282 cnnistFA1 1tÓ1tACiTY, did not foresee,, or which escaped our present notice when the/ resolution was made : otherwise wejustly expose ourselves to the censure of fickleness, inconstancy, rashness, and folly : And such a conduct seems to intrench upon truth. But this leadsme 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. Whenwe are alwaysof a piecewith ourselves, and our conduct is still consistent with oui' owncharacter andprofession. This is calledconstancy. Something of this might havebeen introduced indeedunder the Pest or secondparticulars, when I shewcd how our words shouldagree with our hearts, and our deeds with our words ; for both thesedemand that our practice should' correspond with our profession. But I choose to cast all that I have to say on tins subject under the head of constancy to our professions and pre- tences, which implies a perpetual and persevering honesty of thoughts, words, and actions, and a regular consistency with our- selves. vow that I may throw this matter into the easiestmethody I shall shewhow this exercise of christian truth will appear in a good man at all times, in all conditions of life, in all places, and iii all companies. I -. At all times a good man is the saine : Heever maintain$ the same pious and religious design, and having set his facehea- venward, he travels on in the sacred narrow path, and never wilfully turns' aside to the right-handor 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. Biere let it be observed, that a goodman may change his practicesin some lesser points of christianity, and alter hisprinci- pies too indoctrines 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, and to retract his former errors and mis- takes : And intleed this is one glorious evidence of his being a constant friend to truth. But being well establishedin the neces= sary and ftündamental points of faith, and practice, he walks on regularly in his christian course without wavering, or wandering into forbidden paths, ever pursuing his last great end : And this is aconstant christian, though his sentiments, in the latter part of his life, may differ in several points from the thoughts of his youth. When the eye of the worldsmiles upon his profession, and the sun. shines bright upon his party, or when the clouds arise, and the sharp winds of persecution blow, lie is still the samesteady christian, composed, quiet, undisturbed; not doubtful what he
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