[Though there is much ignorance in the world, yet there^ are few, if any, whose practice does not fall very far short of what they know to be their duty. There certainly are dif- ferent dearrees of lioht in the minds of unconverted men ; but all in some measure " resist the truth," and " imprison it in unrighteousness '1." When therefore this evil is so general, should we not be on our guard against it ? When all of us see how much it prevails in others, should we not suspect its influence over ourselves ? Let every one tremble for his own house, when he sees it standing in the midst of a general conflagration — ]
2. It is an evil to which we are prone —
[The heart is justly said to be " deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." It is ready and ingenious in colour- ing over its own devices, and in justifying whatever tends to its own satisfaction. The world also presents to us ten thou- sand pleas that serve to confirm our delusions. And Satan, who beguiled our first parents in Paradise, doubtless lends his aid to lead us astray, and to keep us ignorant of our real state. Who is there amongst us that has not experienced this prone- ness to self-deception? The very Apostles on some occasions " knew not what spirit they were of." And who has not repeatedly found, that the things, which seemed right in his eyes at one time, have, in an hour of sober reflection, appeared to have been the extremest folly ? Surely then we never can be too watchful against the treachery of our own hearts — ]
3. It is an evil that greatly aggravates our guilt — [God has given us a conscience capable of " accusing or
excusing" us accordin"f to the true tenour of our actions*^. Now if we either warp it by vile affections, or silence it by con- tinued opposition to its dictates, our sin is aggravated a hun- dred-fold. This is repeatedly declared both by Christ and his Apostles^. And can we suppose that our punishment also will not be proportionably enhanced? Will not " the servant wlio knew his Lord's will and did it not, be beaten with more stripes than he who transgressed through ignorance ? " Will not those, who improved a less degree of light, " rise up in judgment against" those who enjoyed more ample means of instruction, and yet neglected to improve them ? No doubt, it were " better never to have known the will of God at all, than, having known it," to live in an allowed opposition to it — ]
^ Rom, i. 18. K-arexojTwj^ A heathen felt this : " Video meliora, proboque ; deteriora sequor." e Rom. ii. 15. *■ Jam. iv. 17. John xv. 22, and ix. 41. and iii. 19 — 21.