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 THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, f 
 Princeton, N. ^miU^^^ 
 
 ( C'^-'"'» Division SCC^ \ 
 
 l\ ' -Section Vi,>f-'V«? I /fc 
 
 9 i/"— ^ / 
 
 ^ 
 
d 
 
DISCOURSES 
 
 O N 
 PUBLIC OCCASIONS 
 
 IN 
 
 AMERICA- 
 
 By W I L L I A M S MI T H, D. D. 
 
 Provoft of the College and Academy of Philadelphia. 
 
 The SECOND EDITION. 
 
 CONTAINING, 
 
 I. Sundry Dlfcourfes during the Ra- 
 vages of the French and In- 
 dians, preached with a View 
 tothe explaininp; the Importance of 
 the PROTEs^ ANT Cause in the 
 Britiih Coloni.'S, and promoting 
 a general Zeal for their Defence. 
 
 II. A Thankfgivinj-Difcourfe from 
 Exod. XV. I, on the Reduftion of 
 Louilbourg, and Succel's of the 
 Campaign lyijB, 
 
 in, *A Difc^irfe in two Parts, from 
 Pf. ii. S. concerninj the Con- 
 verfion of the Heathen- 
 
 With an Appe 
 
 I. * A Lt-Tter to a Clergyman on 
 the Frontiers of Pennfylvania, on 
 Braddock's Defeat ; ' concerning 
 the Duty cf Proteftar.t Minifters in 
 Times of Public Dant-er. 
 
 II. An Addrcfs to the Colonies, en 
 opi'-liM; the Campaign, 175S. 
 
 III. * ■\ General Idea of the 
 Ciil c-rc of Mir AN I A, and the 
 Method of teaching Religion and 
 
 Americans, and final Propa- 
 gation of Christianity and 
 the Sciences to the Ends of the 
 Earth. Part I. Preached before a 
 voluntary Convention of Epifccpal 
 Clergy at Philadelphia, May 2d, 
 J 760. Part II, Preached at the 
 firft anniverfary Commencement 
 in the College there. 
 
 IV. * A Difcourfe from i King?;, 
 viii. 13, 27, 57, 60. at the Open- 
 ing cf St. Peter's Church, 
 Philadelphia, Sept. j.th, 1761. 
 
 V, Two Ft'NERAL Discourses, 
 
 NDix, containing. 
 
 Science therein; firft piibli.'Ticd 33 
 a plan for a College in New-York, 
 in the Year 1753, 
 
 IV, An Account of the College and 
 Academy of Philadelphia. 
 
 V, A Charge to the firft Grad'jatss 
 in the faid College. 
 
 VI, A Philofophical Meditation and 
 AdJrefs to the Supreme Being, 
 
 LONDON: 
 Printed for A. Millar, D. Wilson, and T. 
 j<. r.cMET and p. A. De Hondt, in the Strand ; 
 and Ls. Keitii, in Gracecliurch S:r:ec. 1762. 
 
N. B. The Difcourfcs and Eflays that are marked 
 with an Aftcriflc, in the foregoing Title Page, 
 and alfo one of the Funeral Difcourfes, were not 
 in the First Edition, and are to be had fcpa- 
 rateiy. 
 
To THE Honourable 
 
 THOMAS PENN 
 
 AND 
 
 RICHARD PENN, Efqrs. 
 
 True and abfolute Proprietors * of 
 the Province of Pennfylvania ; and 
 Counties of Newcaftle, Kent and 
 Suffex, on Delaware, in America. 
 
 T 
 
 Honoured Gentlemen, 
 
 HE following Discourses, and mofl: 
 of the Pieces in the Appendix, hav- 
 ing been originally compofed and publiihed 
 in that Province wherewith you are fo clofe- 
 ly conne6led, with a view to promote its 
 beft interefts in the mofl difficult times ; 
 you will permit me to prefix your names 
 to the prefent colleftion of them, and 
 humbly to acknowlege that kind coun- 
 
 • By Royal Charter, fo made and confcicuted. 
 
 A a tenance 
 
DEDICATION. 
 
 tenance which I have always found you 
 ready to beftow upon every defign for the 
 good of the people there, and particular- 
 ly your extraordinary munificence to that 
 truly ufeful and extenlive Seminary of 
 Learning, over which I have the honour 
 to prelide. 
 
 To bear this jufl teftimony, as far as any 
 thing of mine can have a chance to be re- 
 membered, being the main defign of this 
 addrefs 3 and knowing how difagreeable 
 the too common language of Dedica- 
 tions would be to you — if it could pof- 
 fibly find a place here — I fhall only beg 
 leave to fubfcribe myfelf, with all grati- 
 tude and refpedl, 
 
 Honoured Gentlemen, 
 Your mod obedient. 
 And mofl obliged 
 Humble fervant, 
 
 London, Augufts^, WILLIAM SMITH. 
 
 1762, 
 
/ ^^iirc 
 
 
 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 TH E kind reception which thefe Dis- 
 courses and Essays have met with, 
 as well in their original detached iftate, as in 
 the former joint Edition of them, having in 
 fome degree relieved the Author from the 
 anxiet)'- which was at iirft natural on their 
 account, he (hall not now detain the Reader 
 with a long Preface. 
 
 He flatters himfelf, it will be allowed 
 that neither the fondnefs of commencing 
 Author, nor any vain confidence of fuperior 
 talents, could have given birth to the prefent 
 work, lince every thing contained in it will 
 appear to be ccca/ioffa/ ; arifing either imme- 
 diately from Calls of Office, or from other 
 Public Calls, which could neither be flighted 
 nor fufFered to pafs without Improvement. 
 
 Sundry of the Difcourfes, as well as Ef- 
 fays, were written and publifhed by defire, 
 in fome of the moil difficult and perilous 
 times which the Britifh Colonies ever, ex- 
 perienced J with a view, in the Author, to fet 
 forth, according to his befl abilities, the im- 
 A '; menfe 
 
( vi ) 
 
 menfe value of the Bleflings arifing from the 
 enjoyment of the Protestant Religion 
 and Civil Liberty,, and to infpire a be- 
 coming: Zeal for their Defence. 
 
 The Remainder .(excepting the two * 
 Funeral Discourses, and that Which 
 was delivered at the opening of St. Pe- 
 ter's-Church) conlifts chiefly of fuch 
 things as the Author hath had occafion to 
 publilli, in the Difcharge of his office as 
 Head of a feminary of learning j in order to 
 advance the interefts of Science, and there- 
 with the interefts of true Christianity, 
 in the remote Parts of the earth. 
 
 Such being the topics here handled, the 
 Author entered upon them with his whole 
 Spirit and Zeal ; and provided that this Zeal 
 fliall be found " according to Knovvlege," 
 and tempered with Judgment, he thinks he 
 never can have reafon to be forry for hav- 
 ing employed part of his beft days, on fome 
 of the mofl intereiling fubjed:s, that can 
 
 * It was intended to have printed thefe two Difcourfes 
 next to one another; but as the Additional Part of this vo- 
 lume \vas to be done off" feparately, it was nece/Tary to leave 
 all theDi/courfes as they flood in order of time, which has no 
 other inconvenience, but that one of the Funeral Difcourfes 
 (lands before thofc that rel.ue to the war, all of which fol- 
 low in ciiic order. 
 
 poffibly 
 
C vli ) 
 
 poflibly claim the attention of young and 
 rifing Colonies. 
 
 To recognize the glorious plan of pub- 
 lic Liberty and Happlnefs, which we are 
 there called to inherit as defcended from 
 the iliuftrions (lock of Britons ; to fet 
 forth the Importance of the Protestant 
 Cause in the immenfe regions of America, 
 and the great things which the kind Provi- 
 dence of God feems there to have in view 
 through us j to promote the good Education 
 of Youth, and the eftablifhing fuch founda- 
 tions of ufeful literature, as fliall not only 
 be a means of cultivating Divine Knowlege 
 among ourfelves, but alio of extending its fa- 
 cred influence to others, and bringing the 
 barbarous nations around us, within the pale 
 of Religion and civil Life j^ — thefe areDefigns, 
 upon which (if laboured in with fincerlty) 
 a good man needs not fear to reft his chara(5ter 
 both as a Chriftian, and a member of Society, 
 — Deligns, which at all times would be im- 
 portant, but are more efpecially fo, when 
 Dangers prefs, when Violence is abroad up- 
 on the earth, when PopiQi and Savage Foes 
 have combined againft us, and when it be- 
 hdves every Head to confult, every Hand 
 A 4 to 
 
( viii ) 
 
 to ad, and every Bofom to be animated, for 
 the Public Safety. 
 
 It may, indeed, be granted that there is, 
 perhaps, no part of his Majefty's dominions 
 where the ineftimable Blefiings of Liberty 
 and a pure Religion are better underftood, 
 or more fully prized, than among men of 
 rank and charader in America, who have 
 had due opportunities of improvement. But 
 thefe are only a few compared to the body 
 of the people, who live in a difperfed and 
 retired ftate, and are flill too much without 
 the above advantages. Neverthelefs, that 
 they alfo fliould be pofTeiTcd with fome juft 
 notions on this head, is a matter of the very 
 higheft importance to the future fafety and 
 profperity of the Britifh Colonies. 
 
 We are there on a very different footing 
 from that of the mother-country here. Both 
 we and our enemies are an increafing mul- 
 titude of people, continually approaching 
 each other in our frontier-fettlements, and 
 having no furrounding ocean, or impafTible 
 barrier, to divide between us. 
 
 Nothing, therefore, but a high and com- 
 manding {QnfQ of the great difference be- 
 tween our Religion and theirs, between Li- 
 berty and Slavery, kept alive and propagated 
 
 on 
 
(«) 
 
 on our part, can ever preferve us a feparate 
 people from themj or render us Brave by 
 principle. When once the fenfe of this dif- 
 ference is loft, or ceafes to have its influ- 
 ence on the condudl, all fecondary confider- 
 ations will lend but a feeble aid. When once 
 we begin to confider our vaft American 
 Settlements, as given to us merely for ad- 
 vancing our fecular interefts, and not for en- 
 larging the fphere of Proteftantifm and Hu- 
 manity ; we may have reafon to fear that 
 the good Providence of God would leave 
 us to ourfelves, and raife up worthier in- 
 ftruments for accomplifhing its own eternal 
 purpofes of love towards thofc fo long be- 
 nighted and forlorn regions. 
 
 This is truly an interefting confideratlon 
 to us ; and if ever more than ordinary 
 warnith be allowable, it is when fuch fub- 
 jedts as thefe come more particularly before 
 us. It is on thofe folemn days, when the 
 interefts of a whole country, and the ways 
 of Providence concerning it, are to be ftated 
 and fet forth ; and every individual in it 
 ftrongly animated " to play the man for the 
 *' people and cities of his God." 
 
 In a letter to a Clergyman on the frontiers 
 of Pennfylvania, on General Braddock's de- 
 feat, 
 
{^ ) 
 
 feat, before any more than two of the fol- 
 lowing difcourfes were written, the author 
 had fo fully delivered his fentlments con- 
 cerning the duty of Ptoteftant Minifters in 
 times of public danger, the fubjedis chiefly 
 to be handled by them, and the zeal proper 
 on fuch occafions, that when it became his 
 own turn to handle the like fubjedls in the 
 like emergencies, he could not but flrive to 
 come as near as poflible to the rule he had 
 before propofed ; and therefore he begs leave 
 to refer the Reader to the faid Letter (as 
 contained in Appendix I.) for vi'hat may be 
 further neceiTary by way of Preface to fuch 
 of thefe Difcourfes as relate to the War. 
 
 But he would not hereby be underftood 
 as offering to excufe any faults that may be 
 found in them, or any other partcf this work. 
 All he would fay is, that he hopes the Oc- 
 cafion will generally juftify the manner j 
 that he has always endeavoured to fuit his 
 language to his fubjed, and thinks he has 
 no where offered to addrefs the PafTions 
 without firll: flriving to convince the Judg- 
 ment. As for the reft, he has already expe- 
 rienced the kind indulgence of the public, 
 and would not now doubt of its continuance. 
 
 T H E 
 
( ^' ) 
 
 THE 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 DISCOURSE I. Page i, 
 
 PERSONAL Afflidion and frequent Re- 
 fleclion upon human life, of great ufe to 
 lead Man to the Remembrance of God. 
 Preached in Chrift-Church, Philadelphia; Sep- 
 tember I, 1754. On the death of a beloved 
 Pupil, from - 
 
 Psalm xlii. 6. 
 O my God I my foul is cafi down within me^ there^ 
 fore will 1 remember thee. 
 
 DISCOURSE II. Page 27. 
 
 An earned exhortation to Religion, Brotherly- 
 love and Public-fpirit, in the prefenc danger- 
 ous liate of affairs. Prea.hed in Chrift- 
 Church, Philadelphia, June 24, 1755, from — 
 
 1 Pet. ii. 17. 
 Love the ho! her ho sd; fear God-, honour the King, 
 
 DIS- 
 
( xli ) 
 DISCOURSE III. Page 47. 
 
