was the consequence? God reject- is which is approved. When God ed them, and gave them over to a created man, it was in his own reprobate mind, to do those things image, and after his own likeness; which are not convenient; and the and when men are created anew in necessary result of such rejection Christ Jesus, who is the image of was, that they became "filled with God, they are said to put on a new all unrighteousness, fornication, nature, which is renewed in knowwickedness, covetousness, malici-ledge after the image of him who ousness, envy, murder, debate, created it: a mind, therefore, that deceit, malignity;" they became is approved by God, must be one "whisperers, backbiters, haters of that is renewed in knowledge: its God, despiteful, proud, boasters, views of the divine character must inventors of evil things, disobedi- be correct, and those views must ent to parents, without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful." Such were the effects produced by idolatry among the ancients, and such we maintain to be the effects produced by it in modern times. We are blamed by some as describing the vices of the heathen in language too highly coloured; but what language can be stronger than that employed by the apostle? We only say that the same in its full extent is still applicable, and let those who object to it, first show that idolatry, by perpetuating its mischiefs and miseries for nearly two thousand years longer, has grown better in its influence than it was in the days of the apostle.

The object of this discourse will be, to give a description of the state of the heathen--and to consider what effect this view of their state ought to have upon us.

I. The state of the heathen is described by the apostle under two heads. They are possessed of a reprobate mind; and they do the things that are not convenient: under these may be included all the vices of their hearts and lives. First, They have a reprobate mind. The term reprobate signifies disapproved, and its meaning may perhaps, in the present instance, be best ascertained by considering what sort of a mind that

have a holy and transforming influence. In proportion as any one is possessed of a knowledge of the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, he will have an approved mind; and in proportion as he is destitute of this knowledge, he will have a reprobate mind. This being the standard by which we are to judge, it will be easy to shew from the profound ignorance of the natives of India on all divine subjects, that they are given over to a reprobate mind. For the sake of illustration, we may notice their ignorance of the Divine Being, of the plan of salvation, and of an eternal world.

1. The notions of the heathen concerning God are various and discordant. Sometimes they profess that we can know no more about him than the blind do about colours; and at other times they discourse with as much boldness on the subject, as though they were acquainted with it in its full extent.

The supposition that qualities both vicious and virtuous reside in all their gods, makes sin appear very trifling in their estimation, and tends to confound all the distinctions between vice and virtue. When they look at the sins committed by them, they regard them as a piece of diversion, and this lessens in their estimation the turpitude of vice, and leads them to

think little of those crimes which with their merits; and the greatest are sanctioned by such examples. felicity they can obtain by these, is The effect produced upon their a residence in the heaven of the practice by such views must be gods for a limited duration, and an pernicious, as it can never be ima-indulgence in sensual delights durgined that they will strive to be ing that period; after which they more virtuous than the gods whom must return to the world again, and they worship.

to all the miseries which flesh is heir to. How truly may they be said to be given over to a reprobate mind, who are thus ignorant of God, of the plan of salvation, and of an eternal world!

2. Correct views of the divine character are at the foundation of all true religion, and an error in these must be attended with consequent errors in the superstructure of which these are the basis.- Second, Our text states, that in Hence mistaken views of God lead addition to having a reprobate to mistaken views concerning the mind, they do those things which plan of salvation. This is strik- are not convenient. Their pracingly exemplified in the ideas which tice corresponds with the state of the heathen entertain of salvation. their knowledge, and the state of They depend upon works of merit. their hearts: and the total absence The ceremonies performed with a of holiness, and the unceasing view to acquiring merit are of va- commission of crime in their generious kinds, such as bathing in the ral deportment, are substantial Ganges, repeating the name of proofs that their minds are reproGod, counting over a string of bate. It would be impossible for beads, making offerings of rice us to dwell on all the particular and flowers to the gods, building things done by them which are not ghauts and temples, and giving convenient, as that would require something to the poor: by one or us to comment on all the vices other of these means they seek enumerated by the apostle in the to lay up a stock of merit for an- context. Their lying and lust, other world, and on this they place their covetousness and cruelty, all their hopes of salvation. They will furnish enough to illustrate the have no idea of the mercy of God subject, and from these it will not without works, or of the forgive-be difficult to form an estimate of ness of sin unless expiated by their the rest. sufferings, or of the possession of heaven except as the reward of their merits. In all these things they evince the most lamentable proofs of a reprobate mind.

