fined morality; I must therefore observe, in the words of another, that the Christian religion is of the utmost importance to all orders and degrees of men; and that the greatest service that the most zealous patriot can do his country, is to promote the faith, and thereby encourage the practice, of the truly divine virtues recommended by Christ and his apostles. Of no less importance is revealed religion to believers in times of great afflictions. The supports which arise from it to such are matters of personal experience, and therefore are a kind of internal evidence in its favour. Yet it may be observed, that the following truths, which are addressed to our understandings, are calculated to give such supports as have been mentioned, viz. that God, by a general and particular providence, governs the world; that no events are casual; but that all things are directed by infinite wisdom, and shall terminate in the glory of God, and the best interests of his people; that all things now work together for good to them who love God; that our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, &c. If these truths are really believed, they tend in their own nature to support the afflicted, and to reconcile them to the whole of the divine conduct. Nor do the truths of Christianity desert believ ers in the important hour of death, but in many instances have enabled such to exult in their expiring moments. Here I might call in a cloud of witnesses; and in particular, the noble army of martyrs rise into view, to testify the truth of the above remark. They reckoned that the suffer ings of this present life were not worthy to be The manner of the great Addison's death, as related by Dr. Young, is pertinent here. "After a long and manly, but vain struggle with his distemper, he dismissed his physicians, and with them all hopes of life: yet with his hopes of life he dismissed not his concern for the living, but sent for a youth nearly related, and finely accomplished, yet not above being the better for good impressions from a dying friend. He came; but life now glimmering in the socket, the dying friend was silent. After a decent and proper pause, the youth said, 'Dear sir, you sent for me; 1 believe, and I hope, that you have some commands; I shall hold them most sacred!' May distant ages not only hear, but feel the reply! Forcibly grasping the youth's hand, he softly said, 'See in what peace a Christian can die.' He spoke with difficulty, and soon expired. Through grace divine, how great is man! Through divine mercy, how stingless death! Who would not thus expire ?" Conjectures on Original Composition. 1 i I the rather chose to mention the case of Mr. Addison, because his character is so well established in the learned world, that no deist will have the effrontery to charge him with either weakness or ignorance. Upon the whole, what folly, my brethren, must they be guilty of, who reject Christianity, seeing it is of infinite importance in life and death. I now pass to observe, 3. That he is a foolish son, who persists in the gratification of his vicious passions, regardless of the consequences. The passions in their original state were pure and regular; but by reason of sin they are tumultuous and vicious; and so far as they have influence, lead to such methods of conduct as are infinitely odious in the sight of God, and destructive of human happiness. An enumeration of the vices which mankind fondly countenance would produce a long and shocking catalogue. These are commonly placed, by the vicious themselves, in two classes; the fashionable and the sordid; or, the vices of gentlemen, and those of the meaner rank. Men of character, as they are called, disdain the low gratifications of the vulgar; but, alas! pursue methods of indulgence no less criminal than theirs. I am sorry to say it, but it is too notorious to be contradicted, that many persons, whom God has exalted in rank and fortune, are some of the warmest abettors of the cause of infidelity. I would be far from throwing out indiscriminate reflections, knowing that there are not wanting some in the above stations who regard the doctrines of Christ. But have we not reason to believe that the number of such is small, compared with those who treat the primitive and self-deny ing doctrines of the cross with contempt? Now what sin can rise higher in its malignity than unbelief?" He that believeth not God hath made him a liar." Besides, the examples of such are more powerful in their influence, by how much the more they are exalted in life. The folly of this cause I have endeavoured to expose in some preceding reflections; to which may be added, that all attempts to invalidate Christianity or to lessen its authority, so far as they prevail, are injurious to society, by removing those restraints which are necessarily laid on the vicious passions of men. We are told in the holy scriptures, that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness, and unrighteousness of men." And in many places the sins are mentioned, which expose to the wrath of God. The apostle Paul tells us, that "the law was made for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for man-slayers, for whoremongers, for them who defile themselves with mankind; for men-stealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine." While these declarations are received as divine, they tend to curb the passions, or make the guilty tremble after their indulgence. But deny their authenticity, and persuade yourselves that they are the mere inventions of men, intended to keep the vulgar in order, and the flesh-pleasing doctrine follows, that God made us with these passions, and meant that we should indulge them, else why did he implant them? Thus making no distinction between the passions in their original and in their present state, the restraints of conscience are thrown off, and a door opened to live as a bad heart dictates. The profanation of the name of the infinite Jehovah, who is exalted above all blessing and praise, is extenuated into a mere peccadillo, a very small fault; if not a lawful use of language; though it is expressly declared, that God "will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain." So common is this vice, that the name of God is appealed to or made use of on the most trifling occasions; and damnation is often imprecated on a friend or intimate, with all the air of good humour. Gaming, however connected with a train of evils, is abundantly practised; for which none have a greater thirst than youth. In the first place it may be justly said to be an abuse of time, as a prevailing fondness for it often leads to a neglect of business; not only so, but in many instances to excessive drinking. For it would be a very dry entertainment indeed for gamesters to have neither bowl nor glass; and a thousand to one, if these are not used too freely. Nor are we without instances of such as have spent their fortunes at a gaming-table, and thereby brought themselves and families into the most necessitous condition. When this is the case, and poverty comes on like an armed man, is there not the utmost danger, that the methods of dishonesty will be fallen upon to repair a ruined fortune? You cannot but have heard of persons reputably descended and liberally educated, who, having been ruined by gaming, and other vices, have finally been guilty of forgery, house-breaking, or highway robbery, and have |