ESSAY I1. 143 Obeyed the just commands of my superiors; I never was unread sbnablÿ angry against another ; I never encouraged a wanton thought within me, nor indulged anyCovetous and sinful wish ; I never broke the rule of temperance in eating and drinking, nor ever gave way to an irregular passion: I never was guilty of known falsehood, in design or in word. Let mankind take but these laws of God, which regard themselves and their neigh- bours, and make a sincere examination of themselves thereby, and their own consciences will soon condemn the very best of them in the sight of God. They are all condemned by the law of innocence, and if they have no better plea, they will meet with an offended and angry God, in whose sight no sinner can stand and find aceeptance. His law is wise and righteous, and every violation of it deserves a proportion of punishment. Perhaps they will plead after such a strict enquiry; that though they 'have not been perfectly innocent, yet their offen- ces have not been gross and constant ; but only of the smaller kind and few in number, and therefore they hope for excuse; But the apostle James takes away this hope also, when he tells us ; .James ii. 8, 10. Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all, for by one wilful sin he abuses that governor and affronts that authority by which all the commands are enjoined. Nor is any wilful sin small in the sight of divine justice, for it is the fruit of a presumptuous heart, and is therefore highly criminal. But suppose after their own review of their behaviour,they should pronounce themselves quite innocent, and say boldly, they knew nothing by themselves ; yet they are not sufficiently justi- fied hereby, for God 'sees the heart, and he knows us better than we know ourselves. 2 Cor. vii. 2. and 1 Cor. iv. 4. Receive us, saith St. Paul, we have wronged no man, we have corruptedno man, we have defrauded no man; for though I know nothing by myself; that is, nothing of fraud or deceit, or wilful injury, Net am I not hereby justyied, but he that judgeth me is the Lord. The eyes of Goa are a flame offire, and will find iniquity where Ì can find none, for he sees all the disguises and veils of self- love and self - flattery, whereby every man is naturally prone to cover his sins, and to impose upon himself. He beholds those secret ferments, those hidden operations and motions of sin in the soul, which pass by unnoticed to ourselves, and escape the, accusation and charge of our consciences. He knows so per- fectly all the just demands of his own law, in the lengths and- the breadths thereof, and is so perfectly acquainted with all the motions of our hearts, all their follies and passions, and sinful biasses, that he can find in us a thousand contrarietiesto his law, where we are fondly ready to presume upon our own innocence. Should I say with Job,;ehapter ix. verse 30. If I should wash VOL. III. Ii
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