SERM. XXí.3 TRUTH, SINCERITY, &C. 361 sense. Besides, if one would indulge the most superla lative expressions and boldest figures that human lan- guage can furnish one with, tosetout-the'honours of any person on earth, there can be no suéh proper or deserv- ing subject as Jesus Christ our Lord. Ill. The third rule to preserve veracity is this, prac tise nothing which you are ashamed of. Donothing that 'need be afraid of the ear of the world : Walk care= fully iii the ways of virtue and duty Tulfil your obliga- tions to God and man to the utmost Of your pó1,ser: Venture upon no practice that needs a cover, a disguise, or an excuse: and then you will not be so often under the temptation of lying, Let children remeMber this, and have a care of diso- beying God, or their parents, even when they are alone: lest they be tempted to excuse their faults by lying, which indeed does but inlarge and double them, rather than diminishand excuse them. Let servants take notice of this, and pay all 'due honour and faithful obedience to their piasters and governors; or else the devil, and their own corrupt hearts, will frequently join together and help them to a lie for the cover of their guilt. Let every one that hears this discourse watch over all their actions, and confine them within the rules of religion ; otherwise their practice, which will not bear the light, will put them under a temptation to hide it behind a re- fuge of lies. And under this head I Might particularly give this ad- vice. Do not affect a cunning way of life. Do not aim at the character ofa subtle and crafty man. 13e not fondof being let into secrets, nor Of engaging in intrigues ofany sort. There are some tempers of mankind 'that are na- turally addicted to craft, and are ever seeking to outwit their neighbours: they seldom live upon the square, or Walk onward in an open path ; but are still doubling, and turning, and traversing their course. They take a special pleasure in managing all their affairs with art and subtlety; and call it necessary. prudence. But if-you would shew yourselves tender of the truth, and preserve it, let your course of life be bold, and free, and open. There is muchprudence to be used in our daily conduct, without this crafty humour. The integrity of a man will preserve him; And keep his tongue from falsehood ;
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=