But the rules of pastoral advice derive their obligation from the simplest forms of truth; were it otherwise, how would they meet the varied calls for choice and resolution which come forward in the course of human life? If the truth itself has no special period for the height and measure of its growth in human breasts, yet it has for its perpetual standard God’s own eternal attributes. In those perfections of the Deity, the sure test of truth is established. Our Lord’s apostle takes this ground; “He that cometh to God, must believe that he is;”—and observe what follows, “and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him;”—in which two particulars, the existence of God, and the never-failing characters of truth, wisdom, equity, and goodness in such expressions of his favour, the sure foundations of his moral government are laid, as well as the sum of every moral and religious obligation. This appears in all the articles of faith, and in all the acts of duteous service; it appears in all that God hath done for us in the great work of our redemption more especially, and in all that he requires of us in order to a future recompense. Let no vicissitude in things by which men are tried, but with a sure refuge under all events for the dutiful, tempt you for a moment to forget that the “ways of God are equal:” it was his own challenge to backsliding Israel, and the last result will not fail to confirm it. Let no light conceit at any time induce you to suppose that the great truths, upon which the hope of our salvation is built, may be regarded as things indifferent, for which another season may be found; or that such things, with all their convincing proofs and trains of evidence, are placed beyond our reach. Can we think that our Lord’s word is not verified, that, “Wisdom should be justified of her children?” And with respect more particularly to disingenuous pleas of difficulty, do we find the rules of faith and duty things so hard to be ascertained? Have we no sufficient traces of them in the light of conscience; in the bright tokens and communications of God’s own grace and solemn declarations, in the powers of right discrimination, without which there could be no reasonable choice of any thing that best deserves our compliance? Have we not (blessed be God!) the sacred, never-erring Word, which has been written for our learning, and for our sure direction in all things needful to salvation?