would a filthy garment, or any thing that is disgustful and unclean. It is very common with men to swear by the creatures, or to make assertions, for instance, upon their life, upon their soul, and, even upon their word, and honour, which is scarcely more wise than to swear by a shadow. And these expressions are perfectly consistent with the politeness and refinement of the world; and are sometimes heard from those who profess to receive. the gospel. But it is certain, that such persons are not well informed in the doctrine of Christ; for the practice is decidedly condemned by him in the fifth chapter of Matthew. It prevailed much among the Jews, who, to avoid perjury, and the profanation of the name of God, used to swear by heaven, by the earth, or by their head. But, said the Divine Teacher, I say unto you, Swear not at all, neither by heaven; for it is God's throne.— Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, &c. Now it is clear, that to swear upon my soul is as much an oath as to swear upon, or by my head; it is also an idolatrous oath, for it is to swear by that which is not God. The practice may be fairly ascribed to the proneness of mankind to idolatry, or to honour the creature more than the Creator. For an oat his an act of religious worship, and is to be made only in the name of the true God; and should be both administered and taken with fear and trembling. "Thou shalt fear the Lord thy. God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."* The command of Christ therefore "not to swear at all" must, I conceive, be restricted to the subject specified, or to the practice of swearing by the creatures, which he there condemns. But another * Deut. vi. 13. alarming consideration is, that by this impious custom perjury may be committed, on account of the relation of the creatures to the Creator. For to swear by them is, by implication, to swear by Him, from whose all-pervading, all-sustaining presence and control they cannot be separated, "He" therefore" that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon,"* This also may account for the uncommon earnestness with which the apostle James, in his fifth chapter, has introduced the subject, where he warns us above all things not to swear by any creature;' because, as I conceive, he knew it to be an idolatrous act, and frequently involving perjury. The language which Christians are to use, in reference to this subject, is prescribed by Christ himself, who has given us a short rule, easy to be understood, and expressed with a beautiful simplicity: "Let your communication be, yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more, than these cometh of evil." When you affirm, or deny any thing, let it be in the simplest forms of affirmation, or denial, and, if needful, with repetition: for whatsoever is more than these proceeds from evil, or from the wicked one. Be careful to let the light you have received shine in your domestic character, " that you may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things." When others observe that your religion makes you diligent and faithful, and secures peace and good order in all domestic relations, they will, we may hope, think well of the gospel, and glorify God. The mouths of opposers also will, by such conduct be stopped; for they will be ashamed to speak against that which renders you better and happier than others, who are living without it. Every Christian family should be a nursery for God, where the plants of grace take root, and grow up, and diffuse around them the fragrance of divine knowledge, and of a good example; so that, when the members of the household are removed to other situations, they may each form a similar nursery, with the same blessed and salutary effects. But if professors of the gospel are not careful to maintain Christian principles in their domestic charge, but allow misrule and disorder to prevail, they give lamentable proof that they themselves are strangers to the privileges and enjoyments of the household of God, and that his fear is not before their eyes. The determination of David is exemplary: "I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside, it shall not cleave to me. Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house; he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." To you, who preside in families, I say, let all about you be convinced that you cannot endure what is evil, either in yourselves, or in those under your care; but that you love and pray for them, and daily seek their good. Every Christian master should keep in mind, that he is a steward, that the trust reposed in him is weighty, and that he must give an account of his stewardship to God. There is one relative duty, which claims more * Ps. ci. particular attention, on account of its influence both on the present age, and on generations yet to come; and because it is, almost universally, either neglected, or little understood. Let us imagine, for a few moments, that we hear a father, who, when presenting a Bible to his child, addresses him in these words: 'I am thankful, my dear child, 'that God enables me to put this Book into your 'hands, and that you are able to read it. Were it in my power to give you the largest estate in the 'kingdom, its value would be less than nothing, (when compared with this Book. For the words of 'it were given by inspiration of God, and are all !founded in perfect wisdom, truth, and purity, with'out any mixture of error, or taint of human weak'ness and corruption. Take it then as your only safe guide, and source of comfort in life and 'death. And remember, it is the revelation of Je'sus Christ the Saviour of sinful men, who most 'sweetly invites you to come to, and learn of him; 'and because your natural inclinations are all de'praved, he commands you to mortify them, to deny 'yourself, and to follow him, that is, to walk by his 'precepts, and after the perfect example he has set 'you. My duty also as a father is here enjoined 'me, which is to train you up in obedience to his 'will: and I forewarn you, that so far as my au'thority and power extend, I neither can, nor will 'allow you to walk contrary to it; because, in so 'doing, I should disobey God, and shew myself, in reality, your enemy. Learn then to think, and 'live by the word of God; and you will never want 'the best advice in all difficulties, the sweetest consolation in trouble, and a sure protection from 'danger; for God himself will be with you, as 6 6 your shield, and exceeding great reward. But should you fall into the common error of setting up your own wisdom, or what is falsely so called 'by the world, that you may please men, and have 'your portion in this life, know for a certainty, that 'God will be against you, your way will be dark 'and full of snares, your portion vanity and vexation ' of spirit, and your end everlasting misery, where 'the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.' And now, my brethren, I would ask, what reflections would you make, if you were to witness a scene of this nature? For my own part, were I to hear such words from the lips of a father to his child, I should not hesitate to say, here, at least is one parent, who knows how to educate his children. But where shall we find parents of this description-who are more anxious that their children should get the victory over the world than obtain a portion in it-who strive to convince them that to obey the gospel of Christ is the one thing needful, the first concern, the all-important object of every day's pursuit; and who carefully use the means, and follow the directions which God himself has given for this very purpose? To say that they commonly fail in these particulars would be saying too little the fact is, that they usually take an opposite course, The lively oracles of God are passed by, as of small account; and the dead rudiments of the world, who know him not, are resorted to with promptitude and confidence. A leading point of Christian doctrine is self-denial; but one of the first principles the young are now taught to cherish is the pleasure of self-indulgence. Submission to superiors is indispensably necessary to the well |