_Sixthly,_ A further evidence of the _internal worth_ and _merit_ of
the Christian Religion is that it strictly prohibits all moral evil,
and whatever would interrupt our peace and comfort as individuals,
and the harmony and benefit of society. No religion is of any value
or worth any further than it is good, or tends to good. The beauty of
holiness is its tendency to happiness; and where it obtains in a full
measure, there misery is expelled with all its train of evils. And
the beauty of religion is its tendency to promote the real welfare of
man, as an individual, and as connected in civil society. By
cultivating in men the principles of honour, faith, integrity, and
conscience; and calling them off from vain and hurtful courses, they
are made the _best members_ of society. The best interests of civil
government and of society are, consequently, most promoted by
Religion. It gives to civil government faithful rulers and quiet
subjects. Nothing is good or praise-worthy, in a moral view, any
otherwise, or any further than in fact it actually does or aims at
good. It would not be worth while to embrace a system which pretended
to be religion, if it had no power or tendency in its principles and
duties, promises and exercises, institutions and precepts to do us
good, to do good to others--to the world at large--to the various
orders and ranks of society. Most certainly that Being, who has
infinite wisdom and infinite goodness, would never reveal or
institute, or require us to believe and practice a religion, which
had no tendency to promote our own or the welfare of others. For it
would be to no purpose. It would be useless and vain.--All false
religions, it will be acknowledged, actually do hurt. Error and
imposture, are so far from being _harmless,_ that they are always, in
a greater or less degree _pernicious._ They mislead and bewilder the
mind. They create dissensions: they nourish evil passions--they
pollute of course the morals.--Now the Christian Religion appears
excellent and glorious, worthy of all acceptation and praise, as it
consults, and tends most directly, and powerfully, to secure the
welfare of man, here and hereafter, in time and in Eternity. Its
grand design is to render us happy in this state of being, and
blessed when another shall open upon us. And the way, it takes to
render us happy, is by subduing all our evil appetites and
propensities; and forbidding whatever is hurtful to our own peace, or
to society around us. If it secure the morals of individuals, it in
effect secures the _public_ morals; for of individuals is the public
composed. A government or people are then prosperous, when rulers and
the ruled conduct aright, in their several places; when the morals
are most pure; and when disorders, licentiousness, extravagance, and
other evils, vice and iniquity, are most suppressed. The more pious
and virtuous the members of a Community the happier is that
Community. It ever has been, and ever will be found, that
righteousness exalteth a nation, and that sin is the reproach of any
people, in greater or less societies. _Blessed is that people whose
God is the Lord._--The Gospel indeed was never _originally_ designed
by its divine author to be an instrument of civil government, or
merely an aid of civil society. It hath something infinitely higher
in view.--But, at the same time, it as directly tends, in its great
doctrines and moral precepts, and as much promotes the highest and
most valuable interests of society, as if it had no other object in
view, or were instituted for this sole purpose.--Here it ought to be
particularly remembered, that those who regard religion, in no other
light, than as an excellent expedient to civilize and humanize man,
and to strengthen the bands of government and society, debase its
design and nature, and err widely from the truth.--Religion, however,
brings people to order, to regular conduct, to humanity, to love
moral duties, and to the practice of all the social and relative
duties, and then they are prepared to be _good subjects_ of civil
government, and _good members_ of civil society. It, then, most
essentially co-operates for the happiness of the Community, when it
checks growing vice, when it liberates and humanizes the rough pieces
of human nature. And by forbidding all moral evil, and laying before
the mind the terrors of the Lord, to dissuade from all iniquity, by
revealing from heaven the wrath of God against all unrighteousness
and ungodliness of men, it contributes powerfully to the best good of
civil society.----
Whatever can be to the glory, ornament, and dignity of the social
intercourse is commanded in the Gospel; and whatever tends, even,
though in the remotest view, to debase or injure man, in his rights
as a member of the community, is most expressly prohibited. Industry,
order, frugality, economy, diligence, faithfulness, honesty, truth,
humanity, and all the civil virtues and duties, as well as the moral
and Christian, are abundantly inculcated. We are taught not only the
laws of virtuous friendship, but in that general philanthropy which
as Christians is incumbent on us, we are taught a real love to our
Country; and we are bound to submit to all the regulations of
government, and its wholesome ordinances, not only for wrath, but for
conscience-sake--not only as a duty which we owe to the Community,
but as a duty which we owe to God. For to break the laws of man, is
to offend against the laws of Christ.
Besides, in our prayers and wishes, as well as in our words and
actions, are we to seek the good of others. Christians are bound to
pray for others--to wish well to them in all lawful pursuits--to seek
the peace of government, its honour and stability--and to do nothing
which is contrary to the peace of society. Banish religious
principle, and you loosen all the bonds which connect mankind
together; you shake the fundamental pillar of mutual confidence and
trust; you render the security arising from laws, in a great measure,
void and ineffectual.--For human laws and human sanctions cannot
extend to numberless cases, in which the safety of mankind is deeply
concerned. They would prove very feeble instruments of order and
peace, if there were not checks upon the conduct of men, from the
sense of divine legislation--if no belief of future rewards and
punishments were to overawe conscience, and to supply the defects of
human government.
Again--Christians are by their example to recommend regularity of
deportment, sobriety, temperance, righteousness and truth. They are
to put away all guile, hypocrisy, wrath, evil speaking, malice, and
deceit. Not only all that would hurt society is prohibited, but all
moral evil, indeed of every kind and degree. Not a wish or passion,
which is inconsistent with, or contrary to purity, to justice, to
benevolence, is to be indulged. No line of conduct or business which
is unlawful, or incompatible with moral obligations is permitted by
the laws of Christ. So far therefore as religion really obtains, so
far society and civil government are essentially benefited. Perjury,
falsehood, theft, robbery, oppression, extortion--and all the train
of crimes which embroil and render society miserable, are driven away
by the influence of religious and moral duties. And were the
Christian Religion to obtain in all hearts, and over all nations,
society on earth would resemble, in sweetness, the music of the
spheres--the harmony of nature; and the abodes of eternal felicity.
For it is religion in its perfection which constitutes the chief
ingredient of heavenly glory and blessedness.--If we had no
reference, therefore, to another world, it would be wise to maintain
the Gospel for the purposes of carrying the happiness of civil
society to the zenith of glory.--This is no small proof of the
internal worth and merit of the Christian religion; and displays in a
most amiable and illustrious manner, the wisdom and goodness of the
Supreme Being: for he has consulted and aimed at both the temporal
and spiritual good of man, and both at once in the very frame of that
religion, which he requires us to receive and practise; and has
joined together our interest and duty. An habitual omission of duty
and moral Virtue is of course a rejection of our happiness, _a
forsaking our own mercy._ What an exalted idea this ought to give us
of the EXCELLENCE of the Christian Religion!--Let us therefore, to
conclude the present discourse, admire its doctrines, and conform
ourselves to its precepts, that we may experience its
consolations--and finally, when time is no more, enjoy its rewards.
For such as obey it, shall be recompensed in the resurrection of the
just.--