XII,

satisfy themselves in acting a part which SERMON their minds condemn ?-Here, there is a mystery of iniquity which requires to be unfolded. Latent and secret is the progress of corruption within the soul; and the more latent, the more dangerous is its growth. No man No man becomes of a sudden completely wicked. Guilt never shows its whole deformity at once; but by gradual acquaintance reconciles us to its appearance, and imperceptibly diffuses its poisons through all the powers of the mind. Every man has some darling passion, which generally affords the first introduction to vice. The irregular gratifications into which it occasionally seduces him, appear under the form of venial weaknesses; and are indulged, in the beginning, with scrupulousness and reserve. But, by longer practice, these restraints weaken, and the power of habit grows. One vice brings in another to its aid. By a sort of natural affinity they connect and entwine themselves together; till their roots come to be spread wide and deep over all the soul. When guilt rises to be glaring, conscience endeavours to remonstrate. But conscience is a calm principle. Passion is loud and impetuous; and creates VOL. II. Y -a tumult

SERMON a tumult which drowns the voice of reason.
XII.

It joins, besides, artifice to violence; and
seduces at the same time that it impels.
For it employs the understanding to impose
upon the conscience. It devises reasons
and arguments to justify the corruptions of
the heart. The common practice of the
world is appealed to.
Nice distinctions are

måde. Men are found to be circumstanced
in so peculiar a manner, as to render cer-
tain actions excusable, if not blameless,
which, in another situation, it is confessed,
would have been criminal. By such a pro-
cess as this, there is reason to believe, that
a great part of mankind advance from step
to step in sin, partly hurried by passion,
and partly blinded by self-deceit, without
any just sense of the degree of guilt which
they contract. By inveterate habits, their
judgment is at length perverted, and their
'moral feelings are deadened. They see now
with other eyes; and can look without pain.
on evil actions which they formerly ab-
horred.

It is proper, however, to observe, that though our native sentiments of abhorrence at guilt may be so borne down, or so eluded, as to lose their influence on conduct, yet those

those sentiments belonging originally to our SERMON frame, and being never totally eradicated

from the soul, will still retain so much authority, as if not to reform, at least, on some occasions, to chasten the sinner. It is only during a course of prosperity, that vice is able to carry on its delusions without disturbance. But, amidst the dark and thought, ful situations of life, conscience regains its rights; and pours the whole bitterness of remorse on his heart, who has apostatized from his original principles. We may well believe that, before the end of his days, Hazael's first impressions would be made to return. In the hour of adversity, the remembrance of his conference with the venerable Prophet would sting his heart. Comparing the sentiments which, in those his better days, he felt, with the atrocious cruelties which he had afterwards committed, all the honours of royalty would be unable to save him from the inward sense of baseness and infamy.

FROM this view which has been exhibited of the progress of corruption, and of the danger to which we are exposed, of falling from principles which once appeared firmly

Y 2

XII.

SERMON firmly established, let us receive useful adXII. monition for our own conduct. Let not him

Fami

that girdeth on his harness, boast like him
that putteth it off. Let no man place a rash
and dangerous confidence in his virtue.
But let him that thinketh be standeth, take
heed lest he fall. Never adventure on too
near an approach to what is evil.
liarize not yourselves with it, in the slightest
instances, without fear. Listen with re-
verence to every reprehension of con-
science; and preserve the most quick and
accurate sensibility to right and wrong. If
ever your moral impressions begin to de-
cay, and your natural abhorrence of guilt
to lessen, you have ground to dread that
the ruin of virtue is fast approaching.
While you employ all the circumspection
and vigilance which reason can suggest, let
your prayers, at the same time, continually
ascend to God for support and aid. Re-
member that from him descendeth every good
and perfect gift; and that to him only it
belongs to keep you from falling, and to pre-
sent you faultless before the presence of his
glory with exceeding joy. I proceed now

to the

IIId OB

XII.

IIID OBSERVATION from the text, That SERMON the power which corruption acquires to pervert the original principles of man, is frequently owing to a change of their circumstances and condition in the world. How different was Hazael the messenger of Benhadad, from Hazael the king; he vho started at the mention of cruelty, from him who waded in blood! Of this sad and surprising revolution, the Prophet emphatically assigns the cause in these few words The Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria. That crown, that fatal crown which is to be set upon thy head, shall shed a malignant influence over thy nature; and shall produce that change in thy character, which now thou canst not believe.Whose experience of the world is so narrow, as not to furnish him with instances similar to this, in much humbler conditions of life? So great is

;

the influence of a new situation of external fortune; such a different turn it gives to our temper and affections, to our views and desires, that no man can foretel what his character would prove, should Provi

dence either raise or depress his circum

Y 3

stances