unviolated, and his holiness untarnished, Janew unto good works, that we may be the and all the high attributes of his eternal and workmanship of God in Christ Jesus our unchangeable nature unimpaired, to hold Lord. These are the leading and essential out forgiveness to the world,-that propi- peculiarities of the New Testament. This tiation was made through the blood of his is the truth of Christ; though to the geneown son, even that God might be just, ral mind of the world it is the truth of while the justifier of them who believe in Christ in a mystery. These are the paraJesus. It is to make it possible for man to bles which the commissioned messengers love the Being whom nature taught him to of grace are to deal out to the sinful children hate and to fear, that God now lifts, from of Adam,-and dark as they may appear, his mercy-seat, a voice of the most beseech- or disgusting as they may sound in the ears ing tenderness, and smiles upon the world of those who think that they are rich, and as God in Christ, reconciling the world unto have need of nothing, they are the very arhimself, and not imputing unto them their ticles upon which hope is made to beam trespasses. It was utterly to shift the moral on the heart of a converted sinner,-and constitution of our minds,-an achievement peace is restored to him,-and acceptance beyond any power of humanity,-that the with God is secured by the terms of an unSaviour, after he died and rose again, obtained alterable covenant, and the only effecthe promise of the Father, even that Spirit, tive instruments of a vital and substantial through whom alone the fixed and radical reformation are provided; so that he who disease of nature can be done away. And before was dead in trespasses and sins is thus, by the ministration of the baptism of quickened together with Christ, and made the Holy Ghost, does he undertake not only alive unto God, and renewed again after to improve but to change us,-not only to his image, and enabled to make constant repair but to re-make us,-not only to progress in all the graces of a holy and amend our evil works, but to create us spiritual obedience.

SERMON IV.

An Estimate of the Morality that is without Godliness.

"If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean: Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any day's-man betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."-Job ix. 30--33.

To the people of every Christian coun-evidence of that practical ascendency which try the doctrine of a Mediator between God Christian truth is sure to exert over the and man is familiarized by long possession; heart and the habits of every genuine bethough to many of them it be nothing more liever.

than the familiarity of a name recognized In the midst of all that dimness, and all as a well-known sound by the ear, without this indolence about the realities of salvasending one fruitful or substantial thought tion, it is refreshing to view the workings into the understanding. For, let it be ob- of a mind that is in earnest; and of a mind served, that the listless acquiescence of the too, which, instead of being mechanically mind in a doctrine, to the statement or to carried forward in the track of a prescribed the explanation of which it has been long or authoritative orthodoxy, is prompted to habituated, is a very different thing from all its aspirations by a deep feeling of guilt, the actual hold which the mind takes of the and of necessity. Such we conceive to hav doctrine, insomuch that it is very possible been the mind of Job, to whom the docfor a man to be a lover of orthodoxy, and trine of a Redeemer had not been explicitly to sit with complacency under its ministers, unfolded, but who seems at times to have and to be revolted by the heresies of those been favoured with a prophetic glimpse of who would either darken or deny any of him through the light of a dim and distant its articles,--and, in a word, to be most te-futurity. The state of his body, covered as nacious in his preference for that form of it was with disease, makes him an object words to which he has been accustomed; of sympathy. But there is a still deeper while to the meaning of the words them- and more attractive sympathy excited by selves, the whole man is in a state of entire the state of his soul, labouring under the dormancy; and delighted though he really visitation of a hand that was too heavy for be by the utterance of the truth, exhibits him; called out to combat with God, and not in his person, or in his history, one struggling to maintain it; at one time,

tempted to measure the justice of his cause a mistaken efficacy should be ascribed to
with the righteousness of Heaven's dis- snow water, in the country of Job's resi-
pensations; at another, closing his com-dence, where snow, if ever it fell at all,
plaint with the murmurs of a despairing ac-
quiescence; and at length brought, through
all the varieties of an exercised and agitated
spirit, to submit himself to God, and to re-
pent in dust and in ashes.

