4. Let us learn, lastly, to follow that direction of the great apostle, _Be not high-minded, but fear_. Let us fear sin, more than death or hell. Let us have a jealous (though not painful) fear, lest we should lean to our own deceitful hearts. _Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall._ Even he who now standeth fast in the grace of God, in the _faith_ that _overcometh the world_, may nevertheless fall into inward sin, and thereby _make shipwreck of his faith_. And how easily then will outward sin regain its dominion over him? Thou therefore, O man of God, watch always; that thou mayest always hear the voice of God. Watch that thou mayest pray without ceasing, at all times and in all places, pouring out thine heart before him. So shalt thou always believe, and always love, and never commit sin. SERMON XX. THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. JEREMIAH xxiii. 6. _This is his name, whereby he shall be called_, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1. HOW dreadful, and how innumerable are the contests, which have arisen about religion? And not only among the children of this world, among those who knew not what true religion was: but even among the children of God, those who had experienced _the kingdom of_ God _within them_, who had tasted of _righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost_? How many of these in all ages, instead of joining together against the common enemy, have turned their weapons against each other, and so not only wasted their precious time, but hurt one anothers spirits, weakened each others hands, and so hindered the great work of their common Master! How many of the weak have hereby been offended? How many of the _lame turned out of the way_? How many sinners confirmed in their disregard of all religion, and their contempt of those that profess it? And how many of _the excellent ones upon earth_ have been constrained to _weep in secret places_? 2. What would not every lover of God and his neighbour do, what would he not suffer to remedy this sore evil? To remove contention from the children of God? To restore or preserve peace among them? What but a good conscience would he think too dear to part with, in order to promote this valuable end? And suppose we cannot _make_ these _wars to cease in all the world_, suppose we cannot reconcile all the children of God to each other, however let each do what he can, let him contribute if it be but two mites, toward it. Happy are they who are able in any degree to promote _peace and good will among men_! Especially among good men: among those that are all listed under the banner of _the Prince of peace_; and are therefore peculiarly engaged, _as much as lies in them_, to _live peaceably with all men_.