SERMON XX. EPHESIANS, Iv. 25. Wherefore, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour; for we are members one of another. THE Christian Religion requires nothing less than the entire dedication of ourselves to God. Christ hath loved us, and given himself for us, that we might be given up to him, and follow his steps in the paths of righteousness and holiness all the days of our life. He came to purify to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works, and whoever has neither piety nor zeal, we may be very sure, whatever name he may call himself by, and however highly he may conceive of his knowledge and wisdom, by which many are puffed up, he shall not inherit the kingdom of God. That we may clearly discern between good and evil, and rightly understand what we should follow, and what we should avoid, the Lord has been pleased to give us in his holy word a variety of precepts for the regulation of our conduct, and while we pretend to have any respect for Him, regard for our own souls, or love towards our fellow-creatures, we should study the Scriptures to know his will, and endeavour most exactly to perform every thing, which he has commanded. It is my design to improve the present opportunity by enforcing a duty, which is, I am sorry to observe, too little regarded by many, who bear the Christian name, that is, the duty of speaking truth upon all occasions. In doing this I shall mention, I. The inducements, which men have to trans gress this commandment. II. The impolicy of their conduct, III. The danger to which they expose themselves by their perseverance in this vice, "Putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour, for we are members one of another." In discoursing upon these words, I am to mention, 1st. The inducements, which men have to transgress this commandment, or, in other words, to tell lies; a vice so odious and detestable, that to charge a man with it is commonly thought to be the greatest insult that can be offered him; and indeed, if the charge can be proved, nothing more disgraceful can attach to a man's character, since, with very few exceptions, it shews a total want of principle, or what is commonly called a bad heart, which must be taken away and another implanted in its stead, ere its possessor can be deemed worthy of the regard of the virtuous and honourable. Of lies there are various kinds, some of which are apparently more abominable than others. I say apparently, for, in fact, every kind of falsehood, as it proceeds from a disregard to the commandments of God, is equally displeasing in his sight. But, of these various kinds I shall here mention only a few, and endeavour to shew both the danger and impo, licy of such deceits. The first sort of lying, that I would particularly call upon you to avoid, is that to which some children are much addicted, and of which many others of riper years, especially if they are placed under authority, are no less guilty. I mean the denial of any crime or misbehaviour, with which they are justly charged. "You have done so and so," says the accuser; "the action, you well know, is wrong, and I request you to make me acquainted with all the circumstances of it, and the reasons which induced you to do that which you have done." "The charge is false," replies the accused. "I have committed none of the faults of which you complain, but am Y y |