SERMON II.

DEUTERONOMY, vi, 6-9.

These words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children; and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up: and thou shalt bind them as a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes; and thou shalt write them upon the posts of thine house, and on thy gates.

T

HE observation is not more common than just, 'that if religion be any thing it is every thing.' If Christianity be true, the consequences of our present conduct are infinitely important: and while the infidel may be more atrociously criminal and extensively mischievous; the professed believer, who lives like other men, is the most inconsistent character in the world. The language of scriptúre does not accord to that of modern times :

wicked Christians and irreligious believers are never mentioned in the sacred volume: faith is never supposed separable from a holy life: all worldly men are represented as unbelievers, or as only possessing a dead faith; and all believers are spoken of as the servants of God, who live to his glory, and are distinguished from other men by the whole tenour of their conduct, and not merely by their principles. These things are as observable in the old, as in the new, Testament: for true religion has been essentially the same ever since the fall of Adam, though many circumstantial alterations have taken place: and indeed the perfections of God, the wants of a sinner, and the nature of holiness and happiness are in themselves immutable.

I shall therefore without further introduction, proceed to discourse on the words of the text, as applicable to Christians, with an authority proportioned to their peculiar advantages. "These " words which I command thee this day," even the great doctrines and precepts of the Bible, "shall " be in thy heart; and thou shalt teach them dili"gently to thy children: and thou shalt talk of "them, when thou sittest in thine house, and "when thou walkest by the way, and when thou "liest down, and when thou risest up: and thou "shalt bind them upon thine hand, and they shalt "be as frontlets between thine eyes: and thou "shalt write them upon the posts of thine house,

from the words of the text,

out some of the leading princioly religion, which especially remitted attention.

and illustrate the exhortation, he most effectual methods of practice.

the reasonableness of such a

rd vouchsafe us his special help we meditate on this important astonishing and lamentable to atly even they who seem to be such urgent exhortations. So majority of mankind are altothe rest seem not to be half

awake to matters of infinite and eternal im

portance.

I. In pointing out some of the leading principles of our holy religion, which especially demand our most earnest attention, we cannot begin more properly than with the perfections and authority of God, and our relations and obligations to him. Though most men allow these truths; yet their conduct, in this respect, marks very strongly the distinction between the religious and irreligious part of mankind. Who can imagine, that the gay, the sensual, the covetous, or the ambitious, have a constant and serious recollection of that holy, omnipresent, omniscient, and almighty God, in whom we all profess to believe? May we not rather conclude, that "God is not in all their thoughts;" at least, that they do not willingly consider his character as described in the sacred scriptures? Do such men habitually recollect the majesty and authority of the Lord, their obligation or accountableness to the Creator and Judge of the world? Do they act under a constant sense of his all-seeing eye? Do they endeavour to please him in their most secret and common actions, or by their inmost thoughts and motives? Do they seek happiness in his favour, and liberty in his service? Or do they, when conscious of having offended, rely on the mercy of God, and seek an interest in the salvation of his Son, as the grand object of their deliberate choice, and most fervent desires? I apprehend that the most admired and applauded characters, in Christian countries, are as entire strangers to this course of life, as the very pagans themselves.

It is indeed one great end of preaching, to convince men, that religion does not consist in coming once or twice a week to publick worship, or at stated seasons to the Lord's table: and that these are only appointed means of bringing them habitually to acknowledge God in every part of their conduct; that their actions, conversation, and dispositions, may be influenced by a sense of his presence and authority; that pious mediations, ejaculations, and praises may habitually spring from the temper of their minds, as occasion requires; and that their daily employments, regulated by genuine piety, may be a constant succession of services to their Master who is in heaven.-Who can deny that the law of God requires this at our hands? that the example of Christ recommends and enforces it? or that the apostle inculcates it, when he says, "Whether ye eat, or whether ye drink,

or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God?" Perfection indeed cannot here be attained; nor can we say what measure of this habitual recollection is essential to genuine piety: but if this be the nature of true religion when perfected, it must propo tionally be the same in its lowest degrees. If we do not propose to ourselves a high standard,