example would justify : I shall satisfy myself with exhibiting,
I. The characters here described —
Of human nature, as born into the world, I forbear to speak : but of men's actions our text gives a just and universal description. We need not go back to the Jews : we need only to look amongst ourselves ; and we shall find that all of us, without exception, whilst in our natural and unconverted state, are guilty of the crime here spoken of; " We make us crooked paths." In proof of which, I will shew you our de- viations,
1. From the line of duty prescribed by the law —
[You need not be told, I trust, what the law of God re- quires: it requires that we " love God with all our heart, and mind, and soul, and strength ; and that we love our neighbour as ourselves." But who amongst us has obeyed it? who has obeyed it for any one day or hour of his whole life ? The truth is, that our whole life has been one continued scene of departure from it. Instead of loving God supremely, we have loved the creature above him, and have sought our happiness in it, rather than in him ; and, instead of loving our neighbours as ourselves, we have lived in one continued state of selfish- ness; preferring our own ease, honour, interest, to that of others ; and, in many instances, seeking our own welfare at the expense of that of others. But this matter admits of no doubt : we shall all readily acknowledge our deviations from the perfect law of God; and that, when tried by that standard, " every mouth must be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God."]
2. From the line of duty prescribed by the Gospel —
[The Gospel is given us to remedy our departures from the law ; and it " prescribes repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." And how have we obeyed that ? Have we mourned over our sins as it became us ? Have we, like the Publican, been so oppressed with a sense of our own unworthiness, that we have not ventured to look up to heaven, but, with downcast eyes, have smitten on our breasts,
and cried, " God be merciful to me, a sinner? " Have
we also implored mercy in God's appointed way ; pleading the merits of the Redeemer's blood, and seeking reconciliation solely through his all-atoning sacrifice ? And, under a full con- viction of the insufficiency of every other help, have we lived