 Hardnefs of heart and negleft of God's merci- 
 ful vifitations, the certain fore-runners of more 
 public miferies; applied to the Colonies, in 
 a parallel between their ftate and that of the 
 Jews, in many remarkable inftances. Preached 
 on the public Fall appointed by the Govern- 
 ment of Pennfylvania, May 21, 1756, from — 
 
 Jeremiah viii. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. 
 
 Tea the Jiork in the Heaven knoweth her appointed 
 times, and the turtle and the crane and fw allow 
 obferve the time of their coming j but my people 
 know not the judgment of the Lord, &c. 
 
 DISCOURSE IV. Page ys. 
 
 The Chriftian Soldier's duty ; the lawfulnefs 
 and dignity of his office •, and the importance 
 of the Protefbant Caufe in the Britiih colonies. 
 Preached in Chrift Church, Philadelphia, 
 April 5, 1757; at the defire of General 
 Stanwix, to the forces under his command, 
 before their march to the frontiers. With a 
 Prayer. From • 
 
 Luke iii. 14. 
 
 Jnd the Soldiers demanded of him likewife, faying 
 
 Mafter^ and what jhall ice dj ? He faid 
 
 unto them. Do Violence to no man^ neither ac- 
 cuse any falfely, and be content with your wages. 
 4 DIS- 
 
( Xiii ) 
 
 DISCOURSE V. Page 103. 
 
 The duty of pralfing God for fignal mercies and 
 deliverances. Preached September 17, 1758, 
 on the remarkable fuccefs of his Majefty's 
 arms in America, during that Campaign 5 
 from 
 
 ExoD. XV. i: 
 / will fing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed 
 glorioujly* 
 
 DISCOURSE VI. Page 117; 
 
 Concerning the Converfion of Heathen-Ame- 
 ricans-, and the final Propagation of Chris- 
 tianity and the Sciences to the Ends of 
 the Earth. In Two Parts. 
 
 Part L Preached before a voluntary Con- 
 vention of Episcopal Clergy, inChrift- 
 Church, Philadelphia, May 2, 1760. 
 
 Part II. Preached before the Truftees, Maf- 
 ters and Scholars, at the firft Anniverfary 
 Commencem.ent, in the College there; 
 from' 
 
 Psalm H. 8. 
 
 Jfi of mi, and Ifhall give thee the Heathen for 
 thine inheritance, and the uttermoft parts of the 
 earth for thy pffeffton. 
 
 pis. 
 
( xiv ) 
 
 DISCOURSE VII. Page 167: 
 
 The great duty of Public Worship, and of 
 erecting and setting apart proper places 
 |br that purpofe. Preached in St. Peter's 
 Church, Philadelphia, September 4, 1 761, 
 being the day appointed for the firft perform- 
 ance of divine worfliip in the faid Church: 
 "With an account of the whole Service ufed on 
 
 - thatOccafionj from- 
 
 I Kings viii. 13, 27, ^y, 60. 
 
 I have furely huili thee an houfe to dwell in, a 
 
 fettled place for thee to abide in for ever! ~ 
 
 But will God indeed d'^ell on the earth ? Be- 
 hold the Heaven, and the Heaven of Heavens^ 
 cannot contain thee ; how much lefs this houfe that 
 I have buiidid? 
 
 ^he Lord our God be with us, as he was with our 
 Fathers : let him not leave us nor for fake us.—— 
 'That all the people of the earth may know that 
 the Lord is God, and there is none elfe, 
 
 DISCOURSE VIII. Page 193. 
 
 The Gospel-Summons ; preached January ic, 
 1762, at the Funeral of the Rev. Robert 
 JenneVjL. L.D. Reftor of Christ Church, 
 Philadelphia, from 
 
 Luke 
 
{ XV ) 
 
 Luke xvi. 2.' 
 
 Give an account of thy Stewardfiip ; fcr thou mayefi 
 be no longer Steward. 
 
 APPENDIX FIRST. 
 
 NUMBER I. Page 3. 
 
 A Letter concerning the Office and Duty of 
 Protestant Ministers, efpecially in times 
 pf public Danger and Calamity ; written to a 
 Clergyman on the frontiers of Pennfylvania, 
 on General Braddock's defeat. 
 
 NUMBER II. Page 21, 
 
 An earneft Addrefs to the Colonies, at the open- 
 ing of the cam.paign 1758. Written at the 
 defire of Brigadier-General Forbes. 
 
 APPENDIX SECOND. 
 
 NUMBER I. Page ^9- 
 
 A general Idea of the College of Mirania; 
 firft publilhed in the year 1753, as a plan for 
 
 a College in New York. 
 
 NUM. 
 
( xvi ) 
 NUMBER II. Page 107: 
 
 Account of the College and Academy of Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 NUMBER III. Page 129. 
 
 A Charge delivered to the Graduates at the 
 iirft Anniverfary Commencement in the Col- 
 lege of Philadelphia. 
 
 APPENDIX THIRD. 
 
 Page 147. 
 
 A Phllofophical Meditation, and Religious Ad- 
 drefs to the Supreme Being. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 12. at bottom ; for Galat. read Ephef. &c. p. 65, 
 I. 26. read heathen. 
 
 Appendix, p. 28. 1. 22. dele, and fafety; p. 45. 1. i./or 
 thefe, read his I p, 49, 1. 4. r^^ii learned languages; p. 80. 
 j^rcifes, read cxerci(e$. 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
DISCOURSE I. 
 
 Perfonal Afflidion and frequent Reflexion 
 upon human Life, of great Ufe to lead 
 Man to the Remembrance of God. 
 
 Preachedin / ^.J^ 
 
 Chrifl-Church, Philadelphia y Septem- 
 ber I, 1754. 
 
 O N T H S 
 
 Death of a beloved Pupil 
 
 B PRE-. 
 
THE following Veifes, having been originilly print- 
 ed with this Difcourfe, ought not now to be fe- 
 parated from it. When the good-natured reader is ac- 
 quainted that they are a Collection of the Tears of a few 
 young Gentlemen, who were fellow Students of the de- 
 ccafed, the Author knows that he may depend on that 
 Candour in favour of them, which he can only hope for, 
 in favour of himfelf. 
 
 The truly promifingYouthjWho is the Subjca of them, 
 died at Philadelphia, Auguji 2%t\i 1754, being a Student 
 in the fenior Philofophy Clafs of the College there. He 
 was the fecond Son of the- Hon. Josiah Martin, 
 Efq; of Antigua, aud Coufm to Samuel Martin, 
 Efq; Member of Parliament (or Camelford, Treafurerto 
 ' the Princefs Dowager of Wales, and Secretary of the 
 Treafur,y to whom the following Difcourfe is moft re- 
 fpedtfuUy and gratefully infcribed. 
 
 To 
 
liii] 
 
 T O T H B 
 
 AUTHOR, 
 
 On hearing his Sermon, upon the Death of his 
 hopeful Pupil, our dear Fellow-ftudent, Mr, 
 William Thomas Martin. 
 
 I CALL no aid, no mufes to infpire, 
 Or teach my breaft to feel a poet's fire ; 
 Your foft expreffion of a grief fincere, 
 Brings from my foul a fympathetic tear. 
 Taught by your voice, my artlefs forrows flow ; "i 
 
 I figh in verfe, am elegant in woe, > 
 
 And loftier thoughts within my bofom glow. -» 
 
 For when, in all the charms of language draft-, 
 A manly grief flows, genuine, from the breaft. 
 What gen'rous nature can efcape the wounds. 
 Or fteel itfelf againft the force of melting founds ? 
 
 O ! could I boaft to move with equal art 
 The human foul, or melt the ftony heart ; 
 My long-lov'd friend fhould through my numbers fhine^ 
 Some virtue loft be wept in every line ; 
 For virtues he had many— ^'Twas confeft 
 That native fenfe and fweetnefs fill'd his breaft* 
 But cooler reafon checks the bold intent. 
 And, to the task refufing herconfent. 
 This only truth permits me to difclofe. 
 That in your own, you reprefent my woes } 
 And fweeter than my fong, is your harmonious profe 
 
 College of Phihcklphla, F. HOPKINSON- 
 
 September 5, 1754. 
 
 B 2 On 
 
 \ 
 
[iv] 
 
 On the fame ^ hy a Fellow-Jiudent. 
 
 AND is your Martin gone? Is he no more, 
 That living truth, that virtue feen before ? 
 Has endlefs night already hid the ray, 
 The early promife of his glorious day ? 
 That grief, great Mourner! in fuch ftrains exprefl:, 
 Shews he was deep implanted in your breaft. 
 
 Yet hark ! foft-v/hifpering reafon feems to fay. 
 Ceafe from your forrows, wipe thefe tears away. 
 He's gone, he's paft the gloomy fliades of night, 
 Safe landed in th' eternal realms of light. 
 Happy exchange ! to part with all below. 
 For worlds of blifs, where joys unfading flow. 
 And fainted fouls with love and rapture glow. 
 
 College of Philadelphia, S. MAG AW. 
 
 September b, 1754. 
 
 On the fame, hy a Fellow -fludent. 
 
 WHILE for a pupil loft, your forrow flows, 
 In all the harmony of finifh'd profe; 
 While melting crouds the pious accents hear. 
 Sigh to your fighs, and give you tear for tear; 
 We too, in humble verfe, would treat the theme. 
 And join our griefs to fwell the general ftream. 
 For we remember v/ell his matchlefs power. 
 To fteal upon the heart, and chcar the focial hour. 
 
 Ah I much lov'd friend ! too foon thy beauties fade I 
 Too foon we count thee with the filent dead ! 
 Thou, late the faireft plant in virtue's plain. 
 The brighteft youth in wifdom's rifing train; 
 By genius great, by liberal arts adorn'd. 
 By ftrangers feen and lov'd, by ftrangers mourn 'dj 
 Bleft in a tender brother's friendly breaft j 
 And in paternal fondnefs doubly bleft ! 
 
 Art 
 
[V] 
 
 Art thou now funk in death's tremendous gloom, 
 Wrapt in the awful horrors of a tomb ? 
 Ah me ! how vain all fublunary joy ! 
 Woes following woes, our warmeft hopes deftroy ! 
 But hark! — fome voice celeftial ftrikes mine ear. 
 And bids the mufe her plaintive ftrains forbear. 
 *' Weep not, fond youths, — it cries, or feems to cry— 
 ** He lives, your Martin lives, and treads the sky; 
 ** From care, from toil, from ficknefs fnatch'd away, 
 *' He fhines amid the blaze of heaven's eternal day. 
 
 College of Philadelphia, J. DUG HE. 
 
 September 7, 1 754. 
 
 On the fame. 
 
 CHECK, mournful preacher I check thy ftreaming 
 woe, 
 
 1 
 
 Pierce not our fouls with grief too great to know ; 
 
 He joys above whom we lament below. 
 Snatch'd from our follies here, he wing'dhis way. 
 To fmg Hos ANNAS in the realms of day. 
 With him, the fight of life and death is o'er. 
 And agonizing throes {hall pain no more ; 
 No more fhall fell difeafe, with wafteful rage, 
 Blaft the fair bloflbms of his tender age ; 
 Tranfplanted now, he blooms a heav'nly flow'r. 
 Where fpring eternal decks yon Amarinthine bower. 
 
 Thy pious fcrrows. Smith, to future days, 
 Shall bear his image, and tranfmit his praife. 
 
 Still, ftill I feel what thy Difcourfe impreft. 
 When pity throb'd, congenial, in each breaft : 
 VVhen deep diftrefs came thrilling from thy tongue. 
 And fympathizing crouds attentive hung. 
 To mourn for thy lov'd Pupil all approv'd j 
 On fuch a theme 'twas virtue to be mov'd. 
 
 B 3 Whoe'er 
 
[ vi ] 
 Whoe'er thefe tender pages fhall explore, 
 Muft learn thofe griefs the Pulpit taught before. 
 
 College of Philadelphia, T. BARTON, 
 
 September 7, 1754. 
 
 On the fame. 
 
 O DEATH ! could manly courage quell thy power. 
 Or rofy health protraft the fatal hour ; 
 Could tears prevail, or healing arts withftand 
 Th' unfparing ravage of thy wafteful hand ; 
 Then Martin ftill had liv'd a father's boaft. 
 Nor had a mother's fondeft hopes been loft ; 
 Then, Smith, thy darling youth, thy jufteft pride, 
 With virtue's firft examples long hadvy'd. 
 
