A noble resolution this ! We will endeavour to point out,
I. The great importance of it —
The value of religion, generally, is acknowledged by all ; but few are aware of the vast importance of a wise, discreet, and prudent deportment : yet on that essentially depend,
1. The peace and comfort of our own souls —
[An indiscreet conduct, even where the person's intentions on the whole are good, will involve him in many difficulties, and rob him of those supports and consolations which under other circumstances he might enjoy. True it is, that the wisest de- meanor will not avail to root out prejudice, or to make religion lovely in the eyes of carnal men : for the children of darkness cannot but hate the light : and our blessed Lord himself, in whose conduct not the slightest fault or error could be found, was an object of universal hatred to the whole Jewish nation. But it is no less true, that imprudence in religious characters calls forth against them, and, in appearance, justifies, the malignity of many, who, if the zeal had been better regulated, would never have raised their arm against it. Many parents, masters, ma- gistrates, who would never have interposed their authority to obstruct a prudent exercise of religion, have been induced to exert their power in consequence of the indiscretion of those whom they were constrained to oppose. In such cases their opposition can scarcely be called persecution ; nor can the cross which the sufferers are called to bear, be called " the cross of Christ :" it is tlieir own cross, that they have to bear, and their oiun folly, that they have to blame. Enthusiasts do indeed per- suade themselves that they are suffering for righteousness' sake : but having no satisfactory evidence that such is indeed the true ground of their trials, they cannot feel that humble acquiescence in the Divine appointments, which, if they had acted a wiser part, would have calmed their spirits, and sweetened their afflictions^.]
2. The benefit of all around us —
[Nothing can be more unreasonable '"han that men should condemn religion for the faults of those who profess it : but they will do so, and will take occasion from the misconduct of religious people to defame and decry all vital godliness^.
It is of no consequence in their eyes, that the wise and prudent condemn the things that are complained of: no; their adver- saries are not disposed to discriminate between the guilty and the innocent : they involve all in the same obloquy : and will bring
the * 1 Pet. ii. 19, 20. & iv. 15, 1(5. ''2 Pet. ii. 2.
330 PSALMS, cii. 2. [403,
tbe faults of former ages as grounds of accusation against those who live in the present day''. Even the errors that were acknow- ledged and lamented by the persons who in early life committed them, are !?till adduced as characterizing not only the persons who openly renounced them, but those also who have never in any degree approximated towards them'^ : and all this is done for the purpose of discrediting religion, and of justifying their own aversion to it. On the other hand, great good is done by those who " walk circumspectly," and " shine forth as lights in the world^." They " put to silence the ignorance of foolish menV and " shame those who falsely accuse their good conversation in Christ^." What St. Peter says of " wives winning by their good conversation their unbelieving husbands **," we doubt not is often verified in all other relations of life ; those who behold the light that is set before them being constrained to acknowledge, that *' the righteous is more excellent than his neighbour'." A certain awe is impressed on the minds of the ungodly by the sight of *' a man of God." " Herod feared John," when he saw what a just and holy man he was'': and it is particularly said of Saul, that, " when he saw that David behaved himself very wisely, he feared him^." And if we will walk " holily, justly, and unblameably before men," we shall have a testimony in their con- sciences, " that God is with us of a truth™," and that the prin- ciples we profess are " worthy of all acceptation"."]