Somewhat of a similar mixture is the religion of the generality in the present day —
[It is a combination of Heathenism, and Judaism, and Christianity. It is in part Heathenism. What are the views which men in general have of God, but such as were enter- tained by the heathen philosophers? We have, it is true, clearer views of the unity of God : but of his perfections we have scarcely juster apprehensions than the heathen had. Christians in general account of God as a Being who is but little interested about the affairs of this world, either in a way of present control, or of future retribution. All, in their
apprehension, is left either to chance, or to the will of man : and, provided only some of the more heinous sins be not committed by us, the state of our minds and the habits of our lives will pass altogether unnoticed by him. To see the hand of God in every thing ; to expect from him the blessings which we ask at his hands ; to be sensible of his favour or displeasure ; to regard him as pledged to order all things for his people's good ; and to rest assured, that he will fulfil to us his promises ; is, in the estimation of the world at large, no better than presumptuous pride and enthusiastic folly: so entirely do they exclude Jehovah from the government of the world, and reduce him to the state of the god of Epicurus. In like manner the morality of men in general is simply that of the wiser heathens ; the more refined and exalted require- ments of Christianity being deemed unnecessarily precise, and absurdly strict. An entire deadness to the world, and devoted- ness to God, are never contemplated by them, but as the dictates of ascetic gloom or fanatical conceit.
Whilst in their principles they sink into heathenism, in their adherence to forms they trench on Judaism. Every sect has its favourite forms, which, though of human origin only, are of more weight in the estimation of the generality than either principles or morals. A man may be sceptical in his principles, and licentious in his morals, and yet oiFend no one : but let him violate the forms which have been established by his own particular sect or party, and he will raise an outcry against him immediately. This is common both with Papists and Protestants, yes, and with Protestants of every description. The rules of their own particular denomination are more to them than the oracles of truth ; and a neglect or violation of a human institution is more heinous in their eyes than any departure from the commands of God. Thus it was with the Pharisees of old, who made void the law of God, and regarded only their own self-appointed usages: and thus it is at this day amongst multitudes who name the name of Christ.
A small portion of Christianity is for the most part added to this, to complete the system. Christ is acknowledged to have purchased for us such a relaxation of the divine law as we are pleased to claim, and a power to save ourselves by any measure of obedience which we choose to pay to the code we have devised — ]
Whilst such is the religion of the generality, it is supposed to constitute a just ground of confidence before God —
[Micah had now no doubts or fears but that all would go well with him both in this world and the next. And similar to this is the confidence which almost universally obtains amongst
276. J micah's false confidence. 81
ungodly men. They have no feai's but that God will do them good, because they are free from those crimes which outrage the common feelings of mankind, and serve God accoi-ding to such rules as they have laid down for themselves. Whosoever dies in such a state, they send to heaven, as a matter of course; thinking, that to entertain a doubt of their safety would be the height of uncharitableness. It is surprising to what an extent their confidence is carried. The bare possibility of such per- sons having perished in their sins is never once contemplated by them : and, if a doubt were expressed respecting the issue of their own expectations, they would be quite indignant. Were a truly pious man to express the same confidence as arising from the promises of God, they would inveigh against his presumption : but in their own delusive speculations their confidence is such as to preclude all doubt. We may see this exemplified in the Jews of old. To have Abraham for their father, and the temple of the Lord for their religious services, was in their estimation sufficient ground of hope, though they lived in a constant violation of every known duty '^. And pre- cisely thus it is with the generality of Christians : they have been baptized into the faith of Christ, and they have lived according to a system which the world approves ; and there- fore they can say without fear, *' I know that the Lord will do me good."]