CONFIRRED CHRISTIAN. 529 next to that of the mere externals of religion, as controversies, par- ties, and the several modes of worship. . XXXIX. 1. A Christian indeed is one that so liveth upon. the great subs.tantial matters of religion;as yet not willingly to oominit the,smallesst sin, nor to own the smallest falsehood, nor to renounce or betray the smallest holy truth or duty, for any price that man can offer him. The works of repentance, faith, and, love, are his daily business, which, take up his greatest care and diligence. Whatever opinions or controversies are afoot, his work is still the same; whatever changes' come, his religion changeth not; he placeth not the kingdom of God in meats and drinks, and cireum- stances and ceremonies, either being for them or against them, but in "`righteòusoess, and peace, and joy in the Holy ,IGhbst." And he that in these things serveth Christ, as he isacceptable to God,. so is he approved by such á Christian as this, however factious persdns may revile him; Rom. xiv. 17,. 8. 1--5.10. ; The strong Christian can ''bear theinfirmities of the weak," and not take the course that most pleaseth himself, but that which " pleáseth his neighbor for his good to edification ;" Rom. xv. 1-3. The essentials of reli- gion, faith, and love, and obedience, are as bread and drink, the substance of his food. These he meditateth on, and these he practieeth, and according to these he esteemeth of others. . But.yet, no price can seem sufficient to him to buy his inno- cency ; nor will he willfully sin, andsay, It is a little one, nor " do evil that good may come by it ",nor offer to God the sacrifice of disobedient 'fools, and'tben sag, ' I knew not that I did evil;' for he-:knoweth that God will rather have ¿bedience than sacrifice,and that "disobedience is as the sin of witchcraft;" and "he that breaketh one of the least commands, and teacheth men so, shall be called leastin the kingdom of God." Andhe that teacheth men to sin, by the exainple of his own practice, can little expect to turn them from sin, by his better instructions and exhortations. He that will deliberately sin in a small matter, Both set but a small price on the favor of God and his salvation. Willful disobedience is odious to God, how small soever the matter be about which it is committed. Who can expect that he should stick at any tin, when his temptation is great, who will considerately commit the least; especially if he will approve and justify it? Therefore the sound Christian will rather forsake Iris riches, his liberty, his repu- tation, his friends, and his countrg, than hisconscience ; and rather Iay down liberty, and life itself, than choose to sin against his God, as knowing that never man gained by his sin ; Rom. iii: 8. Eccles. v. 2. 1. Sam. xv. 15. 21--23. Matt. v. 19. The sin that Saul was rejected for, seemed but a little thing; nor the siri that Uzzah was slain for; and the service of God, even his sacrifice and his VOL. r. 67 1
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