Page:Cross of Christ, the Christian's glory (1).pdf/15

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
THE CHRISTIAN'S GLORY.
15

condemneth? It is Chriſt that died. Then ſhall you enter the harbour of eternal reſt; not like a ſhip-wrecked mariner, cleaving to ſome broken plank, and hardly eſcaping the raging waves; but like ſome ſtately veſſel, with all her ſails expanded, and riding before a proſperous gale.

3. Let me caution the ſelf-righteous; thoſe who more frequently think of their own piety than of Chriſt's obedience; are more apt to cry out, with the Phariſee, I am no extortioner; no adulterer; than to confeſs with the Publican, God be merciful to me a ſinner. What ſhall I ſay to theſe perſons? Let me not be thought cenſorious, when my only aim is to be faithful. Beware, I beſeech you, leſt you build for eternity, not an a rock, but on the ſand. However you may appear in your own fight before the adorable Majeſty of the everlaſting God, before the conſumate perfection of his holy law, you are leſs than nothing, you are worſe than nothing: you are indeed; you are deficiency and ſin. Renounce, therefore, renounce all dependence on ſelf. Truſt no longer in a refuge of lies; left all your admired attainments, at the day of final retribution be like fraw, and hay, and ſtubble, in Nebuchadnezzar's burning fiery furnace. Imitate the bleſſed penman of my text. Are you blameleſs in your external carriage? ſo was he. Are you examplary in many points? ſo was he. Yer all this righteouſneſs he