find himself utterly at a loss, not knowing which road to take; for though Reason, unassisted, may still be able to trace out the capital lines of sin and duty, yet the confines of each, the precise boundaries which divide the lawful from the forbidden ground, require a more penetrating eye to discern them. But in the Holy Scriptures these are plainly marked out to us by the finger of God, who cannot err. The ten laws published from Sinai, which were afterwards explained and amplified by our Saviour in his sermon upon the mount, furnish us with a complete and unerring rule of life, and describe that "highway of holiness," in which we may walk without fear or diffidence. We need not perplex ourselves with the doubtful reasonings of our own minds; we may find an easy solution of all our difficulties in that written "law and testimony," according to which we shall be finally judged: for "the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple:" "the judg ments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." Such is the guide which God

would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Yet however painful those sufferings may be, the prospect of the joy that awaiteth us, is more than sufficient to support us under them; especially when it is considered, that the afflictions of this present life, if wisely improved, shall exalt us to higher dignity in the kingdom of our Father. It is recorded of the primitive Christians, that "they took joyfully the spoiling of their goods," because "they knew in themselves, that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance." They were troubled on every side, yet not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;" as we read, 2 Cor. iv. 8, 9. And if any shall inquire, what it was that rendered them superior to these trials, they may be lawfully informed by St. Paul himself in the close of that chapter, where he saith, "For this cause we faint not, but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light afflic-hath provided for directing his pilgrims tion, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, and are temporal, but at those things which are not seen, and are eternal."

in their way homeward; and if we are possessed of the temper of pilgrims, "we shall esteem the words of God's mouth more than our necessary food;" and say concerning them," More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward."

4thly. If we view heaven as the place of our everlasting abode, we shall, above all things, be solicitous to be thoroughly acquainted with the way that leads to it. David prayed with the utmost propriety, 5thly. If we consider ourselves as stranwhen he thus expressed himself, (Psalm gers and sojourners here below, we ought cxix. 19.) "I am a stranger in the earth, certainly to behave like those who belong hide not thy commandments from me." to a better country, and to show by our He knew that "the word of God was a conduct, that we have a nobler birth and lamp to his feet and a light unto his path;" he therefore "hid it in his heart," as the most inestimable treasure he could possess, and made it the subject of his constant, delightful meditation: "Thy testimonies," said he, "are my delight, and my counsellors;" and "thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage." I do not deny that Reason, even in its present dark and corrupt state, may, in many important instances, lead a sober inquirer to the knowledge of his duty; but, alas in a great variety of cases, he would

pro

higher hopes than worldly men have. God frequently complained of his ancient people, that by the wickedness of their lives they had caused "his holy name to be faned among the heathen." They who love their country, will be jealous of its credit in foreign parts, and carefully avoid every thing that hath a tendency to bring upon it the least stain or reproach. Accordingly, we are exhorted in Scripture, to " adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things;" "to walk eircumspectly, not as fools, but as wise;" and particular

tremes lies a middle plan of conduct, which expresseth the true genius of Christianity, representing it as generous, intrepid, and disinterested. When we dare avow the sentiments of our hearts, and obey the dictates of conscience, and the laws of our God, in the face of the sun; when our whole behavior is consistent and uniform, and shows that we have no other aim but to promote the honor of our heavenly Father, and to obtain his approbation; then we act up to the dignity of our Christian character; then we live as strangers and sojourners upon earth.

