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that when he beholds the remains of his SERMON adversary deposited in the dust, feels not, in that moment, some relentings at the remembrance of those past animosities which mutually embittered their life?" There lies the man with whom I contended so

long, silent and mute for ever. He is fallen, and I am about to follow him. "How poor is the advantage which I now enjoy? Where are the fruits of all our contests? In a short time we shall be laid together; and no remembrance remain of either of us under the sun.

How many mistakes may there have "been between us? Had not he his vir"tues and good qualities as well as I?

When we both shall appear before the judgement-seat of God, shall I be found innocent and free of blame, for all the enmity I have borne to him?"My, friends, let the anticipation of such sentiments serve now to correct the inveteracy of prejudice, to cool the heat of anger, to allay the fierceness of resentment. How unnatural is it for animosities so lasting to possess the hearts of mortal men, that nothing can extinguish them but the cold VOL. III.

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hand

༣

SER MON hand of death? Is there

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not a sufficient proportion of evils in the short span of human life, that we seek to increase their number, by rushing into unnecessary contests with one another? When a few suns more have rolled over our heads, friends and foes shall have retreated together; and their love and their hatred be equally buried. Let our few days, then, be spent in peace. While we are all journeying onwards to death, let us rather bear one another's burdens, than harass one another by the way. Let us smooth and cheer the road as much as we can, rather than fill the valley of our pilgrimage with the hateful monuments of our contention and strife,

THUS I have set before you some of those meditations which are naturally suggested by the prevalence of death around us; by the death of strangers, of friends, and of enemies. Because topics of this na. ture are obvious, let it not be thought that they are without use, They require to be recalled, repeated, and enforced. Moral and religious instruction derives its efficacy not so much from what men are taught to

know,

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know, as from what they are brought to SERMON feel. It is not the dormant knowledge of any truths, but the vivid impression of them, which has influence on practice. Neither let it be thought that such meditations are unseasonable intrusions upon those who are living in health, in affluence, and ease. There is no hazard of their making too deep or painful an impression. The gloom which they occasion is transient; and will soon, too soon, it is probable, be dispelled by the succeeding affairs and pleasures of the world. Ta wisdom it certainly belongs that men should be impressed with just views of their nature and their state; and the pleasures of life will always be enjoyed to most advantage when they are tempered with serious thought. There is a time to mourn as well as a time to rejoice. There is a virtuous sor row," which is better than laughter. There is a sadness of the countenance, by which the heart is made better.

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SERMON VI.

On the PROGRESS of VICE.

I CORINTHIANS, XV. 33.

Be not deceived: Evil communications corrupt

good manners.

SERMON THOUGH human nature

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be now.

fallen from its original honour, several good principles still remain in the hearts of men. There are few, if any, on whose minds the reverence for a Supreme Being continues not, in some degree, impressed. In every breast, some benevolent affections are found, and conscience still retains a sense of the distinction between moral good and evil. These principles of virtue are always susceptible of improvement; and, in favourable situations, might have a happy influence on practice. But such is the frailty of our nature, and so numerous are

the

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the temptations to evil, that they are in SERMON perpetual hazard of being either totally effaced, or so far weakened as to produce no effect on conduct. They are good seeds originally sown in the heart; but which require culture, in order to make them rise to any maturity. If left without assistance, they are likely to be stifled by that profusion of noxious weeds which the soil sends forth around them.

Among the numerous causes which introduce corruption into the heart, and accelerate its growth, none is more unhappily powerful than that which is pointed out in the text, under the description of evil communications; that is, the contagion which is diffused by bad examples, and heightened by particular connections with persons of loose principles, or dissolute morals. This, in a licentious state of society, is the most common source of those vices and disorders which so much abound in great cities; and often proves, in a particular manner, fatal to the young; even to them whose beginnings were once auspicious and promising. It may therefore be an useful employment of attention, to trace the progress