into the fire, as is represented in the parable of the barren fig-tree. Luke 13:6, 7. As it would be foolish to give to a raven the name of a swan, to which it has no resemblance; so if the men of this world should be called by the name of true Christians, whilst so little of a Christian temper appears in their life and manners, I think it would be justly counted egregious folly. It is not by words, but by deeds and actions, that we are to judge of a Christian’s state, according to that saying of St. Paul: “The kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Cor. 4:20. Such is the condition of most men at this day, that those who make the strongest pretences to the Christian name, do nothing but that which is contrary to the Christian spirit. They are like the people at Rome, concerning whom Laurentius Valla exclaimed when reading these words of our Lord, “Blessed are the merciful, blessed are the peacemakers,” etc. (Matt. 5:7-9), “_Surely either these words are not true, or we are no Christians._” Man is corrupted to such a degree, that even not a few brute creatures visibly surpass him in some good quality. The dove excels him in harmlessness (Matt. 10:16); the ant in industry (Prov. 6:6); the stork in a careful provision for her young; the dog in love and fidelity; the ox and the ass in knowledge of their master (Isa. 1:3); the sheep in meekness (Isa. 53:7); the lion in generosity and clemency towards weak animals; the cock in watchfulness; and the serpent in wisdom. On the contrary, man in his natural state exceeds all the beasts in mischief. He is more fierce than a wolf; more crafty than a fox; more vain than a peacock; more voracious than a swine; more pestilent than a viper; fiercer than a bear. Indeed, the Lord Jesus himself terms Herod a _fox_ (Luke 13:32); John the Baptist applies the name of _vipers_ to the Pharisees (Matt. 3:7); and St. Paul that of _lion_ to Nero. 2 Tim. 4:17. Truly, those vices and mischiefs, which go single and unaccompanied in brutes, are oftentimes crowded together in one natural man. So that the human body is very significantly called by the apostle, “the body of sin” (Rom. 6:6), as being full of sins, and infected with all manner of defilements. Not to mention, that there is no creature so bad and pernicious, but that it may be still of some use to men. The foxes and wolves, for instance, with their skins, secure men from the injuries of a rigorous season. But, alas! what good is there to be found in a man abandoned to the conduct of an unregenerate nature? “Every imagination of the thoughts of his heart is only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5; 8:21); as is more than once expressed in Scripture. He exercises his reason to practise fraud; he wastes his body with pride and lewdness; and is both inwardly and outwardly corrupted, so that all his members are justly called the “instruments” or weapons “of unrighteousness.” Rom. 6:13. Hence it is, that the Sacred Scriptures