ly, "to walk in wisdom towards them that | world, which is mean and pusillanimous, are without." Indeed, as I formerly ob- and represents religion as variable, timid, served, our first care should be, that we our- and irresolute: Betwixt these two exselves receive no hurt; but I must now remind you, that something more is incumbent upon us than regard to our own safety: We ought not only to avoid or resist temptations to sin, but also to shine in all the virtues of a holy life, that by the light of our good works others may be excited to glorify our Father who is in heaven. We have two things that should engage our attention; first, our own welfare; and next, the credit and honor of that religion we profess: And he is too selfish to be a good Christian, who minds only the one, and overlooks the other. Wide, my brethren, is the compass of our duty; the spiritual sojourner hath many parts to There is one thing in particular I perform; he must not satisfy himself with would recommend to you as peculiarly a retired and private virtue, but is bound suited to the condition of pilgrims; and by the strictest ties of gratitude, "to show that is a decent sobriety of manners, a forth the praises of that God who hath call-grave and serious deportment, in opposied him out of darkness into his marvellous tion to what the Scriptures call a vain light." Every step of our conduct is of conversation." I do not mean that you the greatest importance, not to ourselves should be sad and dejected; blessed be only, but to others also; and therefore we God, the Christian hath a more extensive ought to move with caution and accuracy. field of pleasure before him than Fancy It is not enough that we cease to do itself can represent to the sensual mind. evil;" we must likewise "learn to do The seriousness to which I am pressing well." Nor should we even think it you is not opposed to joy, but to levity ; enough to do what is simply good; we I call you to delights that are pure, sinshould aim at that good which is most sea- cere, and inward, in opposition to sonable and excellent. In fine, to live as laughter of the fool, and that delusive becometh true pilgrims, is to walk with mirth that ends in heaviness." I would our rule continually in our eye, and never only have you to show, that you find a preknowingly to deviate from it, either to the sent reward in the service of God, and that right hand or to the left: It is to ponder the joys of religion are of too sublime a every step we take; to weigh every underta-quality to mix and incorporate with the king, with all its circumstances, in the balance of the sanctuary: It is to consider the consequences of our behavior with regard to others; to have our whole conversation, our words, and our actions, "seasoned with salt," as the Apostle hath expressed it; that is, not only innocent in themselves, but, as much as may be, edifying also, that they may minister grace to those who hear or behold us.

There is an affected singularity, which is conceited and disobliging, and does real dishonor to religion, representing it as childish, trifling, and capricious; on the other hand, there is a servile compliance with the maxims and fashions of the

"the

dead and polluted pleasures of sense; I would have you to behave with that spirit which becomes your high birth; like persons who know that God is their father, that Christ is their elder brother, and the Holy Spirit their comforter and guide. In short, I would have you to act like citizens of heaven, who are only passing through this earth, and have little more concern in it than to escape its pollutions, by keeping the strait and narrow road that leads to the promised land of rest. Why should you borrow, nay, why should you seem to borrow, water from the "broken" and dirty "cisterns" of the sensualist, who have access to "the foun

all, let us beware of falling out with our fellow travellers; for that must necessarily mar the progress of both if they and we are going to the same place, let that suffice to unite us in affection and let it be agreed, that we may differ in lesser things.

tain of living waters?" Is it not your duty, is it not your honor, to show the world, that no part of your happiness depends upon such low gratifications? that you find enough in God to quench your thirst, and to satisfy the most unbounded desires of your soul? This, my brethren, is the way, the only way, to awaken the at- But many, alas! take the opposite tention of secure, besotted sinners. Let road, and walk in "the broad way that them see what true godliness can do by leadeth to destruction." How shall we itself; and this may beget in them a con- behave with respect to these? Let us reviction of its worth and excellence. But member, my friends, that they are still how shall they discover that religion hath our brethren; and that the time was any peculiar virtue to strengthen and when we ourselves were "foolish and discomfort the soul, so long as they can ob- obedient," even as they are. Should we serve those who profess it walking in the meet with one of our countrymen in a same road, and frequenting the same foreign land, living in a poor and abject haunts of vanity with themselves? There condition, and at the same time knew that is a majesty in strict and serious godli- he was heir to a plentiful estate at home, ness, that commands esteem and rever- would we not endeavor to make him senence even from the worst of men: But sible of his folly? would we not use when religion assumes the habit and com- every argument to persuade him to return plexion of the world, when it is blended with us?-Why, this is the very case. with the fashionable follies of the age, it We see immortal creatures forgetting usually makes such a clumsy figure, such themselves, and the great things they a motley appearance, that it becomes more may possess in the heavenly world, ridiculous and contemptible than pure, pleased and deluded with the veriest unmixed folly itself. "Wherefore come trifles, with lying vanities that perish in out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Once more, in the

the using. They are really our brethren ; and there is enough in our Father's house both for them and us. Indeed, if the provision were scanty, we might have some color of excuse for leaving them behind us; but the heavenly inheritance is sufficient for us all; nay, the number of coheirs, instead of diminishing, increaseth the happiness of each individual.