 But he is bleft where joys immortal flow; 
 Ceafe tears to ftream, be dumb the voice of woe* 
 Releas'd from vice, in early bloom fet free 
 From the dire rocks of this tempeftuous fca. 
 The youthful faint, in heav'n's ambrofial valesj 
 With glory crown'd, aetherial life inhales. 
 No more let grief repine, or wilh his ftay. 
 In this dark gloom, this twilight of our day, 
 Rather we'll hall him fled from night's domain, 
 Array'd in light to tread the azure plain. 
 There fcience dwells ; — before the mental eye 
 Nature's ftupendous works unfolded lie; 
 There wifdom, goodnefs, power difFufive fhine. 
 And fire the glowing breaft with love divine. 
 
 College of Philadelphia,, P. J A C K S O N, 
 
 September 7, 1754. 
 
 i)Uv 
 
DISCOURSE I. 
 
 Psalm xlii. 6. 
 
 my God ! my Soul is cajl down within me, 
 therefore will I remember thee, 
 
 IT is elegantly faid by the author of the book 
 of * Job, who feems to have experienced all 
 the. dire vicifiitudes of fortune, " That man is 
 born to trouble as the fparks fly upwards." 
 
 These Troubles, however, as the fame au- ' 
 thor further obferves, ferve the wifeil purpofes, 
 inafmuch as they are not the effefls of what is 
 called blind Chance, but of that unerring Pro-* 
 vidence, which gracioufly condufls all events to 
 the general good of the creature, and the final 
 completion of virtue and happinefs. " Af- 
 fliftion comes not forth from the duft, neither 
 does trouble fpring out of the ground." Very 
 far from it. At that great day, when the whole 
 council of God Ihall be more perfedlly difplayed 
 to us, we Ihall be fully convinced, that all his 
 difpenfations have been wife, righteous, and 
 gracious ; and that -f " though no chaftening for 
 the prefent feems joyous, but grievous, never- 
 
 * Ch. V. 6, t Heb. xii. 1 1. 
 
 B 4 thclefs 
 
8 DISCOURSE I. 
 
 thelefs it afterwards yields the peaceable fruits of 
 righteoufnefs to them that are exercifed thereby." 
 
 Of the truth of this we might indeed foon 
 be convinced, at prefent, were we but wife, and 
 fuffered ourfelves to refleft on what we daily 
 fee. 'Tis with the greateft injuftice, that men 
 afcribe their fins wholly to worldly temptations, 
 and inveigh upon all occafions againft this life 
 on account of its vanities. Thefe, if well at- 
 tended to, would perhaps put us on our guard 
 againft fm ; and, upon enquiry, it will be found 
 that the great and general caufe of all iniquity, 
 is a ftupid liftlefTnefs, or want of confideration ♦, 
 which, likefomevaft weight, opprefTes the more 
 generous efforts of the foul, and bears all filently 
 down before it, unlefs checked by the power- 
 ful hand of afflidion. 
 
 I SINCERELY pity the man who never tafted of 
 adverfe fate ; and were I capable of wilhing evil 
 to any perfon, I could not wifh a greater to my 
 greateft foe, than a long and uninterrupted 
 courfe of profperity. A flattering calm portends 
 a gathering ftorm ; and when the ftream glides 
 fmooth, deep and filent on, we juftly fufpedt 
 that the fea or fome declivity is near, and that 
 it is foon to be loft in the vaft ocean, or to tum- 
 ble down fome dreadful fall or craggy precipice. 
 
 Such appears his ftate to be, who never knew 
 an adverfe hour, nor took time to confider 
 whence he came, where he is, or whither bound. 
 There is room to be apprehcnfive left, being 
 
 drunk. 
 
DISCOURSE!. 9 
 
 drunk with profperity, he fhould fwim fmoothly 
 from joy to joy along life's Ihort current, till 
 down he drops, thro' the pit of death, into the 
 vafl ocean of eternity ! If we loved fuch a one, 
 what more charitable wilh could we indulge to- 
 wards him, than that the chaftening hand of 
 heaven might fall heavy upon him, arreft him in 
 his thoughtlefs career, and teach him to paufe, 
 ponder, and weigh the moment — rthe eternal 
 moment — " of the things that belong to his 
 peace, before they are for ever hid from his 
 eyes ?" 
 
 That there fhould be any perfons, endued 
 with realbn and underflanding, who never found 
 leilure in this world to refied for what end they 
 were fent into it, would feem incredible, if ex- 
 perience did not afilire us of it. There are really 
 fo many affecting incidents in life (undoubtedly 
 intended to awaken reflection) that their hearts 
 muft be petrified indeed, one would think, and 
 harder than adamant, or the nether milftone, 
 who can live in this world without being fome- 
 times affcded, if not with their own, at leall 
 with the human, lot. 
 
 I HOPE it is far from being my charader, that 
 I am of a gloomy temper, or delight to dwell 
 unfeafonably on the dark fide of things. Our 
 cup here is bitter enough, and misfortunes too 
 thick, for any one who loves his fpecies to feek 
 to embitter the draught, by evils of his own 
 creatioa. But there is a time for all things ; 
 
 and, 
 
lo D I S C O U R S E I. 
 
 and, on fome occafions, not to feel, fympathize, 
 and mourn, would argue the moft favagc nature. 
 
 This day every thing that comes from me 
 will be tindured with melancholy. It is, how- 
 ever, a virtuous melancholy •, and therefore, if 
 publickly indulged, I hope it may be thought 
 excufable. 
 
 You know it is natural for thofe, who are 
 fmcerelyaffiided, to believe that every perfon 
 is obliged to Sympathize with them, and attend 
 patiently to the ftory of their woe. But whe- 
 ther this be your prefent difpofition or not, I 
 fliaii fay nothing, which you are not as much 
 concerned to receive deeply into your hearts, as 
 I am to pour it from mine. 
 
 The general Doctrine which I would en- 
 force from the text (previous to my intended 
 application of it) is, that a conftant feaft was ne- 
 ver defigned for us here, and that it is the good 
 will of our Father that we fhould be frequently 
 roufed by what happens to us and around us, to 
 remember him, the great fountain of our being -, 
 and to; cherilh that fcrious reflexion and reli- 
 ^ous forrow, which may lead us to eternal joy. 
 
 That we fhould obferve fuch a condud ap- 
 pears highly reafonable in itfelf For next to 
 the immediate praifes of our great Creator, there 
 is not an exercife that tends more to improve 
 and ennoble the fcul, than frequently to call an 
 eye upon human life, and expatiate on the va- 
 rious fcene, till we lead on the foft power of re- 
 
 3 
 
DISCOURSE I. n 
 
 ligious melancholy, and feel the virtuous purpofe 
 gently rifing in our fympathifing breafts, thril- 
 lino- through our inmoft frame, and ftarting 
 into the fecial eye in generous tears. 
 
 It would be affronting your underftanding to 
 fuppofe that you think the melancholy here recom- 
 mended, in any manner related to that gloomy 
 defpondency into which fome people fall. No •, 
 my beloved brethren : It is that virtuous refec- 
 tion, philofophic pen/ivenefs, and religious tender nefs 
 of foul, which fo well fuit the honour of our na- 
 ture, and our fituation in life. And much to 
 be pitied is that man, who thinks fuch a temper 
 unbecomming his dignity, and whofe proud foul 
 pretends never to be cajl down from the lofty 
 throne of Jloic infenfibility. 
 
 Such a one, in the funfhineof his profperity, 
 may arrogantly boaft that nothing can move 
 him ', and while the world goes well with him, 
 he may remain blind to his error. But let hea- 
 ven Urip him of his gaudy plumes, and throw 
 him back naked into that world, where he had 
 fixed his heart, he will find to his coft that, tho' 
 he never had the virtue to be caft down and feel 
 for others, yet he will have the weaknefs to be 
 call down and become the moft abjed defpon- 
 dent thing alive for himfelf. 
 
 When his tranfient honors are thus fled, his 
 haughty looks will be humbled. He will be- 
 gin to contemn his paft folly, and enter deeply 
 into his own bofom. He vdll no more rely on 
 
 the 
 
12 DISCOURSE!. 
 
 the fmiles of fortune, or the flatteries of men ; 
 but will acknowledge, from dear-bought expe- 
 rience, that, in this life, there is no fure refuge 
 but God, nothing permanent but virtue, and 
 nothing great but an humble heart, and a deep 
 fenfe of the ftate of our mortality here. 
 
 But, befides personal Afflictiox (which 
 is perhaps a laft means) the all-gracious gover- 
 nor of the world, ftill watchful to turn every 
 event to the good of his creatures, without vio- 
 lating their moral liberty, has many other ways 
 of leading them to the r^;;;^/jj/'r^^Y^ of him. Whe- 
 ther we look within or around us, we Ihall find 
 enough in the profpc6t to humble our fouls, and 
 to convince us that, not trufling to any thing in 
 a world where all enjoyments are fleeting, we 
 fhall then only be fafe in it, " when we have 
 put on the breaft-plate of Righteoufnefs, and 
 armed ourfelves with the fwordof the fpirit*.** 
 
 " Few and evil are the days of our pilgrimage 
 here -|-." God never intended this world as a 
 kiting habitation for us ^ and, on a jufteftimate 
 of things, evil will be found fo continually blend- 
 ed with good, that we cannot reafonably let our 
 affedtions much upon it. Wailing, weak and 
 defencelefs, we are ufhered into it. Our youth 
 is a fcene of folly and danger ; our manhood of 
 care, toil and difappointment. Our old age, if 
 haply we reach old age, is a fecond childhood. 
 Vfithered, weak and bowed beneath our infir- 
 
 • Galat. vi. 14, &c. f Gen. xlvii. 9. 
 
 mities. 
 
DISCOURSE I. 13 
 
 mities, we become, as it were, a living hofpital 
 of woes ; a burden to ourfelves, and perhaps a 
 nufance to others. 
 
 This is the common ftateof our Being. But 
 befides all this, the number of evils in each of 
 thele ftages is greatly encreafed, partly by our 
 own mifconduft, and partly by our necelTary con- 
 nexions with others. For the equitable judg- 
 ments of God are often general. '' All things 
 come alike to all men •, and there is but one 
 event to the righteous and to the wicked f?'* 
 Moreover, many of thofe evils are of fuch a na- 
 ture, that no prudence of ours can either forefee 
 or prevent them. All the ftages of life necefia- 
 rily fubjeft us to pains and difeafes of body, and 
 many of them to the acuter pains of an anxious 
 mind. 
 
 Upon the whole, we may pronounce from the 
 higheft authority, that " our life is but a vapour, 
 which is feen a little while, and then vanifheth 
 away, as a tale that is told and remembered no 
 more j or as a wind that pafies over and cometh 
 not again." 
 
 The man muft be though tlefs, indeed, who 
 is not humbled with thefe refledlions. But fup- 
 pofe his own life fhould pafs over as happily as 
 poffible, and he lliould feel but few of thefe evils 
 himfelf J yet, unlefs he Ihuts his eyes and his 
 ears from the world around him, he muft ftill 
 find fomething in it, which ought to move the 
 
 f 2 Eccles. ix. 2. 
 
 tender 
 
U DISCOURSE I. 
 
 tender heart to religious Sorrow and Remem- 
 brance of God. 
 
 Our bleffed Saviour himfelf, tho' more than 
 human, and confcious of no perfonal ill, call his 
 eyes upon Jerufalem and wept over it, on ac- 
 count of its impending fate. Jull fo, if we call 
 an eye upon the world, we fliall drop a tear over 
 it, on account of the unavoidable misfortunes 
 that prevail in it. 
 
 Don't we often fee tyranny fuccefsful, ruth- 
 lefs opprefllon and perfecution ravaging the 
 globe, the bell of men made (laves to the worll, 
 and the lovely image of the Deity fpurned, dif- 
 honour'd, disfigur'd ! How many men, of ge- 
 nuine worth, are call out by fortune to mourn in 
 folitary places, unfeen, unpitied ; while wicked- 
 nefs riots in the face of day, or pampers in lord- 
 ly palaces ! How many pine in the confinement 
 of dungeons •, or are chained down, for offences 
 not their own, to the gallies for life ! How ma- 
 ny bleed beneath the fword, and bite the ground 
 in all the fad variety of anguifli, to fate the cruel 
 ambition of contending mailers ! How many 
 are deprived of their eftates, and difappointed 
 in their moil fanguine expedations, by the ma- 
 lice of fecret and open enemies, or, which is 
 far more piercing, the treachery of pretended 
 friends ! How many boil with all the tortures 
 of a guilty mind, and the bittereft remorfe for 
 irreparable injuries 1 How many purfue eacli 
 other with the moll implacable malice and re- 
 
 fentment ! 
 
DISCOURSE L I- 
 
 fentment ! How many bring the acutell mifery 
 upon themfelves by their own intemperance ! 
 How many condemn their Souls to a kind of 
 hell, even in their own bodies, by an unhappy 
 temper, and the violent commotions of diforder- 
 ed blood ! How many are completely wretched* 
 in their families, and conftantly galled by the 
 unavoidable misfortunes of their deareil friends ! 
 
