Truth in our words, and integrity in our actions, are so essen- tial, that a man may as well call himself an angel as a Christian, if he be allowedly defective in either. An adulterous Christian, or a murderous Christian, is not a greater contradiction in terms, than a lying Christian or a dishonest Christian. Hear this, ye professors of religion ; and examine whether in your several trades and callings a dependence can be placed upon your word ; and whether you are careful to " keep a conscience void of offence towards God and man :" and let it never be said of you, " They will talk about religion indeed, but they will lie and cheat as much, and perhaps more, than other people : a man of the world is more to be depended on than they." O, if you give occasion for such a scandal as this, cast off your religion at once ; or else get it purified from these base and damning defilements.
Next, We must " love mercy." Justice admits of no degrees : we must be just or unjust ; and therefore we are told to do justice. But mercy has gradations that are of an unlimited extent : and therefore we must love mercy ; or we shall never attain such a measure of it as will adorn our holy profession. Mercy includes every act and office of love, at least as far as relates to the distressed, the indigent, or the offending. And this disposition must be cultivated in all its branches with assi- duity and delight. This constitutes the image of God upon the soul : and therefore we are exhorted to " be merciful, even as our Father which is in heaven is merciful." Indeed if we shut up our bowels of compassion from a needy brother, all pre- tences to the love of God are vain and hypocritical1". Hear then again, ye who profess godliness ; and bring your expe- rience to the touchstone. See whether you are filled with tenderness and compassion towards the bodies and souls of your fellow-creatures ? See whether you not only do a kind- ness when called upon, but whether you " devise liberal things," and deny yourselves with a view to the more extensive exer- cise of benevolence ? Look at a professor that is hard-hearted, griping, covetous, vindictive ; what a monster does he appear ! How unlike to that adorable Jesus who laid down even his own life for his very enemies ! Are there such people in the world ? O " tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon."
Finally, We must " walk humbly with God." We have already shewn the construction which our Lord puts upon these words, and that without any force, they include the most essential doc- trines of the Gospel. Indeed this requisition comprehends all our duty to God, as the two foregoing do our duty to our neigh- bour. Now our duty to God is, to " ivalk with " him, as Enoch and Noah did; and to walk "humbly" with him in a believing
m 1 John iii. 17.