eous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor effeminate, nor covetous shall inherit this kingdom."

4. The Apostle tells them, that these sins, not only exclude them from heaven, but bring upon them the wrath of God. "Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God on the children of disobedience."

Evil men often act as seducers; they practise every art of deception and enticement, to draw others into a partnership with them in wickedness. They call evit good; and good evil; they put darkness for light, and light for darkness. To hide from the eyes of the simple the shamefulness and deformity of vice, they spread over it fair and tempting colors; and that the incautious may mistake the nature of moral good and evil, they confound them by false and fictitious names. Strict virtue they deride as superstition; and humble devotion they stigmatize as hypocrisy: They applaud licentiousness as manly freedom; and commend the boldness of impiety as indicating a greatness of

soul.

But let men say what they please, still there is an essential difference between virtue and vice; and all arguments used to confound them, are but vain words; and with these let no man deceive you. Hearken to no enticements which would draw you away from the plain path of virtue; enter into no particular connexions with persons of licentious principles and corrupt manners; choose for your companions them who fear God and keep his commandments. Steadily and invariably follow the plain precepts of the gospel; and, whatever attempts may be made to explain away the meaning, or to relax the strictness of them, still remember, that by these, and not by the licentious opinions of men, you must finally be judged. If you mistake them, it is at your peril; if you despise them you must take the consequence. The gospel has

plainly denounced the wrath of God against uncleanness, covetousness and foolish talking and jesting. Be not deceived with vain words. The threatenings of God are words of truth and soberness. If you doubt the certain execution of them, yet he cannot deny himself; he is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent. If you doubt whether the precepts of the gospel are to be understood in the extent, which the words seem to import, still remember, they are the precepts of God. He trifles not with man, nor may man trifle with him. Take them as he has given them, and let your hearts be conformed to them, and your practice directed by them. Think not to plead in excuse for your sins, that you were deceived by the opinions of men. You are to call no man on earth your master. God is not mocked; whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he reap. Eve was deceived by the serpent who flattered her, that transgression would not be death. On this deception she transgressed, and death ensued. She pleaded that. the serpent beguiled her; but the plea was not admitted in bar of sentence. The prophet, who disobeyed the express command of God, in compliance with the advice of another prophet, pretending an order from God to revoke the former command, perished in his presumption. He was not to transgress an order given immediately to himself, on the insinuation of another, that it was now superseded. The command which he had received he knew to be from God; the information of the other prophet was only the word of man.

We are to take the scriptures as they are, and though one should pretend to the inspiration of the Spirit, and to immediate revelation from God, yet we are not to regard him in opposition to the plain and obvious sense of the sacred oracles. The Apostle says, "Though we, or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel, than that which ye have received, let him be accursed."

SERMON XXXV.

Against Fellowship in Unfruitful Works.

Be

EPHESIANS v. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Be ye not therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: Walk as children of light, (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, and righteous ness and truth) proving what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame to speak of those things, which are done of them in secret.

THE several vices enumerated in the preceding verses, are fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and profane and wanton jesting. These were practised among the heathens in their dark and ignorant state. The Apostle warns the Ephesians, now enlightened by the gospel, that they no longer have fellowship with their neighbors in these unfruitful and pernicious works-that they avoid not only the direct commission of, but all partnership in these and all other sins, which the gospel has detected and condemned. We will,

I. Illustrate this fellowship in wickedness. And, II. Apply the arguments, which the Apostle, in the words now read, urges against it.

I. We will illustrate this fellowship in wickedness, which Christians are exhorted to avoid.

If by any means we cooperate with sinners, countenance them in their evil works, strengthen their hands, hinder their repentance and reformation; if we neglect to restrain them, when it is in our power, or to rebuke them when we have opportunity; or if we take a secret pleasure in their sins, even though we do nothing directly to encourage them, we have fellowship

with them.

1. Not to oppose, in any cases, is to embolden transgressors, and to be partakers with them.

Rulers are to be a terror unto evil works. The nobles of Judah are said to have profaned the sabbath, when they suffered the men of Tyre to come into the city, and sell wares on the sabbath day. The ministers of religion are charged to bear public testimony against prevailing error and vice, and to rebuke, before all men, such as walk contrary to the gospel, that they may not be partakers of other men's sins, but may keep themselves pure. If these watchmen speak not to warn the wicked of his evil way, that he may save his soul, the same wicked man will die in his iniquity; but his blood will be required at their hands. The parent is commanded to bring up his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If they make themselves vile, and he restrains them not, he is a partaker with them in their guilt, and God will judge his house.

2. We have more direct fellowship with the wicked, when we encourage them by our example.

We are to provide things honest and commendable in the sight of all men, that they by our good conversation may be gained over to the interest of virtue. The ill example of men in a distinguished station gives a sort of sanction to vice. Few are so obscure in life, but that they may find some who are subject to their influence. The parent, the master of a family, the aged Christian, the professor of religion may within his cir

de do much to prejudice, and much to promote the cause of religion. It concerns every man, in regard to others as well as to himself, to be careful what manner of person he is. If we practice iniquity under any circumstances we must bear the burden of our own guilt; but if by an open example of vice we corrupt others, our burden will be accumulated by a participation of their guilt. Yea, such a tender concern ought we to feel for the virtue of those around us, as to forbear in their presence those innocent liberties, which might encourage them to real transgression. "Take heed," says the Apostle," lest by any means your liberty become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if a man see thee, who hast knowledge, sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him that is weak be emboldened to eat things, which are offered to idols ?"

3. They who provoke and incite others to evil works, have fellowship with them.

This may be done by the propagation of licentious opinions, which confound the difference between virtue and vice. It was a horrible thing in the prophets of Jerusalem, that they walk in lies, caused the people to err, and strengthened the hands of evil doers, that none did return from his wickedness. Elymas the sorcerer is called an enemy of all righteousness, because he perverted the right ways of the Lord, and sought to turn away others from the faith. They who are led away with the errors of the wicked, must bear their guilt. And they who diffuse the errors, must answer for the consequences. Both are bringing on themselves swift destruction.

This may also be affected by direct persuasions and enticements. The wise man, aware of the dangers to which youth in a licentious age are exposed, gives this salutary caution; "When sinners entice you, consent ye not."-"Enter not into the path of the wicked, nor go in the way of evil men; for they sleep not except