type of a numerous class. How many are there among us who plead precisely the same excuse, "We are not fit to approach the supper table of the Lord!" That is indeed a most undoubted truth "We are not worthy to approach the Lord's table!" True again; but may there not in these external disclaimers be something of arrogant assumption to a degree of goodness, equal to—"I am a sinner certainly, but not so bad as many whom I could name, and with whom I would not like to sit at the supper table."
We have known persons who could externally denounce themselves as the greatest of sinners, and speak with apparent complacency of what they deserved for their sins, but who, nevertheless, were filled with spiritual pride, and looked down with comparative horror upon the smaller vices of others, thanking God that they were not as they. To such as these the venerable Clowes addresses himself, putting this pertinent question: "One man is guilty of the most flagrant enormities, which expose him to the censure of all who know him; another is pure from the imputation of every vice; but, then, he despises him who is not so pure as himself, and exposes, instead of commiserating, his crimes. Which of the two is the greater sinner?"— Which, indeed.
When a man takes merit to himself in consequence of acquired good natural dispositions, and disregards the higher principles of spiritual religion, by neglecting its duties and ordinances in conjunction with the Lord, it will not be long ere he will consider morality alone a sufficient title for heaven; and his five yoke of oxen will be his excuse for negligence of spiritual duties.
Or, if he plead his unfitness, or his want of goodness,