There is a darkness in the book of Job. He, at one time, under the soreness of his calamity, gives way to impatience; and, at another, he seems to recall the hasty utterance of his more distempered moments. He, in one place, fills his mouth with arguments; and, in another, he appears willing to surrender them all, and to decline the unequal struggle of man contending with his Maker. He is evidently oppressed throughout by a feeling of want, without the full understanding of an adequate or an appropriate remedy. Now, it does give a higher sense of the value of this remedy, when we are made to witness the unsatisfied longings of one who lived in a dark and early period of the world,-when we hear him telling, as he does in these verses, where the soreness lies, and obscurely guessing at the ministration that is suited to it--nor do we know a single passage of the Bible which carries home with greater effect the necessity of a Mediator, than that where Job, on his restless bed, is set before us, wearying himself in the hopeless task of arguing with God, and calling for some day's-man betwixt them who might lay his hand upon them both.

must have fallen rarely, at very extraordinary seasons, and in the more elevated parts of his neighbourhood. This rarity, added to its unsullied whiteness, might have given currency to an idea of its efficacy as a purifier, beyond what actually belonged to it. Certain it is, too, that snow water, like water deposited from the atmosphere, in any other form, does not possess that hardness which is often to be met with in spring water. But however this be, and whether the popular notion of the purifying virtues of snow water, taken up by Job, be well founded or not, we have here an expedient suggested for making the hands clean, and the man pure and acceptable in the sight of God,-a method proposed within the reach of man, and which man can perform, for making himself an object of complacency to his Maker; a method, too, which is quite effectual for beautifying all that meets the discernment of the outward eye, and which is here set before us as connected with the object of gaining the eye of that high and heavenly Witness, with whom we have to do. This is what we understand to be represented by washing with snow water. It comprehends all that man can do for washing himself, and for making himself clean in the sight of God. Job complains of the fruitlessness of this expedient, and perhaps mingles with his complaints the reproaches of a spirit that was not yet subThe afflictions which were heaped upon dued to entire acquiescence in the righteJob made him doubt his acceptance with ousness of God. Let us try to examine his Maker. This was the great burden of this matter, and, if possible, ascertain whehis complaint, and the recovery of this ac-ther man is able, on the utmost stretch of ceptance was the theme of many a fruit- his powers and of his performances, to make less and fatiguing speculation. We have himself an object of approbation to his one of these speculations in the verses Judge. which are now submitted to you; and as they are four in number, so there is such a distinction in the subjects of them, that the passage naturally resolves itself into four separate topics of illustration. In the 30th verse, we have an expedient proposed by Job, for the pupose of obtaining the acceptance which he longed after: "If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean." In the 31st verse, we have the inefficacy of this expedient; "Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me." In the 32d verse, he gives the reason of this inefficacy; "For he is not man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment." And in the 33d verse, he intimates to us the right expedient, under the form of complaining that he himself has not the benefit of it: "Neither is there any day's-man betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."

1. It is not to be wondered at, that even

Without entering into the metaphysical controversy about the extent or the freedom of human agency, let it be observed, that there is a plain and a popular understanding on the subject of what man can do and of what he cannot do. We wish to proceed on this understanding for the present, and to illustrate it by a few examples. Should it be asked, if a man can keep his hands from stealing, it would be the unhesitating answer of almost every one that he can do it, and if he can keep his tongue from lying, that he can do it,-and if he can constrain his feet to carry him every Sabbath to the house of God, that he can do this also,-and if he can tithe his income, or even reducing himself to the necessaries of life, make over the mighty sacrifice of all the remainder to the poor, that it is certainly possible for him to do it,-and if he can keep a guard upon his lips, so that not one whisper of malignity shall escape from them, that he can also prescribe this task to

himself, and is able to perform it, and if over my organs of sense, as to command a he can read much of his Bible, and utter liking, or a taste for the performance. The many prayers in private, that he can do it,illustration is homely; but it is enough for -and if he can assemble his family on the morning and the evening of every day, and go through the worship of God along with them, that all this he can do,-that all this lies within the compass of human agency.

our purpose, if it be effective. I may accomplish the doing of what God bids; but have no pleasure in God himself. The forcible constraining of the hand, may make out many a visible act of obedience, but the relish of the heart may refuse to go along with it. The outer man may be all in a bustle about the commandments of God, while to the inner man God is an offence and a weariness. His neighbours may look at him, and all that their eye can reach may be as clean as snow-water can make it. But the eye of God reaches a great deal farther. He is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and he may see the foul

