And this is the very direction given to us also by God
himself: " Ponder the path of thy feet ; and let all thy ways
s Ps. xxxvii. 12, 13. * Ps. xxxvii. 14, 15. " Isai.viii.l2 — 14. ^ Ps. xi. 1 — 4. y 1 Pet. iii. 13. ^ igai. xxxvii. 22.
a Eph. vi. 10. ^ Isai. lix. 8.
be established : Turn not to the right hand, nor to the left ; remove thy feet from evil''." Adopt this then as the principle from which no consideration under heaven shall induce you to depart ; " I must obey my God :" and, if the whole world combine to divert you from it, let your reply be, " Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." This will deliver you from endless perplexity. This will make your every path both clear and straight. *' If your eye be evil," and the film of carnal hopes or fears be upon it, " your whole body will be full of darkness:" but " if your eye be single," and you have no purpose but to serve and honour God, " your whole body will be full of light ''," and your steps be directed in a way wherein you shall neither err, nor stumble.]
<= Prov. iv. 26, 27. ^ Matt. vi. 22, 23.
Heb. xii. 14. Follow .... holiness, ivithout which 710 man shall see the Lord^
THE Gospel, while it brings us into a state of reconciliation with God, enjoins us to maintain peace with man. This is rendered difficult, not only by the evil dispositions that are exercised on account of daily occurrences, but more especially by the enmity which subsists in the hearts of the generality with respect to religion ; in reference to which our Lord himself said, " I come not to send peace on earth, but a sword." Much however may be done by means of patience, meekness, and forbearance ; and it is our duty to sacrifice any thing, except a good con- science, for the sake of peace. But our duty to God is paramount to every other consideration : there- fore the Apostle, exhorting the Hebrews to " follow peace with all men," adds immediately, " and Jiolitiess, without which no man shall see the Lord :" the im- port of which is, that we may fail in obtaining peace, however earnestly we may seek it ; but holiness we may, and must, attain at the peril of our souls ; for without it no man shall see the Lord.