II:]

MORAL INFLUENCE OF THE GOSPEL.

51

bring forth the morality of the Gospel. We are confident then of outward virtue when these right principles prevail, as we are of the fruit of that tree which is made good and blooms without fail in its proper season. Thus, in order to produce morality, on which all men are agreed, because it is found connected with the welfare of mankind, we must have more than the light of nature-we must have more than the highest state of human reason and philosophy—that is, we must have our morality, as well as every thing else, revealed in its principle: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." "If a man," says the Redeemer, "love me, he will keep my words; these are the shining lights by the side of pagan doctrine, which teach us, that if any man would take care of and love himself, he will restrain his passions, and be moderate in his enjoyments.

The whole matter, then, stands clearly thus. Upon the ruins of a false philosophy, which teaches virtue because it is personally profitable, and gives that false colouring to laudable actions, which dazzles, whilst it blinds the understanding, Christianity has established a principle which is alone worthy to be the main spring of human actions. The gospel insists that we should be good because God is good,—that the genuine motive to all good deeds is a love of them for their own sake, as well pleasing to

52

CONSOLATION DERIVED

[LECT.

the Redeemer of our souls; and however men may be plied and exhorted to goodness by mo-, tives of a secondary kind, we must come at length to the Christian principle, before the service of God can be perfect freedom. We may have known, indeed, instances of men being stopped in their career of dissipation by an assurance that inevitable ruin was coming fast upon them; we may have witnessed others pursuing a virtuous line of conduct, from being persuaded that important advantages might result from it. Often, too often, our youth are instructed, without the inculcation of higher motives than these to the performance of their duty; but this, brethren, is not the morality of the Scriptures: My son, give me thine heart." "Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and come and follow me, and then thou shalt have treasure in heaven." These, and such like, are the moral precepts with which the Holy Gospel abounds: not only do they contain vigour in principle, but disinterestedness in practice, not only are they intrinsically superior to all others, but they contribute most effectually to individual peace of mind; for not the performance alone of good actions brings complacency to the reflecting mind, but the motives which prompted them. If a man in the course of his life can select a few good deeds, upon which his recollection dwells with greater

66

II.] MORE FROM MOTIVE THAN FROM ACTIONS. 53

satisfaction than the rest, it will be, because they were performed in a purer spirit than the majority of them, with less alloy of self-interest, with more of the influence of unfeigned benevolence; other deeds may, perhaps, have been more brilliant, nay, may have even produced a greater quantity of good to others, but because they were wanting in the upright, disinterested principle, they will not, in the retrospect, yield to the soul that repose of which it is in search. Once they were the virtues which placed the laurel on the conqueror's brow, or threw the robe of state over the eloquent senator, and perhaps the ambition of both was laudable; but now the gold is become dim, the portals of eternity are seen in the distance, and the rod and staff of consolation are yet to be sought; the active and brilliant career of threescore years is summoned to aid the sinking spirit, and help her in triumph over the gates of death; but, alas! for want of a single ingredient in all the man has done-for want of the gospel principle, which at once actuates and purifies, the consolation expected from the great and flattering deed is not found, nor can any specious argument supply its place to the satisfaction of the conscience. But if at this moment it were possible to infuse the principle which ought to have dictated every action, or if that, which the Scriptures call the love of God, could be supposed to have been

54

CHRISTIAN PIETY TRIUMPHANT.

[LECT.

the ruling motive,—if the life had been one by faith in the Son of God, from which all the good works had sprung-then may ye judge, brethren, of the inward consolation to be reaped from Christian morality,—then may ye judge of the joy of the sincere believer in Christ—ye may judge of the peaceful hours he often enjoys, when the reward of his hands is given him even in this world,-when it is lawful for his enraptured mind to dwell upon the sweet remembrance-"I wrought not for mine own, but for the Gospel's sake;" but above all, ye may judge of his expiring moments, when, like the Apostle, he can exclaim, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, henceforward there is laid up for me a crown of glory, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but to all those who love his appearing." Thus it is that this life is revealed to us as a state of probation-as a preparation for a better world, of which the joys will never fade away: thus it is that the practice of Christian piety, the cultivation of holiness in the soul, in short, all that is comprehended under the term " godliness," "is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."

And now, brethren, you will doubtless agree with me, that the revelation of Jesus Christ,

11.]

CONCLUSION TO BE DEDUCED.

55

by the excellence of its precepts, is calculated above all other systems to contribute to general and individual happiness; and you have no doubt been led to adore the Author of that revelation, who, seeing the helpless condition of mankind, condescended to teach us from heaven. How refined then is the system of morality which Christ inculcates, and how doth His religion inspire the purest motives, viz. the love of God, and of all men for His sake; the love of our neighbour even as of ourselves in these things are included all the law and the prophets. "Ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

do them." We hold not up the purity of the Gospel, merely, to be admired as a superior system, but to the end, that ye practise its precepts, and desire its purity. Let us examine, therefore, the secret springs of our actions; let us sift our motives, and let us canvass the whole tenor of our lives. Good deeds, proceeding not from the good treasure of the heart, are not Christian deeds; let not, therefore, a semblance of morality deceive you. Love the Lord thy God

with all thy mind, and

with all thy heart, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbour as thyself, for this is the spirit and substance of the morality of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.