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into crimes of every kind; soon covering the whole face of the earth with all manner of abominations. It would be an endless task, to enumerate all the enormities that broke out. Now the fountains of the great deep were broken up. The earth soon became a field of blood: revenge, cruelty, ambition, with all sorts of injustice, every species of public and private wrongs, were diffused through every part of the earth. Injustice, in ten thousand forms, hatred, envy, malice, bloodthirstiness, with every species of falsehood, rode triumphant; till the Creator, looking down from heaven, would be no more entreated for an incorrigible race; but swept them off from the face of the earth. But how little were the following generations improved by the severe judgment! They that lived after the flood do not appear to have been a whit better than those that lived before it. In a short time, probably before Noah was removed from the earth, all unrighteousness prevailed as before.

2. But is there not a God in the world? Doubtless there is: and it is "he that hath made us, not we ourselves." He made us gratuitously; of his own mere mercy for we could merit nothing of him before we had a being. It is of his mercy that he made us at all; that he hath made us sensible, rational creatures; and, above all, creatures capable of God. It is this, and this alone, which puts the essential difference between men and brutes. But if he has made us, and given us all we have; if we owe all we are and have to him; then surely he has a right to all we are and have,-to all our love and obedience. This has been acknowledged by almost all who believed themselves to be his creatures, in all ages and nations. But a few years ago a learned man frankly confessed, "I could never apprehend, that God's having created us, gave him any title to the government of us: or, that his having created us laid us under any obligation to yield him our obedience." I believe that Dr. Hutcheson was the first man that ever made any doubt of this. Or that ever doubted, much less denied, that a creature was obliged to obey his Creator. If Satan ever entertained this thought, (but it is not probable he ever did,) it would be no wonder he should rebel against God, and raise war in heaven. And hence would enmity against God arise in the hearts of men also; together with all the branches of ungodliness, which abound therein at this day. Hence would naturally arise the neglect of every duty which we owe to him as our Creator, and all the passions and hopes which are directly opposite to every such duty.

3. From the devil the spirit of independence, self will, and pride productive of all ungodliness and unrighteousness, quickly infused themselves into the hearts of our first parents in paradise. After they had eaten of the tree of knowledge, wickedness and misery of every kind rushed in with a full tide upon the earth, alienated us from God, and made way for all the rest: atheism, (now fashionably termed dissipation,) and idolatry, love of the world, secking happiness in this or that creature, covered the whole earth.

"Upright both in heart and will,
We by our God were made:
But we turn'd from good to ill,
And o'er the creature stray'd:
Multiplied our wand'ring thought,
Which first was fixed cn God alone;
In ten thousand objects sought
The bliss we lost in One.'

4. It would be endless to enumerate all the species of wickedness, whether in thought, word, or action, that now overspread the earth, in every nation, and city, and family. They all centre in this,-atheism, or idolatry: pride; either thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think, or glorying in something which they have received, as though they had not received it: independence and self will;-doing their own will, not the will of him that made them. Add to this, seeking happiness out of God; in gratifying the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life. Hence, it is a melancholy truth, that (unless when the Spirit of God has made the difference) all mankind now, as well as four thousand years ago, "have corrupted their ways before the Lord; and every imagination of the thought of man's heart is evil, only evil, and that continually." However, therefore, men may differ in their outward ways, (in which undoubtedly there are a thousand differences,) yet in the inward root, the enmity against God, atheism, pride, self will, and idolatry, it is true of all, that "the heart of man," of every natural man, is desperately wicked."

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5. But if this be the case, how is it that every one is not conscious of it? For who should "know the things of a man, like the spirit of a man that is in him?" Why is it that so few know themselves? For this plain reason, because the heart is not only "desperately wicked, but deceitful above all things." So deceitful, that we may well ask, "Who can know it?" Who indeed, save God that made it? By his assistance we may, in the second place, consider this, The deceitfulness of man's heart.

II. 1. "It is deceitful above all things;" that is, in the highest degree, above all that we can conceive. So deceitful, that the generality of men are continually deceiving both themselves and others. How strangely do they deceive themselves; not knowing either their own tempers or characters; imagining themselves to be abundantly better and wiser than they are. The ancient poet supposes there is no exception to this rule; that no man is willing to know his own heart." At nemo in sese tentat descendere, nemo!" None but those who are taught of God.

