Prov. xxviii. 26. He lliat trusteth in his own heart is a fool.
THE Holy Scriptures speak plainly, and without reserve : they know nothing of that squeamish deli- cacy that keeps men from designating things by their appropriate names : they declare sin to be sin, and folly to be folly, without considering what the pride of man will say to the fidelity that is expressed. Now this gives an exceeding great advantage to ministers : for though it does not sanction rudeness, or indelicacy, or inattention to the feelings of man- kind, it does authorize a " great plainness of speech" in all who deliver the messages of God to a sinful and self-deceiving world. Indeed, by universal con- sent, a greater freedom of speech is admitted, even by the most fastidious in our public addresses, than would be palatable in private converse : nor will any be offended with us, if we declare authoritatively, and without any palliating modifications, what God has said, and what we know to be true, and what therefore we must aflfirm, that " he who trusteth in his own heart is a fool."
In confirmation of this plain and solemn truth, I will shew,
I. What is the conduct here reprobated —
Man, when he fell from God, renounced not only his allegiance to him as his Maker, but his affiance in him as his God. Since that time, man affects to be a god unto himself, and places his reliance rather on his own inherent powers than on the Majesty of heaven. He relies on,
1. His own wisdom and understanding — [This is true, especially in reference to all that concerns the souh Every one conceives that he knows what religion is, and how he is to obtain favour at the hands of God. The most careless of men stand, in this respect, on a footing with the most thoughtful and sedate : every one is alike confident that his opinions are just; and he holds them fast, with a degree of assurance which the most studious habits would scarcely warrant.
VOL. VII. u