this law is not restricted to overt acts: our whole spirit must accord with it, and he moulded hy it. If we notice the par- ticular conduct which the Apostle reproves, we shall find, that it was not such as would have brought down censure from tin- world at large : it would rather have been commended as a respect due to the higher orders of society. But, when strictly examined, it was contrary to the principle of love : and that was quite suificient to render it an object of severest reprobation. The doing as we would be done unto, forms the proper standard 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 ex- tends, 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 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 cymbals1.]
2. As God's rule of judgment hereafter —
[By this law we shall be judged in the last day. It is remarkable, that in the account which our Lord gives us of the final judgment, there is no mention made of any actual transgression as determining the fate of the ungodly : their performance of the offices of love is the only subject of in- quiry ; and their neglect of them is the only ground that is specified for their eternal condemnation11. Of course, I must not be understood to say, that this will really be the only subject of inquiry, or the only ground of a sinner's condemna- tion ; 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 words, 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 entreat you to bear in mind the main points contained in it :
Remember —
1 . The true nature of the Gospel —
[Men universally 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
t 1 Cor. xiii. 1—7. u -Matt. xxv. 34 — 4G.