 On one fide the dillrefs of the Needy, the 
 injuries of the Oppreffed, the cries of the Widow 
 and Orphan, pierce cur ears. On the other, we 
 hear the Voice of Lamentation and Mournino- ; 
 our friends and neighbours weeping for dear re- 
 lations fuddenly fnatched away, and " Refufmg 
 to be comforted becaufe they are not." Here 
 one's heart is torn afunder by having a beloved 
 wife or child fnatched from his fide ! There an- 
 other bewails the lofs of an affedionate parent or 
 brother! Here fturdy manhood drops inftantly be 
 neaththefuddenftroke ! There Blooming Youth— 
 Ah ! my bleeding heart, wring me not thus with 
 ftreaming anguilli — there Blooming Youth falls 
 a premature vi6lim to a doom feemingly too fe- 
 vere ! Beneath the cold hand of death, the rofes 
 are blafted ; reltlefs agility and vigour are be- 
 come the tameft things -, ^nd beauty, elegance 
 and flrength, one putrid lufnp ! 
 
 Surely, if we would think onthefe, andfuch 
 things, which ought not to be the lefs ftriking 
 for being common, and which render this life 
 a fcene of fuffering, a valley of tears, we could 
 
 not 
 
lb D I S C O U R S E I. 
 
 not fet our hearts much upon it, but fliould be 
 arrefled even in the mid-career of vice, and 
 trembhng learn to weigh the moment of things, 
 and fecure " the one thing needful." All the 
 tender paflions would be awakened in our bo- 
 foms. Our fympathizing fouls would be caji 
 down within us, and alarmed at their own dan- 
 ger, would fly round from ftay to ftay, calling 
 inceflantly for help, till they could find a fure 
 and nevei"-failing refuge. 
 
 But where is this never-failing refuge to be 
 found ^. It becomes me now to point out fome 
 ever-flowing fpring of comfort, fome eternal 
 rock of falvation, for the foul, after having thus 
 muflered up fuch a baleful catalogue of certain 
 miferies, to alarm and humble her. 
 
 Now, bluffed be the Lord, this refuge is 
 pointed out in the Text. In fuch circumftances, 
 we fhall never find reft, but in rcfolvin^ with 
 the Pfalmift — " O my God ! my foul is call: 
 down within me, therefore will I Remember 
 thee." ■ 
 
 Without remembring that there is aG<7^, that 
 over-rules all events, what hope or comfort 
 could we have, when we reflect on all the afore- 
 faid common mifericjf of life, and many more 
 that might be named |f Did we, with the Atheift, 
 believe them to fpring up from the duft, or to 
 be the blind efit:6ls of unintelligible chance, and 
 of undireded matter and motion, what a poor 
 condition Ihould we think ourfelves in here ? 
 
 Would 
 
D I S C O tJ R S E I. 17 
 
 Would not all appear as « a land of darknef^j 
 as darknefs itfelf, under the Ihadow of death, 
 without any Order, where the light is as dark^ 
 nefs f. 
 
 Surely we could not wilh to live in the 
 world, upon fucli a precarious footing as this. 
 And yet we fliould not know whither to fly from 
 it, unlefs into the darker ftate of dreary annihi- 
 lation, at the thoughts of which the aftoniflied 
 foul fluidders and recoils. Upon fuch a fcheme, 
 all our hopes would be thin as thefpider's web' 
 and lighter than chaff that is difperfed throuo-h 
 the air. Our Adveriity would hurry us into the 
 moft invincible defpair, and our Profperity would 
 be as a bubble burfting at every breath. Phi^ 
 lofophy would be a dream, and our boafted For^ 
 titude meer unmeaning Pretenfion. 
 
 But on the other Hand, if, « when our fouls 
 are call down within us, we will remember that 
 there is a God," whofe great view in creating 
 was to make us happy, whofe defign inaffliding 
 IS to reclaim us, and who governs the world by 
 his providence only to condud all to thegreateft 
 general good— then, and not till then, we fhall 
 have fure footing. We lliall neither raife our 
 hopes too high, nor fmk them too low. If for- 
 tune is kind, we flwll enjoy her fmiles without 
 forgetting the hand that guides hen If fhe 
 frowns, we fhall fed our woes as Men, but fhall 
 nobly bear them as Chriflians. For if we are 
 
 t 7^^ X. 23, 
 
 ^ really 
 
iS DISCOURSE I. 
 
 really Chriftians, our holy religion teaches m 
 that this Scene of things is but a very fmall part 
 of the mighty Scheme of heaven •, that our pre- 
 fent life is only the dim dawn of our exiftence ; 
 that we Ihall ihortly put off this load of infirmi- 
 ties, and be tranQated to a ftate, where " every 
 tear Ihall be wiped from our eyes, and where 
 there (hall be no more death, nor forrow, nor 
 crying, nor pain, becaufe the former things are 
 
 paired away *." 
 
 If we are thus intimately convinced that un- 
 erring Wifdom, Power, and Goodnefs, hold the 
 reins'of the univerfe, and are at peace in our 
 own confciences, the ftorm of the world^ may 
 beatagainft us -, but, though it may fhake, it can 
 never overthrow us. 
 
 « Although the fig-tree fhall not bloflbm, 
 neither fhall fruit be on the vines -, though the 
 labor of the olive lliall fail, and the fields fhall 
 yield no meat-, though the flock fhall be cut of? 
 from the fold, and there fhall be" no herd m the 
 Itall i yet will we rejoice in the Lord, and we 
 will joy in the God of our lalvation f," Althc^' 
 misfortunes fhould befiege us round and round ; 
 though woes fliould clufter upon woes, treadmg 
 on the heels of each other in black fuccefTion, 
 yet when we remember God, and fly to him as 
 our refuge, we fliall Hand colleded and un- 
 Ihaken, as the everkifling mountains, amid the 
 oreneral florm. 
 
 • Rev. xu. 4. t Hdbak. iii. 17, 18. 
 
 With 
 
DISCOURSE!. 19 
 
 With our eye thus fixt upon heaven, trail- 
 ing in the mercies of our Redeemer, and ani- 
 mated by the gofpel-promifes, we fhall urge our 
 glorious courfe along the tradt of virtue, bravely 
 withftanding the billows of adverfity on either 
 fide, and triumphing in every difpenfation of 
 providence. Though death fiiould ftalk around 
 us in all his grim terrors j though famine, pefbi- 
 lence and fell war fhould tear our befl friends 
 from our fide ; though the laft trumpet iliould 
 found from pole to pole, and the whole world 
 fliould tremble to its Center; though we fhould 
 fee the heavens opened, our Judge coming 
 forth with thoufands and ten thoufands, his eyes 
 flaming fire, the planetary heavens and this our 
 earth wrapt up in one general conflagration ; 
 though we fhould hear the groans of an expi- 
 Hhg world, and behold nature tumbling into 
 Univerfal ruin •, yet then, even then, we might 
 look up with joy, and think ourfelves fecure. 
 Our holy religion tells us,- that this now glorified 
 "Judge was once our humbled Redeemer; that 
 he has been our never-failing friend, and can 
 fliield us under the fhadow of his wing. Tiie fame 
 religion alfo affures us^ that virtue is the pecu- 
 liar care of that Being, at whofe footflool all 
 nature hangs ; and that, far from dying or re- 
 ceiving injury amid the flux of things, the fair 
 plant, under his v/ife government, fliall fur/ive 
 the lafl gafp of time, and bloom on through 
 eternal ages ! 
 
 C 7, And 
 
20 D I S C O U R S E I. 
 
 . And now, my refpeded audience, I think it 
 is evident that if we fearch all nature through, 
 we Ihall find no fure refuge but in keeping a clear 
 Confcience^ and remembering God. If we con- 
 ftantly exert ourlelves to do our duty, and re- 
 member that there is an all-perfedt Being at the 
 head of affairs, the worft that can happen to us 
 can never make us altogether miferable j and, 
 without this, the bell things could never make 
 us in any degree happy. 
 
 If, therefore, it is one great defign of all af- 
 rtidtion, to bring us to fuch a Remembrance, and 
 make us examine into the ftate of our own fouls, 
 I think I may be permitted to bcfeech you, by 
 your hopes of immortal glory and happinefs, 
 not to be blind and deaf to the repeated warn- 
 ings given you by your kind Parent God. Tho' 
 the afflidtions do not happen immediately To 
 you, they happen For you ; and though all 
 feems well at prefent, which of you knows how 
 foon the Lord may vifit you in his fierce anger ? 
 Which of you, younger old, can fay that your 
 fouls will not next, perhaps this very night, be 
 required of you ? And think, O think, if you 
 have never been led to remember God, by the re- 
 peated warnings given you in this world, how 
 unfit a time it will be to remember him when 
 you are juft ftepping into the next ; when (as 
 you have feen in the cafe of many younger and 
 ftronger than mofl of you here,) you Ihall be 
 'ftruck fenfelcfs on a death-bed at once, and 
 
 know 
 
DISCOURSE I. 21 
 
 know not the father that begat you, nor are con- 
 fcious of the tears of her that gave you fuck ? 
 
 If you can but think on thefe things, the va- 
 nity of this world, and the eternity of the next ; 
 if you can but think on the vakie of thofe fouls, 
 for which a God incarnate died, and fealed a co- 
 venant of grace with his blood, into which you 
 have folemnly fworn yourfelves •, furely you will 
 Hop your ears againft the allurements of the 
 Flefh, and the " Voice of the Charmer, charm 
 he ever fo wifely." It may eafily be gathered 
 from what has been faid, that this life has no 
 continuance of unmixt pleafure for us ; and that 
 what alone can alleviate its Evils, or make its 
 Goods give us any fubftantial joy, is a frequent 
 refledion on the prefent ftate of things, and the 
 drawing near to God, in holy Remembrance of 
 his adorable attributes, and our own ablblute 
 dependence on him. 
 
 Behold then once more this very God himfelf 
 invites you to draw near to him, and commemo- 
 rate him at his holy table*. Let him not, 
 therefore, invite you in vain. Do not fliame- 
 fully renounce your moft exalted privilege, and 
 wilfully cut yourfelves off from the fociety of 
 God's univerfal Church. 
 
 You all know what is required to make you 
 
 meet partakers of this holy communion. It is a 
 
 ftedfaft faith in the Gofpel-promifes and the 
 
 mercies of God j a fmcere Repentance for paft 
 
 f Preached on a Sacrament Day. 
 
 C 2 offences ; 
 
22 DISCOURSE!. 
 
 offences •, an unfeigned purpofe of futureAmend- 
 ment, and an unbounded Charity and Benignity 
 of Heart towards all your fellow-mortals, how- 
 ever feemingly different in fentiment and perr 
 fuafion. 
 
 If you have thefe difpofitions either begun 
 now, or continued down to this day, from fome 
 earlier period of your lives, you need not fear, 
 in all humility, to approach this holy commu- 
 nion. 
 
 " Up, efcape for thy life ; look not behind 
 thee 5 ftay not in all the plain ; fly to the moun- 
 tain, left thou be confumed;" was the alarm 
 rung in the ears of Lot by his good angels ? 
 Even fo, permit me, in the fincerity of my heart, 
 to alarm and exhort you. Up ! fly for your lives 
 to the mountain of your God. Let not your 
 fouls find any reft in all the plain of this life^ 
 till you have fixed on the everlafting rock of 
 your falvation, and fecured your intereft in God, 
 through Chrift. Let no excufes detain you, nor 
 linger while the danger is at hand. 
 
 I HOPE you will excufe my warmth on this oc- 
 cafion. I wifh 1 had no ground for it. But the 
 ftiafts of death fly thick around us. You can- 
 not but mifs many whom you faw here a few 
 Sabbaths ago *, and fome of them younger and 
 ftronger than moft of you, particularly that 
 dear Touth^ whofe fudden and much lamented 
 death has forced this train of refiedion from 
 .!Tie, 
 
 Such 
 
D I S C O U R S E I. 23 
 
 Such a difpenfation ought to give particular 
 warning to all ; but to you more efpecially his 
 dear companions and fchool-mates, I would ap- 
 ply myfelfj not doubting but tlie Moral oi his 
 death will be acceptable to you, however unfa- 
 vourably grave and ferious fubjeds are generally 
 received by perfons of your years. 
 
 From the example before you, let me intreat 
 you to be convinced that you hold your lives on 
 a very precarious tenure, and that no period of 
 your age is exempted from the common lot of 
 mortality. But a few days ago, the deceafed bore 
 a part in all your fludies and diverfions, and en- 
 joyed a fhare of health, ftrength and fpirits in- 
 ferior to none here. You all knew and loved 
 him, and I beheld many of you bedewing his 
 grave with becoming tears. Oh then ! let it 
 be your care fo to behave yourfelves, that, at 
 whatever period you may be called from thence, 
 you may fall equally beloved, and equally la- 
 mented. 
 
