Address —
1. Those whom God has classed with "the wicked" —
[You will find, in the words following my text, that the persons contrasted with the righteous are so designated : and of them it is said, " The way of the wicked seduceth them." Now, it must be granted, that " their way"is viore easy, and to flesh and blood more pleasant, and more approved by an ungodly world; and, therefore they imagine it to be, on the whole, preferable to the difficult and self-denying and despised path of the righteous. But they are "seduced" by these specious appearances; and " a deceived heart has turned them aside ; so that they cannot deliver their soul, or say, Is there not a
lie in my right hancP?" But be dispassionate, and judge as before the Lord. If you deceive yourselves, you cannot deceive him : he will judge, not according to your own erroneous esti- mate of yourselves, but according to truth, and to the real state of your souls. Yet methinks you cannot deceive even yourselves, if you will but reflect with any degree of candour upon the comparison that has been set before you. In truth, you have in your own bosoms a witness for God : for, whether your conduct be more or less moral, there is not one of you that does not say in his heart, especially in his more thoughtful moments, " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his."]
2. Those who are disposed to number themselves
amongst ^'^the righteous" —
[Many who claim this distinction prove themselves, by their habits, most unworthy of it. It is a melancholy truth, that many professors of religion, instead of being more excel- lent than their neighbour, are inferior to him in almost every thing that is amiable and praiseworthy. Such self-deceivers will have a fearful account to give at the last day. To every one, then, amongst you I would say. If you profess yourselves to be righteous, let it appear to all around that you are so by the superior excellence of your lives. • Our Lord says to his disciples, " What do ye more tlian others?" More than others ye ought to do ; inasmuch as your obligations and assist- ances are more than others are acquainted with. You are to " shine as lights in a dark world; " and in every relation of life to approve yourselves more excellent than your neighbour. Are you husbands or wives, parents or children, masters or servants, you should fill up your station in life more to the honour of God and the good of the community than any others around yoti. I conclude, then, with that direction which our blessed Lord has given you : " So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."]
2 Isai. xliv. 20.