SEEM. XX.3 TRUTH, SINCERITY, á:C. 339 when we make a solemn resolution, and publicly declare it, that we will do such or such a thing in time to come. If this resolution be solemn and public, and be in all re- spects lawful, it should generally be performed ; unless some other circumstances arise, whichwe did not foresee, or which escaped our present notice when the resolution was made : otherwise we justly expose ourselves to the censure of fickleness, inconstancy, rashness, and folly : And such a conduct seems to intrench upon truth. But this leads me to the third or last instance of truth. III. Another part of the character of truth is, when our whole carriage is conformable to itself. When we are always of a piece with ourselves, and our conduct is still consistent with our own character and profession. This is called constancy. Something of this might have been introduced indeed under the first or second particulars, when I shewed how our words should agree with our hearts, and our deeds with our words ; for both these demand that our practice should correspond with our profession. But I choose to cast all that I have to say on this subject under the head of constancy to our professions and pretences, which im- plies a perpetual and persevering honesty of thoughts, words, and actions, and a regular consistency with our- selves. Now that I may throw this matter into the easiest me- thod, I shall shew how this exercise of christian truth will appear in a good man at all times, in all conditions of life, in all places, and in all companies. 1. At all times a good man is the same : He ever maintains the same pious and religious design, and hav- ing set his face heavenward, he travels on in the sacred narrow path, and never wilfully turns aside to the right hand or to the left : Or if at any time he makes a false step, he recovers it again with humility and shame, and repentance, and his feet return to the ways of holiness. Here let it be observed, that a good man may change his practices in some lesser points of christianity, and alter his principles too in doctrines of less importance, and yet he is not to be, charged with criminal inconstancy or falsehood : For he never renounces all improvement of knowledge, but is ever ready to receive further light, z2
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