take vengeance on them that kneio not God, and obeyed not the Gospel ; much more will he take vengeance on those who have trodden under foot his blood, and done despite to his Spirit of grace. If God have shined into your hearts, to give you the light of his Gospel, you must walk as children of the light and of the day. It is in this way only that you can shew the excellency of the Gospel, or convince the world that the knowledge you possess is of any real value. But, to make this improvement of the Gospel, much consideration will be necessary. The word of Christ must be treasured up in your minds, and must "dwell in you richly in all wisdom." A mariner who will not consult his compass will derive no benefit from it : nor will you, if you do not take " the word as a light unto your feet and a lantern to your paths." Solomon, in the words following my text, justly says, " He that hasteth with his feet, sinneth :" and so I say to you ; If you will have your way ac- ceptable unto God, you must apply to him constantly for fresh supplies of his grace, and must " take heed unto your ways according to his word."]
Prov. xix. 3. The foolishness of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord.
THE wickedness of the heart is deep and un- searchable. They who do not watch its motions, have no idea of its depravity ; but they who dili- gently examine it may discover many evils, and by the light of God's word attain considerable know- ledge. The disposition mentioned in the text de- serves special attention. We will,
I. Illustrate the disposition here spoken of —
The careless and ungodly world are ever ready to cast blame on God,
1. On account of their sins —
[They give the rein to every evil thought and desire ; they expose themselves to every kind of temptation ; they lay innu- merable stumbling-blocks in their own way ; and thus become enslaved by vicious lusts and appetites: against these iniquities God denounces his judgment : but the slaves of sin continue hardened in their evil ways ; they condemn even God himself as the author of their sins. This was the conduct of Adam