SERMON LXXVIII.

THE FOLLOWERS OF THAT WHICH IS GOOD.

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 1 PETER iii, 13.

THE pious are subject to perplexing fears, when violently opposed by unreasonable and wicked men, and by the powers of darkness; but neither the one nor the other can do them any harm, while they follow that which is good. They are perfectly safe, under the protection of Almighty God, as long as they walk before him in all the paths of righteousness and true holiness.

I. EXAMINE THE CHARACTER AND CONDUCT OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW

THAT WHICH IS GOOD.

The followers of that which is good, having their understandings enlightened by the Lord, have clear and distinct views of good and evil. In his light they discover the beauty of holiness, and the deformity of sin; the usefulness of goodness, and the ruinous nature of evil; the safety of virtue, and the danger of vice: for if they did not see, and distinctly understand this difference, they could not be influenced by any rational motive to follow good rather than evil. But they "understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path." Prov. ii, 9. And they know that "the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death;" that "evil shall slay the wicked;" and that "the wages of sin is death." Prov. xiv, 27; Ps. xxxiv, 21; Rom. vi, 23.

Guided by divine light, they choose that which is good: it is the object of their love; and their desires go out after it in all its lovely forms. They desire goodness above all other things, and nothing else can satisfy them. In this they resemble a hungry person, who cannot be satisfied with any thing but food; or a thirsty person, who cannot be satisfied unless that thirst is quenched. In allusion to these, our Saviour saith, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Matt. v, 6. These ardent desires, arising from an enlightened mind and a prudent choice, are the commencement of all that is good and excellent in the conduct of man; but where they are wanting, whatever other properties are found, the soul follows that which is evil.

These holy desires are followed by the use of proper means to acquire real goodness. Persons in this state of mind earnestly desire instruction, and carefully inquire, "Who will show us any good?" Ps. iv, 6. But what means do they use? They read the holy Scriptures, and the works of wise and good men; they carefully study what they read, and make it their own; they sit under an evangelical ministry, which opens and explains the Gospel of God their Saviour; they make prayer and suppli

cation to God, for wisdom, grace, and mercy; they look up to Jesus with an eye of faith, for pardon, peace, and holiness; and they follow the hallowing influences of the Holy Ghost, who renews the heart in righteousness after the image of God.

And in the use of these means, they are made partakers of real goodness. Without this no man can follow that which is good. Hence our Lord says, "Make the tree good, and his fruit good." When this is the case, the understanding is enlightened; the will is brought into a state of subjection to the will of God; the affections are raised to things above; the thoughts are brought into captivity and obedience to Christ; and the passions are governed and controlled by wisdom and grace. This is that new creation, which takes place in every believing heart. For "if any man b in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Cor. v, 17.

Those who are new creatures in Christ Jesus, taste the sweetness of that which is good; and while they feed upon it, they are fully satisfied. This is an inward heaven of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom. xiv, 17. And it resembles the joys of angels and glorified human spirits before the throne of God; where there are fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore. Ps. xvi, 11. In this state of mind "they follow that which is good," like Zacharias and Elizabeth, who were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." Luke i, 6. They follow good words and good actions. They are just in all their dealings with men; merciful to the poor and the afflicted; and faithful in all their promises and engagements. They instruct the ignorant, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and "visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction." James i, 27.

They follow goodness, as the Lord enables them, with a steady step and with a single eye. Their means of doing good are not always the same, for they sometimes enjoy prosperity, and at other times suffer adversity; but at all times their hearts are disposed "to do good to all men, and especially to them who are of the household of faith." Gal. vi, 10. It may be doubted, by those who are accustomed to do evil, whether such characters as these are to be found in our world; but let them study the lives of Patriarchs and Prophets, of the Apostles and primitive Christians, as well as the character of living believers: thus they may discover this great and important fact, that, though no man is good by nature, yet that many have been, and now are, truly good by the grace of God. Acts xi, 24.

II. PROVE THE SAFETY OF THOSE WHO FOLLOW THAT WHICH IS GOOD. The question, "Who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good," deserves a serious answer. It is quite certain that God, who is the Author of goodness, will not harm you. His holy angels, who are your ministering spirits, will not harm you. Heb. i, 14. Good men, who are your companions and friends, will not harm you. And there are some unconverted men, of mild and gentle dispositions, who will not harm you. In all civilized states, where good morals are supported by human laws, you will live in safety while you follow that

which is goo; for while your conduct is unblamable, the ministers of justice are bound to protect your persons, your property, and your character. "For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.” Therefore "do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same." Rom. xiii, 3.

Evil-minded men, who hate God and goodness, may attempt to harm you, both secretly and openly; but there is a wise and powerful Governor of the world, whose watchful care will preserve you from all their wicked machinations. It has often been said, the church is in danger; but God has said to his church, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper." Isai. liv, 17. Are you of his church? Then you are safe. The God whom you serve knows all your enemies; and he will bring to nought all their evil counsels against you. In the case of David, he turned the counsel of Ahitophel into foolishness; and "he disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise." Job v, 12. Under the protection of God, you are perfectly safe at all times, and in all circumstances.

