quite sufficient to render it an object of severest reprobation. The doing as we would be done unto forms the proper stan- dard for our conduct towards all mankind : and if, either in word or deed, we deviate from that, we transgress that holy- law which we are bound to obey. How far this heavenly- principle extends, may be seen in the description given of it by St. Paul : and, if we do not in the constant habit of our minds endeavour to attain to it, we may believe what we will, and do what we will, and suffer what we may, but, after all, we shall be only "as sounding brass, and as tinkling cymbals*."]
2. As God's rule of judgment hereafter — [By this law we shall be judged in the last day. It is re- markable, that in the account which our Lord gives us of the final judgment, there is no mention made of any actual trans- gression as detennining the fate of the ungodly : their per- formance of the offices of love is the only subject of inquiry ; and their neglect of them is the only ground that is specified for their eternal condemnation". Of course, I must not be un- derstood to say, that this will really be the only subject of in- quiry, or the ojily ground of a sinner's condemnation ; for no doubt the whole of men's lives will be taken into the account in fixing their eternal destiny : but it is the only thing mentioned by our Lord in his account of that day : and this is sufficient to shew us the vast importance of keeping it ever in our view. We must attend to it no less in our ivords, than in our actions ; and " so speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty."]
That we may bring home this subject more power- fully to your hearts, we would intreat you to bear in mind the main points contained in it : Remember,
1. The true nature of the Gospel —
[Men imiversally conceive of the Gospel as a system of restraints : and, when we call upon them to obey the Gospel, they consider us as attempting to abridge their liberty. But the very reverse of this is true. We find men slaves to the world, and sin, and Satan ; and we come to break their chains, and to set them at liberty. Our blessed Lord proclaimed this as the great object of his mission, "to preach deliverance to the captives, and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord*." There are now, as there were in the Jewish state, many who love their bonds, and account the service of their Master preferable to the liberty that is proclaimed. But this does not at all change the nature of the Gospel, which is alto- gether ' 1 Cor, xiii. 1—/. " Matt. xxv. 34 — 4(5. " Luke iv, 18, ip.