the ground of their hopes, and of a self- complacent confidence towards God. But, with all these apparently religious habits, their views, desires, and pursuits are altogether earthly : their friends and associates are men of this world : and vital godliness, together with all who possess it, is regarded by them with suspicion and dislike.
Now, whatever such persons may think of themselves, they are by no means in a state acceptable to God. Instead of look- ing with humility and contrition to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, they are ready to claim heaven as the reward of their good deeds : and instead of loving, for the Redeemer's sake, every member of his mystical body, they are among the fore- most to despise and persecute his believing people. Whilst therefore they, in effect, say, " Stand off, I am holier than thou," they are, as God declares, " a smoke in his nose^."]
2. To many who make a profession of vital god- liness—
[Many there are whose views of the Gospel are correct, but who are far from experiencing all that it is designed to teach them. Their zeal for the Gospel is great and ardent : they will go miles to hear it faithfully proclaimed: they will lose no opportunity of attending their favourite minister : their very life seems to be spent as it were in hearing sermons. They will subscribe largely for building places of worship, especially
» ver. 10 — 15, The particular expressions throughout this whole passage are very emphatical, and worthy of attentive observation. *> Compare Isai. Ixv. 5. with Luke xviii. 9, 14.