of the season, you pronounce your abhorrence of that which is evil, let your prayers for yourselves, and your intercessions for others, ascend to the throne of grace, that God may spare the careless and the foolish, and may grant to them repentance unto life.

SERMON VI.

ON SELF-DECEPTION.

JAMES i. 16.

"Do not err, my beloved brethren."

It is scarcely possible to believe, prior to observation, that men who generally are so cautious and prudent in the management of their worldly affairs, should need reiterated admonitions in the concerns of their immortal soul. In their daily transactions and speculations, they have no need of a friend to awaken in their bosom an anxiety for success, or to continually sound in their ears, "Do not err." Their eager desire of gain, and their knowledge and experience of men and things, tend to make them circumspect in their ordinary vocations. Can they, then, require this caution, "Do not err," in the important affairs of their souls and eternity? Do they so much dread the loss of a little sordid pelf, the mammon of this world; or of worldly reputation or worldly glory; but feel no solicitude

about their everlasting state? Do a few "uncertain riches" outweigh the eternal joys and glories of heaven? Does the smile of a fellow-creature appear more valuable than the favour of God? Is there a constant necessity to warn them of their danger? Does it become a paramount duty, a duty as much imposed on their ministers by pity and love for perishing souls, as by the awful responsibility of their office,-to exhort and persuade men, sabbath after sabbath, to take heed to themselves, to beware of sacrificing their best interest,-a crown of glory, an immovable kingdom? Daily experience, alas! requires an affirmation of all these questions. Mankind seem to be unwilling to err or be deceived in anything, except in that which, of all other things, is the most important to them. They are quite willing to venture their eternal all upon taking it for granted that it is quite secure. Under the influence of this prevalent and fatal delusion, thousands are daily dropping into eternity; and from dreams and visions of a night, they awake to all the dreadful realities of the unseen world. Well, indeed, may we earnestly repeat the caution; "Do not err, my beloved brethren."

The caution here administered by the apostle, was to guard the persons addressed from a common error, namely, that God is the author of sin, or the tempter to commit sin; and that sin com

mitted, incurred little or no danger.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” 1 beloved brethren."

"Do not err, my

We shall endeavour to show the necessity of this caution, by pointing out some instances in which men “err,” and deceive themselves in religious matters.

1. THEY ERR BY ATTACHING GREATER IMPORTANCE TO THE AFFAIRS OF THIS LIFE, THAN TO THOSE OF ETERNITY.

In the estimation of mankind, what mighty concerns are the things of the present world! What time is bestowed, what distracting anxiety is felt, what incessant toils are endured, to acquire what is deemed a competency, a fortune sufficient to make its possessor happy. Happy! but how long? Perhaps a few days. I may be only one. As soon as he sits down to congratulate himself and to receive the congratulations of others, on his having completed a successful course in business, he receives the unexpected, the unwelcomed sum

1 1 James i. 13, 14, &c.

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mons: Prepare to meet thy God." "This night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?", The riches of heaven were never deemed worth possessing. They were neglected. They are now for ever lost.

2

How many and great privations and dangers will the warrior pass through to gain the honour of a victory! He may lay armies and nations prostrate at his feet. By his valour and skill he may attain to the highest summit of human glory, and his name may be transmitted to distant generations. But from the height of his glory, he is cast down and laid in the dust. Yet to conquer himself, to triumph over his spiritual enemies, to win a kingdom that cannot be moved,-this never engaged his serious thoughts, never excited his desire. The favour and praise which come from men, though highly valued and earnestly coveted, are uncertain and deceitful; but "the honour which cometh from God" is solid and lasting. His "lovingkindness is better than life."

II. MEN DECEIVE THEMSELVES BY THE HOPE

OF A DEATH-BED REPENTANCE.

This hope is a fatal delusion which destroys

2 Luke xii. 20.

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