This security we are apt to overlook : but we can never in reality be too thankful for it. If we were to estimate our state according to truth, we should all consider ourselves like Daniel in the lions' den : the lions have not lost their nature ; but they feel a restraint, which, though invisible, operates for our preservation : if that were once withdrawn, we should then, like Daniel's persecutors, soon become a prey to the violent and oppressive.]
But the subject may justly lead us also to consider,
II. The obligations we owe to the Gospel of Christ —
The restraints of Civil Government are external only, and have respect chiefly to the welfare of society : they cannot reach to the thoughts or dis- positions of the heart. Hence
Ungodly men do precisely what they please — [They keep within the regulations of human laws, so far at least as to avoid a criminal prosecution ; but they will in- dulge their lusts in ways which come not within the cognizance of the civil magistrate, and will live altogether " without God in the world." All indeed do not run to the same excess of riot; but all will equally " do what is right in their own eyes." All mark out a line for themselves : some give themselves a greater latitude ; and some are circumscribed within narrower bounds ; but all lay down to themselves certain rules, to which they annex the idea of propriety : and if a minister of the Most High God stand forth to testify against their ways as evil, they will find an host to vindicate their cause, and to inflict the deadliest wounds also on those who dare to assault them in the name of God. The language of their hearts is, " Who is Lord over us ?" In vain do we endeavour to convince them of their errors ; they are determined to tliink themselves right: to be " right in their own eyes" is with them a perfect vindication of their conduct : they will not come " to the word and the testimony" of Scripture; that is a test to which they will not submit : and, if only they are free from gross and open sin, they despise the sword of the Spirit, and defy the sharpest arrows that are taken from his quiver.
Wliat we here speak is as applicable to the most righteous among them, as to the most unrighteous. Solomon tells us that " there is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, who are not washed from their filthiness^." Their standard of duty, be it what it may, is of their own making : and they follow the laws of God no further than will consist with the regulations which they have formed for themselves ]
^ Prov. XXX. 12.