Let any one map do, then, what all men think it possible for him to do, and he will wear upon his person the visible exhibition of much to recommend him to the favourable judgment of his fellows. He will be guilty of no one transgression against the peace and order of society. He will be correct, and regular, and completely inoffensive. He will contribute many a deed of positive beneficence to the welfare of those around him; and may even, on the strengthness of spiritual idolatry in every one of its of his many decencies, and many observa- receptacles. The poor man has no more tions, hold out an aspect of religiousness to conquered his rebellious affections, than he the general eye of the world. There will has conquered his distaste for wormwood. be a wide and most palpable distinction of He may fear God; he may listen to God; character between him, and those who, at and, in outward deed, may obey God. But large from the principle of self-control, re- he does not, and he will not, love God; and sign themselves to the impulse of every while he drags a heavy load of tasks, and present temptation; and are either intem-duties, and observances after him, he lives perate, or dishonest, or negligent of ordi- in the hourly violation of the first and nances, just as habit, or the urgency of their greatest of the commandments. feelings and their circumstances, may happen to have obtained the ascendancy over them. Those do not what they might, and what, in common estimation, they can do; and it is just because the man has put forth all his strenuousness to the task of accom-heart were totally away from you? Let plishing all that he is able for, that he looks so much more seemly than those who are beside him, and holds out a far more engaging display of what is moral and praiseworthy to all his acquaintances.

Would any parent among you count it enough that you obtained a service like this from one of your children? Would you be satisfied with the obedience of his hand, while you knew that the affections of his

every one requirement, issued from the chair of parental authority, be most rigidly and punctually done by him, would not the sullenness of his alienated countenance turn the whole of it into bitterness? It is the heart of his son which the parent longs after; and the lurking distaste and disaffection which rankle there, can never, never be made up by such an obedience, as the yoked and the tortured negro is compelled

service may be done; but all that can mninister satisfaction in the principle of the service, may be withheld from it; and though the very last item of the bidden performance is rendered, this will neither mend the deformity of the unnatural child, nor soothe the feelings of the afflicted and the mortified father.

II. I will not be able to convince you how superficial the reformation of all these doings is, without passing on to the 31st verse, and proving, that in the pure eye of God the man who has made the most copious application in his power of snow-to yield to the whip of the overseer. The water to the visible conduct, may still be an object of abhorrence; and that if God enter into judgment with him, he will make him appear as one plunged in the ditch, his righteousness as filthy rags, and himself as an unclean thing. There are a thousand things which, in popular and understood Janguage, man can do. It is quite the general sentiment, that he can abstain from stealing, and lying, and calumny,-that he can give of his substance to the poor, and attend church, and pray, and read his Bible, and keep up the worship of God in his family. But, as an instance of distinction between what he can do, and what he cannot do, let us make the undoubted assertion, that he can eat wormwood, and just put the question, if he can also relish wormwood. That is a different affair. I may command the performance; but have no such command

God is the Father of spirits; and the willing subjection of the spirit is that which he requires of us. "My son, give me thy heart" and if the heart be withheld, God says of all our visible performances, "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me?" The heart is his requirement; and full, indeed, is the title which he prefers to it. He put life into us; and it is he who hath drawn a circle of enjoyments, and friendships, and interests around us. Every thing that we take delight in, is min