2. And if men thus deceive themselves, is it any wonder, that they deceive others also, and that we so seldom find "an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!" In looking over my Looks some years ago, I found the following memorandum: "I am this day thirty years old; and till this day I know not that I have met with one person of that age, except in my father's house, who did not use guile more or less."

3. This is one of the sorts of desperate wickedness, which cleaves to the nature of every man, proceeding from those fruitful roots, self will, pride, and independence on God. Hence springs every species of vice and wickedness; hence every sin against God, our neighbour, and ourselves. Against God;-forgetfulness and contempt of God, of his name, his day, his word, his ordinances; atheism on the one hand, and idolatry on the other; in particular, love of the world, the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life; the love of money, the love of power, the love of ease, the love of the "honour that cometh of men," the love of the creature more than the Creator, the being lovers of d'easure more than lovers of God:-against our

neighbour;-ingratitude, revenge, hatred, envy, malice, uncharitable

ness.

4. Hence there is in the heart of every child of man, an inexhaustible fund of ungodliness and unrighteousness, deeply and strongly rooted in the soul, that nothing less than Almighty grace can cure it. From hence naturally arises a plentiful harvest of all evil words and works; and to complete the whole, that complex of all evils,—

"That foul monster, War, that we meet,

Lays deep the noblest work of the creation;
Which wears in vain its Maker's glorious image,
Unprivileg'd from thee!"

In the train of this fell monster, are murder, adultery, rape, violence, and cruelty of every kind. And all these abominations are not only found in Mohammedan or Pagan countries, where their horrid practice may seem to be the natural result of equally horrid principles; but in those that are called Christian countries, yea, in the most knowing and civilized states and kingdoms. And let it not be said, this is only the case in Roman Catholic countries. Nay, we that are called reformed, are not one whit behind them in all manner of wickedness. Indeed no crime ever prevailed among the Turks or Tartars, which we here cannot parallel in every part of Christendom. Nay, no sin ever appeared in heathen or papal Rome, which is not found, at this day, in Germany, France, Holland, England, and every other Protestant as well as popish country. So that it might now be said, with as much truth, and as few exceptions, of every court in Europe, as it was formerly in the court of Saul; "There is none righteous, no, not one: they are altogether become abominable: there is none that understandeth, and seeketh after God."

5. But, is there no exception as to the wickedness of man's heart? Yes, in those that are born of God. "He that is born of God, keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not." God has "purified his heart by faith," so that his wickedness is departed from him. "Old things are passed away, and all things [in him] are become new." So that his heart is no longer desperately wicked, but " renewed in righteousness and true holiness." Only let it be remembered, that the heart, even of a believer, is not wholly purified when he is justified. Sin is then overcome, but it is not rooted out; it is conquered, but not destroyed. Experience shows him, first, That the root of sin, self will, pride, and idolatry, remain still in his heart. But as long as he continues to watch and pray, none of them can prevail against him. Experience teaches him, secondly, That sin (generally pride or self will,) cleaves to his best actions. So that even with regard to these, he finds an absolute necessity for the blood of atonement.

6. But how artfully does this conceal itself, not only from others, but even from ourselves. Who can discover it in all the disguises it assumes, or trace it through all its latent mazes? And if it be so difficult to know the heart of a good man, who can know the heart of a wicked one, which is far more deceitful? No unregenerate man, however sensible, ever so experienced, ever so wise in his generation. And yet these are they who pique themselves upon "knowing the world ;" and imagine, they see through all men. Vain men! One may boldly say, they "know nothing yet as they ought to know." Even that politician

in the late reign neither knew the heart of himself or of other men, whose favourite saying was, "Do not tell me of your virtue, or religion: I tell you, every man has his price;" yes, sir R—, every man like you; every one that sells himself to the devil.

