Our Acceptance with God. q.r from real holinefs of life. This pretence our SERM, Saviour fays he will reje& in the day ofjudg- II. ment ; Many will fay unto me in that day, -1-`^l Lord, Lord, have we not prophefied in thy name, and in thy name call out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works? It is not difficult to imagine that men may de- ceive themfelves in this manner, as it is na- tural for them to value themfelves upon what is reputable in the eyes of the world ; efpecially being diflinguifhed by fuch endow- ments as render them illuftrious, and emi- nently ufeful in the church : they are eafily led into an opinion that they are the favourites of heaven ; yet it is certain, that without charity and ríghteaufnefs, thefe gifts will not render them acceptable to God. The apoftle makes a fuppofition in his own cafe *, Though I fpeak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as founding brat, qr a tinkling cymbal; and though have the gift of prophecy, and under/iand all myfle- ries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, fo that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. This plainly intimates the cafe is poffible, that a man may be adorn'd with the molt eminen t t Cor. xiii. i, z. gifts
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