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Wicked men .......

What a God would such make.

themselves loved; and so now, men are apt to think that the God of heaven is very much like themselves, and that he cares but little more about purity and holiness than they do themselves.

You know too, that some men who are very wicked, take a great pride in being wicked. They are cunning and sharp in bargains, and are proud of it. A sabbath-breaker is proud of his boldness in sin; a warrior is proud of the number of men whom he kills; and some are proud that they can drink more, or swear more, or sin bolder, than other men! Suppose now, that God had just such a character as these men,-what a horrible being would he be! There is not a spirit in the world of darkness who is so vile! And are

A caution

Two men on the island.

men doing right to

which would make

have a character

God worse than a

devil, if he had it? I ask you. Children, you will often be tempted to sin and do wrong towards men and towards God; but I beg that you will not despise the holiness and the purity of God. It is a glorious part of his character. Suppose he were to create two men, and place them alone on a beautiful island, and tell them that they might do, and act, and feel, just as they pleased, and he would never call them to an account, and never punish them, do what they might. One of these men says he will curse, and swear, and steal, and murder his best friend, if he can get any thing by it.

says that he will not do so.

The other

He will be

Who are wrong, and why.

honest and kind, and do to all just as he would like to have them do to him. Which of these men would you respect, and which would you dislike? And suppose God should say that he did not care, and would treat them both alike, would you love and respect such a God? Oh, no! God is holy, and he ought to be, and we could not love him if he were not.

They are wrong, then-who despise holiness, and keep it out of their own hearts; for they shut out the brightest part of the character of the great and blessed God. All sin banishes holiness from the heart. Be afraid to sin.

They are wrong, who, because they see much sin in the world, charge God

Conclusion.

with it, as Adam did. God hates all

sin.

They are wrong, who think they love to have God holy, but who do not love to have his people holy, and despise them if they are.

They are wrong, who think they can and shall go to heaven just as they are, in all their sins, without religion, and without holiness. They forget that God has told them to be holy, and has said that "without holiness no man shall see the Lord," to enjoy him in his blessed kingdom. And to this let us all say, Amen.

LECTURE XI.

GOD IS GOOD.

"Oh how great is thy goodness — before the sons of men." Ps. xxxi. 19.

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A visiter-Paul and Barnabas-The sun-meaning of goodness-The oceans- The river-The little channels-The flower-Sheep and lamb-First thing that shows God to be good─A jewel-A palace-The king's servants-The curious inhabitant-The soul will not die- and why-The abode of man Adam and the creatures-The furniture of the dwellingWonderful provisions - Second thing showing that God is good-The sick father-The great mercy · God's distinguishing goodness-The captive-How the world redeemed-The Redeemer-The beautiful death -Pale corpse Third thing that shows God to be good-Wicked men - Human society preserved-A look into the church-A sinner redeemed-Prayer answered-Goodness of God not to be despised-Don't complain of your lot-Not to be proud-God's great care and goodness-Must imitate God's goodness— God to be trusted-Parting words to the little reader.

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