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LECTURE XXXIII.

DOUBLE-MINDEDNESS.

JAMES i. 8.

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways."

THE short contribution of the apostle James to the collection of sacred scriptures is exceedingly remarkable for the bold and prominent exposure of the principles of human nature, as brought out in its practical modes and aspects of exhibition. He gives us the impression of his intimately inspecting real men, by classes and individuals;-of his having, somewhat like Socrates, met them, arrested them, examined them near and close,-and shaped his descriptions, lessons, lectures, and reproofs, on what was palpably before his sight. And as this was done under the fresh and penetrating light of Christianity, and with a severe application of its principles, the judgments incomparably exceed, in rectitude, in radical exposure, and in authority, all heathen wisdom.

He is remarkable for the grave force of single strokes of description and censure. Our text

exhibits and condemns a character, in a very few words, with a directness and clearness which leave no doubt that he had been actually looking at such a man. And we may observe that, at that time, in the commencing contest of Christianity with the whole world of evil, such an equivocal, undecided, half-andhalf man, if he made any pretensions to be for the cause of Christ, must have appeared a sadly ill-constructed creature. Of all things on earth, he would not do for a Christian. For that character and service a very different man indeed was wanted. But not now, neither, will this doubleminded man be of any value to himself, to men, or to God.

Let us see whether the character thus briefly described in the text, may not admit of some useful illustration. And we would attempt it in the following order. First; (though it may be questioned whether this should be the first in order,) two or three general observations to show what a disadvantageous, what an unhappy state of mind it is. Secondly; a few particular exemplications of it. Thirdly; a brief suggestion of the means of remedy.

First, we have to observe on the miserable disadvantage, inefficiency, and, we may say, worthlessness, of such a state of mind for anything great and good. "Double-minded," "unstable in all" things. The words instantly convey the idea of a man disabled in the exercise of his powers,-whose principles are undecided,-who has no steady aim,-whose purposes are confused, whose efforts have not the consistency and perseverance to be availing. "Un

stable as water, he shall not excel." A man, "between two opinions," must "halt."

Now, connect this with the consideration of the feebleness of the human powers at the best. Let those powers be in their best order, and exerted in the most steady, constant, and consistent manner possible, and even then, how slow and toilsome is the progress to any good,-what a labour to overcome difficulties,-what unsuccessfulness, and repetition of efforts,-how little, comparatively, accomplished, in acquiring any personal improvement, or in effecting social good. The most vigorous have mourned and been mortified, to see how little they had done; the most determined servants of God have confessed that they were “unprofitable servants." Think of this, and then look at the man who expends his strength in frustrating his own exertions, whose purposes and efforts do little more than counteract one another.

Again, connect the idea of this character with that of the shortness of life; short, in the most protracted instances,-shorter still, in the far greater number. And how much of this inevitably consumed in little cares and occupations! and, in many instances, in grievances, pains, and languor! So that it is quite alarming to think how little space there is for the best exertions for the most important objects. But, then, what do we think of a state of the mind wholly unfit for any such exertions and purposes at all? A man deliberating, devising, designing, and perplexing and confounding his designs, and life is still hastening on ;-prosecuting a purpose a little while,

-and then, hesitating, stopping, life still going on! abandoning his design, — returning on his steps,— life still going forward;-attempting a different thing, -defeated again,-life still going;-trying to combine several things which cannot coalesce, the result a failure, yet life going on ;-for a while spiritless for everything,-life all the while passing away. Oh! if he could but see time hastening away!

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Think, again, what a dishonour and ignominy it is, for a man to be thus, as it were, his own opponent and frustrator. There is enough to oppose him,-to cross him, to obstruct him, from without, were he ever so vigorously prepared for the great operations of duty. But he has within him the causes of defeat. He cannot put in order the active principles and powers within the citadel of his soul, to sally out in force against the external difficulties and opposition. He has there opinion dissenting from opinion, -motive disagreeing with motive,-passion conflicting with passion,-purpose thwarting purpose. consciousness that he is powerless, and that if he attempt to act, he will accomplish nothing. It is justly that he has a sense of shame and self-contempt; for, how dishonourable a state is this, for a being who is summoned to the service of God, and the labours for immortality, that he is so occupied and exhausted in a wretched strife in his own self, while the mighty enterprise is presented before him, -while zealous saints are prosecuting their career, -while the grand cause of all nature is incessantly proceeding, -while angels are all fulfilling their sublime vocations!

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But, to carry the view outward; this doubleminded man, who has no simplicity and unity of purpose, think how unfortunate is his case, on account of the diversity and multiplicity of things there will be to distract his purposes, and frustrate his exertions. In this "double" condition of mind, he is liable to be arrested by a great number of things on either side. He is put, as it were, in relation to more kinds of difficulty,- of doubt, of temptation, of delusion,-of apprehension. A man who has an unity of spirit and design, is soon aware what kind of things he has most to apprehend,-to beware of, or to meet in opposition, and sees them straight before him. The man of divided spirit cannot know how much and variously he is exposed. He has, at the least, two men's motives, dispositions, difficulties, and temptations, as if one man's portion were not enough! He might look at two persons of very diverse dispositions and pursuits, and say, "Now I am both you, as to motives, desire of objects, and difficulties in the attainment of them, and, at the same time, I have not the single strength of either. Oh, that I could be the one or the other, and then I could prosecute a purpose, as each of you apart does. There is one class of objects presented to me,-attracts me,commands me; but when I think I am devoting myself that way, I find that another class, or another object, has seized hold of this other, this left-handed part of my nature, and is compelling me that way, and so I can go no way, but in a short movement soon to be drawn back." Now, think of such a being in such a world as this! In such wavering,-in such

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