of our guilt alone have rendered neceffary, fhould be the whole, or even the most effential part, of that obedience which is pleafing to God.

Indeed, were we to look upon the present ftate of the world as the original constitution, we might be apt to conclude, that our chief bufinefs upon earth confifted in the exercife of thofe focial virtues which knit men together, and enable them to provide most effectually for their common defence against thofe numberlefs evils to which they are continually expofed. But if we view the prefent ftate as the ruins of one far more perfect and excellent, which we forfeited by our unprovoked and criminal revolt from the great Author of our existence, we must be fenfible, that the bare performance of thofe focial duties we owe to one another, can be of little account in the fight of God, fo long as we perfift in our rebellion against himfelf, and neglect thofe higher duties which arife from our first and most lasting relation.

Godliness, my brethren, is the one thing ncedful: did that prevail in its power, fo

briety and righteousness would follow of course, and maintain their ground against every affault, having fo firm and permanent a basis to lean upon: but till godliness be laid as the foundation, any attempt to introduce or establish either of the other two, must be vain and fruitlefs.

Loud and general hath been the cry for fome time past, after public fpirit, difinterested patriotism, and integrity, which can neither be bribed nor overawed, among those who move in the upper ranks of life. These qualities, it must be confeffed, accompanied with a large proportion of wifdom, are truly defirable, and might be eminently useful; and when it fhall please God to bestow them, they will no doubt appear very beautiful in their feafon; but if all who join in the cry, would endeavour in the first place, to get their own hearts poffeffed with real godliness, and then pray for the fame bleffing to others, with as much fervency as they utter their complaints, I can affure them they would be taking by far the nearest road to fuccefs. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of "wifdom,"

"wisdom," and love carries it to perfection; but when these find no place in the hearts of men, what can be looked for in fuch a world as ours, but the rankest growth of folly and wickednefs, both in public and private life?

4

FROM this general review of the LAWS of Chrift, you must be fenfible, that the fame temper and conduct which we formerly fuppofed to refult from a cordial belief of the DOCTRINES of the gofpel, now appear to be exprefsly enjoined by plain and positive statutes: fo that, upon the whole, we are furnished with a decifive test of genuine Christianity, and may clearly fee, by the light of God's word, what the converfation is that becometh the gospel of Chrift.

It gives me pain to repeat the observation I have more than once hinted at, (and yet the evidence of its truth is too glaring to be concealed), namely, that among the multitudes who bear the title of Chriftians, the conversation of by much the greater part is fo far from expreffing the true fpirit and

To

genius of our holy religion, with regard either to the doctrines it reveals, or the duties it requires, that the character of the Cretians may too juftly be applied to many of them, Tit, i. 16. “ They profefs that they "know God; but in works they deny him, "being abominable, and difobedient, and "unto every good work reprobate. fuch inconfiftent ufurpers of the Christian name, the obvious remarks with which I introduced my firft difcourfe upon this fubject, administer a fevere, but just reproof: and therefore I might here difmifs them without further admonition, were it not that numbers are to be found in that unhappy class of men, who, not contented with publishing their own fhame, by counteracting the principles of that religion they profefs, are bold enough to fcoff at true godliness in others, and do every thing in their power to enfeeble the hands of real Chriftians, while they are humbly endeavouring, by the grace of God, to have their converfation as it becometh the gospel of Chrift. I know how difficult it is to get accefs to those who are proudly feated in the fcorner's chair; never

thelefs

theless I fhall take the liberty to beg their attention to a few plain queftions, praying, that God may carry them home to their hearts with power, and fo blefs them for their conviction, "that they may yet re66 cover themselves out of the fnare of the "devil, who are taken captive by him at his " will."

Do you really think it poffible, that any man can love God too well, or ferve him with too much zeal and diligence?-Do you think, that there is a faint in heaven who repents of his zeal and diligence while on earth? or a finner in hell, that juftifies his fcoffing at serious religion? or do you fuppofe, that you yourselves fhall approve of fuch conduct when you come to die, and boldly defend it at the tribunal of Chrift?

What can be more unfair, than to fcoff at men for being, in truth, the very thing that you pretend to be? You call yourselves Chriftians, and at the fame time deride thofe who are Chriftians indeed: It is your profeffed belief, that Chrift fhall judge the world; and when others are giving all diligence that they may be found of him in

peace,