norance or incapacity. But God, to whom the night fhineth as the day, knows the conviction of mind against which we fin; and our moft dexterous arts of concealment cannot fcreen us from his penetrating eye. A juft impreffion of this would prevent many fatal mistakes in our conduct.

I have now, for example, an opportunity of doing good and my confcience tells me, that I ought to improve it. On the other hand, I have many ftrong temptations to neglect it. It would put me to too much coft or trouble; it would involve me in a train of action against which my indolence revolts; or it would divert me from other employments more agreeable to my inclination. On which fide fhall I refolve? May I not fo manage it, that the neglect fhall escape the observation of my neighbour? Or if he fhould perceive it, may I not put a good face upon it, and find out fome excufe to fave me from his cenfure?-Ah! but here is the check. The Searcher of hearts knows my present conviction. In vain fhall I attempt to prevaricate with him. I may elude the cenfure of man; but I never can escape VOL. III.

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the

the juft judgement of that God who is gre greater than my heart, and knoweth all things. Such reafoning as this, if it were once become habitual to us, would be a conftant and powerful incitement to all holy obedience; and would prevent the deep guilt of neglecting to do good, even when we know the extent and obligation of the law of God, and are convinced that it is our duty to comply with it.

Having thus endeavoured to illuftrate and confirm the two propofitions contained in my text, I proceed now to the practical improvement of the fubject. And,

ist, This fubject administers a fharp reproof to thofe who, in any cafe, atteinpt to evade their convictions of duty. "To him "that knoweth to do good," faith the Apoftle," and doth it not, to him it is fin." For, confider what kind of difpofition this conduct betrays. Is it not evidently the difpofition of a flavish and mercenary mind? You do no more in the fervice of God than you fuppofe to be neceffary, in orde. to escape eternal mifery; and this is the only

+

only confileration which deters you from open tranfgreffions of his law. You have therefore no regard for him, but only a concern for your own fafety. Your plan of conduct is to offend God as far as you can, without incurring his vengeance: So that any appearance of goodnefs about you is nothing more than the effect of a natural timidity. Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwife? Doth this goodness challenge no better return from you, than merely to refrain from acts of open rebellion against him? Confider, I befeech you, the bafenefs and ingratitude of this conduct; and if your hearts retain any spark of ingenuity, you will furely be perfuaded to yield him a more faithful and generous fervice in time to come. But,

2dly, This fubject adminifters reproof alfo to the flothful and inactive fervant, who refts contented with low attainments in religion. You perhaps flatter yourself that although you are remifs in feeking out opportunities of doing good, yet you are not unfaithful to any known obligation. But in this cafe you greatly deceive yourself:

For, is it not a known obligation, that we

fhould aim at as much perfection as we are capable of attaining? But you have renounced this defire altogether. In other words, you have deliberately left off that work to which our Saviour hath expressly commanded us to devote ourselves. For, are not thefe his words?" Be ye perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect."-Once more,

What hath been faid on this fubject ought to quicken the zeal and activity even of thofe who have made the greatest progrefs in the good ways of God.

The declining state of religion calls loudly on all who are its real friends, to exert themselves to the utmost, in order to revive its influence in the world. Nothing, be affured, will be fo effectual for accomplishing this defireable object,, as the bright and exemplary lives of profeffing Christians. Are you then zealous for the glory of God? be" zealous of good works." Let it appear that your religion gives authority to your confcience, by your being more juft, and humane, and generous than other men.

"Ye

Ye are the falt of the earth, ye are the "light of the world." Your divine Master hath intrusted you with the honour of that religion which he taught on earth, and expects that you fhould display it in an amiable light. But furely a mere negative degree of virtue will never convince men that your principles have any excellence fuperior to their own and that profeffing Chriftians fatisfy themselves with a virtue of this fort, is, I am afraid, in no fmall degree the cause to which the rapid growth of infidelity in these times must be afcribed.

If this is at all the fact, doth it not af ford us a fubject of the most serious lamentation?" It is impoffible but that of"fences will come, but wo unto him thro' "whom they come. It were better for him "that a millftone were hanged about his "neck, and he caft into the fea." O then study to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour in all things. "Let your light fo "fhine before men, that they may fee your "good works, and glorify your Father "which is in heaven." "Whatfoever

things are true, whatsoever things are ho