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nipotent. In every Christian country, the faint remonstrances which reason makes against sin are mightily enforced by scripture; and the notion that the infinite grandeur of God will not suffer him to pay regard to our conduct, is confuted by the whole history of his providence, and by undeniable facts. No earthly potentate ever can shew himself attentive in such a degree to the manners of his subjects, or jealous of the honour of his laws, as the King eter nal has done in the most awful ways. Who among the princes of the earth has ever so fully enacted prohibitions against all evil, or so strictly enjoined the practice of all righteousness, as the Judge eternal? Who has added penalties to deter from presumptuous offences, worthy to be named with everlasting burnings? In what nation are such rich preferments and honours insured to loyalty and obedience, as in the kingdom of our God? or, among earthly monarchs, who has been found so terrible to avenge his quarrel, as He in his righteous judgments, which have been executed upon sinners?

To despise, therefore, this great, and terrible, and excellent God, judging by the universal sense of mankind, is an instance of desperate depravity. For to despise a superior, is a greater offence, none will deny, than if he were our equal; and an affront to a crowned head will be deemed an insult much beyond the same offence against a private man; because, as all honour bears a value according to his degree who confers it, so dishonour is measured by his character who receives it. To despise God, is an offence, therefore, without a figure, infinite. For almighty power, in essential union with perfect wisdom, justice, and mercy, make up the name of God, and demand the heart-felt adoration of all his reasonable creatures. Even to doubt whether such adoration be due to him, argues profligate stupidity; but to

act as if he were unworthy of our fear or love, is flagitious wickedness.

Yet thus to act is the natural temper of mankind. Wherever you turn your eyes, you may see it in a strong light. Consider the vast multitude who live in the open breach of one or other of God's com mandments. Are they doing so, because ignorant that their sin is forbidden? It cannot be affirmed. Profane swearers know what the third commandment requires, and the Lawgiver who ordained it. The mighty to drink strong wine, and those who feast and pamper their bodies, know who calls upon them to be temperate, and denounces woes upon all whose god is their belly. The lewd are no strangers to their doom; whoremongers and adulterers God will judge: nor fraudulent tradesmen to that solemn interrogation, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?

No declarations can be more plain or peremptory, yet iniquity has in all ages and places abounded. Offenders in each of the above named classes, though warned, entreated, importuned, adjured in the name of God, not only refuse to hearken, but cry out, There shall no harm happen unto us. By this conduct, man foams out his shame, proving that when he can neither plead ignorance, or forgetfulness, he will dare to treat the laws of his Maker, as if he thought them, in some instances, the wild dictates of passion, the impositions of a tyrant, or the injunctions of a fool. He will dare to treat his law, as if, in some instances, respecting his own case, it was weak in its intention, envious in its restraints, needless to be observed, and nothing to be dreaded from trampling it under foot.

It is in vain for man to reply, whilst a wilful transgressor, that far be it from him to despise God, he means only to please himself in his sin; for in a

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Christian country, where the law of God is in every one's hand, we cannot possibly do the one, without being guilty of the other also. Nor can a proud rebellious spirit more strongly express contempt of God's government. than by concluding it his own interest to walk contrary to it; and when doing so, despise his wrath, revealed in the most solemn manner against all the unrighteousness and ungodliness of man,

But in whatever light man himself may regard the practice of sin, it is beyond dispute God will punish it as inexcusable contempt of his authority; for he represents himself on this very account inexorable to the cries of sinners, when they are appalled at the miseries coming upon them. Because I have called, by my law, ministers, and people, upon the disobedient, and ye refused; and when, as a man vehemently desirous to be regarded, "I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded. But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity, and I will mock when your fear cometh. When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you," Prov. i. 24, 27. In this alarming passage, observe, the Almighty expresses the strongest contempt and scorn towards obstinate sinners, which is described as a just retaliation upon them of the very same usuage, which he, through his forbearance and mercy, so long received at their hands.

What has been offered, clearly proves much depravity in the natural temper of man towards his Maker. There is no way of denying this, unless you affirm it is no baseness to forget the fountain of all good, and treat infinite excellency with contempt. But the impiety of such a shocking assertion can proceed from no heart, which is not itself a living demonstration of the great depravity it cannot bear

to own.

SUNDAY IX.

CHAP. IX.

The Human Heart's Enmity against God.

THE deplorable blindness of man in his natural condition, his neglect and contempt of God, manifest in the whole form of his life, have been already proved. But there is still, alas! something worse chargeable upon us all, till created again in Christ Jesus. This I should have carefully concealed, did I write for reputation, or to please my readers, and not to bring them to the knowledge of themselves, one of the richest blessings they can receive. I well know what is going to be proved upon fallen man, is infinitely offensive to pride, and, sooner than any other charge, kindles indignation. I remember the time, when, full of self-complacency, I should have resented such an accusation beyond measure, for the truth of which I now contend. I only entreat the candor of my readers, to believe I would conscientiously avoid adding any thing to the sinfulness of fallen man, which in nature has no existence, and in the Bible no proof., I desire also to be esteemed no less full of love to the human race, than if I maintained that man was born with perfect rectitude of soul. With the greatest pleasure I should embrace that notion, if fact and God's express testimony did not compel us to renounce it as a dangerous sclf-flattery, and an absolute falsehood.

Having thus endeavoured to procure an unprejudiced hearing of my proofs, I am bold to open to the bottom the detestable corruption of human nature; and maintain that there dwells in the heart of

every man, till changed by grace, an aversion to the Author of his being. This accusation, those who are notoriously abandoned will not allow, much less. will the decent, sober, and honest. The proofs, therefore, I shall bring, are what all confess, do demonstrate hatred in every other case. After these proofs, the infallible decision of God's word upon the matter. shall be produced.

It is then universally allowed, that nothing but. aversion in the heart towards persons, beyond a doubt, wise and excellent, can render their company. irksome. Whenever we observe this, we conclude there must be some personal dislike, however concealed or denied. Now, secret prayer, and reading the scripture with a devout mind, are a near approach. to God, so like being in his company, that these means of grace are called seeking his face, and entering into his presence. If, then, strong aversion to holding su h intercourse with our Maker, can be proved natural to fallen man, it will prove his aversion, since none can dispute the wisdom or glorious excellency of God.

By this test, try the human race in every stage of life. Do young or old, before they are divinely changed, love prayer and reading the scripture, and take delight in both? I do not affirm they totally neglect them; but do not they repeat prayers hasti ly, without desiring to know the meaning of what they repeat or read? Are not a few minutes in a day thought time sufficient for such a task? Is not the Bible, that authentic account of God, ourselves, and the wonderful things he hath wrought, a tasteless book, very little read; whilst hours are every day consumed with joy, in despicable amusements, and frothy entertainments? What can more clearly prove man's aversion to God, than this conduct, especially as he, in infinite condescension, offers to

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