Vol. 2

:CHAPTER XVI. 599is his judgment from that of the world ! Andyet itis this latter which men generally applaud, and darenot declare for the former. Of what advantasre is itto hypocrites, toattract on themselves praises whichare as false as their righteousness? It is the heartwhich shall be judged by him who sees the secrets ofit : it is by the heart that we must please him. Thejudgment of men will change, when that of God shallbe manifested to their eyes : and it is already mademanifest by the gospel to all those who have evangelicaleyes." 16. The law and the prophets were until Johnsince that time the kingdom of God is preached, andevery man presseth into it."It is now no longer a time for men to place theirglory and religion ina worship wholly figurative, inprophetic ceremonies, and in empty promises; sincethe kingdom typified, foretold, and promised, is establishedupon earth. It is not, therefore, a legal, external,and carnal righteousness, peculiar only to theJews, which we must now offer to God ;but a Christian,internal, and spiritual righteousness, which consistsin charity common to all nations, which alone isworthy of God and his kingdom, which alone is capableof taking it by a holy and generous violence;aninternal worship, which does not exclude the external,but supports, animates, sanctifies, and rendersit acceptable to God." IT. And it is easier for heaven and earth topass, than one tittle of the law to fail."The immutability of the divine word, in relationeither to happiness or misery, yields as much comfortto the righteous as it gives despair to the wicked.