 Indeed, if any external circumftances could 
 have arrefted the inexorable hand of Death ; if 
 any thing that nature coivld give, or a liberal 
 education beftow, could have faved fuch arifing 
 hope of his country ; late, very late, had he re- 
 ceived the fatal blow ! He bid fair to have been 
 the longeflLtver among us, and my eyes would 
 have been for ever clofcJ, before any one 
 had been called to pay the tribute due to 
 his memory. But the difcafe was of the 
 C 4 moll 
 
24 D I S C O U R S E I. 
 
 moft obftinate kind. All the power of medi- 
 cine, and all the love we bore to him, could not 
 gain one fupernumerary gafp. Pie fell in his 
 Bloom of youth -, and, as I long loved, fo I mull 
 long remember him, with pious regard. 
 
 To the will of heaven, however, mine fhall 
 ever be refigned. " Shall we receive good at 
 the hand of God, and fhall we not receive evil 
 alfo ? The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh 
 away, blefied be the name of the Lord?" I fm- 
 cerely believe that my dear pupil, your deceafed 
 fchool-mate, is now in a far better ftate thaa 
 this. He has happily efcaped from a world of 
 troubles. He has but juft gone a little before 
 us, and perhaps never could have gone more be- 
 loved, more lamented, or more prepared for an 
 inheritance in glory. 
 
 What flronger proofs of affedion could any 
 one receive than he did ? Though at a diilance 
 from his immediate connexions, ftrangers tend- 
 ed his fick-bed with paternal care. Strangers 
 clofed his eyes, while their own trickled down 
 with forrow. Strangers followed him to the 
 grave in mournful filence •, and, when his duft 
 V/as committed to duft, ftrangers paid the laft 
 tributary drop ! 
 
 Yet, after all, to have a fon fo loved and fo 
 honoured, even by ftrangers, and to be furprized 
 with the news of his death before they heard of 
 his fickneis, muft beafevere blow to the diftant 
 parents — rr- -^^"^^ 
 
D I S C O U R S E I. 25 
 
 But, why, alas ! did this thought occur ? 
 Again my AfFedlions ftruggle with Reafon — 
 again Nature, thou wilt be Conqueror — I can 
 add no more — I have now done the lafl: duty 
 of love — let filent tears and grief unutterable 
 fpeak the reft ! 
 
 ,* <( # > * 
 
 * * * 
 
 
 'J 
 
f26] 
 
 ^HYMN, comprifing the chief Heads of 
 th£ foregoing Difcourfe -, compofed to be 
 fung after it, 
 
 FATHER oialll ftill wife and good. 
 Whether thou giv'ft or tak'ft away j 
 Before thy throne devoutly bow'd, 
 We hail thy providential fway ! 
 
 Save us from fortune's hollow fmilc. 
 That lures the guardlefs foul to reft -, 
 A round of pleafure is but toil, 
 And who could bear a conftant feaft ? 
 
 Sometimes thychaft'ning hand employ. 
 Gently to roufe us, not to pain ! 
 Sometimes let forrow prove our joy. 
 And fcatter folly's noify train ! 
 
 Oft let us drop a penfive tear. 
 O'er this much-fuffering fcene of man; * 
 Acute to /^d-/ what others bear. 
 And wife * our own defects to fcan. 
 
 Teach us, while woes and deaths are nigh, 
 To think on thee, and weigh our duft -, 
 Well may we mark the Hours that fly, 
 And flill find leifure to h^tjiiji. 
 
 * The learned reader need not be told that the author here 
 had Mr. Gray's beautiful Hymn to Advcrfity before him. 
 
 DIS- 
 
DISCOURSE II. 
 
 An earneft Exhortation to Religion, Bro^ 
 therly Love, and public Spirit, in the 
 prefent dangerous State of Affairs, 
 
 Preached, by particular Defire, in 
 
 Chriffc-Church, Philadelphia jl 
 
 O N T H E 
 
 Anniverfary of St, John the BAPTiSTf 
 June 24, 1755. 
 
A Few PafTages in the former Editions of 
 this Difcourfe, that related merely to thofe 
 at whofe Defire it was delivered, are now en- 
 tirely left out, as having no immediate Con- 
 nexion with the main Subjedl, or the defign of 
 the prefent Publication. 
 
[29'] 
 
 I Pet E R ii. ly. 
 
 Love the ^Brotherhood ', fear God; honor 
 the King, 
 
 TO contain rules of condu6t levelled to every 
 capacity, and fitted to the circumftances 
 of men, in all their various relations and exi- 
 gences, is an excellence peculiar only to God's 
 holy-word. In the text, and verfes preceding, 
 the apoftle has the following noble exhorta- 
 tion 
 
 "Wherefore, fays he, laying afide all malice, 
 and all guile, and hypocrifies, and envies, and 
 all evil fpeakings ; be ye as living Siones, built 
 up a fpiritual houfe ; free but not ufmg your 
 Liberty as a cloak of malicioufnefs. Love the 
 Brotherhood', fear God; honor the Kingf.'* 
 
 The molt excellent Dodrine contained in 
 thefe words is not only highly fuitable to the 
 Purpofe of thofe at whofe Inftance I now appear 
 here, but likewife to every man among us of 
 whatfoever Denomination or Degree. And this, 
 I confefs, was my chief Inducement to the Choice 
 of them. It was reafonably apprehended that 
 the Nature of this Occafion would draw toge- 
 ther a very large and mixt Afftmbly, and there- 
 fore I thought it my Duty to feleft a Subjed, 
 fVer. I, 5, i6, 17. 
 
 v/hich 
 
30 D I S C U R S E li. 
 
 which might equally intereft us all, both as meti 
 and as Chrijiians^ efpecially in the prefent dan- 
 gerous State of our Affairs. 
 
 In things of inferior moment, I doubt not,' 
 our Sentiments may differ ; but in thofe prin- 
 ciples which are the foundation of the text, 'tis 
 to be hoped we all agree, namely in believing — 
 That there is one God, the fupreme Lord of the 
 tJniverfe; that the -y^hole Ipecies is one Bro- 
 therhood, being one fielh, and the work of his 
 hand ; and that we were defigned for focial life, 
 being by nature both fitted and difpofed to en- 
 creafe each other's happinefs, and incapable of 
 any tolerable happinefs in a folitary ftate. Thefe 
 principles partly conftitute a kind of univerfal 
 Religion, of eternal and immutable obligation j 
 and whatever Affociations we may form for par-' 
 ticular purpofes, the great end propofed upon 
 the whole, fhould be to enable us the more ef- 
 feftually to aft in conformity to this obligation^ 
 which no power on earth can releafe us from. 
 
 As long, therefore, as we believe thefe prin- 
 ciples — and we cannot help believing them as 
 long as we continue to be conftituted as we are — 
 it mull, at all times, and in all circumftances, be 
 our indifpenfable duty, to love this Brotherhood 
 who are our own Fleih ; to fear this God who' 
 made us for focial happinefs ; and to honor thofe" 
 whoi in a more eminent manner, concur with 
 the benevolent purpofes of Heaven, to promote 
 the good of the Social fyllem. 
 
 Having 
 
I S C O U R S E 11. gt 
 
 Having thus faid what feemed necelTary by 
 way of introduftion, and having eftablifhed the 
 duties commanded in the text, by a brief de- 
 dudion of them from lirft principles j I fhall 
 now lay before you fome confiderations to en- 
 force the pradlice of them, taking them fmgly 
 in their order. 
 
 First, we are to love the Brotherhood. This 
 fundamental precept has been fo often recom- 
 mended as the firmed: link in the golden chain 
 of all focieties, that fcarce any thing remains to 
 be added upon it. " Change not a faithful bro- 
 ther, fays the wife man *, for the gold of Ophir." 
 And one ftill wifer lays fuch ftrefs on Brotherly 
 Love, that he requires it as the tefl of our Chrif- 
 tianity. " Hereby fhall all men know that ye 
 are my difciples, if ye have love one to an- 
 other f." 
 
 The whole Gofpel breathes the fpirit of love. 
 Its divine author is all love, and his true fol- 
 lowers muft be love. Love is the happinefs of 
 the faints in glory, and love only can render the 
 chrillian life an imitation of theirs. Few mo- 
 tives, therefore, one would think, might fuffice, 
 to enforce the pradice of fuch a godlike virtue. 
 When we calmly confider whence we came, 
 and what we are; when we find that the fame 
 goodnefs called us forth from duft " to bear our 
 brow aloft," and glory in rational exiftence ; • 
 and when we refled that we depend on the fame 
 
 * Ecclef. vil. 1 8. t John xiii. 35. 
 
 2 pa- 
 
32 DISCOURSE IT. 
 
 paternal kindnefs for all we have, and all W 
 hope to have, and that we are conneded by the 
 fame wants and the fame dangers, the fame com-* 
 mon falvation and the fame chriftian privileges ; 
 one would imagine it fcarce poffible for our 
 hearts to be unaffefted towards each other ! But 
 when we enquire farther what is our deftination, 
 and whither we are going -, when we extend the 
 profped beyond the grave, and ftretch it dowil 
 through vaft eternity ; how greatly does it en- 
 dear the tie ? 
 
 Our hearts would venerate thofe who were to 
 be the faithful companions of our good and bad 
 fortune thro* fome ftrange country -, and fhall 
 not our very fouls burn within us towards the 
 whole human race, who, as well as we, are to 
 pafs through all the untried fcenes of endlefs 
 being ? 
 
 Good heaven ! what a profpeft does this 
 thought prefent to us ? Eternity all before us ! 
 how great, how important does man appear! 
 how little and how trifling the ordinary caufes 
 of contention ! Party differences, and the vulgar 
 diftindions between fmall and great, noble and 
 ignoble, are here entirely loft ; or, if they are 
 feen, they are feen but as feathers dancing on 
 the mighty ocean, utterly incapable to tofs it 
 into tumult. 
 
 In this grand view, we forget to enquire whe- 
 ther a man is of this or that denomination ! We 
 forget to enquire whether he is rich or poor, 
 
 learned 
 
t) I S C O U R S E li. 3J 
 
 karned or unlearned ! Thefe are but trivial con- 
 fiderations •, and, to entitle him to our love^ 
 'tis enough that he wears the human form ! 'Tis 
 enough that he is our fellow-traveller thro' this 
 valley of tears ! And furely 'tis more than enough, 
 that when the whole world fhall tumble from its 
 place, " and the heavens be rolled together as a 
 icroll," he is to ftand the laft Ihock with us ', to 
 launch out into the fhorelefs ocean beyond j to 
 fliare the fortunes of the endlefs voyage, and, for 
 what we know, to be our infeparable compa- 
 nion through thofe regions, over which clouds 
 and darknefs hang, and from whofe confines no 
 traveller has returned with tidings ! 
 
 Another motive to Brotherly Love is its ten- 
 dency to foften and improve the temper. When 
 a reigning Humanity has Ihed its divine in- 
 fluences on our hearts^ and impregnated them 
 with every good difpofition, v/e fhall be all har- 
 mony within, and kindly affefted towards every 
 thing around us. Charity, in all its golden 
 branches, fhall illuminate our fouls, and baniHi 
 every dark and illiberal fentiment. We fhall be 
 open to the fair imprefiions of Beauty, Ordef 
 and Goodriefs ; and fliall ftrive to tranfcribe 
 therii into our own breafls. We fliall rejoice in 
 the divine adminiftration ; and imitate it by 
 difFufing the rrioll extehfive happinefs in our 
 power. Such a heavenly temper will give us 
 the inexprelTible meltings of Joy at feeing others; 
 joyful. It will lead us down into the houfe of 
 D mournina: 
 
34 DISCOURSE II. 
 
 mourning to furprife the lonely heart with un- 
 expedted kindnefs ; to bid the chesrlefs widow 
 fing for gladnefs, and to call forth modeit mei it 
 from its obfcure retreats. 
 
 To a6t thus is the delight of God, and mull 
 be the higheft honour and moft exalted enjoy- 
 ment of Man. It yields a fatisfadion which 
 neither time, nor chance, nor any thing befides, 
 can rob us of-, a fatisfajftion which will accom- 
 pany us thro' life, and at our death will not for- 
 fake us. For then we fhall have the well- 
 grounded hopes of receiving that mercy which 
 we have Ihewn to others. 
 
 The lad motive to Brotherly Love, which I 
 Ihall mention, is its being the joint command 
 of him who made, and him who redeemed us. 
 Seeing, therefore, a man can neither be " pro- 
 fitable to his Creator," nor make any immediate 
 return for Redeeming Love, all that we can do 
 for fuch unfpeakabk kindnefs, is to honor the 
 divine will, and co-operate with it in promoting 
 the glori.ous fcheme of human felicity. To be 
 infenfible to thofe emanations of goodncfs to 
 which we are fo wonderfully indebted, or not to 
 be charmed to the imitation of it, would argue 
 the total abfence of every thing noble or inge- 
 nuous in our nature. 
 
 As long therefore as the Almighty Source 
 of all Love continues to beam down his Love, 
 in fuch exuberance, upon us ; let us, like fo ma- 
 ny burning and fhining luminaries, in a pure 
 
 un- 
 
D I S C O tJ R S E II. 3^ 
 
 unclouded fky, reflet it back upon each other, 
 minghng flame with flame, and blaze with 
 blaze ! 
 
