the liberal Man's Account, as the Growth and Product of his Beneficence, and be a Memorial of his good Works daily renewed and offered up in the Sight of God.

But the fupplying the temporal Wants of the Poor is not the only, nor the chief End of these Institutions; they have another View, which more directly regards the Honour and Glory of God; the inftructing of Youth in the Principles of Virtue and Religion, and teaching them to know God betimes, and the Obedience owing to him. And if providing for the temporal Wants of the Poor shall be esteemed an Honour paid to God, how much more shall this Charity be so esteemed, which is dedicated expressly to that End? the chief Business of which is, to fill the Mouths of Babes and Sucklings with the Praises of God, a Sacrifice which he will not defpife. To inftru&t undisciplined Youth in the Principles of Faith and Obedience, what is it but to extend the Dominion of God over his Creatures; to turn the Hearts of the Disobedient to the Wisdom of the Just, and to make ready a People prepared for the Lord; to conquer the Powers of Darkness, like good Soldiers of Chrift; and to lay up in Store for ourX 4 felves

felves more than the Conqueror's Crown. But, fecondly,

The Argument has the fame Advantage with Refpect to the Good of those who are the immediate Objects of this Charity: it has this in common with other Charities, that it is a Supply for the Wants of the Poor; it has this above many others, that it is a Provision against future Wants; but its chief Glory is, that it is a Provifion not only for the prefent Comforts of this Life, but also for the Happiness of that Life which is eternal; by refcuing the Poor from that Contagion of Vice to which they are fo fatally expofed, for Want of due Instructions in their Youth: it is this Want which has filled the Streets with idle Vagabonds and Beggars; many of whom know nothing of the Lord who bought them, except only his Name; nor had they known that, but merely for the Ufe of it in the common Forms of Begging. Laftly, As to yourselves, the Encouragers, the Supporters of this good Work, God is your Reward: and as the Charity you are engaged in, has all the Marks of a just Regard to the Honour of God, and of a tender and Christian Concern for the present and future Hap

Happiness of your Brethren; fo need you not doubt, but that the Promises of the Gospel shall be justified unto you, both in this Life, and in that which is to come. Go on therefore, and faint not; if your Work be attended with Difficulties, they shall serve only to increase your Reward. Let it be the Care on your Part, That your Good be not evil Spoken of; and if Offences come, (and they must needs come) wo to them by whom they come.

But that this Charity may in all Respects be above Reproach, and answer the Ends propofed by the liberal Benefactors, I earnestly recommend it to those who have the immediate Care of these Children, to be watchful over their Behaviour, and constant and diligent in the Discharge of their own Duty. The Succefs of this Charity depends in great Measure upon their Fidelity Men of Fortune and Business in the World cannot attend so closely as to observe every Thing that paffes; this Care therefore must rest upon those, who have more immediately the Infpection of thefe Schools. And let them remember, that they receive the Pay of Charity; and that they cannot neglect their Duty, without adding this Aggravation

gravation to their Crime, the Abuse of one of the noblest Charities of this Age.

And now, may that God, whofe Honour
you are labouring to promote, whose
Children these are, who are supported
and inftructed by your Charity, prof-
per this Work in your Hands; and
raise up fresh Supplies for the Admi-
nistration of this Service: may he mi-
nifter Bread for your Food, and multi-
ply your Seed fown, and increase the
Fruits of
your Righteousness. To him,

&c.

DISCOURSE XIV.

JUDGES ii. 7.

And the People ferved the Lord all the Days of fofbua, and all the Days of the Elders that outlived Joshua, who had feen all the great Works of the Lord, that he did for Ifrael.

HUS far all is well: God had been

TH

extremely gracious and merciful to Ifrael; and those who had seen his Wonders, and had felt the Miferies from which he had delivered them, retained a grateful Remembrance of his Goodness. But the Cafe quickly altered: no fooner were the Men, who had seen the Works of the Lord, gathered unto their Fathers, but there arofe another Generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the Works which he had done for Ifrael: and the Children of If

rael