When  we  compare  ourselves  with  some  of  our  fellow-
creatures,  who  trample  underfoot  all  the  laws  of  God
and  man,  we  appear  to  be  very  worthy  characters :
and  such  we  are  in  the  sight  of  man  ;  but  in  the  sight
of  God  there  is  by  no  means  so  great  a  difference
between  us  as  we  are  apt  to  imagine.  In  estimating
our  character,  and  weighing  our  comparative  worth,
God  may  see  less  indeed  of  gross  iniquity,  but  a  far
more  abundant  measure  of  spiritual  sins,  which  are
not  a  whit  less  hateful  in  his  eyes.  Suppose  it  all
true  which  the  self-applauding  Pharisee  affirmed,  that
he  had  been  no  extortioner,  not  unjust,  and  no  adul
terer  ;  did  he  not  make  ample  compensation  for  this,
by  his  pride,  his  self-complacency,  his  uncharitable-
ness  ?  Yes,  in  truth  ;  these  weighed  as  much  in  the
scales  of  heaven,  as  the  grosser  evils  from  which  he
was  exempt.  Had  he  tried  himself  by  a  just  standard,
i  Phil.  iii.  9.
110  GALATIANS,  III.  19.  [2065.
