transgress his commandments in an idle fancy, that He has his favourites, whom He will indulge in sin; and that they themselves are in the number of such favourites, which shews them ignorant of his eternal equity. God tells his people by the law," Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; "* and the reason given is, for the judgment is God's; that is, the judges were his delegates, and therefore should act according to his measures; whose character it is, to be no respecter of persons.-Lastly, there are those who keep not his commandments on a vain presumption that He is all-merciful, and will pardon and forgive indiscriminately; and these shew their ignorance of that great attribute, His eternal justice. The Apostle says, our God is a consuming fire; and St. Paul, that God will render to every man according to his deeds.

2. The next in ignorance are those who sin on a supposition that the Gospel is a Dispensation of free grace, and requires nothing on our parts but a mere acceptance of it; which will

renew a right spirit within us," while the heart remains full of corruption and vice. And these evidently declare they know not their master in his works; for these consisted in the practice of all human virtues during his life, for an

* Deuteronomy, c. i. v. 17.

+ Psalms, li. v. 10.

example to his followers; and in offering himself an atonement and sacrifice at his death, for the sins of the whole world. Now it will appear from both these parts of his works, that He expects a strict obedience to all his commandments. For, 1. what other possible cause possible cause can be assigned of his thus exemplifying in a long course of action his perfect obedience to the whole will of God, than his intention that we should have the same regard to his; so that being graciously pleased to lighten our task, he set us this all-perfect example to direct and encourage us in our work. 2. His death for the sins of mankind more directly declared the intention of God in exacting a full obedience to its commands. For if sin and iniquity were so heinous to the divinity, that nothing but the sacrifice of the Son of God could make atonement for them, it is the highest absurdity to suppose them to be less heinous in their nature, after the atonement than before. On the contrary, when the price of expiation has been so high, it is reasonable to think the strongest provision should be made, that this price be not paid in vain by a second lapse into general sin and corruption.

3. The last in ignorance are those who pretend they have endeavoured and would fain perform the whole command of Jesus; but are utterly unable by the inability, weakness, and

corruption of their nature. Now these evidently show they know not Jesus by his operations through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter; whom after his ascension, He sent amongst them; and who from that time through every age of the Church has left such illustrious marks of His office in the hearts of the faithful, whose minds He has illuminated, purified, and strengthened against the attacks of error, the flesh, and the evil one; so as to leave all the followers of Jesus inexcusable when they make this complaint.

But if sinners, notwithstanding all that can be said to them, will still persist in pretending to know Him, their Lord and Master, while they still continue in their vices, and go on in the transgression of His will, this knowledge will be of very little service, since He has declared that He will not know them; when he says to those who had no “oil in their lamps,"* or no obedience in their lives, and yet in confidence of their knowledge of Him, or their faith in Him, expected to be received into His rest; "verily I say unto you, I know you not."

With all our knowledge, therefore, let us at length condescend to be taught better by the Gospel we pretend to follow. St. Peter assures us that "God having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless us;" but then he tells us on

* Matthew, c. xxv. v. 4.

Acts, c. iii. v. 26.

what terms only this blessing is to be obtained, viz., by turning every one of us from our iniquities. Or if we will not learn this, we shall be forced to acknowledge at least the just condemnation in my text; "He that saith I know Him,

and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

389

SERMON III.

NATIONAL CORRUPTION.

[Preached before the King, October 16, 1757.]

PSALM xiv. 1.

THE FOOL HATH SAID IN HIS HEART THERE IS NO GOD. THEY ARE CORRUPT; THEY HAVE DONE ABOMINABLE WORKS; THERE IS NONE THAT DOETH GOOD.

This is the horrid picture the Psalmist draws of his own times; where we find impiety and immorality go hand in hand to desolate the community: the thoughts of their hearts were foolish, and all their works abominable.

But which of them went foremost,-whether it was the want of religion that corrupted their morals, or the want of virtue that gave birth to their impious principles, he does not tell us. Nor is it of much moment, since whichever leads, the other is sure to follow. The vicious man, for his own ease, encourages himself in concluding that there is no moral Governor of the world; and the impious man takes advantage of his freedom from the restraints of religion to indulge himself in the gratification of all his vicious appetites.

I shall therefore presume to speak of this character of national corruption, as it lies in my text,