istered to us out of his hand. He plies us every moment with his kindness; and when at length the gift stole the heart of man away from the Giver, so that he became a lover of his own pleasure, rather than a lover of God, even then would he not leave us to perish in the guilt of our rebellion. Man made himself an alien, but God was not willing to abandon him; and, rather than lose him for ever, did he devise a way of access by which to woo, and to welcome him back again. The way of our recovery is indeed a way that his heart was set upon; and to prove it, he sent his own eternal Son into the world, who unrobed him of all his glories and made himself of no reputation. He had to travel in the greatness of his strength, that he might unbar the gates of acceptance to a guilty world; and now that, in full harmony with the truth and the justice of God, sinners may draw nigh through the blood of the atonement, what is the wonderful length to which the condescension of God carries him? Why, he actually beseeches us to be reconciled; and, with a tone more tender than the affection of an earthly father ever prompted, does he call upon us to turn, and to turn, for why should we die? if, after all this, the antipathy of nature to God still cleave to us; if, under the power of this antipathy, the service we yield be the cold and unwilling service of constraint; if, with many of the visible out-ligion of inheritance, may utterly consist works of obedience, there be also the strug- with the deep and the determined worldliglings of a reluctant heart to take away ness of all his affections, that he whom from this obedience all its cheerfulness, is he thinks to be the God of his Sabbath is not not God defrauded of his offering? Does the God of his week; but that, throughout there not rest on the moral aspect of our all the successive days of it, he is going character, in reference to him, all the odious- astray after the idols of vanity, and living ness of unnatural children? Let our outer without God in the world. This is demondoings be what they may, does there not stration enough of all his forms, and all his adhere to us the turpitude of having deeply observations, being a mere surface display, revolted against that Being whose kindness without a living principle of piety. But has never abandoned us? And, though pure perhaps it may serve more effectually to in the eye of our fellows, and our hands be convince him of it, should we ask him, how clean as with snow-water, is there nothing his godliness thrives in the closet, and what in our hearts against which a spiritual law are the workings of his heart, in the abmay denounce its severities, and, the giver stract and solitary hour of intercourse with of that law may lift a voice of righteous ex- the unseen Father. In church, there may postulation? "Hear ye now what the Lord be much to interest him, and to keep him saith: Arise, contend thou before the moun- alive. But when alone, and deserted by all· tains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear the accompaniments of a solemn assembly, ye, O mountains, the Lord's controversy, we should like to know with what vivacity and ye strong foundations of the earth: he enters on the one business of meditating for the Lord hath a controversy with his on God, and holding converse with God. people, and he will plead with Israel. O Is the sense of the all-seeing and ever-premy people, what have I done unto thee, sent Deity enough for him; and does love and wherein have I wearied thee? testify to God brighten and sustain the moments against me." of solitary prayer? The mind may have

quiesce in what he reckons to be the exaggerations of orthodoxy upon this subject; nor can he at all conceive how it is possible that, with so much of the semblance of godliness about him, there should, at the same time, be within him the very opposite of godliness. It is, indeed, a difficult task to carry upon this point the conviction of him who positively loves the Sabbath, and to whom the chime of its morning bells brings the delightful associations of peace and of sacredness,-who has his hours of prayer, at which he gathers his family around him, and his hours of attendance on that house where the man of God deals out his weekly lessons to the assembled congregation. It may be in vain to tell him, that God in fact is a weariness, to his heart, when it is attested to him by his own consciousness; that when the preacher is before him, and the people are around him, and the professed object of their coming together is to join in the exercise of devotion, and to grow in the knowledge of God, he finds in fact that all is pleasantness, that his eye is not merely filled with the public exhibition, and his ear regaled by the impressiveness of a human voice, but that the interest of his. heart is completely kept up by the succession and variety of the exercises. It may be in vain to tell him, that this religion of taste or this religion of habit, or this re

It is not easy to lay open the utter naked-enough to interest it in church; but does ness of the natural heart in reference to the secret exercise of fellowship with the God; or to convince the possessor of it, Father bring no distaste, and no weariness that, under the guise of his many plausi-along with it? Is it any thing more than bilities, there may lurk that which gives to the homage of a formal presentation? And sin all its hideousness.

The mere man of ordinances cannot ac

T

when the business of devotion is thus unpeopled of all its externals, and of all its

accessaries; when thus reduced to a naked | pentance, and called upon the people to exercise of spirit, can you appeal to the longings, and the affections of that spirit, as the essential proof of your godliness? And do you never, on occasions like this, dis- And, Secondly, That you may be concover that which is in your hearts, and de- vinced of the utter necessity of such a baptect their enmity to him who formed them? tism, let us affirm the inadequacy of all Do you afford no ground for the complaint the fairest virtues and accomplishments of which he uttered of old, when he said, nature. God has, for the well-being of "Have I been a wilderness unto Israel, and society, provided man with certain feela land of darkness?" and do you not per-ings and constitutional principles of action, ceive that with this direction of your feelings and your desires away from the living God, though you be outwardly clean, as by the operation of snow water, he may plunge you in the ditch, and make your own clothes to abhor you.

We shall conclude this part of our sub-sweet and powerful infinences of natural ject with two observations.