dependence on his grace to help us, and his mercy to pardon our defects. Without this, our attention to relative duties will be of no avail. This chiefly distinguishes the true Christian from a proud self-righteous Pharisee. There certainly are people of the world, who are eminent for their honour and integrity, their benevolence and liberality : but when we inquire into their secret walk with God, they are found miserably de- fective ; and especially with respect to the humiliation of their souls, and their exercise of faith on Christ. It is in the relative duties, that the hypocrite fails ; and in the duties to God, that the defects of the moralist appear. But both of them, though in different ways, are departed from God, and in the high road to destruction. Examine yourselves, therefore, ye decent and externally blameless characters ; search and try how it is with you in your secret chambers ; see whether you be not habitually and allowedly wanting in respect of brokenness of heart, and a steadfast cleaving unto Christ? And remember, that, while you cherish such pride and self-sufficiency in your hearts, you are as far from heaven as the most abandoned profligate ; for " God will resist the proud, and give grace only to the humble11."]
We shall conclude with a word of caution,
1. To the careless and secure —
[We hear this passage quoted by many, with a view to subvert all the fundamental doctrines of Christianity : ' Tell us not,' say they, ' about regeneration, or faith in Christ : this is my religion ; " Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God." ' But can it be supposed that the prophet intended to contradict every other part of the inspired writings, and to tell us that morality was all, and Christ nothing ? It has already appeared, from the words of Christ himself (wherein he seems to have referred to the very passage before us,) that "faith is one of the weightier matters of the law ;" and that an acknow- ledging of ourselves to be lost sinners, and a believing in Christ for salvation, are absolutely essential to a humble walk with God. Let not then this mistaken confidence deceive you. Rest not in such an interpretation of the text as directly opposes the whole tenour of Scripture. But, if you will persist in this perversion of God's word, inquire, Whether you have perfectly, and at all times, complied with these directions ? and know, that if you have not, you shall be judged out of your own mouth, and be condemned by your own law.]
2. To those who are concerned about their souls —
[As you must shortly appear before God, it becomes you to inquire, " wherewith you shall come before him with
11 Jam. iv. C>.