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to God, nor profitable to men. Look at the sons of superstition, trembling with fear. Pity and pray for them; but let thy services be those of a rational and well-informed mind, enlightened by the word of God, and influenced by that grace which renovates the heart.

Upon the whole: If we wish to live comfortably, and to die in peace, let us know and serve the God of David. Let me seriously recommend the young, the gay, the thoughtless, and the trifling, to lay these things to heart. Particularly, let me speak to youth, who are about to make their appearance on the busy stage of life. Whatever be the objects of your pursuit, do not leave behind you the knowledge and the service of your father's God. Cultivate friendship with the unseen God, who gave you being, and who supplies your wants. Remember that the busy scenes of life will pass away, and be as a dream when one awaketh; and that then, like your pious father's, you must descend to the silent grave: but, having followed their example, you shall rejoin them in a happier world.

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Objects of God's Hatred.

SERMON VIII.

PROV. vi. 16—19.

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination to him: a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, and he that soroeth strife among brethren.

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THE Lord hates nothing but what is hateful; and he loves nothing, with complacency, but what is lovely. This neces sarily arises from his adorable perfections; for he is infinitely wise, and transcendently good. Men should endeavour to imitate these perfections, by loving what the Lord loves, and by hating what he hates.-Our text mentions six things which the Lord hates, yea, seven which are an abomination to him. Let us examine them one by one.

I. THE LORD HATES A PROUD LOOK.

A proud look proceeds from a proud heart. Some men endeavour to conceal their pride; but they who indulge a proud look, expose themselves to every beholder. David probably was charged with this

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crime; but he appealed to the Lord for his innocency: "Lord my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty." The general causes of a proud look, are some supposed excellencies, either of birth, fortune, talents, or education; but none of these form a sufficient excuse for pride, which, in every point of view, is hateful both to God and men. A little reflection will discover the abominable nature of pride. It puffs men up with self-sufficiency, and self-satisfaction; so that they despise others, and idolize themselves. Pride robs God of his glory, and places the creature upon his throne. Devils fell through pride, and those who copy their example must fall into the same condemnation. It is generally the first sin which appears in human nature, and the last which is destroyed. As pride is hateful to God, one of these things must take place: either it must be totally destroyed, or man must fall into destruction. "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

II. THE LORD HATES A LYING TONGUE.

A lie is something which is spoken with a design to deceive. If a person relate an untruth, without that design, he cannot be charged with lying. The best of men are subject to mistakes and errors; but when

mistakes and errors are not wilful, they are not hateful to God.

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Truth in our words is of vast importance; as without it all confidence would be lost amongst men. God is a God of truth, whom all should imitate. A liar is an abominable character, universally and justly detested; and he not only exposes. himself to shame and contempt, but he is the author of much confusion and mischief. Let us therefore sacredly attend to truth ourselves, and teach our children, from their infancy, to abhor a lie.

There are many sorts of lies; and many designs in lying. Some design, by lying, to make sport; others to make mischief; others to promote their own reputation, and to blast the character of their neighbours; others to conceal their faults; and others to make peace, which is a hateful method of doing evil that good may come.

There are many awful proofs of God's hatred of lies recorded in the scriptures. Ananias and Sapphira his wife were struck dead for lying. It is most expressly forbidden, and threatened with the punishment of hell-fire. "All liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." The devil has been a liar from the beginning; and all liars are his children.

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III. THE LORD HATES THOSE HANDS WHICH SHED INNOCENT BLOOD.

Magistrates, to whom the power of God is committed, for the punishment of crimes, are allowed to take away the life of man; but they should proceed with great caution. It is better that a hundred guilty men should escape, than that one innocent man should suffer death. Private murders are horrid crimes; but they seldom escape the hands of justice. Cain shed innocent blood; but that blood cried from the ground unto the Lord, and speedy punishment was inflicted. Much innocent blood is shed in wars, very few of which can be justified. In all wars there is an aggressor; and the blood that is shed lies at the door of the aggressor, What a dreadful account will the great ones of the earth have to give in the day of judgment, for having embroiled whole nations in the horrors of war! Life is a sacred thing, and he who presumes to take it away, without a just cause, may look for the vengeance of that God who has said, "Surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man-Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed."

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