SERMON XXIV.

EPHESIANS IV. 14, 15, 16.-That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive: but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

IN the preceding verses, the Apostle observes, that Christ instituted the gospel ministry, for the edification of his body, the church, until we all come, in the unity of the faith and knowledge of Christ, unto a perfect man. Wherein this complete manhood consists, and by what means we must endeavour to attain it, he instructs us in the words which have been read.

Christian maturity is a steady belief of, and obedience to the gospel, in opposition to fickleness and inconstancy. The way in which we are to obtain and preserve this maturity is union with Jesus Christ, from whom the whole body of believers, compacted and cemented together by every joint of supply, according to its power in the proportion of every part, maketh increase of the body to the edifying of itself in love.

The Apostle here describes the perfect man, or mature

Christian, both negatively and positively. He is not a child tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine. But he is one, who, having embraced and professed the truth with a real love of it, grows up into Christ in all things.

We will, first, consider the negative part of this description.

Christ instituted the gospel ministry, that believers, arriving to maturity in faith and knowledge, should no more be children, tossed to and fro, and driven about with every wind, by the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

Several metaphors are here used to express that weakness and versatility, which some discover, and which honest Christians, under the ministry of the word, will endeavour to outgrow.

1. Christians must not remain children.

In humility, meekness and teachableness let them be children; but in understanding, constancy and fortitude they should be men. While, as new-born babes, they desire the sincere milk of the word, let them so use it as to grow thereby.

"Call no man your father on earth," says our Lord, "for one is your Father in heaven." Father in heaven." Children have but little knowledge, and but a weak judgment. They are guided more by the opinions of others, than by personal conviction. They may be led right or wrong, according as the examples which they see, and the counsels which they hear, are good or evil. They believe hastily, and act implicitly. They are governed by passion more than reason, by feeling more than judgment. Now, in distinction from this childish temper, be ye fully persuaded in your own minds. Judge for yourselves what is right. Prove all things, and hold fast that which is good. Make

the word of truth, not the opinions of men, the rule of

your faith and conduct. Follow no man blindly, but look well to your goings. Judge of truth and error, of right and wrong, not by your occasional feelings or the current of your affections; but by the calm and sober exercise of your understanding.

2. The Apostle cautions us, that we be not tossed to and fro, like a ship rolling on the waves. "He that wavereth," says Saint James, "is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. The double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." In opposition to this unstable, fluctuating temper, we are required to "hold fast the profession of our faith, without wavering."

The man who, without principle, knowledge and judgment, assumes the high profession of the Christian, may appear steady in a calm season: but, in times of temptation, he will be like a ship without pilot, anchor or ballast, tossed about by the power of a tempest. He is at the mercy of every rude gust. He is driven in any direction, as the wind happens to blow. He is elevated high, or sunk low, as the waves rise or fall. He makes no port; but floating at large, on the troubled element, he is, every moment, in danger of shipwreck.

The Christian, who embarks for the heavenly world, must consider, that the ocean on which he sails, is subject to changing winds, and perilous storms. He must not promise himself smooth waters, soft gales and clear skies; but go provided for all kinds of weather. The word of truth must be his compass, and faith his pilot; hope must be his anchor, and knowledge and good works his ballast; prudence must keep the watch, and sober reason hold the helm. Thus he may sail with safety in all seasons.

3. We must not be carried about with every wind of doctrine.

False doctrines, like winds, are blustering and unsteady. They blow from no certain point; but in all directions; and they frequently, and sometimes suddenly, shift their course. They make great noise and bustle, disturb the atmosphere, and, by their violent motions, they spread confusion and ruin. Light bodies are easily taken up and driven about by every wind that blows. The gale which cleanses the wheat, disperses the chaff. The deep rooted oak stands firm in its place, while the dry leaves beneath it are caught up, wafted around, and made the sport of every gust. So the sincere Christian, rooted and grounded in the truth, and grown up to maturity in faith and knowledge, is steadfast in his religion, whatever storms may assault him. He remains in his place, whatever winds may blow. But the light and chaffy Christian; the hypocritical unprincipled professor, is easily carried about by divers and strange doctrines. He shifts his course and changes his direction, as the wind of popular opinion happens to drive.

If we would be constant in our religion, we must be rooted in faith and love.

4. The Apostle warns us, that we are in danger from the sleight of men, and the cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

The true ministers of Christ use great plainness of speech, and by manifestation of the truth commend themselves to the consciences of men. Corrupt teachers use sleight and craft, that they may ensnare the simple, and decoy the unsuspecting, and thus make proselytes to their party.

Christians should beware of evil workers, and watch against their dishonest arts. That they may escape the

dangers to which they are exposed in corrupt times, they must attend to the plain and obvious precepts and doctrines of the gospel, make these their rule, and consent to no opinion, or practice inconsistent with them, however plausibly it may be recommended. They must furnish themselves with such knowledge in divine things, as to discern the designs, and escape the artifice of evil men and seducers.

That Christians may the better secure themselves from seduction, the gospel has warned them of the various crafts of those who lie in wait for them.

Deceivers come in sheep's clothing; with an ostentation of uncommon humility, meekness and heavenliness; but inwardly, they are ravening wolves, whose real aim is to scatter and devour the sheep.

They are deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ, and ministers of righteousness; and thus corrupting men from the simplicity that is in Christ; even as Satan transformed himself into an angel of light, and through his subtilty beguiled Eve from her fidelity to God. Like him, they make cautious advances, not alarming men, at first, by the grossest errors; but leading them along, step by step, from smaller errors to greater. Thus they wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

They practise not their arts directly on those, who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil; but they beguile unstable souls, deceive the hearts of the simple, creep into houses and lead captive the more tender sex, and, by their means, subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.

Such teachers discover a peculiar malignity against the true ministers of Christ. Paul speaking to the Galatians