surely this may be mentioned to his commendation, rather than as a failing; especially, as it increased only with his advancing years, and evidenced a mind more and more occupied with the thoughts of that blessed world, into which he expected soon to be removed.

3. His unaffected and deep humility may be considered as another distinguishing feature of his character. His liberality, his useful industry, and his piety; though he was zealous and abundant in them all, appeared not to himself in any degree meritorious: nay, he was convinced, that in every respect, he fell short of his bounden duty, and was entirely dependent on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus for the pardon of his sins, and for final acceptance and felicity.-In truth, he estimated his own character and conduct, by comparing them with the straight rule of the divine law, and not with the crooked principles, and practices of the world. For he considered himself and all the race of men, as being naturally in a state of apostacy from God, and exceedingly prone to evil; and he was very earnest in spreading this opinion, as a fundamental doctrine of the Scriptures.

This sentiment, as far as it was applied to himself, will be admitted to have been a source of humility; when applied to others, it is sometimes thought to be of a contrary nature; for a conviction of the general depravity of the human race, is frequently imagined to spring either from spiritual pride, or from a harsh and severe disposition.

Now, as the sentiments, entertained by our late honoured friend, concerning the fallen state of the world around him, undoubtedly made a material part of his

character, I shall enter more fully into this circumstance; and the candid reader will then judge, how far this persuasion was consistent with the general benevolence of his character.

The ground, on which this and the rest of his religious opinions were founded, was the plain declarations of the Bible: and to that book, which he studied day by day, I must refer the reader for a fuller explanation of the subject.-Our late friend, I say, implicitly believed the doctrines of it; and, conscious of his own demerit, all his hopes of salvation were derived from it: he expected "eternal life, as the gift of God "through Jesus Christ," according to the revelation of mercy, and the precious promises contained in the Scriptures; and he found that these were matters, in which human reason or authority could give him no assurance or satisfaction.—If then, on the one hand, he believed the promises of the Bible, and derived all his consolation from them, how could he disbelieve the threatenings of God contained in the same book, and the repeated declarations of the inspired writers, concerning the degeneracy of men, the wickedness of the world, and the comparative small number of those who are in the way of salvation?

Indeed, that kind of charity, which we often hear pleaded for,can only be expected, from Infidels and Scepticks, who, consistently with their principles, may deny that there is a hell, or that the way is broad and thronged which leads to it. But in proportion as these sentiments prevail, the sinews will be cut of every effort, to bring sinners into that narrow way of repentance, faith, and holiness, in which the word of God requires them to

walk. If any, therefore, who would be thought to believe the Bible, sooth their worldly neighbours with unscriptural hopes, or teach them to make light of their danger; it must be owing, (though they may not suspect it,) to no small degree of scepticism mixing with their views of Christianity. And it is difficult to conceive how they can derive any actual hope from the Gospel, who discard all serious fear, and who neither lament nor perceive that state of condemnation, under which, (according to the word of God) is every one around them; unless he believe in Christ Jesus, be renewed in the spirit of his mind, and lead a sober, righteous, and godly life; or, at least be striving to enter in at the strait gate of repentance and conversion to God and holiness. It is observable, that the Scriptures seem to know but of two descriptions of men, namely, those who serve God, and those who serve him not: he who is not the servant of God, but serves some other master, or aims at some other end, lies under the condemnation of the Bible, though he be free from disreputable vices: and whether the multitude around us are in good earnest serving God, or whether they are pursuing their own selfish ends, let any man of common observation determine.

It must therefore, appear to every candid enquirer, that when religious persons entertain, what are called uncharitable opinions of their neighbours, they are in truth compelled to it by the united evidence of facts and scripture; and not inclined to it by a mere conceit of their own superiority, or any severity of disposi

tion.

These sentiments may often be observed, as in the

present instance, to reside in the same breast, with the most tender compassion, the most expanded benevolence, and the most unequivocal tokens of deep humility. It is not then an inconsistency, to think mankind very corrupt and wicked, and yet to abound in compassion and charity towards them. This evidently accords to the judgment and conduct of God himself, as it is every where represented in scripture: "He commended his love to us, in that "when we were sinners," "ungodly, and enemies," "Christ died for us." The blessed Saviour was hated for "testifying of the world that the works "thereof were evil;" yet "he went about doing good," and at length laid down his life, as "the "propitiation for our sins." St. John, the beloved disciple, who was eminent for the greatness of his charity, says, "We know that we are of God, and "that the whole world lieth in wickedness:" and St. Paul, with a mixture of sound judgment and genuine charity, says to the Philippians, "There are many of "whom I have told you often, and now tell you even

weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is "their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who "mind earthly things." These are a few passages, out of vast numbers that might be produced: and it may be added, that the world, (signifying the generality of mankind,) is scarcely ever mentioned in scripture, without something being added, which implies a condemnation of it.

It is obvious that these sentiments cannot but be unfashionable and unpopular; and must exceedingly

deduct from the character of every religious man, in the opinion of the world, how much soever he lays himself out, in doing good to the bodies, and souls of his fellow creatures.

Numbers indeed are not aware, that they, who believe the Bible, do thus in their judgment condemn the world around them; and they can therefore bear with many true Christians, on account of their philanthropy, having never approached near enough to understand this unpopular subject. It is proper, that such persons should be undeceived, and should know, that every one who believes the word of God, however kind and obliging to them, entertains the most serious apprehensions concerning the state of their souls, and is far more alarmed for them, than they are for themselves. There are also others, who have some sense of religion, and secretly assent to this offensive doctrine; but, joining much with the world, they deem it convenient to disguise their sentiments. Nay, they frequently behave in a manner so inconsistent with a serious conviction of this awful truth, that they are never suspected; they conform to the world, and seem to be a constituent part of it; and who could imagine, that they join with the scripture in condemning it? These are indeed the more popular characters; yet if their sentiments were fully known, perhaps they would meet with less favour, than they who profess their opinions without disguise, and separate from the pleasures and vanities of the world, and from a needless intercourse with it upon that account.-The latter are certainly the more honest men, and would probably, if the whole truth VOL. III.

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