Their lying.-The character of a people must always be in accordance with the things they believe. The Hindoos believe tales the most monstrous and absurd. The Shas3. Ignorance in the use of means ters, which they use as their Bible, implies ignorance of the end to be are filled with the most idle roattained. When we consider the mances; yet they receive these as nature of that bliss after which the truth; and what wonder that they heathen aspire, we may cease to who receive such monstrous lies, wonder at the plans which they should be themselves given to lyhave devised for its acquisition. ing? This crime extends to a most Their highest devotees aim at ab- alarming degree. They consider sorption in the Deity. Those who the sin to consist, not in lying, but seek salvation by their works ex-in being detected in their lie; and pect such bliss as shall correspond even that they regard as a very

trivial matter. This sin prevails and the total want of reverence

from children to their parents.Who can look on all this, and not say that "they do those things which are not convenient?"

Their covetousness must also

the

in all classes, and in all their civil, commercial, and even domestic pursuits. So much does it prevail in civil life, that in the courts of judicature it is almost impossible to get at the truth, or to administer be noticed. If, in the language of justice. In mercantile concerns, the apostle, it is said that " it is their constant rule to ask twice covetous man is an idolater," we as much as they mean to take; shall not wonder that all idolaters and, after telling many lies as to its are covetous. They believe that value, and what it cost them, they money is every thing, both for this will sell the article for one-third world and the next. They can less than they at first demanded. purchase every sensual indulgence In fact, their word cannot be taken, for money on earth, and they supexcept in cases where their own pose heaven to offer nothing betprofit is not concerned: in all ter. When they are urged to beother cases they give you just such come Christians, it is not uncoman answer as they suppose will mon for them to say, "Give us please you best. This is one of fine houses, and plenty of gold, the things they do "which are not and we will become Christians." convenient;" (and the inconveni- They know that, having money, ences of this practice are almost they can perform many expensive endless. So are those which arise rites, and they suppose that by from performing these they can rise to The free and unrestrained indul-heaven itself; in fine, that there is gence of vicious appetites and pro- no joy in earth or heaven which pensities. The sins specified are the they cannot obtain through this very sins which they commit. I sovereign medium. They will subhave gone through this chapter mit to any thing, however base with the Pundits, and have found, and mean, for money. They have from their own confession, that this a proverb in constant use among is really the case. The crime them, which plainly shews their which by the law of Moses was opinion on this point-"For mopunished with death, is, by the in-ney, men will bear a mountain ; 'stitutes of Menu, sanctioned.- but without it they will not move a They are confirmed in these crimes straw." It is contrary to the diby the climate, by their early mar-rections of their Shasters for any riages, by their laws and institu- Brahmin to become the servant of tions, and by the practices of their a foreigner, for they call foreigners gods and goddesses; and when barbarians; and yet, for the sake these vices are confirmed by habit, of acquiring gain, there is not a maintained by law, and sanctioned priest among them but will acby the highest authority, what knowledge a barbarian for his wonder if they be carried to a most master. Hence, in visiting famienormous extent? Hence the rich lies, they will eagerly seize on that confine their women in their houses, which is not their own. They will like so many dungeons; hence, offer up prayers to the goddess amongst the lower classes, fidelity Kalee, to be assisted in their debetween man and wife is rarely to predations on the property of be found; hence endless animosi- others; and it is in the knowledge ties and hatred amongst families; of him who now addresses you,

that in one instance, in which these widow has taken the head of the prayers were supposed to be un- deceased on her lap, and has given answered, the goddess herself was the token that she is ready, he robbed of all her ornaments. takes the torch, and kindles the pile which is at once to burn the father that begat him, and the mother that bare him. Her horrid shrieks are drowned by the shouts of the people and the noise of drums; and the multitude return home as delighted as if they had been at a feast. Behold all this in imagination, as many have done in reality, and then say if the heathen be not "given over to a reprobate miud, to do those things which are not convenient."

II. Reflections upon vices like the foregoing, ought to produce some effect upon our minds, and in pursuance of our subject, we shall now consider what that effect ought to be.

