SERMON XIII.

MODERN INDEPENDENCE OF SPIRIT.

ISAIAH xlvi. 12, 13.

Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness.

I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

WELL may the prophet call upon all men to "hearken !" For whether we look at the unspeakable importance of the subject to which he directs our attention, or the strange levity and indifference of mankind to it, there is indeed abundant occasion for a warning voice to rouse our slumbering souls? Turn your eyes upon the state of the world, and consider it in a

religious and spiritual light; millions of rational accountable creatures cover the surface of the earth, and busy themselves with every variety of occupation. But they all know with certainty that their continuance here is for a very brief period, and that they must shortly quit this scene of existence for ever; they all feel that the labours of industry and talent are full of fatigue and disappointment, and the pursuit of pleasure empty and unsatisfactory; they all confess that "man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upwards." These things, I say, all know, all feel, all alike confess; and the greatest number of men moreover believe that there will be another life after this, a life without end, a life of supreme happiness to some, and of unutterable misery to others, and that their portion in the everlasting life to come, depends upon their behaviour whilst they

continue here.

It would be natural to expect that reasonable creatures, under such circum

stances, would be very

indifferent about

their present state, and that their chief thought, and care, and anxiety would be to provide for their own eternal happiness in the future life. This would be the natural expectation; but what is the fact? It is this. We see these rational accountable beings, so soon to depart and appear before their GOD, we see them toiling, fighting, contending, disputing, striving with all imaginable eagerness, and assiduity, with energy and fury, to secure as much as possible of this present world; and for the most part, quite forgetful, wholly indifferent, absolutely negligent, with regard to eternity!

Surely an inspired and a spiritual minded prophet has sufficient cause to cry aloud, and bid such beings "hearken!" But whom especially does he call? “Hearken unto me, ye stout-hearted." Perhaps you think it a good thing to be "stout-hearted," that is, bold and resolute; (and certainly, under the guidance

of a Christian spirit, courage is a noble quality; the true nobility of man consists in "fearing GOD, and knowing no other fear :") but the boldness here intended by the prophet is boldness in sin; that daring, impudent, irreverent temper which the world always admires, and which GOD has always condemned.

The besetting sin of modern times is insolence. Men scarcely deign to reverence their Creator; they have little respect for religion, and none at all for its ministers; they think it a mark of independence to scoff at dignities and authorities. This is the spirit of Satan, the spirit which he has always infused into the natural man ; and in our days he has been zealously assisted in the work by those who style themselves liberal and enlightened.

I say this is your besetting sin, "to despise dominion and speak evil of dignities;" to scoff at sacred institutions, and to make light of duty and reverence; to rely confidently upon your own judg

ments, your own understanding, and to fancy yourselves degraded by submission of every kind, even though required in the Word of God.

This it is to be "stout-hearted :" a temper certainly the exact reverse of that enjoined by our Saviour and His Apostles. "Learn of me," said the Son of GOD, "for I am meek and lowly in heart;" "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

In the same spirit we are reminded by the Apostles that "GOD resisteth the proud in heart, but giveth grace to the humble;" we are directed to "submit ourselves one to another, in the fear of GOD;" to "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of GoD," and "to submit ourselves to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake;" to subdue our proud, rebellious, and insolent tempers, and to receive the kingdom of GOD with all the gentleness and humility of young children, looking up with reverence to the