Vol. 2

410 ST. LUKE.as he ought the grace of repentance, and to improvethe time of mercy ! It is by repentance, that thedesigns of God are accomplished, and that he is mostglorified ; because nothing more fully displays hisgoodness in giving up his own interests, his wisdomin bringing good out of sin itself, which is the greatestevil, and his almighty power in changing the heart athis pleasure, and causing man to love and embracethat which is most contrary to his inclinations.It isby the works of a true conversion, and not by barewords, that men express a sincere acknowledgmentfor the gift of repentance.**30. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected thecounsel of God against themselves, being not baptizedof him."The illiterate people, and great sinners, profitmore by the word of God, than the doctors of thelaw, and the great pretenders to devotion. Menfrequently, through a false greatness of soul, and awicked elevation of mind, despise small things, andthereby deprive themselves of great ones which areannexed to them ; as the grace of receiving Christwas to the reception of John's baptism, which wasdesigned to prepare them for the other.Religion isfull of these dependencies and connexions betwixt theleast and the greatest things. The humble submitto them, and are saved ; the proud reject them, andGod can easily make himself amends in theare lost.way of justice, and repair whatever loss his glory hassustained by the refusal of his mercy ; but nothingcan repair that person's loss who rejects repentance.