VI. take up; when the manufacturer quits his SERM. loom, and the artizan lays down his tools, in order to contrive plans for reforming the ftate, and to conftitute focieties for carrying his plans into execution; what can be expected to follow from fuch a spirit, if it were to become prevalent, but the most direful confufion ?-Were the rashness of fome, whofe intentions are innocent, the only evil to be dreaded, the danger would be lefs. But it is always to be apprehended that the operations of fuch perfons are directed by men who have deeper defigns in view; who seek to embroil the state in order to bring forward themfelves; whose aim it is to rife into eminence, though it were on the ruins of public tranquillity and order. Let fuch men, if any fuch there be, confider well what the confequences may be of fomenting the fpirit of prefumptuous innovation. It is a dangerous weapon which they attempt to wield. By the agitation which they raise among a blind multitude, they are giving impulse to the motions of a violent engine, which often difcharges its explofions on the heads of those who firft touched its fprings. UPON SERM. Upon the whole, let us, my brethren, be thankful that our grounds of difcontent, whether founded on real or imaginary grievances, are fo few; and that for fo great a number of public bleffings, we have reason to bless the God of Heaven. We live in a land of pure religion, of liberty, and laws, and under a juft and mild government. However the opinions of men may differ about this or that political measure adopted by government, it may with confidence be faid, that we have much reafon to respect those rulers, under whofe administration the empire, though engaged in a hazardous and expensive war, has all along continued to hold a high rank among the nations of Europe, and has attained to that flourishing ftate of commerce, opulence, and fafety, in which we behold it at this day : infomuch that perhaps the greatest dangers we have to apprehend, arife from the jealoufy with which rival nations behold our fuperiority at fea, and our wealth and ftrength at home.-Let our prayers afcend frequently to Heaven for the continuance of those bleffings; for the peace of our Jerufalem; for peace within her walls, and profperity 1 VI. profperity within her palaces; and let the SER M. admonition of fcripture never be forgotten; My fon, fear thou God; honour the king; and meddle not with them that are given to change*. Say now unto her," Behold thou hast been 66 careful for us with all this care; what "is to be done for thee? Wouldst thou be 66 Spoken for to the king, or to the Captain of the boft ?" And she answered, " I "dwell among mine own mine own people." SERM. A PIOUS and refpectable woman VII. of Shunem had exercised great hospitality to the prophet Elifha. In order to accommodate him in his various journeyings, fhe had caused a chamber to be built for him, adjacent to her house, where he might be furnished with all that, according to the fimplicity of thofe times, was wanted for VII. his entertainment. In the text, the pro- SERM. phet, by his fervant Gehazi, acknowledges the obligations he lay under to this good woman for her care and attention; and being at that time in favour with the king of Israel, defires to know, whether, in return for her kindness, he should apply to the king, or the captain of the hoft, in her behalf, and procure advancement to her in rank and fortune. Her anfwer befpeaks all the modesty of one who was fatisfied and contented with her prefent lot. Without any affectation of uncommon virtue, or any haughty contempt of the prophet's offers, the mildly replies, "I dwell among "mine own people." "I dwell in the con"dition to which I was born; in my native "land; among my original connections, "and perfons of my own rank; and living "there in peace, I have no defires of aspiring to a higher rank." The temper of this worthy Shunamite, who could fo properly set bounds to her defires, and enjoy her prefent condition with contentment, is what I now propose to your imitation. It stands in oppofition to that restless and difcontented fpirit which fo often |