true that stands opposed to this statement? No. Can any doctrine be true which supposes that God either hates or will ever eternally torment any of his creatures? No. Is there a parent in the wide world, who could be brought to such a state of enmity against his offspring, as to throw them into eternal flames? God forbid! This, then, is the judgment seat before which the doctrines of men must appear. And every doctrine that does not square with the laws and the precepts of Christ, must and will come to nought. And, thanks be to God! the light of the gospel is progressing; and the human intellect is becoming enlightened; and men are becoming more and more philanthropic; and the doctrines which represent God as the enemy of his creatures, are consequently fast sinking into oblivion. They have been tried at the judgment seat of Christ; and they have been condemned.

My hearers, let us submit every thing to the judgment seat of Jesus. Let us ever stand before his bar. Let our professions, our feelings, our conduct, our doctrines, be tried by his law. Let every one propose the questions to his own heart, Are my feelings and motives consistent with the directions of the Saviour? Do I love and pray for my enemies? Am I willing to suffer, the just for the unjust?

My hearers, the principles of the Christian religion, properly understood and faithfully practised, are life, and peace, and joy. They afford the purest and most enduring happiness and comfort. But let us remember, that if we would realize those enjoyments, we must carefully hearken to the voice of the wisdom from above. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

SERMON IV.

Delivered in the Lombard Street Church, Sunday Morning,
November 9, 1834.

THE CRAFT AND CRIME OF ABSALOM.

"So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel."-2 SAM. XV. 6.

The language of the text embraces a subject which indicates great ingratitude in a son toward his father. It also indicates much subtlety in prosecuting an ungrateful and wicked design. It furnishes much admonition that we ought carefully to regard, to render us cautious how we are deceived by the false and artful pretensions of our fellow creatures.

Absalom, son of David, had, in former times, caused his father much trouble and distress. He had imbrued his hands in the blood of a brotheron account of which offence he was obliged to flee his country. He journeyed to Geshur, in Syria, where he abode, until his father, having become pacified toward him, was induced to recal him. The efforts of Joab, and the counsels of a wise woman of Tekoah, prompted David to this measure. Absalom returned to Jerusalem; but instead of becoming a dutiful son, instead of being grateful for past favours and present privileges, he undertook to supplant his father in the affections of the people, in order that he might eventually usurp the throne.

In the accomplishment of his object, he was even willing to drive the venerable king from his beloved Jerusalem, and cause him to become a fugitive and a stranger in a strange land.

The chapter in which the text is found, mentions the means that Absalom adopted to supplant his father in the affections of the people. He placed himself "beside the way of the gate, and when any man who had a controversy came to the king for judgment," Absalom was sure to meet him first, and make inquiry as to whence he came, and what was the nature of his controversy. And then he would say unto him, "See, thy matters are good and right-but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee"-thus intimating that David was inattentive to the interests of the people. And Absalom moreover would say, "O that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice"--thus artfully intimating, that he was the man who should be judge in the land-because he would see that justice was done to the people. By these means, he transferred to himself all the confidence previously reposed in the integrity of the king. But the work was not yet completed. Absalom desired the people to believe that he sincerely loved them" and when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel." His professions of love were designed to impress them with the conviction, that were he made judge in the land, he would not only see that

justice was done, but he would be the loving friend of the people!

Having thus stolen the hearts of the men of Israel-for theft it certainly was-and having carefully matured all his wicked designs, Absalom went to his father, and said, "I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the Lord shall bring me again to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord." This was the form in which Absalom laid his subject before the king. David was a pious man, and was willing that his son should go to Hebron to pay his vow to the Most High. And he said, "Go in peace." And Absalom went-but not to worship. He went to raise the standard of rebellion against his father! The trumpet, when first it sounded, proclaimed that Absalom reigned as king in Hebron!" And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom." David looked around him, and his eye rested upon a few veteran soldiers, who were at his command. And he said, "Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." This language of venerable David

is

very touching—it is almost enough to melt a heart of stone! He had nourished and brought up a favourite child-and that child had rebelled against him! Absalom stood in hostile attitude toward the lawful king of Israel. Ahithophel, David's counsellor, a man of much wisdom and experience, was also turned against him. This was another calamity.

David prayed that the counsel of Ahithophel might come to nought; and then, in company with his followers, he fled from the city, and crossed over Jordan.

By this time, Absalom had obtained possession of Jerusalem, and had collected great numbers of the men of Israel, whose hearts he had stolen, to fight against the king. Meanwhile David's army mightily increased. The commanders thereof were specially ordered to "deal gently with the young man, even with Absalom." A battle ensued in the wood of Ephraim; and the rebellion that originated in the fascinating words and kisses of Absalom, ended in a storm of war. Twenty thousand of the men of Israel were destroyed; Absalom lost his life; and David was restored to his authority in the land, though sorely distressed because of the rebellion and death of his son.

I have not been very minute in attending to the history of our subject; and as you are supposed to be familiar therewith, it is not necessary to be more particular. I have given you enough of the general outline, to show how necessary it is to guard against imposition from the foolish and intriguing pretensions of those who profess to love us. It is really astonishing how the men of Israel could trust a man whose professions of regard and attachment were so entirely hypocritical. But people love to be flattered; and flattery has such an effect on the mind, as frequently to draw it away from the principles of reason and justice. If the men of Israel had paused a moment to reason on the subject, they surely would not have been so cruelly deceived by the