Self-Righteousness: Vanity Of. When the lofty spire of Old St. Paul’s was destroyed by lightning, there were many superstitious persons who were amazed beyond measure at the calamity, for in the cross there had long been deposited relics of certain saints, which were counted fully sufficient to avert all danger of tempests. With what amazement will ignorant, self-righteous sinners See their own destruction come upon them, notwithstanding all the refuges of lies in which they trusted.