6th place, If indeed we have turned our back upon this world, and are travelling to a better country, let us help one another by the way, and carry as many We had all wandered into " a far home with us as we can. Do we meet country," when our compassionate Father with any who are feeble and dejected? sent his beloved Son to invite us home. let us do every thing in our power to And if any of us have got our minds enstrengthen and encourage them. Are lightened; if by grace we have been any doubtful and hesitating about the awakened from our fatal lethargy and right path? let us give them our best ad- determined to comply with the kind invivice, and, according to our ability, show tation; shall we not do what in us lies to them the way wherein they ought to go. awaken those who are still asleep? shall Are any discouraged by the opposition we not tell them the good news, and press they meet with, or the dangers they fear? them to go with us? Oh! it is terrible let us take the road before them, and ani- to think of an everlasting separation. mate them to follow our example. Do Place yourselves before the judgment we see any stopping short, or even look-seat, and think how affecting that awful ing aside to some alluring objects, that moment shall be, when the Judge shall have a tendency to withdraw their hearts pronounce the final doom, and send away from God? let us, in the spirit of meek- from his presence some of those with ness, reprove and admonish them. Above whom we once were acquainted, perhaps

gave

SERMON XVIII.

JOSHUA'S ADVICE TO ISRAEL.

Nov. 29, 1759.

Joshua xxiii. 11.- "Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your GOD."

intimately connected, nay, whom we dearly loved; send them, I say, from his presence, to the other side of that impassable gulf, from whence they shall never return! How that final parting shall then be felt by us, I know not; but surely the Preached on the day of National Thanksgiving, distant prospect of it is dreadful in the mean time. O then let us do what we can to prevent it! Let us imitate that good Shepherd "who came to seek and to save that which was lost: He "" his life for the sheep ;" and shall any THESE are the words of a soldier and a who have tasted the sweetness of his saint; a soldier, equally brave and sucmercy, think it much to follow, with their cessful; a saint, distinguished by the teswarmest entreaties, those unhappy wan-timony of God himself. They are the derers who, as they themselves once did, words of Joshua, the victorious leader of have left the good pasture, and continue God's ancient people, and make a part of to stray in the barren wilderness, where, that solemn valedictory speech which he without speedy relief, they must irevoca pronounced in a national assembly of his bly perish? God forbid. Let us have countrymen a little before his death. pity upon those who have not yet learnt to pity themselves; and to the most vigorous efforts we can use for their recovery, let us add our fervent prayers to God, that he may send forth his Spirit, to bring them into the way of peace and safety, and then to keep and guide them in that way, till he lead them at length into "the land of uprightness."

The same happy union of fortitude and piety which had rendered his active life so glorious, still shone forth with undiminished strength to adorn the concluding scene. Never did the magnanimity of the soldier, never did the piety of the saint, never did the generous zeal of the patriot, appear with more becoming grace and dignity, than when this great and good man rose up in the presence of all his brethren, and thus addressed the tribes of Israel:

