transgresses, these Gospel rules, he will bring honour or shame on himself; on the particular body, to which he belongs; on these assemblies in general. And their influencing their members effectually to eminent goodness, is the best, indeed the only strong argument, that you can use to invite others into them. Therefore take especial care, that you may always be able to use that with truth. For this end, beware in the first place of letting your conferences degenerate into form without power*, into lukewarmness and supineness, a name that you live, while indeed you are deadt: and if there have been any tendency this way, remember from whence you are fallen‡, be zealous and repent||, and pray God to revive his work in the midst of the years§. Beware in the next place of running into controversies and disputes. You have wisely guarded against these, by admitting such persons only as are well affected to our present happy establishment in church and state. Guard against them still further, by avoiding to debate any unnecessary points of any kind. Never indeed slight what God hath plainly taught, but never insist on what he hath not: about all needless questions, allow different opinions amongst yourselves, without talking of them: neither censure those of others, nor press your own. In matters of practical religion indeed, you not only may, but ought to be earnest. Yet even there, despise not good persons of less fervent dispositions; and heat not one another, or yourselves, into unmeaning or injudicious transports; but let your piety be at once an affectionate and a reasonable service. Be mutually helpful, if you properly can, even in temporal *2 Tim. iii. 5., Rev. iii. 19. + Rev. iii. 1. Rev. ii. 5. 1 Rom. xii. 1. affairs. For the Apostle hath directed us to do good, especially unto them that are of the houshold of faith*; and therefore surely to those, whom we have the best ground to think worthy members of that houshold. But your principal concern, beyond all comparison, is to promote your common good in spirituals: to comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as ye dot: if a man be overtaken in a fault, to restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, each considering himself, lest he also be tempted to suffer the word of exhortation, and even of rebuke, with patience, according to that of the psalmist, Let the righteous smite me friendly and reprove me§, and of Solomon, He that rebuketh a man, shall afterwards find more favour, than he that flattereth with the tongue. Nay, should any one by his behaviour oblige you to have no longer company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet the precepts of Christian charity bind you, not to count him an enemy, but still, so far as there is any room left, admonish him as a brother**. But, brethren, though I speak thus boldly to you, as putting you in mind, yet I am persuaded of you, that ye are full of goodness, and all knowledge, able to admonish one another††, without foreign assistance. And therefore I add only my hearty prayers, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all judgement: that ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God‡‡. *Gal. vi. 10. || Heb. xiii. 22. +1 Thess. v. 11. § Ps. cxli. 5. Gal. vi. 1. 1 Prov. xxviii, 23. †† Rom. xv. 14, 15. 245 SERMON XII. (PREACHED BEFORE THE SOCIETY CORRESPOND ING WITH THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY IN PROV. ix. 6. FORSAKE THE FOOLISH, AND LIVE: AND GO IN THE WAY OF UNDERSTANDING. THESE are the words of Wisdom herself speaking in person and to speak them with effect to the poor of our neighbouring island, that forsaking the follies of their ancestors, they may live as men ought; and go in the way of understanding, through the practice of the duties, and enjoyment of the comforts of this world, to the happiness of the next; is the whole intent of the charity, which we are met to promote: the noblest and greatest of the kind, that ever existed. The kingdom of Ireland is blessed by Providence with all the means of prosperity; and yet the bulk of the people are in a condition very lamentable. With health and strength, they have little or no industry: with capacities like other men, they have little or no knowledge, even of the common arts of life. With the best situation and opportunities for commerce, they have scarce any of the conveniencies which it imports with a fertile soil, in a temperate climate, they have scarce food and raiment. Under a government, which lays on them the fewest burthens, that perhaps ever nation felt, they are incessantly wishing for a change: and, which is the source of all, though the light of the Reformation shines round them, and the door of Christian freedom is open to them, they continue in thick darkness, voluntary slaves to absurd superstitions. Attached with servile awe to the lowest emissaries of the see of Rome, they imbibe even the dregs of its errors: which many, in other countries of the same communion, have the wisdom to reject. Hence their idolatry is grosser, their esteem of social duties less, their dependence on outward formalities more confident, their enmity to protestants bitterer: and their abhorrence of labour almost insuperable, because it will benefit those, whom they detest. We ought to pity all the mistakes and sufferings of all our fellow-creatures, and yet more of our fellowchristians, how much soever they proceed from their own faults. Even their temporal evils ought to move us very sensibly and though penury and nakedness may appear to unaccustomed eyes more grievous than they are; yet the real distresses flowing from them are often extremely heavy. But their spiritual disadvantages, that they have so little acquaintance with rational piety, universal benevolence, the value of moral self-government, and the genuine system of the truth as it is in Jesus*, these intitle them to much tenderer compassion, though seldom considered in that view. For our fellow-subjects we ought to feel * Ephes. iv. 21. an additional concern, were their interests ever so se.. parable from our own: but in the present case they are united most intimately. While these unhappy creatures remain without proper employment, the country in general must be unhealthy, as well as unpleasant, for want of culture; and thinly peopled, for want of necessaries: the sight of so much wretchedness must be painful; the relief of it expensive, and nevertheless unavailing. That part of the Britishdominions must be destitute of the wealth and strength which diligence would quickly procure it: and instead of contributing to the support of the whole, must drain and exhaust England for its defence, whenever attacked. This would be unavoidable, were the natives ever so amicably disposed towards us, ever so dutifully towards our sovereign. But being of a different and persecuting religion; taught by bigoted parents and instructors to regard us as heretics, abhorred of God; and devoted, by his vicegerent on earth, to present; as well as future, destruction: some of them will think doing mischief to us, when they can without hazard, a laudable action; and others will imaginė fraud, or perjury, or violence, against such abomina ble miscreants, offences that claim an easy absolution. These sentiments must greatly affect their conduct in the ordinary intercourses of life: but unspeakably more, when the interests of their church come in question. Accordingly, for these, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, they were rebelling perpetually in that of King Charles I. they massacred, unpro voked, as many compute, above one hundred thousand persons of our faith: in that of King James IT! and the war that followed, not only the meaner sort, but the upper also, gave shocking proofs of the like |