SERMON XVI.

JAMES ii. 10.

WHOSOEVER SHALL KEEP THE WHOLE LAW, AND YET OFFEND IN ONE POINT, HE IS GUILTY OF ALL.

IT has, I hope, been sufficiently proved,

that the interpretation given of these words, in the preceding Discourse, is not arbitrary and conjectural; but grows out of the context and the occasion, and is conformable to the whole tenor of St. James's argument, and the particular object he had in view. It makes no greater abatement in the apostle's expression than the peculiar ardour and energy of the Scripture-language, and the concise sententiousness of proverbial maxims, absolutely require; no greater than is authorized by the soundest rules of criticism, and the practice of the soberest expositors in many similar instances. At the same time, it seems to stand clear of all the objections which have been usually

urged against the text. It leaves no room to charge it with extravagant and undistinguishing severity, and the doctrine it presents to us is confirmed by the whole tenour of Holy Writ.

Every one in the least conversant with Scripture must know, that the rewards of Christianity are there promised to those only who, to the best of their power, endeavour "to stand perfect and complete in all the "will of God*;" and that its punishments are denounced against every habitual sin of every kind, without any exception made in favour of those who offend in one point only, and observe all the rest.† And as this is the universal language of Scripture, so is it perfectly conformable to every principle of reason, justice, and equity.

In regard to a future recompense, the case will not admit a doubt. Eternal life being the free and voluntary gift of God, he may certainly give it on whatever terms he thinks fit to prescribe. The terms he has prescribed are, faith in Christ, and obedience to all his laws. Whoever therefore does not comply with the terms required,

*Col. iv. 12.

+ Rom. ii. 9.

can have no claim to the favour granted on those terms, and those only. Although the offender in one point may possibly go so far as to flatter himself that he shall not be punished for his offence, yet he can never surely expect to be rewarded for it. It would indeed be strange, if all who had only onefavourite vice should be admitted to a state of felicity hereafter. For, since different men are, by their different inclinations, led to transgress in different ways, it must by this means come to pass, that sinners of every denomination would find their way to heaven. And thus, instead of meeting there, as we are taught to expect, with "the spirits of just "men made perfect*," and an illustrious as-sembly of saints and angels, we should find ourselves surrounded, in the very mansions of bliss, with such sort of company as we should be ashamed to be seen in upon earth.

Nothing therefore can be more undeniably reasonable and just, than that the habitual transgressor of any one divine command should be excluded from future happiness. Yet still perhaps it may be thought hard,

*Heb. xii. 23.

that he should be doomed to future misery. There is scarce any thing we are apt to think so reasonable, and so natural, as that a number of good qualities should atone for one bad habit, and shelter us from punishment, at least, if not entitle us to reward. Yet why should we expect this from the Gospel-dispensation, when in the ordinary course of God's providence we find it quite otherwise? How often do we see, in the affairs of this world, not only that one habitual vice, but that one single wrong action, will, in spite of a thousand excellences, draw after it the ruin of fortune, fame, and every earthly comfort? The case is the same in the economy of nature, and the artificial institutions of civil society. The health of the human body is the result of perfect order in every part. If the slightest member be indisposed, it disturbs the ease of the whole, and " every member suffers "with it." In the body-politic a complete obedience to the laws is the only title to the protection of the state; and a single crime, notwithstanding all our other services, will render us obnoxious to its punishments. Add to this, that in all compacts and cove