we confider the great end, that is before us when we confider, that in a few years at longeft -perhaps in a few days, or perhaps even before the glass has run its hour, we may enter the never-ending journey of eternity-to teize, and fret each other, with fuch thoughts about us, is fomething like counting money-bags in the article of death.-Let us then always have fuch thoughts as thefe in referve, which will naturally be a check against falling out by the way.

THE last confideration I fhall prefs upon you, to induce you to travel peaceably together, shall be drawn, not only from your being fellow-men, but fellow-chriftians. Chriftianity is indeed with many little more than a name. People take their ideas of chriftianity from the world; not from their bibles.But the world, my brethren, is a bad teacher of christianity. It is a wicked book; and will give you doctrines very contrary to thofe of chriftianity. It will fhew you, that tricking, and deceit of various kinds, are very consistent with christianity-that a man may pursue his own intereft by every means in his power that he may deceive his neighbour, make advantage of his fimplicity, take many other bad methods of getting money; and yet

may

may still pass for a chriftian-that he may be abusive, malicious, and revengeful; and be called a christian notwithstanding.- Thefe are the doctrines of chriftianity, which you will learn from the world.

But they, who take their notions of christianity from their bibles, will find a different account. There you will find, that to be true christians, whatever the world may teach, you must be moderate, and temperate, and quiet, and inoffensive, and meek, and gentle, and compaffionate, and forgiving. There you will find, that you should all confider yourselves as the fervants of God-as the children of one family -equally redeemed by the blood of Chrift and equal heirs of the kingdom of heaventhat in thefe lights, you should all confider yourselves as brethren; and as fuch fhould travel peaceably together through this vale of mortality to your eternal home.

WHAT happiness would arife to mankind from this peaceable mode of travelling! A family in peace is a pleasing fight. Were this happiness. fpread over a country, the effect would indeed be bleffed. But if it were extended over the world, the bleffing would be beyond calculation.

We have a beautiful picture of this happiness, given us by the prophet Ifaiah; in which all, nature is introduced in perfect harmony under the influence of the gofpel. The rage and violence of man is totally fubdued. Guilt is changed into innocence. The twolf dwells with the lamb-the leopard lies down with the kid. A little child may lead them:the meekness of the gospel calms, and conducts the most furious paffions. Even in cafes, which threaten the most danger, and mischief, innocence would be fafe. The fucking child might play on the hole of the afp, or put its hand into the cockatriceden. Every thing would be at peace. Nothing could hurt or deftroy. The earth would be full of the knowledge of the Lord; as the waters are Spread over the depths of the fea.

Such would be the effect at large of chriftianity. But this fplendid vifion was never intended to be realized on earth. The prophet only meant to give us a foretaste of the bleffings of religion. Mad ambition, thirst of power, revenge, avarice, and all the evils that infeft mankind, will ever turn this world into a scene of violence, and bloodfhed. In a ftate of trial therefore, we must lower our ideas of gospel happiness, and muft comfort ourselves with the scripture

VOL. I.

I

fcripture confolation, that it must needs be that offences come. Let us only take care to travel peaceably with our brethren, and not be among thofe, by whom the offence cometh.

SERMON X.

ACTS, 16. XXX.

WHAT SHALL I DO TO BE SAVED?

WHEN St. Paul was preaching the gospel at Philippi, he drew upon himself a profecution from fome of the chief men of that city by an act of charity, which happened to interfere with their gains. He was accufed therefore to the magistrates on a falfe pretence, and thrown into prifon. At midnight, he, and his companion Silas, fang praises to God: and their heavenly ftrains being heard from a remote corner of a dark prifon, (the inner-prifon it is called) attracted, we are told, the attention of the pri foners; on many of whofe hardened hearts fuch rapturous devotion might probably have had fome effect.