SERMON I.

COLOSSIANS iii. 17.

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

AMONG the refinements of later days, it has been the endeavour of many who profess themselves not altogether hostile to the cause of religion in general, to draw a distinction between speculative opinions and practical duties; attaching the utmost degree of indifference to the one, and resting the whole weight of moral obligation on the other. That such men are little acquainted with the complicated structure of the human mind, the close and indissoluble connection of the motive with the action, will clearly prove : that they are still less acquainted with the mighty scheme of Christian redemption, the whole tenor of those very Scriptures, whose truth they pretend to acknowledge, will as satisfactorily de

monstrate.

For what is conscience without a law? a blind

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and fallacious guide, an arbitrary and capricious judge. It is shaken from its seat by the turbulence of the passions, it is deluded by the visions of the fancy, it is stupified by the infatuation of habit. Even allowing the full force of a moral principle within the heart, that very force is derived from the idea, suggested by itself, of a moral Governor, and of obedience to his will; and how can that obedience be rendered, where either the will or the author of that will is unrevealed; or after such a revelation has been made, if it continue to be obscured by ignorance, or perverted by misrepresentation? And yet this very knowledge of God and his will, as disclosed in mercy to a fallen and degraded creature, in order to point out the road of obedience and light, and with a view to cheer and support him in all his struggles with the powers of darkness, is termed by the wisdom of man, a system of "speculative opinions," to be entertained, or discarded, as caprice may dictate or fancy direct.

If then from the reason of the thing it appears, that no perfect and satisfactory obedience can be rendered to the great moral Governor of the universe, without that knowledge of himself, which he may have vouchsafed in the revelation of his will; still less can the Christian maintain, that any act of obedience will be accepted as

such by God, which is unconnected with those principles which he has declared essential to its existence. When not only the mode, but the motive of obedience, is prescribed from above, the wilful neglect of either must annul the action, and render nugatory its effect: it is no longer obedience, but presumption. And where these principles are few in number, clear in their nature, and powerful in their influence, the greater is the neglect, the greater is the crime.

From a farther consideration of this important point, it will appear,

First, That the Gospel has prescribed a principle and motive of action, as essentially necessary to consecrate and to aid the performance of our several moral obligations, as Christians, as children of the adoption, as members of the universal Church.

Secondly, That every doctrine which is inculcated, and every duty which is enjoined upon us, as sons of our National Church, all emanate from this one high and commanding principle.

Simple indeed in its proposition, but most penetrating and pervading in its nature, is this one principle, upon which every duty rests, as upon its basis; upon which morality itself grounds its very existence, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Whatever duties are to be enjoined by

precept, whatever practice enforced by example, it is by their union with the Christian faith alone, that their moral obligations are constituted and confirmed. No article of that faith is a dead letter, or a barren speculation. They all conspire to apply a powerful sanction to the laws of moral actions, to animate obedience, and to guide and support our feet in the ways of eternal life.

Do we believe that by the sacrifice of the incarnate God, the whole human race was delivered from the dreadful penalty of sin and death consequent on their first transgression, and that by the blood of Christ we become heirs of light, life, and immortality; and shall not the stupendous means employed in our redemption, powerfully demonstrate the danger to which every sinner stands exposed, who shall crucify his Lord afresh, and deliver up his soul to the bondage of that corruption, from which the death and sufferings of the Son of God could alone redeem him? Are we assured that the same Jesus now stands at the right hand of God, to receive and sanctify the petitions of his Church; and shall not the heart of each disquieted and afflicted servant, take refuge in this his advocate at the throne of grace; and on the hopes of accepted prayer, as on the wings of a dove, "flee away, and be at rest?" Do we trust in the promised co-operation of the Holy Spirit with the weak

ness of our mortal nature, and shall not every unsettled imagination be confirmed in confidence, and every wavering resolution be fixed in strength? What power, but Christian hope, in all the storms of adversity, shall be both the pilot, and the anchor of the soul? What terror, but the denunciations of an offended and rejected Saviour, shall awaken it from the deadly slumber of sensual indulgence, and criminal infatuation?

From these, as from every other article of our Christian faith, arises a strong and influential motive of moral action; and when to these we add that crown of all our hopes, the sanctification of our imperfect service by the Spirit of Grace, it will clearly appear that in the name of the Lord Jesus, every act of Christian obedience founds its origin, strengthens its continuance, and terminates its prospect.

Between then the faith and the morals of the Gospel, there is no line of distinction or demarcation, they are mutually supported and confirmed by each other; they are connected by an indissoluble chain, even by the name of Christ. It is the name, the spirit, and the command of his blessed Master, which, in the breast of every true Christian, binds them in everlasting union, and communicates a principle of vitality to the whole, which enriches his faith with the power of obedience, which sanctifies his