 Secondly, we are exhorted x.o fear God j by 
 which is generally underftood the whole of 'our 
 duties towards him. Having already pointed 
 out the foundation of thefe duties, I fliall iufl: 
 obferve farther, that if the Fear of God was"' let 
 afide, it would be impoffible to form any fcheme 
 either of private or public happinefs. 
 
 With regard to individuals, where Ihall they 
 And confolation under the various prefliires of 
 life, if they look for no God to reft upon? 
 Whither fhall they wander in fearch of happi- 
 nefs, if, in all the univerfe, they know not an 
 objea: adequate to their moft generous and ele- 
 vated aflredions ? How fliall they fill up the 
 mighty void within^ if thofe ever-adive powers 
 of the foul, which are foon cloyed with the 
 things of this diurnal fcene, and fliill hankerino- 
 after the Great, the Fair, and the Wonderful in 
 objeds, do not center in him who is the Firft 
 Great, the Firfl: Fair, and the Firfl; Wonderful ; 
 in the contemplation of whom the mind may 
 dwell, with aflionifliment and delight, through 
 an unfailing duration ! 
 
 With regard to the Public, the magiftrate 
 may fright vice into a corner, and fecure the 
 Being of focieties ; but their Well-being de- 
 pends entirely on the univerfal pradice of'^thofe 
 filent virtues, which fall not under the fandion 
 
 ^ ^ of 
 
6 o I s c o u R s E n. 
 
 of human laws. Nothing but the Fear of God 
 and r Ugious fanaions, can take cogn.xance oi 
 t^l arl and make us " fubjed for confaence 
 fake " Nothmg elfe can fecure the praa,ce ot 
 orivate veracity, fidelity, mutual truft, gratitude 
 r^d all the deep-felt oiP.ces of humanity, which 
 are the main fources of public happi^^ 
 
 ^^ ^''T:;e^':h;t mi: Tirf ^ 
 
 TpPs " aVm:i^ the whole chain of du- 
 ties hold firm and indiflbluble, the firft hnk 
 ZX faftened to the tW-e rffoa ^ ^h 
 fummatc Standard of perfeftion, t «^"n 
 Xm there is no variablenefs, nor Ihadow of 
 
 '"thIolv, we are commanded to W the 
 J tlm s, all thofe in general, who are law- 
 ^;if/ve.edwithauthoti^fo;^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 as appears from the thirteentn venc. 
 yourfdves, fays the apoftle, to every ordinance 
 of man, for the Lord's fake ■, whether it be to 
 the King as fupreme, or unto Governors as- fent 
 by him, for the punittimentof evil-doers, and 
 the praife of fuch as do well." 
 
 T„,s Duty is founded on the former ones. 
 For if we believe that God made us for happi- 
 nefs, and that our great happinefs lies in friend- 
 ly c;mmun,on, we nu,a think fociety.and what- 
 ever is efiential to its fiibfiftence, of ^''^"- An- 
 ginal. Government, therefore, m fome form or 
 
 + SEEDOntheFMtofGod. 
 
 ' Other, 
 
D I S C O U R S E II. 37 
 
 other, muft be the will and appointment of 
 God. But government, without honoring and 
 regarding Jawful governors, is impra6licable. 
 Hence, whatever the form may be, provided it 
 is founded on confent, and a view to public 
 good, the fubmiffion of individuals muft be a 
 moft facred duty. 
 
 Nay, though wicked men bear fway, as can- 
 not fail fometimes to happen, yet ftill it muft be 
 a duty to honor them on account of their ftation, 
 becaufe through them we honor that conftitu- 
 tion we have chofen to live under. This is 
 clear from the apoftle's injundlion to the Chrif- 
 tians, not to moleft the government under which 
 they were born, but to honor the King, who 
 was then Nero, the moft cruel of men, and their 
 bitter perfecutor. The reafon is obvious. The 
 Chriftians were but a few, and the conftitution 
 much older than their new fed, as it was then 
 called. To redrefs grievances, and reform the 
 ftate, was the byfmefs of the majority, who alone 
 had power to make innovations •, and any at- 
 tempt in the Chriftians, however juft, might 
 have been conftrued into fedition, and would 
 probably have beeq produftive of more evil 
 than good. 
 
 But it \yould be abfurd to argue from thence, 
 as fome have done, that the apoftle meant to en- 
 join a continued SubmifTion to Violence •, and that 
 a whole people injured might, in no cafe, recog- 
 nise their trampled majefty. 
 
 D ^ The 
 
38 D I S C O U R S E II. 
 
 The doftrineof Non-refiftance is now fufH- 
 cicntly exploded ; and may it be for ever treat- 
 ed with that fovereign Contempt, which it de- 
 fcrves among a wife and virtuous people. God 
 gave us Freedom as our Birthright-, and in his 
 own government of the world he never violates 
 that Freedom, nor can thofe be his Vicegerents 
 who do.' ' To fay they are, is blafpheming his 
 holy name, and giving the lie to his righteous 
 authority. The Love of Mankind, and the Fear 
 of God, thcfj very principles from which we 
 trace the divine original of juft government, 
 would lead us, by all probable means, to refill 
 every tyrant to deftrudlion, who fhould attempt 
 to enflave the free-born foul, and oppofe the 
 righteous will of God, by defeating the happi- 
 nefs of man ! 
 
 This, however, is to be a laft refource -, and 
 none but the m.ajority of a whole people, both 
 in wifdom and force, can determine in what 
 cafes refiflance is neceffary. In the Scriptures, 
 therefore, obedience is rightly inculcated in ge- 
 neral terms. For a people may fometimes ima- 
 gine grievances which they do not feel, but 
 will never mifs to feel and complain of them 
 where they .really are, unlefs their minds have 
 been gradually prepared for flavery by abfurd 
 tenets. 
 
 From what has been faid on thefe heads, \ 
 hope you will readily confefs — that as foon might 
 the rude Chaos, or jarring atoms of certain 
 
 phi- 
 
D I S C O U R S E II. 39 
 
 philofophers, have jumbled into the Order of 
 the univerfe, without the forming hand of the 
 Alraio-hty Archite(5b, as men become fit for fo- 
 cial happinefs without Brotheriy-Love, the Fear 
 of God, and Regard for juft Authority. 
 
 Suffer me now to apply what has been faid, 
 by earneftly charging every one of this audience 
 to a confcientious obiei-vance of thefe duties ; 
 for if there ever was a people, in a mere pecu- 
 liar manner, called to oblerve them, v/e who in- 
 habit thefe colonies are that people. Being yet 
 in our infancy, and furrounded with reftlefs 
 enemies, our ftrength, our fuccefs, and our fu- 
 ture glory, depend upon our truft in God, our 
 love and unanimity among ourfelves, and obe- 
 dience to that authority, which is neceffary to 
 colled; our fcattered rays, and pour them, with 
 confuming force, upon the heads of our proud 
 foes. 
 
 I SHALL not, at prefent, ftay to exert you 
 farther to the firft of thefe duties ; Truft in 
 God. It is the bufmefs of all our Preachinp--, 
 and the government of this province appeared 
 of late fo fenfible of our entire dependence for 
 vi6tory upon the Lord of Hofts, that a day of 
 public humiliation, to implore his aid and di- 
 re6lion, was enjoined in terms that might do 
 honor to any government. On that occalion, 
 you heard how vain are all the inventions of 
 men, when they feek not counfel of the moft 
 High. You heard how the Mighty have fallen, 
 D 4 and 
 
10 D I S C O U R S E II. 
 
 and how weak their boafted ftrength has been 
 found, when chey did not reft upon the living : 
 God. 
 
 What remains then, is to charge you, and I 
 am bound to charge you, to a Ibvereign regard 
 for your civil Conftitution, and the juft autho- 
 rity of }'0ur King. Without this wc fliall be as 
 a body widiout a head, our ftrength uncollected, 
 and ourfelves an ealy prey to every invader. And 
 furely, if it be a duty in all cafes for fubjeds to 
 honor a king, vefted with legal authority, and 
 to fuppqrt him in defence of that conftitution 
 they have chofen to be governed by* how much 
 more muft this be a duty to the beft of kings, 
 and beft of conftitutions ! A king who is the 
 father of his people, and the firft friend of li- 
 berty ! A conftitution which is founded on 
 common confent, common reafon, and common 
 utility y in which the governing powers fo ad- 
 mirably controul, and are controuled by, each 
 other, that it has all the advantages of all the 
 fimple forms, with as few of their inconvcnien- 
 cies as can be expected amidft the imperfections 
 of Things human. 
 
 In a dilco.urfe calculated to render our bene- 
 volence as diffufive as light or air, it would ill 
 become me to run into invedlives, even againft 
 our worft enemies. But can we look round this 
 great globe, and fee fuch an immenfe majority 
 of our fpecies crouching under the galling yoke 
 of a few human monfters •, unmanned, funk in mi-. 
 
 fcry 
 
D I S C O U R S E II. 41 
 
 fcry and bafenefs, their fpirits broke, and a fet- 
 tled -gloom in their countenances •, can we fee 
 this, and not adore that Liberty which exalts hu- 
 man nature, and is produflive of every moral 
 excellence ? Can we mark the defolating pro- 
 grefs of flavery, or behold her gigantic ap- 
 proaches even towards ourfelves, and not be 
 alarmed and enflamed ? and not feel the Spirit- 
 of the Free ftirring within us ? 
 
 To dream of accommodations with a perfi- 
 dious neation, by leagues or imaginary lines, ex- 
 tended from claim to claim along a champaign 
 country, is the height of folly. So oppofite our 
 views, fo rooted their hatred, that unlefs the 
 boundary between us be fuch as nature has fix- 
 ed, by means of impalTable mountains, feas, or 
 lakes, one continent cannot hold us, till either 
 one fide or the other Ihall become fole mafter. - 
 
 Should it be our fad lot to fall under the do- 
 minion of fuch a haughty foe, farewel then, a 
 long farewel, to all the liappinefs refulting from 
 the exercife of thofe virtues which I have been 
 recommending, from the text, as the true fup- 
 port of fociety ! 
 
 With regard to Brotherly-Love, how, alas! 
 in fuch circumftances, lliould we flourifh, or be 
 happy in the exercife of it ? What love, what 
 joy, or what confidence can there be, where there 
 is no community ; where the will of one is law ; 
 where injuilice and oppreflion are liberty ; where 
 to be virtuous is a crime ; where to be wife and 
 
 honed: 
 
42 P I S C O U R S E II. 
 
 honeft are dangerous qualities j and where mif- 
 trull:, gloom, diflraction and mifery are the tem- 
 pers of men ? 
 
 As to piety, or the Fear of God, what ratio- 
 nal exercife of devotion could we propofe in a 
 religion obtruded upon our confciences ? A re- 
 ligion that mull give us dark and unfavourable 
 notions of the Deity, by making ufe of his holy 
 name to juftify opprefTion, and fanftify unrigh- 
 teoulhefs I A religion, in fhort, that muft be 
 abhorred by men of good nature for its many 
 cruelties -, by men of virtue for its indulgences 
 of immorality •, and by men of gravity and found 
 philofophy, for its abfurd pageantry, and fad de- 
 generacy from its once pure inftitution, by the 
 bleflfcd Jefus and his holy apoftles ! 
 
 And lailly, what joy could we look for in 
 Honoring the King ? A king whofe dominion 
 over U3 would be founded in violence and blood ! 
 whofe reign would be a Handing war againll 
 our fouls and bodies, againft heaven and earth ! 
 
 Surely the mod diftant thoughts of thefe 
 dreadful calamities would alarm every perlbn 
 who had not drank in the very laft dregs of fla- 
 vilh principles. And fhall we, whofe fouls have 
 been taught to exult at the facred found of li- 
 berty, not be routed, animated and enflamed, 
 by our prefent danger, to fecure a treafure 
 which includes in it almoft every human feli- 
 city ? Things of inferior concern may be ad- 
 jufted at another feafon i and thole wlio pretend 
 
 to 
 
D I S C O U R S E II. 43 
 
 to the greateft public fpirit, fhould be the firft 
 to give a proof of it, by turning their attention 
 CO the main chance, at a jun6ture when our 
 ftrength and fuccefs fo evidently depend on una- 
 nimity and immediate aftion. Is this a time for 
 diflenfions about matters of trivial moment, 
 when the very vitals of Liberty are attacked, 
 which, once gone, may never be recovered? 
 Is this a time to decline toils, or dangers, or 
 expence, when all lies at ftake, for which a 
 wife man woi>ld chufe to live, or dare to die ! 
 