You may be hated and abhorred by wicked men; but their hatred and abhorrence cannot harm you. These malignant and diabolical passions, which burn in their hearts like the fire of hell, torment them, as devils are tormented; but you enjoy the pure and refined pleasures of meekness, gentleness, and love. Gal. v, 22, 23. And these holy dispositions, which divine grace has planted in your hearts, preserve you from the harm which you might suffer from the angry passions of your adversaries. Their minds are like a tempest, but yours are peaceful. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. iv, 7.

While you follow goodness, the tongue of slander may represent you as the vilest of men; but slander, however artfully or widely circulated, makes no man vile. After all the foul and false aspersions which are cast upon your character and conduct, you remain exactly the same you were, both in the sight of God and of those men who know you best; and you can suffer no harm while you bear down the lies and calumnies of your enemies, by a holy life. Pious Job was suspected and misrepresented by his mistaken friends; but he out-lived the reproaches which were cast upon his character and conduct; and his latter end was more blessed than his beginning. Job xlii, 12.

You will suffer no harm from open persecution, while you follow that which is good. Like the primitive Christians, you may suffer the spoiling of your goods, you may be cast into prison, you may be beaten with stripes, or you may be put to death; but all these things, though painful as you pass through them, will be graciously over-ruled for your good, and for the glory of God. Therefore, when you are persecuted for righteousness' sake, "rejoice and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven." Matt. v, 12. And "fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. x, 28.

In the paths of goodness, you will suffer no harm from the wicked one. His temptations, while steadfastly resisted, lead you to victory; and his

frightful attempts to devour you, end in his own confusion. Whether he appears as an angel of light, or as a roaring lion, you have only to resist him, and he will flee from you. James iv, 7. And all his hostile attacks, like those which he made on Jesus in the wilderness of Judea, discover his weakness, and end in the triumphs of grace.

Other evil spirits, which kept not their first estate, may do all they can to harm you; but they are held in chains, and cannot touch you without the permission of God. The angel of the Lord, with a host of holy angels under his command, encampeth round about you, and delivereth you; and while you follow that which is good, it would be as easy for apostate spirits to shake the throne of God, as to injure you. Their deep plans and wicked purposes to ruin you eternally, will be frustrated and brought to nought by the Shepherd of Israel, who watches over you by day and by night.

Unconverted men are naturally opposed to you; but a wise and prudent conduct is calculated to triumph over their worst passions, and, in some instances, wins their affectionate regards; for, bad as the world is, there are but few who can resist the charms of virtue when fairly exhibited in the temper and conduct of a good man. And your light shines before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matt. v, 16.

On the whole, it is quite certain that those who follow that which is good, are both safe and happy through every period of life; that they will enjoy these blessings in the awful hour of death; and that they will be safe and happy for ever. God is their Father, holy angels are their servants, and heaven is their inheritance. They are now happy in themselves, useful to others, and honoured of God as the servants of his well-beloved Son; and when this short and uncertain life ends, they will enter upon their heavenly inheritance, and be blessed to all eternity. Are these things so? Then let us follow that which is good as our one great business in life, and steadily persevere in it to the end; and while we hold fast that good which we have already attained, let us continually aim at higher degrees of those excellencies which adorn the character of man in his best estate. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. iv, 8. Amen.

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SERMON LXXIX.

FOOLS DENY THE BEING OF A GOD.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm xiv, 1.

THE Being of a God who made all things, who preserves all things, and who guides and governs all things, is the foundation of religion: for if there be no God, there is no proper object of worship; no supreme legislator; no competent judge of human conduct; and no rewards or punishments. But the Being of a God has been acknowledged by all thinking and sober men, in every age and nation; and none but fools have denied this truth, or even doubted it, except in the hour of temptation. Such fools there were in the days of David, and such fools there have been since his day. There are times and circumstances in which these fools dare not speak their sentiments openly; but even then they say in their hearts, There is no God.

We shall consider the causes of this impious language; the folly of atheistical delusion; and the remedies by which it may be cured. I. THE CAUSES OF THIS IMPIOUS LANGuage.

This language of the heart is atheistical; for these fools say, There is no God. They require us, who believe in God, to prove his existence; but let them, who deny his being, prove there is no God. This will be a difficult task; for they will have to prove that there are effects without causes; that there are evident marks of design in the visible world, without a designing mind; that there is the exactest order in every part of the universe, without any intelligent or guiding principle; that blind chance is always regular and exact in all its operations; that matter is eternal, and that mind is only a modification of matter. But these notions are at war with common sense, and cannot be proved by the most artful reasoning. Here then, the atheist is at a stand; he laughs at our faith in God, and we weep at his faith in the grossest absurdities. Our faith is built on reason, his faith is built on folly. The causes of his folly may be reduced to two: First, wilful ignorance; and, Secondly, a corrupt heart.

An atheist is wilfully ignorant. He does not desire a knowledge of the truth; he uses no means to gain correct information; he thinks at random, and has no fear of error and delusion. He takes a glance at the visible creation, but does not examine its profound depths, or wondrous heights. There is the sun shining in his glory: ask him how it came; he says, by chance. Ask him how it has happened, in so many ages, that chance never produced another sun; he cannot tell. Put the same question on other subjects. How were men produced? how were animals produced? how were plants and vegetables produced? he says, by chance. But how remarkable that these remain the same from age to age; all produced on a certain plan; but none produced on the plan which he lays down for first productions. Here is a man;