of unworthy motives, and insinuate that in secret they are as wicked as others, either such insinuations are not seriously believed, or if they be, the party is considered as insincere in his profession. No man thinks that genuine christianity consists with a wicked life, open or secret. But the ideas of infidelity and immorality are associated in the public mind; and the association is clear and strong; so much so, as to become a ground of action. Whom do men ordinarily choose for umpires, trustees, guardians, and the like? Doubtless they endeavour to select persons of intelligence; but if to this be added Christian principle, is it not of weight in these cases? It is seldom known, I believe, but that a serious intelligent Christian, whose situation in the world renders him conversant with its concerns, will have his hands full of employment. Ask bankers, merchants, tradesmen, and others who are frequently looking out for persons of probity, whom they may place in situations of trust, in whose hands they would choose to confide their property? They might object, and with good reason, to persons whose religion rendered them pert, conceited, and idle; but would they not prefer one who really makes the Bible the rule of his life, to one who professedly rejects it? The common practice in these cases affords a sufficient answer.' Thus does it appear, that a believer and a good man, and an unbeliever and a bad man, are synonymous terms; and that God draws nigh to believers in this world. 6 2. But this belief must be, not merely speculative, but operative. It is a distinguishing property of the Bible, that all its precepts aim directly at the heart. never goes about to form the mere exterior of man. To merely external duties it is a stranger. It forms the lives of men no otherwise than by forming their dispositions. It never addresses itself to their vanity, selfishness, or any other corrupt propensity. You are not pressed to consider what men will think of you, or how it will affect your temporal interest; but what is right, and what is necessary to your eternal well-being. If you comply with its precepts, you must be, and not merely seem to be. It is the heart that is required; and all the different prescrib ed forms of worship and obedience are but so many modifications, or varied expressions of it.' 3. It will be not merely for our interest, to draw nigh to God in such a manner as that God may draw nigh to us, but it will be for our happiness. External interest and internal happiness are very far from meaning the same thing. 'But if nothing deserve the name of happiness, which does not include peace of mind, all criminal pleasure is at once excluded. Could a life of unchastity, intrigue, dishonour, and disappointed pride, like that of Rousseau, be a happy life? No; amidst the brilliancy of his talents, remorse, shame, conscious meanness, and the dread of an hereafter, must corrode his heart, and render him a stranger to peace. Contrast with the life of this man that of Howard. Pious, temperate, just, and benevolent, he lived for the good of mankind. His happiness consisted in serving his generation by the will of God. If all men were like Rousseau, the world would be much more miserable than it is: if all were like Howard, it would be much more happy. Rousseau, governed by the love of fame, is fretful and peevish, and never satisfied with the treatment he receives: Howard, governed by the love of mercy, shrinks from applause, with this modest and just reflection: Alas, our best performances have such a mixture of sin and folly, that praise is vanity, and presumption, and pain to a thinking mind.' Rousseau, after a life of debauchery and shame, confesses it to the world, and makes a merit of his confession, and even presumptuously supposes that it will avail him before the Judge of all. Howard, after a life of singular devotedness to God, and benevolence to men, accounted himself an unprofitable servant, leaving this for his motto, his last testimony, Christ is my hope. Can there be any doubt, which of the two was the happiest man?' Thus, if we look into the heart of man, we shall see the happiness of virtue, and the unhappiness of vice, even in this life. 4. As to the benefits of believing and obeying the Gospel, as it regards a future world, I shall now say nothing; taking it for granted that, in a community so well instructed, the sentiment admits not of a doubt, REMARKS. We have now seen the beauty and benefit of belief, and the deformity and danger of unbelief, whether considered in reference to time, or to eternity. We have seen, that there must be a common object of regard; that it is reasonable that our Creator should be that object; and that consequently, it is not only our duty, but will be for our interest, to reverence and obey his Gospel. If mankind at large would only draw nigh to God, so that he would draw nigh to them, what an animating, and healthful moral change would spread over the face of the earth. Yet how natural, and how simple is the duty required. 'The morality which the Scriptures inculcate is summed up in these few words: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength; and thy neighbour as thyself. This single principle is competent to the government of all intelligent nature. It is a band that would hold together the whole rational creation; and diffuse peace, order and happiness, wherever it existed. 'If mankind loved God supremely, there would be no idolatry upon earth, nor any of its attendant abominations; no profaning the name of God, nor making a gain of godliness; no opposing, corrupting, perverting, nor abusing the truth; no perjuries, nor hypocrisies; no despising of those that are good; no arrogance, ingratitude, pride, nor self complacency under the smiles of Providence; and no murmuring, heart-rising, sullenness, nor suicide under its frowns. Love would render it their meat and drink to fear, honour, and obey him, and induce them to take every thing well at his hands. And if they loved their fellow creatures as themselves, for his sake, there would be no wars, rivalships, antipathies, nor breach of treaties between nations; no envyings, strifes, wrongs, slanders, duels, litigations, nor intrigues between neighbours; no flattering complaisance, nor persecuting bitterness in religion; no deceit, fraud, nor overreachings in trade; no tyranny, venality, haughtiness, nor oppression among the great; no envy, discontent, disaf fection, cabals, nor evil devisings among common people.' Such would be the glorious effect of universal love to God, and love to man, which are the sum and substance of christian morality. Let us then, my brethren and sisters, resolve to do our part towards producing this beautiful moral change in the world; and thus, not only set a good example to others, but draw down blessings upon ourselves. If we have sinned, let us sin no more. Say not thou, I will hide myself from the Lord, I shall not be remembered among so many people: for what is my soul among such an infinite number of creatures? Such a man only feareth the eyes of men, and knoweth not that the eyes of the Lord are ten thousand times brighter than the sun, beholding all the ways of men. If we meet with an unbeliever, let us compare his life with that of the believer, and thus judge between them. The practice will be a plain commentary upon the doctrine. By their fruits ye shall know them. Let us turn from evil doers, and follow those who do well. If we are in prosperity, let us bless God. When you glorify the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for even yet will he far exceed; and when you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and be not weary; for you can never go far enough. And if we are in adversity, let us also bless God. Fear not, my son, that thou art made poor; for thou hast much wealth, if thou fear God, and depart from all sin. Look at the generations of old, and see; did ever any trust in the Lord, and was confounded? or did any abide in his fear, and was forsaken? or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him? Finally. In whatever state we are placed by Providence, let us remember, that if we draw nigh to our great creating, redeeming, and sanctifying Father in the Heavens, by a life of faith and obedience; he will draw nigh to us, his dutiful children on the earth, both in temporal and spiritual blessings. Let us ever remember that, if we take care of our duties, God will take care of our happiness.' Let this last sentence be, not only as a tablet in our hearts, but as a frontlet between our eyes; that whe ther we go out, or whether we come in; whether in the church, or in the house; in the field, or in the street; at home, or abroad; among strangers, or among friends; we may ever read and follow its golden admonition: 'If we take care of our duties, God will take care of our happiness.' Then may the Believer, when God thus draws nigh unto his soul, and fills it with his rich and abiding peace, and the full assurance of hope, exclaim, in the confiding triumph of his heart, with the devout CowPER: • Give what thou canst, without THEE we are poor; |