 In times paft, when Liberty, travelling from 
 foil to foil, had deferted almoft every corner of 
 the world, and was prepared to bid an everlaft- 
 ing adieu to her laft beft retreat, the Brltijh IjTes ; 
 our great Forefathers (whole memories be 
 bleft) anticipating her departure, came into thefe 
 remote regions. They encountered difficulties 
 innumerable. They fat down in places before 
 untrod by the foot of any chriftian, fearing lefs 
 from Savage beafts and Savage men, than from 
 Slavery, the worfl of Savages. To preferve at 
 leaft one corner of the world, facred to liberty 
 and undefiled religion, was their glorious pur- 
 pofe. In the mean time the ftorm blew over, 
 and the Iky brightened in the mother-land. Li- 
 berty raifed her drooping head, and trimmed 
 her fading laurels. Halcyon-days fucceeded, 
 and their happy influence extended even into 
 this new world. The colonies rofe and flourifh- 
 ^d, Our' fathers f^w it, and rejoiced. They 
 
 begat 
 
44 D I S C O U R S E IL 
 begat fons and daughters, rcfigned the profecu- 
 tion of their plan into our hands, and departed 
 into the manlions of v^H 
 
 But lo ! the ftorm gathers again, and fits 
 deeper and blacker with boding afpect ! And 
 {hall we be lb degenerate as to defert the facred 
 trull configned to us for the happinefs of pof- 
 terity ? Shall we tamely fufler the peftilential 
 breath of Tyrants to approach this garden of our 
 fathers, and blall the fruits of their labors ? 
 
 I\To — ye jUuilrious Ihades, who perhaps even 
 now look down with anxiety on our condudl ! 
 we pronounce, by all your glorious toils, that 
 it Ihall not, mull not, be ! If we are not 
 able to make thofe v/jio mourn in bonds and 
 darkncfs round us, fiare the bleft effects of li- 
 berty, and diffufe it througl> this vail continent, 
 Ave will at Icail preferve this fpot facred to its 
 exalted name •, and tyranny and injuftice fhall 
 not enter in, till the body of the lall Freeman 
 hath filled up the breacli 
 
 Spirit f of ancient Britons ! where art thou ? 
 Into wliat happier region art thou fled, or fly- 
 ing ? Return, Oh return into our bofoms ! ex- 
 pel every narrow and groveling fentiment, and 
 animate us in this glorious caufe ! Where the 
 voice of public virtue and public liberty caUsy 
 
 f Th's was preached, w'^cn General Braddock was carry- 
 ing on his expedition to the Ohio ; and when that fpirit, 
 which has fince been fo much for the honor of many of our 
 colonics had fcarce begun to exert itfelf. 
 
 thither 
 
DISCOURSE II. 4^ 
 
 (hither may we follow, whether to life or to 
 death ! May thefe ineftimable bleiTings be tranf- 
 mitted fafe to our pofteriry ! and may there ne- 
 ver be wanting champions to vindicate them 
 againft every dillurber ol human kind, as long 
 as there fnall be found remaining of all thole 
 v/ho alTume the diftinguillied name of Britons, 
 ^ither a tongue to fpeak, or a hand to ad; ! 
 
 As for you, my brethren, on whofe account 
 we are now afiembled, let me intreat you to give 
 your enemies no handle to accufe you of irreli- 
 gion, or want of public fpirit. Promote virtue, 
 difcourage vice, and be diftinguilhed only by 
 fuperior fanflity of manners. Purfue your pri- 
 vate caUings with induftry and honefty. Be 
 faithful to your proraifes, and let no rude guft 
 ofpafTion ezdnguilh that candle of Brotherly- 
 Love, which Ihould illuminate your fouls, and 
 is the glory of your nature. 
 
 If you a6l thus, you fliall be as a building, 
 founded on everlafting pillars ; fair to the fight, 
 and never to be ihaken ! So ftrongly fupported, 
 fo firmly united, fo nobly adorned, is that So- 
 ciety \yhich is fupported, united and adorned 
 by Wifdom, Strength and Beauty ; that Wif- 
 dom which is the Fear of God, and Praftice of 
 Righteoufnefs i that Strength which is Love, 
 the Cement of fouls, and Bond of Perfecft- 
 nefs ; and that Beauty which is inward Holinefs, 
 ^■nd an entire freedom from the turbulence of 
 
 pafTion ! 
 
 Tnow 
 
46 D I S C O U R S E II. 
 
 Now, to Him who is able to keep you from 
 falling, and condud you fafe to thofe happy 
 manlions, where peace, joy and love eternal reign, 
 be alcribed, as is moil due, by nK^n on earth and 
 faints in heaven, all praife, power, glory, and 
 dominion, for ever and ever ! 
 
 * * * 
 
 DIS- 
 
@®®###®«!@®®#@«4®^#®®;30^@g> 
 
 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 Hardnefs of Heart and Negled: of God's 
 merciful Vifitations, the certain Fore- 
 runners of more public Miferies j applied 
 to the Colonies, in a parallel between 
 their ftate and that of the Jews in many- 
 remarkable Inftances. 
 
 Preached 
 
 On the Public Faft, appointed by the Go- 
 gernment of Pennsylvania, May 21, 
 1756. 
 
 e#^^^^^^?^^^3i^!^^^?,^^^,00^^,^ 
 
AFTER acquainting the Reader that this 
 Difcourfe was iirft delivered, when the 
 Province was groaning under all that load of 
 Mifery, which was the Cotifequence of Brad- 
 dock's Defeat and the Inroads of the French 
 and Savages on our diftrefTed and helplefs Fron- 
 tiers, any Apology for the matter or manner of 
 it would be needlefs. 
 
[ 49 ] 
 
 Jeremiah viii. 
 V, 7. Tea^ the Stork in the Heaven kncwdh her 
 appointed times^ and the Turtle and the Crane and 
 the Swallow obferve the time of their coming, but 
 my people know not the Judgment cf the Lord. 
 
 8. How do you fay ^ We are wife, and the law of the 
 Lord is with us ? Lo, certainly in vain made he 
 it ; the pen of the f crib es is vain, 
 
 9. The wife men are afhamed, they are difmayed and 
 taken ; lo, they have rejeffed the word of the Lordy 
 and what wifdom is in them ? 
 
 10. Therefore will I give their wives unto others, 
 and their fields to them that fhall inherit them. 
 For every one, from the leaji even unto thegreatejl^ 
 is given to covetoufnefs ; from the prophet even 
 unto the prieji, every one dealeth falfly. 
 
 1 1 . For they have healed the hurt of the daughter 
 of my people flightly, faying. Peace, Peace, when 
 there is no Peace. 
 
 Brethren, 
 
 WE are this day aflembled, on one of the 
 moil folemn and interefting occafions, 
 that we have ever beheld. We are call- 
 ed, by the authority of government, to pro/Irate 
 ourfelves before the almighty God, in humble 
 confeiTion of our manifold offences, both pub- 
 lic and private-, to implore forgivenefs, and 
 grace for amendment ; to ofl^r up our praifes 
 
 ^ and 
 
50 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 and thanfgivings for our deliverance from thef 
 fliry of wide-fpreading earthquakes •, and to be- 
 jeech him in mercy to avert thofe other awful 
 judgments that now hang over us, threatenmg 
 the fubverfion of all that is near and dear to us, 
 as Britons and as Proteftants. 
 
 Rising up to addrefs you, on fuch an impor- 
 tant occafion, it will become me to fpeak with 
 ' the utmoft freedom •, and I am fure you your- 
 felves would difapprove a timid or faint execu- 
 tion of this day's duty. You know the condem- 
 nation of the falfe Priefts in the text, " who heal- 
 ed the hurt of the daughter of God's people 
 flighdy, and cried Peace, Peace, when there 
 was no Peace.'* You know alfo that the Lord 
 hath pronounced—" If thou fpeak not to warn 
 the wicked from his way, that wicked man fhall 
 die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require 
 at thy hands." You have moreover heard the 
 fate of the prophet Jonahs who vainly imagined 
 to flee from the face of the living God, and 
 avoid the execution of perilous duty. The very^ 
 elements fought againft him-, the Whale of the 
 ocean vomited him back on dry ground ; and 
 there his willing feet learned to purfue his Ma- 
 ker's w-ill, and never again to wander from his 
 way. 
 
 The explanation of duty is a weighty charge, 
 and it becomes thole who are entrufted with it, 
 to Tuit themfelves to times and fealbns, and to 
 try every method of making impreflions in fa- 
 
 vour 
 
DISCOURSE III. 51 
 
 *\rour of God and Goodnefs. Sometimes the 
 Lord condefcends to manifeft himfelf in pecu- 
 liar ads of mercy and loving-kindnefs -, and then 
 the hearts of men are to be won to gratitude by 
 rapturous views of his eternal goodnefs. Some- 
 times again, he thinks fit to vifit in terror and 
 judgm.ent, earthquakes, peftilence, famine, 
 fword, and the like ; and then his fervants are 
 to forego their ufual methods of addrefs, and 
 alTume a fevere and bolder note. 
 
 I WOULD be far from multiplying Judg- 
 ments, or magnifying into that clafs what may 
 poffibly be but the common refult of things. 
 But, on the other hand, to deny God's particu- 
 lar providence, and the occafional exertions of 
 his power in an extraordinary manner, to an- 
 fwer extraordinary purpofes in his moral deal- 
 ings with free agents, would be to exclude him 
 from the immediate government of that world 
 which he has made. 
 
 The hiflory of all ages may convince us that 
 he has often interpofed to over-rule particular 
 events, both in Judgment and Mercy ; and to 
 you who believe his facred word, arguments on 
 this head would be imnecefTary. I, therefore, 
 proceed to the main bufmcfs of this difcourfe, 
 and therein Ihall purfue thefollowmg method: 
 
 First, I fhall give fome account of the fbate 
 of the Jewifh nation, with refpeft to thole vices 
 which drew dov/n the judgments denounced in 
 the text. 
 
 E 2 Se- 
 
55 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 Secondly, I IHall give fome account of our 
 own Hate by way of parallel, and conclude with 
 an application of the whole to the burinefs of 
 the prefent day. 
 
 As to the vices of the Jewifli nation, they are 
 fo fully and pathetically defcribed, in the pre- 
 ceeding chapters, by this prophet, who was one 
 of the°moft zealous of God's fervants, that I 
 cannot forbear laying a few of the verfes before 
 you. I am fure, they are too plain to ftand in 
 need of a comment. 
 
 Having, in the firft chapter, pubhfhed his 
 high commilTion, he proceeds with a noble and 
 exalted vehemence, in the caufe of his God, to 
 expoftulate with the people for their ungrateful 
 returns to all the divine favours. He carneftly 
 exhorts them to repent while the door of mercy 
 was yet open, and ftrives to work upon them 
 by every polfible motive. In cafe of their com- 
 pliance, he propofes to their hopes the moft 
 allurincT rewards. In cafe of their negled, he 
 alarms'lheir fears with a profped of the moft 
 dreadful punifliments. 
 
 But let us hear himfelf Standing forth as 
 the meHenger of the great Jehovah, in the midft 
 of his people, burning for their good, and 
 deeply labouring with the vaft weight of his 
 fubjcO:, he proceeds as follows, in the adorable 
 
 name of his maker 
 
 »' Then- ■[ faid tlie Lord unto me— Out ot 
 
 t Chap I. 
 
 the 
 
DISCOURSE III. 5$ 
 
 the north an evil Ihall break forth upon alj the 
 inhabitants of this land ; and I will utter my 
 judgments againft them touching all their wick- 
 ednefs, who have forlaken me." 
 
 " Go f cry in the ears of Jerufalem, faying. 
 Thus faith the Lord, I remember the kindnels 
 of thy youth, when thou wentell after me in the 
 Wildernefs, in a land that was not fown. Ifrael 
 was (then) Holinefs unto the Lord and the firft 
 fruits of his increafe. And what iniquity have 
 your fathers (or you now) found in me that you 
 are gone far from me, neither fay where is the 
 jLord that led us through the wildernefs, thro' 
 a land of defarts, in which no man dwelt ? I 
 brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the 
 fruits thereof. But, when ye entered in, ye 
 defiled my land, and made my heritage an abo- 
 mination. And the prielts faid not, Where is 
 the Lord?"" " 
 
 Now let me plead with you, Oh my people 1 
 Pafs over " the ifles qf Chittim -, fend unto 
 Kedar," and all the country round about, " and 
 fee if there be fuch a thing" as this. Have thefe 
 *' nations changed their Gods, which yet are no 
 Gods ?" But my people have been more foolifh 
 ftill. " They have changed their Glory for that 
 which doth not profit. Be aftoniflied at this, O 
 ye heavens, and be ye horribly afraid ! For my 
 people have committed two evils. They have 
 forfaken me the fountain of living waters, and 
 
 t Chap. ir. 
 
 E 3 hewn 
 
54 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 hewn out for themfelves cifterns, broken cifi 
 
 terns, that can hold no water." 
 