THUS have I endeavored to show, in a variety of instances, what manner of life is most expressive of the temper, and best suited to the condition of strangers "I am old and stricken in age; and ye and sojourners. May God accompany have seen all that the Lord your God what hath been said with his effectual hath done unto all these nations because blessing, and enable us all so to behave of you; for the Lord your God is he that in this "house of our pilgrimage," that hath fought for you. Behold, I have when we shall have done with earthly divided unto you by lot these nations that things, we may be received into those remain, to be an inheritance for your tribes, everlasting habitations, whither Christ from Jordan, with all the nations that I hath gone to prepare a place for us. To have cut off, even unto the great sea westwhom, with the Father, and the Holy ward. And the Lord your God, he shall Spirit, the one living and true God, be expel them from before you, and drive ascribed, as is most due, all blessing, and them from out of your sight, and ye shall honor, and glory, and power, both now possess their land, as the Lord your God and evermore. Amen. hath promised unto you. Be ye therefore very courageous, to keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom, to the right hand or to the left; that ye come not among these nations, these that remain amongst you, neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them; but cleave unto the

Lord your God as ye have done unto this | breath, he reminds them also, that "it day. For the Lord hath driven out from was the Lord their God that fought for before you great nations and strong; but them.' They got not the land by their as for you, no man hath been able to stand own sword, neither did their own bow before you unto this day. One man of save them, but the right hand and arm of you shall chase a thousand; for the Lord Almighty Jehovah." To him therefore your God, he it is that fighteth for you, the sole tribute of praise was due: this as he hath promised you. Take good was the important truth which Joshua heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye chiefly recommended to the attention of love the Lord your God." his hearers. And now knowing that the time of his departure was at hand, as the last and strongest proof of his affection and care, with the authority of a governor he commands, with the bowels of a father he entreats, and, with all the seriousness of a dying saint, he obtests them to love the Lord their God.

the best of kings, our truly magnanimous and most gracious sovereign, doth this day address to us. He hath called us together by his royal proclamation, to return public thanks to Almighty God, for the variety of great and public blessings which have enriched and distinguished this memorable year. The preceding year was indeed glorious; but of this it may be said with a peculiar emphasis, that it excels in glory. Even to the present day, the series of victory remains unbroken;

"How forcible are right words!" Well did Solomon say, that "the tongue of the wise is health," and "a word fitly spoken like apples of gold in pictures of silver." An address more worthy of the speaker, or better adapted to those who heard it, cannot be devised, than that which these verses present to our view. The Jews This, my brethren, is the charge which were at this time in full possession of the promised land; every man dwelt safely under his vine, and under his fig-tree; neither was there any to make them afraid; for "the Lord had given them rest from all their enemies round about." By a train of the most astonishing victories, they had totally subdued the nations of Canaan, whose country they divided by lot among themselves. Such a valuable conquest, equally complete and glorious, afforded matter of joy and triumph to them all; but chiefly to Joshua, who con- no defeat hath stained our national honor, ducted their arms, and to whose wisdom and valor, as the means under God, they were visibly indebted for all their success. Here then was a theatre on which ambition and vain glory might have acted their parts to great advantage; nay, they might have done it almost without fear of detection or reproof. No claim of merit would have been thought excessive, no ap-sea and by land, success hath crowned the plause too high, no reward too great, for such an illustrious hero as Joshua; and had his speech been artfully framed to exalt himself, the effect of it would probably have been similar to that of Herod's oration, when" the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man."

nor any public disaster interrupted our joy. Hitherto our sunshine hath been clear and unclouded. Amidst the tumults and horrors of surrounding war, blessed with uncommon plenty at home, we enjoy all the comforts of domestic peace; whilst every quarter of the world hath beheld our triumphs, and on every element, by

British arms. Success I say, of the best and most valuable kind; for the fruits of our victories are not the romantic and airy additions of military fame, but advantages of a substantial and more enduring nature;-the increase of our naval strength, which experience hath shown to be the surest means of our defence; the But Joshua possessed "another spirit." enlargement of our commerce, the great Long had he been dead to pride and self-source of our wealth; the protection of interest. He sought not his own praise, our king's electoral dominions, unjustly but the honor of his God, and the prosperity of his brethren. He reminds them indeed, that he had often led them to victory and triumph; but, with the same

invaded on our account; and the security of our colonies from the inroads and devastations of merciless savages, rendered still more savage by the instigation and