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When we speak of principles and rules of life, which every one knows and every one believes, by which the young and the old, the learned and the ignorant, the prince and the labourer, are regulated, and these principles and rules of life are false, or only true in part, the mischief thence arising is incalculable, is immense. These are "plants which the heavenly Father hath not planted."

I. Most men are of opinion, that we cannot pass a day without sinning and acting wickedly.

II. We think we cannot be perfect; and with this we not unfrequently excuse all the sins and errors we commit, however various and gross.

III. We argue that we should merrily enjoy life, particularly youth, which so rapidly passes by; we should not embitter it by unseasonable gravity, by unnecessary sorrow or care. This may be true, but the consequences drawn from it with reference to virtue and religion are false.

IV. We say, We are after all, weak naturally corrupt beings, of whom not much is to be expected, and whom God, in His mercy, will not judge with rigour.

V. We say, We should not be particular; we should not aspire to be wiser and better than others. We should regulate ourselves by the persons and the societies, in which and with whom we live.

VI. We have false conceptions concerning daily repentance. How frequent we hear it said: "If I sin every day, I however repent every day, and at any rate we must repent daily." VII. It is imagined that a certain devotion, or rather, certain acts of Divine worship can supply the defect of a virtuous life, or atone for the disorderly life we lead, and the sins which we commit. Or,

VIII. We rely upon Divine grace, and by it hope to be saved, though we are not so virtuous and holy as we ought to be.

(Zollikoper.)

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KJV: But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.

WEB: But he answered, "Every plant which my heavenly Father didn't plant will be uprooted.