him in the same predicament with a man, who is laboring under a complication of bodily diseases, but among them one of a more threatening aspect than the rest now though his less important infirmities will unavoidably be felt, and require not to be wholly disregarded; yet that principal malady, which menaces his life, will excite his chief anxiety; and the discovery of a remedy for that, will be the one thing needful' with him. The believer differs from others, both with respect to his hopes and his fears. While the main inquiry with the generality of men is, what shall I eat, what shall I drink, and wherewithal shall I be clothed? With the believer it is far otherwise; for, what shall I do to be saved,' is the grand question that daily excites his solicitude. While the careless multitude tremble only at the idea of the loss of property, reputation or life; his fears are occupied about sin. He knows that the common accidents of life can only kill the body; but that sin, if habitually practised, will plunge both body and soul into hell. Wonder not at him, ye sons of folly, if circumspection be visible in his walk; if every step be taken with precision,* * Great offence is occasioned in the giddy world by the preciseness (as it is called) of the followers of the Lamb; as if it were only a pretence to superior sanctity, which being worn as a cloak of dissimulation, in all cases covered a rotten heart, full of pride and He knows what you, alas, are ignorant of, that sin in all its shapes is as much more inimical to the happiness of man, than poverty, contempt, or the worst of human calamities, as eternity exceeds time in duration, or the favor of God is more valuable than the smile of a fellow-worm. If a man fall and break his bones; or if he suffer the loss of all his substance; the evil is temporary, and may be repaired but sin dishonors God; and the honor of God is dear to all His children. Sin wounds our Savior afresh; brings a reproach on His cause; grieves His Holy Spirit; deprives the believer of his choicest treasure, spiritual peace and joy; it shuts up every avenue of his soul to communion with God; darkens his prospect of a better world; and endangers, his eternal salvation. Can it be wondered at, that one who knows this, should fly precipitately from the ugly monster, in whose aspect every species of deformity is combined, more horrible than the hypocrisy. It is admitted that there may be wolves in sheep's clothing; but surely this is no reason for drawing a conclusion that every creature, which bears the resemblance of a sheep, must be a wolf. Such a charge does not exhibit the charity of those, who make it, in the most amiable light. Though precision in externals may exist without any intrinsic Christianity; there can be no real religion in the heart, where there is not circumspection in the conduct. "See therefore that ye walk (anpißos) circumspectly (or precisely) not as fools, but as wise.' Eph. v. 15. U fabled Medusa's* head, the sight of which petrified every beholder? But it may be asked, if sin be this shocking evil, where is the danger of falling into it? Will not a proper degree of caution on our part, prove a sufficient preservative from it? Where is the necessity of calling for assistance from above? Such inquiries can arise only in the mind, which is hardened through 6 the deceitfulness of sin.' The person who considers nothing to be sin, but what renders the transgressor liable to punishment by the laws of civil society, may dream of his exemption from all danger of falling into it, But the soul which is alive to the spirituality of the law of God, as requiring from every rational creature immaculate purity in thought, word, and deed, cannot but perceive the constant perils of his situation, A believer, while an inhabitant of this sublunary world, is, like one who walks over sheets of ice, every moment liable to stumble; or rather like Peter, when he ventured on the fluid surface of the sea, constantly in danger of sinking, unless supported by an unseen and almighty hand. Adam, while yet he remained in innocence, proved unequal to his own preservation; how much * Egidaque horriferam, turbatæ Palladis arma, Virgil. Eneid. 8. If 6 more so must all his children be, who are born in sin, and shapen in iniquity;' and who, even after the renovation of their nature has been effected by the grace of God, have daily reason to complain of 'sin that dwelleth in them:' and often in bitterness of soul find themselves constrained to join in the mournful exclamation of the Apostle, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death !'* A conviction of this occasioned the man after God's own heart earnestly to pray, Keep back thy servant from presumptuous sins, let them not have do• minion over me: then shall I be upright, and I • shall be innocent from the great transgression.t' Experience, sad experience taught him, that it ⚫ is not in man, who walketh to direct his steps aright; and this made him so importunate with God, uphold me according to thy word, • that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope! Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually! If a lion, rendered furious by hun 6 6 6 : * Rom. vii. 24. The Apostle is supposed to allude to an horrible custom, which is said by some ancient writers to have been practised by tyrants on their captives. A dead carcase was fastened to the living body; so that the unhappy victim of this cruel treatment was obliged to drag about with him, wherever he went, the putrid, loathsome, and heavy burden. A more forcible and expressive image of the sad case represented cannot surely enter into the mind of man. See Doddridge in loc. + Psal. xix. 13. : ger, were ranging at large in the place of your residence if with savage cruelty he had destroyed numbers of your neighbors; with what caution and vigilance would you walk about! How solicitous would you be to equip yourselves with such armour, both offensive and defensive, as might secure you from his rage! With what anxiety would you look around you in every situation, lest the monster should there be lurking in concealment, ready to seize you as his prey! If you were weak and defenceless, how solicitous would you be to procure some person, whose strength might prove equal to the encounter, to attend your excursions. And, in case of the appearance of the voracious animal, how welcome would a place of refuge be, to which you might betake yourselves for security from his ravenous claws! Behold, the scene is more than realized; for your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.'* There is a necessity of putting on the whole • armour of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood' (only,) but against 6 principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual • wickedness in high places.' If you perceive no danger, surely it must be, because your attention is wholly occupied about the present world; 50 * Peter v. 8. 6 |