portant article of conduct? Each of these questions, I apprehend, must receive an affirmative anfwer. And if fo, it not only follows, that mere knowledge cannot confer merit but also, that those who have imagined it could, have been abfurd enough to fuppofe, we might derive merit from that very thing, which, independent of virtuous principle, neceffarily implies criminality. IT should seem then to be the voice of truth, that esteem belongs only to virtue. And, that those who value themselves on their understanding, or their knowledge, are chargeable with inordinate felf-esteem, which is neither more nor less than Pride. Indeed it has been to me a matter of great wonder, fo frequently to fee understanding, genius, and science, placed in the same rank with moral excellence. But, if it be a mark of pride to attribute merit to ourselves, on account of any qualifications which are not of a moral nature, the over-rating thefe, at the fame time, is a mark of additional pride for we are guilty of this vice, when we efteem our real merits as being greater than they are *. Indeed, I am afraid the quan * Merit' is a word, which, in the ears of fome people, founds very harsh. It is very certain, however, that virtue and merit cannot be feparated; and very remarkable, that fome who cannot bear to hear merit attributed to any, will yet affirm, without hefitation, that feveral of their friends are very WORTHY men. Strange that perfors fhould be the dupes of fuch a palpable delufion. Is there no one on earth whom you esteem? More than one, I doubt not. And do they not merit it? If not, why then do you entertain fuch a refpect for them? I muft beg leave to fay, you could not do this, if you thought they did not merit it. And let it be observed, we are often told in fcripture, that the great God approves the quantity of virtue and merit in the world will appear to be much the virtue of good men. To mention only two inftances. The apoftle Peter fays in his first epiftle, that patiently to fuffer wrong for well doing, is thankworthy, and acceptable with God. And Paul advises the Hebrews to do good, and to communicate, for with fuch facrifices God is well pleased. Now I would hope there are but few, if any, fo prefumptuous as to say, that the all-perfect Deity approves of what doth not deServe his approbation. Every being merits esteem in proportion to his virtue. But I would not be misunderstood. Although the good man be approved of God on account of his virtue, he doth not, he cannot merit eternal life. This is the gift of God, through Jefus Chrift our Lord. lefs The lefs than is apprehended, wher we confider, that in judging of virtue, we must entirely subtract all that which (though called virtue) owes its birth to the mechanical influence of instinct, and happy circumstances. very effence of virtue is wife and virtuous choice. But where there is little or nothing of this, it is poffible that very plaufible things may be done, and very plaufible habits acquired. A confideration (by the way) which ought to prevail on us refolutely to choose, and steadily to persevere in a courfe of active and generous good |