Lastly, the cruelties they practise. These, indeed, are so numerous, that it will be impossible for me to mention all. I will confine myself to the mention of a few of which I have been eye-witness. Some of these cruelties they practise on themselves, and some they practise on others. Some of them are negative, others are positive. In many cases they will see misery and distress, without moving to afford the least relief: they will see the house of a neighbour consumed, and all his property destroyed, without offering him the least assistance. But why should I mention this negative kind of cruelty? Look at their positive cruelties. Instead of visiting their sick relatives, and comforting and supporting them, they take them from their homes-from all that is dear to them-down to the banks of the river; they immerse them in the water up to their chin; they fill their ears and their mouths with mud, and so hasten their ruin. In the streets of Calcutta I have seen men fastened to a long pole, by hooks passed through the integuments of their backs, and then swing round by a rope with a swiftness which deprived them. of their reason. Some have iron spits run through their tongues, or sticks passed through their sides. But the greatest of all their cruelties is the burning of widows. The son has his mother taken from her home, and after performing certain ablutions by the river's side, she is taken to the funeral pile, round which she is made to pass seven times. She is then conducted, in the coarsest manner, to her seat on the pile. Her cruel son makes himself ready; and when the poor what a pitch of enmity against God

1. In the first place, we ought to learn from the state of the heathen, how evil and how dangerous a thing it is, to resist the light which God has given us. If we banish him from our thoughts, we must expect that he will cast us off from his presence. How came the Gentiles to sink into this state of moral degradation? It was through their not liking to retain God in their knowledge, from which we learn, that to banish God from our thoughts is a great sin. We all acknowledge that the Divine Being is just and if so, the calamities into which he has suffered the heathen to fall on account of this sin, is a proof that it is an exceedingly great one. What sin can be greater than the desire not to retain even one thought of God in our minds? He must be our most inveterate enemy whose name we do not wish once to cross our minds; and on whose person and character we cannot bear to reflect even for a moment. To

that we shall never see his rest? Let the example of the heathen impress upon us a holy dread and salutary caution.

must men arrive, before they can | may be the consequence, and whesay, No God! no God! Such a ther God, provoked by our condisposition, left to operate to its duct, may not swear in his wrath, full extent, would dethrone the Eternal, and involve the universe in perpetual anarchy! When men go to such lengths of iniquity, what must be done? It becomes 2. While we guard against the necessary for God to give them sin which has brought upon the over to a reprobate mind, that their heathen so much darkness and dissubsequent experience may exhibit tress, let us learn to be grateful the folly of their conduct; that for our superior situation and prithey may receive from themselves vileges. Some have argued, that the just punishment of their sin, if our greater blessings bring in being made to eat the fruit of greater responsibilities, and the their own doings; and that their heathen can be saved by the light example may serve as a beacon to of nature without the Gospel, then others, to guard against the dan- their condition being equal to ours, gerous rock on which they split. we have no ground to boast of our Let not any one, therefore, think it superior advantages, or to seek hard in God thus to give them their improvement. But the quesover. You may beseech a man tion is, Can the heathen be saved who is your enemy to be recon- without the Gospel? If they can, ciled, but if after all means have the objection is valid. It is of no been used, his hatred still continues use for us here to speculate on so great that he cannot bear even possibilities, we must appeal to to think of you, you must give actual experience: and where was him up, and leave him to himself. there a Gentile nation ever known, Thus God has given up the hea- that found the way of life without then to a reprobate mind, and to the Gospel? How many ages have do the things that are not conve- the nations of the East tried to find nient. this way without success? How If the not liking to retain God many years did the learned Greeks in their thoughts has brought upon and Romans seek without being them such miseries, then we infer able to find it? With all their wisthat the same crime in us, who have dom they knew not God, or when much greater light, will be attend- they did know him, glorified him ed with consequences still more not as God. We do not take upon aggravated. Do we wish then to us to say that no one amongst avoid, as the greatest of all evils, them ever was saved, but this we being given over by God to a re- maintain, that few, if any, ever probate mind? Let us take care were; and if ever such instances that we retain the knowledge of did occur, they were saved in conhim in our thoughts, that we set sequence of the atonement and him always before our eyes, and intercession of Christ, and would dread, more than death itself, the have prized, above all wealth, the idea of being given over to the knowledge of the Gospel. But devices of our own hearts. When while we are in uncertainty reconvictions of the importance of specting the salvation of a single religion are impressed upon us, let individual from among all the Genus tremble at the thought of smo- tile nations, we are certain of the thering them. Who can say what | salvation of thousands, even from