To these general heads, all the particulars may be reduced that belong to a converfation becoming the gofpel of Christ. And here indeed I might ftop fhort, and only call upon you to weigh with candour and impartiality, the full meaning and import of the expreffions here used.

What do you understand by ungodliness, and worldly lufts? Do thefe terms reach no farther than to the groffer acts of impiety and fenfual indulgence? And is nothing. more intended by denying them, than a prudish reserve and fhynefs to comply with their demands; or fuch a feeble refiftance as yields after a fhort and very imperfect ftruggle? Surely none of you can seriously entertain this opinion. You certainly muft admit, that no exception is made of any fpecies or degree whatioever, either of ungodliness or worldly affections; and that by denying them, the Apoftle could mean nothing lefs, than fuch a refufal as proceeds from an inward abhorrence of them, even the most vigorous, determined, and perfevering resistance of all their folicitations.

Again, What do you understand by li

ving foberly, righteously, and godly in this prefent world? Doth fobriety mean no more, than that fpecies of moderation which is commonly oppofed to furfeiting and drunkennefs? Or admitting that it excludes every kind of excess in gratifying our bodily appetites, do you imagine that it leaves the mind at full liberty, fo that we may lay the reins upon the neck of our paffions, and fuffer them to run wild without any controul in perfect confiftency with that sobriety which the Apostle recommends?

Will you call a man righteous, merely be cause he cannot be charged with any grofs acts of fraud, injustice, and oppreffion, though perhaps, in the courfe of a lawful business, he may fometimes use a little artifice to impose upon the fimplicity or ignorance of his neighbours? Or, fuppofing him to be strictly honeft in his dealings, doth the righteoufnefs which the gospel enjoins lay him under no obligation to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, and to fuccour the diftreffed, according to his ability?

Is every man to be reputed godly, who

doth not openly blafpheme, nor reproach the laws and ordinances of God; who gives regular attendance at church on the Lord's day, though his heart even then be running after his covetoufnefs; and God receive no homage from him at all, either in his family or in the closet, through the rest of the week?

Were I to give fuch a loofe interpretation of the Apostle's words, I am confident, that the most partial offender who hears me, would not only condemn me in his heart, but even blush, or rather difdain, to plead my authority for defending or palliating his own mifconduct.

But the true import of fobriety, righteouf ness, and godliness, is ascertained beyond any poffibility of mistake, by what I may call the ftatute-law of the gofpel; I mean, plain and explicit decrees, refpecting particular inftances of duty, under each of thefe general heads. Thus, in the

First place, With regard to fobriety, it is the express command of our Lord, "That we deny ourselves;"-That we poffefs "our fouls in patience;"-and be continu

ally

It

ally on our guard, "left at any time our "hearts be overcharged with furfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares f this life." is required of us, "that we crucify the flesh "with the affections and lufts;"" that we ❝lay afide anger, malice, envy, hatred, and "revenge," and "put on, as the elect of "God, bowels of mercy, kindness, humble"nefs of mind, meeknefs, and long-fuffer❝ing." We are exhorted," not to think "of ourselves more highly than we ought to think, but to think foberly," (mark the expreffion), according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” 66 Let "nothing be done through ftrife and vain"glory," faith this fame Apostle, at the 3d verfe of the following chapter; "but in "lowlinefs of mind, let each efteem other "better than himself. Look not every man " on his own things, but every man alfo on "the things of others;" and then adds, "Let this mind be in you, which was alfo " in Chrift Jefus." Thefe few quotations, which must be familiar to all who are acquainted with the New-Teftament writings, may fuffice to give you fome view of the

extent of fobriety, as including every thing. that belongs to the right government and difcipline both of the outward and inward man.

2dly, With refpect to righteousness, we are plainly taught, that it not only reftrains from the outward acts of injuftice, oppreffion, and cruelty, but that we are thereby obliged to render unto all their dues, and to do unto others, as with good reafon we would expect or defire that they, in like circumftances, fhould do unto us. It belongs to righteoufnefs, to comfort the "feeble-minded, and to fupport the weak." as being members one of another; for thus it is written, Gal. vi. 2. "Bear ye one ano"ther's burdens, and fo fulfil the law of "Chrift." We are commanded to " be of "the fame mind one towards another:" "to rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep;" "to weep with thofe that weep ;"" to do "good to all as we have opportunity, efpecially to them who are of the household "of faith."

c

"As every man hath received

"the gift," faith the Apostle Peter, "even

fo minifter the fame one to another, as

"good