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plating the world we observe with regret many of those, who call themselves Christians, debased and degraded by superstition. We observe "the mystery of iniquity" still working, "with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness," and still hear them "forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." These however have not known of what spirit they were. They have introduced ordinances hard to be borne, and the traditions of men, which they bind upon the consciences of their brethren. These austerities form no part of the religion of Christ. Unshackled by ceremonial observances, the fear of the Lord, which it teaches, is clean: his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

IV. The next peculiarity, which the Psalmist notices as belonging to revealed religion, is that it is perfectly true and just. "The judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether."

To the religion which we profess is ascribed in Holy Scripture the attribute of truth, in several senses.

1. It is true, as being utterly at variance with all falsehood, both in itself and in those

i 2 Thess. ii. 7.

k 1 Tim. iv. 3.

who profess it. In itself we have before seen that it is totally free from error and deceit, and in that sense true. And in those who profess it, truth and sincerity are especially required, as indications of the power of their religious principles. "Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts," is the address of David unto God. "Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour," was one of the especial commands given by God to his people. And among those who are represented as excluded for ever from the heavenly promises, is especially named, "whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." In the sense, then, of opposition to all falsehood, "The judgments of the Lord are true."

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2. Truth also is in Scripture ascribed to the Almighty and his revealed will, in the sense of sincerity and fidelity in keeping the promises, and threatenings contained in the Scriptures. In this sense it is declared that "the Lord is the true God." His truth in executing his promises is declared to be co-extensive with his mercy which makes them. Thy mercy is great unto the heavens," says David, "and thy truth unto the clouds.'

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1 Psalm li. 6.

n Rev. xxii. 15.

P Psalm lvii. 10.

m Zech. viii. 16.

• Jer. x. 10.

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Truth of this nature ascribed to our religion is one of its fundamental distinctions, for upon it must be founded all our belief and confidence. As he makes his gracious promises, so we know that faithful is he that calleth us, who also will do it.q

3. Again, truth is peculiarly ascribed to the final revelation of God's will made in the Gospel. The Christian religion is called the truth and it is separated from every other form of worship by the same distinctive term. "The law was given by Moses," says St. John, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Our Saviour declared of himself that he was "the way and the truth and the life:" that to bear witness to the truth was a principal end of his coming into the world." He said to those Jews who believed on him, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." And one of the most consoling promises which he made to his disciples before his death was, that "when He, the Spirit of truth, should come, he should guide them unto all truth."

q 1 Thess. v. 24. s John i. 17.

u John xviii. 37.

John xvi. 13.

Gal. iii. 1.
John xiv. 6.

* John viii. 31, 32.

In this meaning, revealed religion, which communicates the doctrine of the Gospel, is especially

true.

4. Real religion is also characterized by truth, as distinguished from mere formality and hypocrisy. Thus we are commanded to draw near to God with a true heart,z in full assurance of faith and reminded that "if we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."a

Justly, therefore, does David ascribe truth and righteousness to a religion, which requires truth in the inward parts, detests all falsehood, is most faithful in performing with truth the promises which it makes, is emphatically and peculiarly styled, "The Truth;" and demands, of those who receive it, unfeigned and true obedience.

Blest, then, as we are with so precious a revelation from above, so perfect, converting the soul; so sure, making wise the simple; so right, rejoicing the heart; so pure, enlightening the eyes; so true and righteous altogether; how careful should we be duly to appreciate this inestimable benefit. The Scriptures are given, not merely to be admired for their superiority over all human compositions; not

Heb. x. 22.

a 1 John i. 8.

merely to furnish that polemical armour, by which the shafts of infidelity may be repelled; but they are given as our guide and our counsellor, in all the temptations and perils of a sinful world. They teach us upon infallible authority the dealings of God with man. They teach us how the penitent may obtain pardon. They open to us an accurate view of the world in which we live, and of that to which we are hastening. They explain the intentions of providence in the mysterious transactions of this life: what death is: what judgment will be.

Be it, then, our care continually to study them, as the oracles of divine truth; for in them, and in them only, we have the words of eternal life. Let us read them, not coldly, not as a task; still less with any spirit of light cavilling at their minute difficulties; but with the seriousness, which the word of God demands, and the responsibility of man requires. So may we hope, through the influence of that Holy Spirit, which is promised to the patient enquirer and diligent hearer of God's word, to be made wise unto salvation.

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