ESSAY IV. 155 But alas ? what can a little charity to the poor do toward the reconciliation of a God to an offending creature. Is there any force in this reasoning, because 1 do a kindness for a fellow- worm, therefore my Maker must love me, and forgive me all affronts against him ? Or because I have given to the ser- vice of God, some of those worldly good things which he first bestowed upon me, therefore he must pardon all my former iniquities, he must receive me for ever into his favour, and Confer upon me the riches of glory and the inheritance of the saints in light ? Howweak and ignorant are these reasonings ? And yet how many have been ready to lay the stress of their hopes upon them, having nothing else within their view to trust in? 3. "Forms and observances of religious worship," are another vain pillar upon which sinners lean and support them-, selves. This is a most common'pnd powerful deceit. How many thousands arc there, that by daily attendance upon solemnities Of worship and coming up to the house of God, hope at last to come to the arms of the Father with acceptance ? And especially if they have practised secret devotion too, in the com- mon rounds and forms of it, and have frequently bowed their knees to God in their retirements, and their hope has risen high ; and though they have not arrived at a thorough change of heart, and sincere love to God, yet they will presume upon his acceptance without any great concern about the salvation of Jesus Christ. But let me ask such sort of candidates for heaven and happiness, whether a formal round of duties and services, without the heart and soul in them, without sincere love to God and delight in him, can so far please. the bles- sed God, as to persuade him to neglect all the righteous demands of his governing justice for past crimes ? Or if your hearts are sometimes engaged in these solemnities, is this suffi- cient to cancel all former transgressions ? Besides, if you have no Mediator, who shall introduce such a sinner, or his duties, into the presence of God with acceptance? May he not justly driveus with all our solemn formalities, afar from his seat, since we neglect the only hope set before us, that is, the name of his Son, without which no man shall come to be ac- ceptedof the Father. John xiv. 6. No man cometh to the lather but by me. 4. The last thing I mention, on which some persons are prone to depend, in order to obtain divine favour and for- giveness; is "a course of outward reformation, and some vows and some endeavours after better obedience:" But I would en- deavour in these few particulars, to discover the vanity of all hopes of this kind. 1. Our duties of obedience are very imperfect : They do not in any degree answer the strict demands of the law and
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