people of all ranks, and all ages? — And even gray hairs, whose sober example and manners ought to check the extravagant sallies of the thoughtless, gay, and inexperienced, too often totter under the same costly ornaments, and join the general riot. Where vanity, like this, governs the heart, even charity will allow us to suppose, that a consciousness of their inability to pursue greater excesses, is the only vexation of spirit. — In truth, the observation falls in with the main intention of the dis

course,

which is not framed to flatter your

follies, but plainly to point them out, and show you the general corruption of manners, and want of religion; which all men see, - and which the wise and good so much lament.

But the inquirer will naturally go on, and say, that though this representation does not answer his expectations, that undoubtedly we must have profited by these lessons in other respects; — that though we have not approved our understanding in the sight of GOD, by a virtuous use of our misfortunes, to true wisdom; - that we must have improved them, however, to political wisdom; - so that he would say, though the English do not ap

pear to be a religious people,

they are at least a loyal one; They have so often felt the scourge of rebellion, and have tasted so much sharp fruit from it, as to have set their teeth on edge for ever. — But, good GOD! how would he be astonished to find,

that though we have been so often tossed to and fro by our own tempestuous humours, that we were not yet sick of the storm; that though we solemnly, in every return of this day, lament the guilt of our forefathers in staining their hands in blood, we never once think of our principles and practices, which tend the same way :- and though the providence of GOD has set bounds, that they do not work as much mischief, as in days of distraction and desolation, little reason have we to ascribe the merit thereof to our own wisdom; so that, when the whole account is stated betwixt us, and there seems nothing to prevent the application of the words in the text;-that our iniquities are increased over our heads, and our trespass is grown up unto the heaven. Since the days

of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day;- and though it is fit and becoming that we weep for them, 'tis much

more so, that we weep for ourselves, that we lament our own corruptions, and the little advantages we have made of the mercies or chastisements of GOD, or from the sins and provocations of our forefathers.

This is the fruit we are to gather, in a day of such humiliation;—and unless it produces that for us, by a reformation of our manners, and by turning us from the error of our ways, the service of this day is more a senseless insult upon the memories of our ancestors, than an honest design to profit by their mistakes and misfortunes, — and to become wiser and better from our reflections upon them.

Till this is done, it avails little, though we pray fervently to God not to lay their sins to our charge whilst we have so many remaining of our own. — Unless we are touched for ourselves, how can we expect he should hear our cry? It is the wicked corruption of a people which they are to thank for whatever natural calamities they feel; this is the very state we are in, which by disengaging Providence from taking our part, will always leave a people exposed to the whole force of accidents, both from within and without :- and however statesmen may dis

pute about the causes of the growth or decay of kingdoms, it is for this cause, a matter of eternal truth, that as virtue and religion are our only recommendation to GOD, that they are, consequently, the only true basis of our happiness and prosperity on earth. And however we may shelter ourselves under distinctions of party, that a wicked man is the worst enemy the state has; —- and for the contrary, it will always be found, that a virtuous man is the best patriot, and best subject the king has. And though an individual may say, what will my righteousness profit a nation of men? - I answer, if it fail of a blessing here (which is not likely), it will have one advantage, it will save thy own soul, and give thee that peace at the last, which this world cannot take away.

all.

Which GOD, of his infinite mercy, grant us Amen.

SERMON XXXIII

EVIL

Despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and not knowing that the goodness of GOD

long-suffering,

leadeth thee to repentance?- ROMANS Xi. 4.

So says St. Paul.

And

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily; therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. ECCLESIASTES Viii. 11.

TA

AKE either as you like it, you will get nothing by the bargain.

"Tis a terrible character of the world, which Solomon is here accounting for, that their hearts were fully set in them to do evil. — And the general outcry against the wickedness of the age, in every age, from Solomon's down to this, shows but too lamentably what grounds have all along been given for the complaint.

The disorder and confusion arising in the affairs of the world from the wickedness of it, being ever such, so evidently seen, so severely felt, as naturally to induce every one who was a spectator or a sufferer, to give the