ferent sources. In part it consists of a few of the plainer moral precepts of Scripture. For some other rules, if rules they are to be called, it ftands indebted to custom. These are followed by maxims of expediency.' And the whole is completed by scraps borrowed from the laws of honour. This laft principle, be it the most or the least influential on their practice is usually named by them with particular respect, and with special tokens of selfcomplacency. Each individual is secretly flattered by the hope, that to profess the adoption of a rule of conduct, high in estimation among the upper classes of society, may remind or persuade others that he belongs to that division of society; or at least that its opinions are familiar to him, and congenial with his own. If from any one of the false principles, which have been brought under review, moral errors so numerous and so pernicious are constantly originating; what must be the mass of error produced by the detached operations of the three, and by the allied exertions of all! The close contemplation of danger endears the path of safety. We turn with augmented gratitude to that antidote to false morality, that perfect standard of moral excellence, the word D word of God. While the world is learning delusion from its own imaginations; from that word let the Christian learn wisdom. To the law and to the testimony! Be not ye deluded by any maxims, by whatever authority they may be upheld, by whatever numbers they may be adopted, which are after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. Bewilder not yourself in a vain search after rules of moral duty amidst calculations of endless consequences, immediate, collateral, and remote. Forsake not the plain path of Scripture, to wander through inextricable mazes. Grope not in darkness, when the light shines before you. Labour not by speculations concerning expediency, to discover that which is right: know, that whatever is commanded is expedient. Count not that conduct to be necessarily moral, which is deemed honourable among men. That which is highly esteemed among men, is abomination in the sight of God (e). Disclaim the technical terms of false morality. Let your language respecting any moral or immoral proceeding be such as unequivocally to prove that your reference is not to honour, but to conscience, not to the traditions of men, but to the law of the Most High. Follow not a multitude to do (c) Luke, xvi. 5. evil (d). It is not custom, but Scripture, that defines iniquity. Woe unto them that call evil good (e)! Be not partakers of their sins. Reflect that the corrupting influence of false principles in morals does not terminate in morality. Relaxed opinions, as to the duties to be discharged towards your neighbour, and as to the government to be exercised over your appetites and passions, are relaxed ideas of duty to God, who has commanded you to love your neighbour as yourself, and to keep under your body, and bring. it into subjection; and necessarily conduce to relaxed ideas on the subject of piety. If you remit your exertions to glorify God by keeping his moral commandments, your love for him is abated, your adoration of him is less reverential, your gratitude is less animated, your supplication is less fervent. If religion be weakened in one point, it is weakened in all points, it is endangered in all. If then you are anxious, in discharging the duties of morality, faithfully to follow the divine commandments, and to tread in the steps of your Lord; search the Scriptures. By them shall every moral deed be tried at last: by them let it be directed now. (d) Exod. xxiii. 2. And, let not the criterion by which you judge be studi ously or negligently kept in the back-ground. Shall men of the world have their false principles constantly ready on their lips; and shall you be ashamed modestly to avow yours? Hold forth the word of life (f), by acting upon it, by acting confessedly upon it. The world will look to your morality, rather than to your piety. In that branch then of your, religion, on which even irreligious men will occasionally fix their eyes, be diligent to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour (g). Let it be manifest, that the grace of God which bringeth salvation has taught you to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, aud to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (b). Let the superiority of your conduct evince the superiority of your principle. As the conscientious integrity, the self-denying labours, the enlarged kindness, the indefatigable charity, of the early Christians, excited the astonishment and drew forth the reluctant praises of the Pagans: let the light of your Christian morality so shine before the followers of erroneous maxims of conduct, that it may lead them to glorify your Father who is in heaven by a strict adherence to the mo ral rules recorded in his holy word. Let it (f) Philipp. ii. 16. (g) Tit. ii. 10. (b) Ib. 11, 12. SO |