fnare, from which it is not eafy to escape. Wickednefs of all kinds is of an encroaching nature. It may be justly attributed, either to the natural corruption of human nature, or the operation of evil spirits, that he who has once trodden in the path that leads to deftruction, cannot withdraw himself without great difficulty. Many a student has dated all his fubfequent mifery, from the hour in which he carelessly took up the volume of fome fashionable infidel. It is safest, not to inspect fuch books at all; but common prudence directs, that we fufpend the indulgence of our curiofity, till our principles are fixed, and our judgments mature. It happens perversely, that young men, who are least qualified to detect deceit, are the most inclined to study those writings in which it chiefly abounds. They are recommended. by fashion, by novelty, by wit; and almost every one is of opinion, that he has felf-command enough, to avoid the danger by which others might be undone.

There are certain homely virtues, which refined and fpeculative philofophy feldom mentions; the practice of which, is effentially neceffary to our comfort. Such are, common honefty, probity, and a mutual interchange

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change of good offices in ordinary life. Such are, fobriety, and industry. Such are, an humble acquiefcence in our lot, and a ready obedience to legal ordinances, established for the general good. These, it is our intereft, as well as our duty, conftantly to obferve. However we may amuse ourselves in fpeculation, let us never be tempted to leave the high road of obvious duty, plainly dictated by the common-sense of mankind. Let retired ftudents ingeniously deny the difference between good and evil. Such an employment of their faculties may fill up those hours which might otherwise be engaged in active vice. But let us rather believe the fuggeftion of our senses and our understandings, which, when they are not perverted or mifled, point out the difference between good and evil as plainly as that between light and darkness. Let us be humble, as becomes fuch frail and wretched creatures as ourselves. Let us retain the fimplicity of heart which our Saviour fo warmly approved, and which is the best foil for the growth of every virtue. Let us dare to follow the footsteps of our pious ancestors, who, in all godly honefty, obeyed the dictates of their confciences, and the precepts of the fcriptures;

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fcriptures; and, after their pilgrimage, laid down their heads in peace, and with a comfortable hope of a joyful refurrection. The books in which they delighted, were their Bibles and their Prayer-books. Their philofophy was, to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God; and, though they were fools in the opinion of the scorner, they were wife unto falvation. Therefore, if any of you lack wISDOM, let him afk of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him: but let him afk in faith, nothing wavering.

SERMON XVI.

On the DUTY of SERVANTS.

PSALM ci. 9, 10.

Whofo leadeth a godly life, he shall be my Servant. There fhall no deceitful perfon dwell in my house. He that telleth lies, fhall not tarry in my fight.

IF

F we confider these words as the words of a king, declaring his refolution to chufe no minifters of his government, but those whofe characters are diftinguished for piety and probity, they will afford inftruction of a moft valuable kind to all

who fit upon thrones. Happy indeed

would it be, if thofe who are exalted to honourable offices of ftate, were elevated, because they were eminent examples of all moral virtue. They are too often forced into offices, by their own reftlefs ambition, and

the furious zeal of deluded parties; or, when they are chofen, it too often happens, that ability, and not virtue, determines the choice.

It would be a moft effectual mode of preaching to a whole nation, if princes would adopt the refolutions of the text, and exalt none to high honours and great power, who were not as confpicuous for exemplary piety and goodness of heart, as for intellectual abilities and political influence. A virtuous court would produce a virtuous people. But when men, whofe conduct, and even profeffions, furnish reason to conclude that they difbelieve the national religion, are raifed to the rank of nobles, counsellors of princes, and difpofers of preferment, religious as well as civil, the people will naturally suppose, that those who appoint them, neither fear God, nor believe in Chrift; and that all religion is but the invention of knaves to awe fools. Such an opinion, founded on fuch appearances, will militate more powerfully against Christianity, among the people at large, than all the arguments of the infidel, all the derifion of the profligate. The people do indeed reason wrong in this cafe; but fince they will reason so, and conduct themfelves accordingly, governors

fhould