Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

Bleed is the Man that walketḥ not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor flandeth in the way of finners, nor fitteth in the feat of the fcornful.

HERE is an old and beaten obfervation,

THE

that human nature, in all ages, is the fame. To this I add, or rather offer, by way of illuftration of it, that fin, which bears fo much fway in human characters and actions, has been the fame, in its operation and influence, in all ages, fince the fall of Adam. For this reafon the characters drawn in the holy fcriptures, and particularly the obfervations on human life, contained in the Pfalms of David, the Proverbs of Solomon, and book of Ecclefiaftes, are as perfectly adapted to

the

the prefent age, as if they were but of yesterday's date.

As the ten commandments, which are the fum of the moral law, confift moftly of prohibitions, the Pfalmift, in this paffage, draws the character of the good man in a negative form, by its oppofition to the bad. At the fame time, the danger to which the unwary are expofed, the enticing and deceitful nature of fin, and its monftrous enormity, when arrived at its full height, are couched in the most admirable manner; Blef

fed is the man that walketh not in the counfel " of the ungodly;-nor ftandeth in the way of finners;-nor fitteth in the feat of the fcorn

ful'.

It is not agreed among interpreters, who was the author of this Pfalm; and, indeed, it is a matter more of curiofity than moment very critically to enquire. Some think it was the Pfalmift David, because of the high efteem expreffed in it for the law of God, a thing which fo remarkably diftinguishes his other writings. Others refer it to a later period; and fuppofe that Ezra, or fome other after the captivity, who collected the facred hymns of different authors into one volume, prefixed this as a fort of argument or preface to the whole. It is indeed, a fummary of all that follow. It plainly contains a character both of good men and bad; the ufual courfe of divine providence towards each of thefe claffes, as well as the final iffue of their conduct in the

[blocks in formation]

everlasting happiness of the one, and the everlafting mifery of the other.

Even the most curfōry reader must observe, that there is a gradation in the expreffions of the text, which rife one above another in their trength and energy: nay, it is the opinion of many, that they are chofen with peculiar art, and contain a double, if not a threefold gradation. 1. In the character, beginning with the ungodly, who are without proper impreffions of religion, and habitually governed by other principles than the fear of God. Next, finners, or thofe who are more openly flagitious, and visibly guilty of grofs crimes. And finally, the fcornful, who fet reproof at defiance, and treat every thing serious and facred with contempt and difdain. 2. In the communication of others with them, walking; which feems to imply occafional, unforefeen, and tranfient intercoufe ;-standing, which feems to indicate a greater degree of approbation and voluntary compliance with their example ;—and fitting, which fignifies, being fixed and settled in an evil courfe, and refusing to depart from it. To this fome add the other expreflions, the counfel, the way, and the feat; on which I forbear to infift, but proceed to obferve,

That we have, in this paffage, a most useful and infructive leffon of great moment in every place and age; and peculiarly fuited, on feveral accounts, to the prefent circumftances of this congregation. It is, therefore, my refolution to

difcourfe

difcourfe a little, through the affiftance of divine grace, on the three diftinct branches into which it may be naturally divided..

I. The infectious nature of fin, or the danger. of walking in the counfel of the ungodly..

II. The deceitful and hardening nature of fin, which infenfibly leads from walking in the counfel of the ungodly, to standing in the way "of finners."

III. The finishing stage of wickedness, the moft criminal and ntoft pernicious character, viz. of the fcornful, who are bold enough to treat things ferious and facred with derifion.

Having done this, I fhall make fome application of the fubject, for your instruction and direc

tion.

In the first place, let us confider the infectious nature of fin, or the danger of walking in the counsel of the ungodly. That the fociety of bad men is highly dangerous to all, but especially to young perfons is indeed a truth which no fober man will deny, and which hath been often fet in the strongest light by religious and moral writers: it may therefore feem unneceffary to infift upon it. But, my brethren, I am perfuaded, that it fares often with known and common truths, as with common mercies, they are despised for their cheapnefs. Though their certainty be readily al

[blocks in formation]

lowed, their use and application is, notwithstanding, or, perhaps, for that very reason, in a great meafure neglected. How feldom is it that men make the diftinction with care, and act upon it with prudence and refolution; either in their own conduct, or in the difpofal of their children. Bear with me, therefore, while I endeavour to imprefs your minds with a fenfe of your obligation to depart from the society of evil doers, and to preferve, with the utmost folicitude, all young perfons under your care, from the mortal centagion.

For the importance and neceffity of this, you have the concurrent teftimony of wife and good men, in every age and nation: experience hath taught it to the most barbarous, as well as the most improved and polifhed people. There is no nation of which hiftory hath preferved us any account, but, in their proverbial fayings, which are the product of time, we find a warning against the infection of corrupt fociety. What dying parent, in his laft or parting adieu to his chil dren, ever omitted to caution them against the fociety of bad men? nay, doth not daily experience prove this, beyond difpute, to every one who hath the leaft degree either of memory or reflection? Is there among you any perfon, who has arrived at the unhappy distinction of being known for a profligate? Whenever this happens, thofe about him are able to mark the progrefs of his corruption, and can even point out

the

« PreviousContinue »