Where the Spirit of God dwells, there is no room for idleness. In the calm walks of retirement, is his influence chiefly felt. They who wish to experience it, must shun those seducing characters, whose society might draw them into dangerous amusements; into criminal excesses, which the heart may approve, though religion condemn them: they must flee from the tempter, even when he smiles under the disguise of friendship. They must cherish no connexion between their hearts and the world; they must use, without abusing the pleasures of life, and avoid too great an attachment, even to the choicest blessings of Providence ; they must never forget, that the present is a state of trial, if not of banishment, and, consequently, an object not worthy of our whole attention; but, on the contrary, that the portion of our affections allotted to worldly matters, should be only commensurate to this short period of our existence. I said, secondly, that the world increases the number of its victims by erroneous interpretations of the Gospel. The Holy Ghost, as Christ had promised, led the Apostles into all truth. Soon afterwards, however, modifications were sought for, as men could with difficulty persuade themselves that the Son of God had condemned so positively what they loved, and approved what they disliked. If we examine the conversation and behaviour of worldly men, they appear evidently to be in possession of some other Gospel, than that which we profess to be the rule of our faith and conduct. The maxims of the Holy Ghost are too troublesome, too much opposed to their tastes and habits, not to displease them. They cannot adopt them, and follow, at the same time, the propensities which they condemn. They find it, nevertheless, impossible to abolish these maxims altogether, so that nothing remains but to bend them as much as they can to the level of the passions, and thus it is, that the great variety of opinions which prevails on moral subjects, arises solely from a depravation of manners. Amidst such a variety and uncertainty of bold and doubtful systems, in which worldly men are wandering, at a venture, like vessels without rudders, at the mercy of the winds, the Christian, guided by the Spirit of God, finds a safe anchoring ground in the Gospel of Christ. By its invariable precepts let our conduct be regulated. Let us not modify these precepts to gratify our passions, at the expense of our consciences. The first Christians were not afraid of doing too much for their Master. They knew that the slightest tampering with vice, frequently terminates in the most criminal excesses. When men once begin to interpret a perspicuous law, they wish to shake off its sanction. When once they begin to fix the precise limits of sin, they lose that delicacy of conscience, which secures the indwelling of the Holy Ghost in their hearts. To compound with the world, argues a disposition to love it. Lastly, this worldly-mindedness is nourished and maintained by the dread of a certain kind of persecution, excited by lukewarm Christians against those who refuse to follow their example. Fewer have become apostates from the terrors of death, than the dread of ridicule has made unbelievers. This abject deference to opinion weakens the sentiments of nature, effaces the principles of education, and stifles the upbraidings of conscience. Under the pretext of avoiding the imputation of singularity, we approve and cherish the maxims of a sinful or frivolous world. To this third class of enemies, what arms can the Christian oppose, who wishes to preserve the influence of God's Spirit? He must oppose the fear of God, which will ever remain the leading duty of man. We dread the censures of the world, for the most part, very unjust in its decisions. Let us rather dread being condemned by the Lord. Contrast the testimony of that Being who sounds the hearts and the reins, with the decisions of a blind multitude; the sentence of God, the righteous Judge, with that of the most prejudiced and incompetent tribunal. What folly to pay such deference to the opinions of men, when the whole universe cannot withdraw us from the authority of God! What folly to suffer a base complaisance, a chimerical apprehension, to stifle in us the most rational and salutary choice between the Spirit of God, and that of the world, call to mind what you are yourselves, and what you would dare to reject. Remember, that as men and Christians, you are called on to be holy. This is your duty as men, for as such, the Supreme Being has a claim upon your worship, and what worship can honour him, but innocency of life? He listens, indeed, to the supplications of the guilty, but not till peni tential tears bespeak the sincerity of their repentance. But, it is on the score of our being Christians, that we are chiefly required to be holy. This is the glorious character by which Christianity is distinguished. In men totally abandoned to worldly pleasures and pursuits, can we recognize the disciples of the Holy of Holies? fear! O, my brethren, before you fix your "He believes not in Jesus Christ, who does not keep his commandments." Consider, then, what you are, my brethren; persons consecrated to the Holy Ghost in baptism, by the most solemn engagements, which some of you are about to renew this day, by complying with a sacred and positive command of our Lord. May the spirit of wisdom bring us acquainted with the real enemies of our souls, and enable us, by prudent, and occasional retreats, from the occupations, and absolute renunciation of the criminal follies of the world, to secure to ourselves an effectual asylum against every dangerous maxim of mere human wisdom, so frequently the sources of the most fatal illusions. May the fear of God dissipate that servile timidity which holds men so frequently in the bondage of sin. In a word, may the Holy Spirit deign to perfect in us his own work,-occupy in our hearts. the place which is due to him alone, and so invigorate them with his sacred presence, that they may henceforth admit no competitor with him. May the sacred dews of his hea venly wisdom extinguish those profane flames which cause such fatal ravages in the human heart, and make room for that pure and heavenly flame of divine love, which Jesus Christ came to kindle upon the earth; and may the Holy Spirit deign to sanctify, on this day, all Christians, who, under his sacred influence, shall resolve so to live continually in this world, that they may reign with him eternally in the next. And now, &c. &c. |