376 A,PPEND1X TO SERMONS XX, XXI, AND XXII.. tate the mother's example, and grow up to a confirmed liar ; what inward and piercing reflections must the mo- ther feel ? Alas ! I have taught my child this sinful Practice, I myself have led it into the ways of the devil How can I chide and correct by my reproof that vice, which I have taught by my example! It is suflîciently evident therefore, that though chil- dren are not capable of half the duties of the social life, yet they are so far capable of them, as to know what truth and falsehood are, and to resent, and to practise accordingly : And this is sufficient to the present argu- ment, and fullyanswers the objection. I think there- fore it is infinitely better to allure those, whose under- standings areweak; and whose wills are obstinate, to the practice of duty, by all the gentle arts of softness and fondness, of persuasion and love, than by venturing to make an inroad upon our own sincerity, and to trifle with so sacred a thing as truth. But the querist may say, Suppose these softer arts have been tried, and have no effect, and children may be. in danger of destroying themselves, if they are not imme- diately prevented by some plain and express falsehood; is it then unlawful to preserve their lives bya lie ? Answer. It is a command of God indeed to preserve life, but it must be done by lawful means. May a man rob on the highway, to get money to feed and clothe him ? Surelywe ought to trust the kind care and provi- dence of God with our own lives and others in the way of duty, and not do evil that good may come, as was said under the former question. Thus much shall suffice for the case of' children, on pretence of their being incapable of civil society. But the querist will insist still on the next instances : Instance II. Cheats, andknaves, and thievish crimi- nals, have no right to truth ; for they have broken the bonds:of civil society, though not by a public renuncia- tion of them, and therefore we may use all manner of deceit toward them, and treat them with express false- hood and lying, wheresoever it may promote our own in- terest and safety. To this I reply, that the rule of:Christ is, Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you,. do ye also that unto them, IMat. vii. 1 . But this lieentiouis doctrine AIM
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