網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

false mediums, or see them not at all. Conscious of its own deformity, sin ever flies the piercing light of truth, and endeavours to hide itself under some borrowed garb. Sometimes it assumes the wanton attire of pleasure, to allure the young and the gay; at others, it lurks beneath the seducing form of gain, to captivate the old and the prudent. And it must be owned, that these insidious disguises too often impose upon the judgment of mankind, and cheat the incautious Christian of his innocence and integrity; who, while he looks at the present pleasure or profit which offers itself to his view, sees not that sin is sheltered beneath it, and death, the wages of sin.

"Follow not a multitude to do evil" was the important advice of a man well acquainted with the deceitful nature of sin, and the danger of example and custom in leading men on to the commission of the worst crimes. Nor is this advice less important in these times, than it was in the days of old, and the years that are past. Human life turns upon the same principles, and is guided by the same passions in every age. Sin still continues to support itself under the strong protection of custom and example, and by their sole influence leads on thousands of its unhappy votaries to certain de

struction,

[ocr errors]

struction, in defiance of the combined powers of reason and religion. For proof of this, I need only appeal to that most savage practice of duelling, which is still supported in this infatuated kingdom, by the force of custom alone; though confessed to be diametrically opposite to every sentiment of reason, humanity, and religion. Whence is it also but from custom, that the unblushing libertine securely profanes the appointed day of rest, nor remembers that the God who made heaven and earth commands him to keep holy the sabbath? It is the same unhappy force of custom that wipes off shame from the brow of infamy, and under the name of fashionable and polite pleasures, gives a sanction to the worst crimes that can disgrace human society. Authenticated by the signature of custom, the frauds of the gamester pass uncensured, the oaths of the swearer meet with no reproof, the effrontery of the titled harlot excites no indignation, the debaucheries of the drunkard are received with approbation and delight. So powerfully does the deceitfulness of sin operate in making custom and example the unhappy instruments of deluding men into eter-nal perdition

But above all, sin is most dangerous and most successful in imposing upon mankind, when it

assumes

assumes the name of virtue, or borrows the attire of innocence. The man who is in this way beguiled of his integrity, affords, I had almost said, no hopes of his recovery. He is insensible of his disease, and therefore remedies are offered to him in vain. He feels not the checks of conscience, he hears not the expostulating voice of reason, nor is awed by the terrors of religion. He knows indeed that reason forbids, conscience condemns, and eternal justice will punish guilt: but so long as the deceitfulness of sin continues to persuade him that his vices are virtues, vain are the restraints of conscience, vain the admonitions of reason, in vain does almighty vengeance stare him in the face.

That vice should ever thus be able to impose upon any reasonable man, will perhaps at first sight seem strange. But allow me to say, that it is no less true than strange, and may be confirmed by almost innumerable examples drawn from common life. Thus, for instance; disguise the frantic joys of drunkenness under the softer name of social freedom, and innocent mirth, and the debauchee who nightly reels with unhallowed steps from the haunts of intemperance, shall feel no remorse. Thus, again, call but the firebrands of slander and detraction, a consci

VOL. II.

[ocr errors]

conscientious regard for truth, and the black calumniator shall haste from the unfinished tale which robs a neighbour of his peace, of his reputation, and of every thing that is dear to him, to praise God for having endued him with principles of christian benevolence. Conceal the guilt of avarice under the mild appellation of frugality, and a necessary provision against the uncertainty of human events; and the wretch whom the gnawings of an insatiate temper have. worn to the bone, shall remain insensible to the tender meltings of pity, shall break asunder every bond of humanity, and trample under his feet the sacred duties of charity and mercy; and yet, after all this, will cry out with pharisaic confidence, "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are."

I will not encroach upon your patience by producing farther examples: The volume of the world is open to all, and he must read it with little attention, who cannot see a thousand crimes into which sin allures men by assuming the mask of virtue. But I cannot dismiss this article without lamenting the unhappy fate of virtue; whose fair form, by being thus prostituted to the basest purposes, is unhappily blasted, and too often becomes the undeserving object of ridicule and contempt.

These

But to

These then are some of the most common defusions by which men are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. But there still remains one behind, more fatal and destructive than all the others. For did they stop here, the unhappy sinner might in time awake from his dangerous dream, and by an immediate and hearty repentance, recover the lost favour of God. prevent this, our spiritual adversary once more takes advantage of the weakness of human nature, and lulls the awakened conscience of the sinner into a fatal security and repose; by flattering him that God will accept of his future repentance, and that the tears of a bed of sickness, will wash away the crimes of an impenitent life. This is the powerful charm which encourages men to go on in sin, and to fill up the measure of iniquity: it is this which supports the young man in his folly and wickedness, which stifles the alarming convictions of divine grace, and brings down even the hoary head, loaded with unrepented crimes, to the grave.

But stop for a moment, wretched man, whoever thou art, that trustest on this broken reed of a late repentance, and consider the danger of thy condition. Tell me on what thy vain con-fidence and security is founded: or how knowest thou that God may not cut thee off in the midst

« 上一頁繼續 »