to us all those blessings which we have forfeited by our transgressions.
Happy would it be for us, if we were duly impressed with this unmerited kindness and unbounded mercy. But, instead of seeking blessedness in him, we forsake him utterly : we cast off his yoke, we trample on his laws, we cast him even out of our thoughts.
Now let us see what is that rival which we prefer : it is the creature, justly called " a broken cistern." Some look for happiness in the gratifications of sense; others in the attainment of wealth or honour ; others, in the pursuits of science or philosophy. We beg to be clearly understood when speaking on this subject : we do not mean to condemn pleasure, honour, wealth, or science, as evil in themselves : they all have their legitimate and appropriate use, and all may be pur- sued and enjoyed in perfect consistency with a good conscience. It is quite a mistake to think that religion is opposed to any of these things : on the contrary, it leads to the richest enjoyment of created good, and enjoins, instead of prohibiting, a diligent performance of every known duty. If subordinated to religion, and pursued for God, (we repeat it,) the pleasures of sense may be possessed, and the duties of every station discharged : nay more, we declare, that no man can be religious without endeavouring to fulfil the duties of his calling, whether they be commercial or military, philosophical or religious. But the evil incident to these things consists in making them the great end of our life ; in suffering them to draw away our hearts from God, or to occupy that place in our affections which is due to God alone. It is in this view that we are to be understood as denominating the pursuit of these things "evil;" and we doubt not but that the consciences of all attest the truth of our statement, and accede fully to that apostolic, that incontrovertible position, that to " love and serve the creature more than the Creator" is idolatry.
We have digressed a little, for the purpose of being more clearly understood. Let us now return to our observation, that the creature, which is suffered to