OF HUMAN NATURE. 293 the other. Let us not look to any supe- rior virtue, to any native strength of our own, but let us look with a lively gra- titude to that mercy of God which has preserved us from such temptations ; to his unmerited goodness, which has placed us in circumstances that have put us above necessity - " the devil's plea." But, above all, let us look to that pre- venting and restraining grace which is withheld from none who ask it, and we shall not be so very forward to say, con- temptuously, to the worst of our fellow- creatures, " Stand by, I am holier than thou." A thoroughbelief in this doctrine would lead us to pray more fervently to be delivered in " all time of our wealth, as well as in all time of our tribulation." It is not enough that God has revealed the way of salvation, he must also incline us to accept it. God causes us to desire what he designs to give. It is this gift, and this acceptance, which makes the distinction between the best men and the worst. Without this all powerful grace, 03
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