capability to pay. Nay further, we cannot but acknowledge in ourselves some positive excellencies: some dispositions of mind, some habits of life and conduct, which may surely claim from a most gracious God reward."

By such, and similar plausible arguments, does the disquieted mind seek its beloved rest, and endeavour to restore the balance which has been disturbed within it. Peace we must have; quietness we will obtain; and therefore every thing is eagerly embraced which does but promise it.

But what are all these reasonings to the Christian mind which has been awakened to a spiritual discernment? They are vain, and worse than vain. True, I am weak and frail, but what does this avail me? the charge upon my soul, the charge which my own conscience justifies, and has itself set home to me, is not for falling short of what I could not be; but it is for neglecting what I knew I ought to be, and might have been: and therefore I am blameworthy, punishable, not to be excused. And what can I plead as excellent, and what shall I offer as the price of God's favour, to claim for it reward? Alas! where can I turn and not see imperfection: what can I bring that can bear His pure and holy glance! The heavens

are not pure in his sight, and his very angels He chargeth with folly and how then can man be justified with God, or how can he be clean that

is born of a woman!

Yea, grant for a moment that I have been sincere; admit for an instant that I have done my best in some things; what if I know nothing against myself: yet am I not hereby justified: for He that judgeth me is the Lord: it is not to myself only that I am accountable; it is to the pure and holy God, my Master, and my Judge. Even, therefore, when I have done all, I am an unprofitable servant, I have done but that which it was my duty to do! "Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?" "If thou be righteous what givest thou to Him, or what receiveth He at thine hand?" No! it is not thus that lasting peace can be obtained; it is not from the false and arrogant pretensions of self-esteem, and the presumptuous claim of human merit, that my mind can derive tranquillity.

But neither can the Christian find this in human reputation. This was indeed a favourite source of confidence with the Pharisees, with whom Paul had formerly associated; and from this he had for a time derived his satisfaction.

To be honoured for his birth and parentage, as a pure and uncontaminated Jew;-to shine as one of the scholars of Gamaliel ;-to have profited in the Jews' religion above his equals in his own nation;-all this had puffed him up with pride, and given him that "confidence in the flesh," which would fain supply the want of better hope. But of all this he had now learned from God the utter insufficiency: he valued it no longer; it could bring no quiet to his mind: what things were gain to him, he counted loss for Christ: yea, and he counted all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. And who, I ask, can trust in human estimation as a ground of peace, when it is with God we have to do! What can it avail us to enjoy the praise of men, if we have not the praise of God? What, to pass muster in human society, and be reckoned members of a national church, yea, and to be counted zealous for the faith; if still the heart, the inward man, and that which issues from it, the words and actions of our lives, be still not right with God? Not that human opinion is to be rashly undervalued, still less contemned; not that we are to follow our own self-will, and think that we are following only conscience, and rising above human estimation. No! Character is

every thing; and he who has it not from those who know him, and who seeks it not from all, has fallen low indeed. But then human estimation is altogether imperfect, and therefore it must never by itself satisfy the conscience. Too many things are there in which the judgments of man are contrary to that of God: so that our Lord reproves the Pharisees most strongly for trusting to them. "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men,"-which gain from men applause," but God knoweth your hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." And in all things without exception, men's judgments must be far below that which God regards and will approve. Man can see only outward acts, and those but hurriedly and ignorantly; man can guess only from general report, or conclude, often perhaps imperfectly, from general demeanour in a word, man looketh only on the outward appearance, while the Lord looketh on the heart. He trieth the very reins. He pierceth to the dividing asunder of flesh and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart: yea, all things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him, with whom we have to do. Man's estimation therefore may

:

fix the point below which our character should never fall; but this poor, imperfect rule can never fix the point up to which our character should rise:-that is set on high in the pure and perfect law of God;-that is presented to our gaze shining afar in its perpetual and unvarying brightness, fixing our admiration, stirring our endeavours, but never, never, reached by our attainments.O the vanity, therefore, of a trust in human estimation! the falseness of that confidence which plumes itself on human praise! What! shall I seek rest in that which is changing as the faithless sea, and deceitful as my own self-love? shall I derive comfort from that which may be here to-day, and gone tomorrow? which is different according to different ages, ranks and bodies of men which if given me by one class, would be denied me by another which if suffered by its possession to afford me peace, would soon by its withdrawment make me wretched? No! not in human estimation, any more than self-applause, can solid peace of mind be found.

Nor can it be derived from ceremonial privilege. To have done the works appointed by the law; to have suffered circumcision, and have offered all the stated sacrifices; to have