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7. Did that right honourable wretch, compared to whom sir R was a saint, know the heart of man? He that so earnestly advised his own son, never to speak the truth? To lie or dissemble as often as he speaks? To wear a mask continually?" That earnestly counselled him, "not to debauch single women, (because some inconveniences might follow,) but always married women." Would one imagine this groveling animal ever had a wife or a married daughter of his own? Oh rare Lord C—! Did ever man so well deserve, though he was a peer of the realm, to die by the side of Newgate? Or did ever book so well deserve to be burned by the common hangman, as his letters? Did Mr. David Hume, lower, if possible, than either of the former, know the heart of man? No more than a worm or a beetle does. After " playing so idly with the darts of death," do you now find it a laughing matter? What think you now of Charon? Has he ferried you over Styx? At length he has taught you to know a little of your own heart! At length you know it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

8. One of the ablest champions of infidelity, (perhaps the most elegant and the most decent writer, that ever produced a system of religion, without being in the least obliged to the Bible for it,) breaks out in the fulness of his heart; "Who would not wish that there was full proof of the Christian Revelation; since it is undoubtedly the most benevolent system that ever appeared in the world!" Might he not add a reason of another kind; because without this, man must be altogether a mystery to himself. Even with the help of Revelation, he knows exceedingly little: but without it, he would know abundantly less; and nothing with any certainty. Without the light which is given us by the oracles of God, how could we reconcile his greatness with his meanness? While we acknowledged with sir John Davis,

"I know my soul has power to know all things;
Yet is she blind, and ignorant of all:

I know I'm one of nature's little kings;

Yet to the least and vilest things in thrall."

9. Who then knoweth the hearts of all men? Surely none but he that made them. Who knoweth his own heart? Who can tell the depth of its enmity against God? Who knoweth how deeply it is sunk into the nature of Satan?

III. 1. From the preceding considerations, may we not learn, first, "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool?" For who that is wise would trust one whom he knows to be "desperately wicked?" Especially, whom he hath known, by a thousand experiments, to be" deceitful above all things?" What can we expect, if we still trust a known liar and deceiver, but to be deceived and cheated to the end?

2. We may, hence, in the second place, infer the truth of that other reflection of Solomon: "Seest thou a man that is wise in his own eyes; there is more hope of a fool than of him." For at what distance from wisdom must that man be, who never suspected his want of it? And will not his thinking so well of himself, prevent his receiving

instruction from others? Will he not be apt to be displeased at admonition, and to construe reproof into reproach? Will he not therefore be less ready to receive instruction, than even one that has little natural understanding? Surely no fool is so incapable of amendment, as one that imagines himself to be wise. He that supposes himself not to need a physician, will hardly profit by his advice.

3. May we not learn hence, thirdly, the wisdom of that caution : "Let him who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall:” Or, (to render the text more properly,) "Let him that assuredly standeth, take heed lest he fall." How firmly soever he may stand, he has still a deceitful heart. In how many instances has he been deceived already! And so he may again. Suppose he be not deceived now, does it follow that he never will? Does he not stand upon slippery ground? And is he not surrounded with snares into which he may fall and rise no more? 4. Is it not wisdom for him that is now standing, continually to cry to God, "Search me, oh Lord, and prove me; try out my reins and my heart? Look well, if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Thou alone, oh God, "knowest the hearts of all the children of men :" Oh show thou me what spirit I am of, and let me not deceive my own soul! Let me not "think of myself more highly than I ought to think." But let me always "think soberly, according as thou hast given me the measure of faith!" Halifax, April 21, 1790.

SERMON CXXVIII.-The heavenly treasure in earthen vessels. "We have this treasure in earthen vessels," 2 Cor. iv, 7.

1. How long was man a mere riddle to himself! For how many ages were the wisest of men utterly unable to reveal the mystery, to reconcile the strange inconsistencies in him; the wonderful mixture of good and evil, of greatness and littleness, of nobleness and baseness! The more deeply they considered these things, the more they were entangled. The more pains they took, in order to clear up the subject, the more they were bewildered in vain, uncertain conjectures.

2. But what all the wisdom of man was unable to do, was in due time done by the wisdom of God. When it pleased God to give an account of the origin of things, and of man in particular, all the darkness vanished away, and the clear light shone. "God said, Let us make man in our own image." It was done. In the image of God man was made. Hence we are enabled to give a clear, satisfactory account of the greatness, the excellency, the dignity of man. But "man, being in honour," did not continue therein; but rebelled against his sovereign Lord. Hereby he totally lost not only the favour, but likewise the image of God. And " in Adam all died:" for fallen " Adam begat a son in his own likeness." And hence we are taught to give a clear, intelligible account of the littleness and baseness of man. is sunk even below the beasts that perish. Human nature now is not only sensual, but devilish. There is in every man born into the world, (what is not in any part of the brute creation; no beast is fallen so low,) a" carnal mind, which is enmity," direct enmity, "against God."

He

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