m. vii. 19. "The good that I would,
I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do," and verse 24, "O
wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

II. Though there were not such blemishes and spots in the face of our
righteousness, yet it is here in a state of imperfection, and but in its
minority, and so must be filthy in the Lord's sight. It was perfect
holiness, according to the perfect rule of God's law, that Adam was to be
justified by, according to the covenant of works; exact obedience, not one
wanting,--or else all that can be done, came short of righteousness: one
breach bringeth the curse on. All obedience, if there be a failing in a
little, will not bring the blessing on: he that doth all, liveth; and he
that doth not all, is cursed. And therefore, Christians, all you do cannot
commend your persons to God, for if he examine you by the rule of the law,
O how short will the holiest come! Paul and Isaiah dare not come into such
a reckoning; neither is all obeyed, nor any in the measure and manner
commanded. And therefore, you might cry down all your performances, when
you could challenge them with no particular blot, with this--all is short
of the command, and infinitely short. I have been aiming at holiness so
long, I have stretched out my strength, and what have I attained? It may
be, I have outstripped equals, and there seemeth to be some distance
between me and others; nay, but the command is unspeakably more before me
nor I am before others. I have reached but a span of that boundless
perfection of holiness; it is but a grain weight of the eternal weight of
grace, and I must forget it, and stand before God, as if I had lost mind
of duties, appear in his presence as if I had attained nothing; for the
length that is before my hand drowneth up all attainments.

III. Nay, but put the case were man perfect, yet should he not know his
soul, but despise his life: the Lord putteth no trust in his servants, and
his angels he chargeth with folly, and the heavens are not clean in his
sight; how then must man be abominable, that hath his foundation in the
dust, and drinketh in iniquity like water? How should God magnify him? or
he be righteous that is born of a woman? Job xxv. 4, 6; xv. 14, 15; and
iv. 18, 19. Job was a great length in the sight of his own vileness and
God's holiness, when he saw this, "Though I were perfect, yet I would not
know it, but despise it; I would not answer