A PRESg1tVATIVE FROM SIN AND FOLLY. 269 Scripture. " Ezek. idi. 26, 31. They have profaned my holy things, and. have put no difference between the holy and the profane : Therefore have I pouredout my indignation upon them, and consumed themwith the fire of my wrath. 21. Q. We come next to enquire, what do you mean byself-sufficiency as a sin against God ? A. it is when I live as though. I hadno needof God's and it appears in these three things chiefly. 22. A. What is thefirst? A. 1. When I fancy that I have knowledge and wisdom enough to direct me without seeking to God for more. Reason against this sin. No man on earth has wisdom enough to direct all his own actions, and God will give wisdom to them that ask it. 'Scripture. "Prov. iii. 5. Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and kin not to thine own understanding. Prov. xxviii. 6. Ile that trusts in his own heart is a fool. Jer. x. 23. James i. 5. .23. Q. What is the second mark of this sinful self-sufficiency ? A. 2. When I am confident of my own strength to dowhat I please, or to perform the will of God, and ask not for assistance from him nor his Spirit. Reason against this sin. Because wiser and better persons than I have fallen into sin and shame when they have trusted in their own strength. Witness St. Peter the apostle. Scripture. " 2 Cor. iii. 5. We are not sufficientof ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves ; but our sufficiency is of God." 24. Q. What is the third mark of this sinful self -sufficiency ? A. 3. When I trust in my own righteousness and good works to save me, with a neglect of Christ, who is tie only Saviour. Reason against this sin. Because my sins are many, and my best worksare imperfect, and they cannot merit or deserve the favour of God ; nor can I any way obtain it but by Jesus Christ, who suffered death to reconcile sinners to God. Scripture. r. Rom. iii. 23. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. James iii. 2. In many things we offend all. Acts iv. 10, 12. Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead : There is no other name under heaven given wherebywe must be saved. John xiv. 6. Christ says, No man cometh to the Father but by me. Rom. T. 10. When we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son." PART II. Of Sins against our Neighbour. 25. Q. Thus we have briefly goneOver the sins which are more directly committed against God ; we proceed now to the sins which are committed against our fellow-creatures. Can you give me an account what are the chief sins against men, that children are in danger of ? A. Dishonour of su.. periors, pride and haughtiness of carriage to equals and inferiors, immoderate anger, injustice and lying, evil- speaking and slander, cruelty, spite, envy, and uncharitableness. 26. Q. When mayyou be said to dishonour your superiors ? A. Three ways. 27. Q What is the first wayof dishonouring your superiors ? A. 1. If I despise my parents, teachers, or rulers, in my heart, or reproach them with my tongue, or make a mockery of them in any waywhatsoever. Reason against this sin. Because if I despise them I can never fulfil the many duties that I owe to them, nor receive benefit from their counsels and advices, S:ripture. a Prov, xi'. 3. A fool'despiseth his father's instructions. Verse 20. A foolish man despiseth his mother. Prov, xxx. 11. The eye that mocketh his father, and despiseth toobey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it." 28. Q.' What is the secondway of dishonouring your superiors? A. 2' If I djsobey their just and lawful commands. Reason against this sin. Because God has appointed them to teach and to govern me, as well as to provide forme. Scripture. " Eph. vi. 1. Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this
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