Page:Sermons on the Ten Commandments.djvu/15

 be somewhat more fully explained. It is to be understood, that the end in view gives character to all the thoughts and acts, because the end which man has before his mind, is the inmost principle with him. Now, when a man does anything merely for the purpose of advancing himself in the world, then, as to that action, self and the world are his inmost principles and ends, and consequently such act is a merely selfish one, however good it may appear. So, when, in refraining from any evil action, his end is merely to avoid civil and social penalties, such as punishment for violation of law, or the loss of character and standing in society, then, his ends being merely natural and worldly, such refraining does not make the man spiritual, nor is he any better at heart; he only appears better before the world. The stream cannot rise higher than the fountain: his end being merely natural and external, the good which he does is merely natural, not spiritual; and in such case, either doing good or refraining from evil has no effect on the interiors of his spirit,—and contributes nothing to his salvation. But when, in doing good or in refraining from evil, a man thinks of God and heaven,—when he refrains from an evil act because it is a sin against God, when he strives to do what is right because God commands it, and because that is the path that leads to heaven, then, by every such act, his spirit is brought into communication with heaven, and is conjoined with the Lord; and thus he becomes inwardly purified from evil, and filled with good, and so is regenerated and saved.