next words, he has expressly declared : " Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in its parts,
THAT MAYEST THOU OFFER FOR, A FREE-WILL-OFFERING; but
for a vow it shall not be accepted." Here you see the very distinction which your necessities require. If you would present any thing to God towards your justification, you must bring only the perfect righteousness of Christ : but if yoix would do any thing to glorify your God, your own poor ser- vices, mean and worthless as they are, shall be accepted of him for Christ's sake. And this is the very statement which is so frequently and so fully given us in the Gospel. St. Paul says, " By him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God con- tinually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But to do good, and to communicate, forget not : for with such sacrifices God is well pleased™? St. Peter also speaks to the same effect : " Ye are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ"." Be not discouraged, then, by the imperfection of your services : for, if only you do indeed set yourselves to seek the Lord, and endeavour to serve him with your whole hearts, he will not be extreme to mark what is done amiss ; but will cast a veil of love over your imperfections, and crown you with his applause, saying, " Well done, good and faithful servants." Only " be steadfast, unmoveable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord ;" and ye may be assured that " your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord."]
m Heb. xiii. 15, 16. "1 Pet. ii. 5.