 Now, for thefe iniquities of Ifrael, " The 
 young lions have roared upon him : They have 
 made his land wafte ; his cities are burnt, with- 
 out inhabitant. The children of Noph and Ta- 
 hapanes have broken the crown of thy head. I 
 have fmitten your children, and they have re- 
 ceived no corredion. The * Ihowers have been 
 ■with-holden, and there hath been no latter rain j 
 but thou refufedfh to be afhamed. Upon every 
 high mountain, and under every green tree, 
 thou hall played the harlot. And yet after all 
 thefe things, I faid return, O thou backfliding 
 Ifrael •, for I am merciful, faith the Lord, and 
 will not keep anger for ever. I will take you, 
 one of a city and two of a family, and bring 
 you to Zion •, and will give you pallors accord-: 
 ing to my heart, who fliall feed you with know- 
 lege and undcrllanding." 
 
 Thus far the prophet, in a tender and affec- 
 tionate drain, hoping to win and to allure his 
 people to repentance. But finding all argu- 
 ments of perfuafion ineffe6lual to move their 
 hardened hearts, he foon afterwards afiumes the 
 voice of terror and judgment, and breaks forth 
 in the deepeil agitation of foul, on a nearer 
 view of that ruin which he faw ready to involve 
 them. 
 • • Chap. III. 
 
 ■* My 
 
DISCOURSE III. 55 
 
 <c ^y * bowels ! my bowels ! I am pained 
 ;at my very heart -, my heart maketh a noife with- 
 in me ; I cannot hold my peace, becaufe thou 
 Jiaft heard, O my foul, the Sound of the Trum- 
 pet, the alarm of war. Deftrudtion upon de- 
 ftruflion is cried, for the whole Land is fpoiled— ^ 
 I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, 
 and the anguifh of her that bringeth forth her 
 firfl child •, even the voice of the daughter of 
 Zion, that bewaileth herfelf and fpreadeth forth 
 her hands ; faying, Woe is me now, for my foul 
 AS wearied becaufe of Murderers !" 
 
 *' A -f LION out of the forefl fliall flay my 
 people. A leopard fliall v/atch over their cities, 
 and every one that goeth out thence fliall be torn 
 in pieces. I will bring a nation upon you from 
 -far, O houfe of Ifrael. It is a mighty nation 
 whofe language thou knoweft not •, a people || 
 that Cometh from the north country •, rifmg up 
 from the fides of the earth-, who lay hold of 
 the bow and the fpear ; whofe voice roareth like 
 the fea •, who are cruel and have no mercy -, at 
 whofe fame your hands fliall wax feeble, § and 
 they fliall eat up thine harveft:, and thy bread, 
 which thy fons and thy daughters fliould eat." 
 
 " And when it fliall befaid, "Wherefore doth 
 the Lord thefe things unto us ? You fliall an- 
 fwer — Like as ye have forfaken me and ferved 
 Arrange Gods in your own lands ; fo ihall ye ferve 
 
 * Chap. IV. f Chap. V. I| Chap. VI. ^ Chap. V. 
 E 4 ftrangers 
 
g6 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 ftrangers in a land that is not yours. For, fear 
 ye not me, laith the Lord ? Will ye not trem- 
 ble at my prefence, who have placed the fand 
 for the bound of the fea, by a perpetual decree 
 that it cannot pafs it ? But this people are more 
 unruly than the fea itfelf." " They are revolted 
 and quite gone. As a fountain cafceth out her 
 waters, fo Jcrufalcm caiteth out her wicked- 
 nefs" — * " They truil: in lying v/ords •, faying 
 the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord! 
 They ileal, they murder, they commit adultery, 
 and fwear falfely and walk after other Gods-, 
 and then they come and ftand before me in this 
 houfe, which is called by my name •," as if the 
 bare profeflion of religion would juflify them 
 in " all thefe abominations — But I will call them 
 out of my fight, as I have caft out all their 
 brethren, even the whole feed of Ephraim. 
 Therefore, pray not thou for them •, neither lift 
 up cry nor prayer for them, neither make inter- 
 cefTion to me i for I will not hear thee — They f 
 Aide back bya perpetual back-flidingi they hold 
 faft deceit, they refufe to return j" they are even 
 
 more ftupid than the brute creation 
 
 ** For the ftork in the heaven knoweth her 
 appointed times, and the turtle and. the crane 
 and the fwallow obferve the time of their conir 
 ingi but my people know not the judgments of 
 the Lord," nor regard the merciful vifitarions of 
 my power ! Why, then, fliould they fay " we are 
 
 * Chap. Vil. t Chap. Vlll. 
 
 Wife, 
 
D I S C O U R S E m. 57 
 
 Wife, and the Law of the Lord is with us r Lo, 
 certainly in vain made he it, and the pen of 
 the fcribes is vain." Where is their wifdom, 
 when the very fowls of the air reproach them 
 with folly i obferving the times and the leafons ; 
 while this people is deaf to all the calls of my 
 providence.. They boaft that my " Law is with 
 them," and value themfelves upon the many ex- 
 alted privileges which I have given them. But 
 what do thefe avail, unlefs to encreafe their 
 guilt ? The Law is become as a dead letter, 
 when it produces no efFeft upon the life and mo- 
 rals. In vain have I given it to them, and the 
 pen of their fcribes has preferved it in vain. For 
 where are its fruits .? Look at thole who are 
 called Wife Men. Behold, " they are afiiamed ; 
 they are difmayed; they are taken;" All their 
 fchemes are unfuccefsful, " There is no wif- 
 dom in them •" and how fhould there be 
 any, feeing, " they have rejected the word 
 of the Lord," which is the only founda- 
 tion of all wifdom ? They are all corrupt j 
 " from the leail even to the greatefh they are 
 given unto covetoufnefs •," and, what is worll of 
 all, the very priefts and prophets, who ihould 
 probe the fore to the bottom, are contewt with 
 fome tranficnt or fuperficial cure. " They heal 
 the hu.c flightiy," and leave it ready to break 
 out again the next moment. They are either 
 as corrupt as the reft ; or, from fordid views of 
 popularity, tliey are alraid to fcem the torrent. 
 
 Rather 
 
^ DISCOURSE III. 
 
 Rather than offend, by an honeft diicharge of 
 duty, they ftoop to Iboth the people in their 
 folly. Inltead of proclaiming the true doftrines 
 of everlafting peace and lalvation, they treacher- 
 ouQy proclaim falfe peace, where there is no 
 peace to be found. 
 
 Seeing, then, fuch is their ftate that all re- 
 medy is defpaired of, and they wholly refufe to 
 be inftruded by all that has happened to them ; 
 what remains but a fearful looking for judgment 
 and fiery indignation ? — " My f Soul fhall de- 
 part from them. Jerufalem lliall be made defo- 
 late, a land not inhabited — -/ wiU give their 
 ivives to others, and their fields to them that JJjall 
 inherit them'^ 
 
 Tremendous threatening! which was foon 
 aftersvards fulfilled, and is now recorded for our 
 admonition. And Oh ! that we may be ena- 
 bled to make a right ufe of it ; bringing it home 
 to our hearts and our bofoms, in the prefent duT 
 bious ftate of our afiairs -, admiring and ador- 
 inor that divine goodnefs, which thus calls us to 
 avoid our own deftrudion, by placing before us 
 the errors and example of others •! 
 
 The bounds which I liave prefcribed to this 
 difcourfe would not permit me to enter into a 
 more particular account of the Jevrifh nation ; 
 but the verfes which I have felefted are fuifi- 
 ciently expreffive of their ftate and charader, 
 previous to Uieir falling under thole delblating 
 
 I Ciiap. VI, 
 
 judgments. 
 
DISCOURSE III. 5^ 
 
 judgments, which the Lord thought fit do de- 
 nounce againfl them in the text. 
 
 It remains, then, that we now proceed to 
 make fome enquiry into our own ftate by way 
 of parallel i which was the Second thing pror 
 pofed. 
 
 In doing this, let us follow the words of fo- 
 bernefs and truth ; equally abflaining from vain 
 fcepticifm on the one hand, and weak credulity 
 on the other-, neither arrogating to ourfelves 
 virtues which we have not, nor terrifying ourfelves 
 with vices, to which our confciences may yet be 
 happily ftrangers. I grant that prophecies are 
 now probably ceafed, and thefe verfes may have 
 had their accomplifliment. But their fpirit and 
 meaning ftill remain ; and the fame caufes will 
 produce the fame eftefts in every age. If, there- 
 fore, we find any fimilitude in them to our own 
 ftate at prefent, we cannot be unaffe6led at the 
 iconfequences •, and we muft be blind indeed, if 
 we fo far flatter ourfelves as to think there is 
 none. On the contrary, is it pofTible to read 
 them, without imagining that we hear our hea- 
 venly Father kindly addreffing a great part of 
 them to ourfelves, with little variation of words, 
 in the manner following ^ 
 
 Oh Britons and Protefiants ! I remember, faith 
 the Lord, the days of your youth, " when you 
 went after me in the wildernefs, in a land that 
 was not fov/n. You v/ere then holinefs to me 
 and the firfl fruits of my increafe." I brought 
 
 you 
 
6o DISCOURSE III. 
 you forth into this remote country, as an infant 
 people, as a chofen feed; purpofing, through 
 you, to extend my kingdom to the uttermoft 
 parts of this American world. " You have heard 
 with your ears and your fathers have told you 
 the noble works that I did in their days, and in 
 the old time before them." 
 
 I PROTECTED you through the dangers of the 
 ocean, and preferved " you in a land of defarts. 
 I bade the folitary place be glad through you, 
 and the delart itlelf to rejoice and bloffom as 
 the rofe.'* When you were but a weak and 
 helplefs people, I made the Heathen your 
 friends, who had power to deftroy you. " I 
 gave you a plentiful country, and bade you eat 
 the fruits thereof" — You then faw that " this 
 was my doing," and, in thofe early days, were 
 not aihamed to confefs that " the right hand of 
 the Lord had brought mighty things to pals." 
 When you looked back on the dangers you had 
 efcaped, your grateful fouls were lifted up in 
 praifes to me, who fpoke the fierce ocean into 
 peace around you, and made the gloomy wilder- 
 nefs become the cheerful abode of men. When 
 you faw the bounteous earth bring forth her 
 willing encreafe, you acknowleged " that your 
 lines had fallen in pleafant places •, yea, that you 
 had received a goodly heritage." 
 
 But you had not long entered in before " ye 
 defiled my land, and made my heritage an abo- 
 mination." I gave you Plenty ; but Tlent)- be- 
 gat 
 
t)ISCOURSE III. 6i 
 
 gat Eafe ; and Eafe begat Luxury ; and Lux- 
 ury introduced a fatal corruption of every 
 good and virtuous principle ; infomuch that 
 you forgot the very hand from which you re- 
 ceived ail things. You forgot to fay, " Where 
 is the Lord" that hath done fo much for us ^ 
 Or where is he that brought us tliroush the 
 fierce ocean, that made the heathen our friends, 
 that protedled us in^the wildernefs, and caufed 
 the defart around us to fmile ? 
 
 For the fpace of an hundred years (a period 
 of happinefs which no nation before you could 
 ever boaft of) my patience bore v/ith you, while 
 you enjoyed a continual profperity ; being al- 
 moft entirely flrangers to the " found of the. 
 trumpet, the alarm of war, and the fight of 
 garments rolled in blood." But, in propDrtion 
 to my mercies, has your guilt encreafed. You 
 have become more and more forgetful of me, 
 and of the exalted privileges I called you to en- 
 
 " Pass over the liles of Chittim"; fend unto 
 Kedar, and fee if there be any fuch thin.o- as 
 this." Look through all the countries of your 
 Popilh and Heathen neighbours ; and fee if the 
 former have changed their Superllition, or the 
 latter " their Gods, which yet are no Gods !" 
 Such a change would have been vvifdom in them ; 
 but what have you done ? " You have even 
 changed your glory for that which doth not 
 profit ! Be aftonifncd at tliis, O ye heavens ! 
 
 and 
 
^3 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 pnd be ye horribly afraid ; for this people have 
 committed two evils," and have been guilty of 
 double foolirnnels ! They have negleded the 
 cxerciie of their holy Proteltant Religion, trult- 
 ing to the lying vanities of this life •, " and have 
 forfaken me, the fountain of living waters, to 
 hew out for themfelves cifterns, broken cifterns 
 that can hold no water." In the midfb of light 
 they have chofen darknefs, and corrupted theif 
 children by their fad example. 
 
 I HAVE warned you once for thefe things, and 
 twice have I fpokcn unto you, faith the Lord ; 
 but you^ have neither kifled my rod, nor hum- 
 bled yourfelves under my chaftifements. " The 
 fhowers have been with-holden and there hath 
 been no latter rain i yet you have rcfufed to be 
 alhamed. My Judgments have been abroad 
 upon the earth, but you have not learned righ- 
 teoufnefs." 
 
 Wherefore, tlic young Lions from the 
 foi'clt have roared upon you. They have made 
 your land walte, and your cities are burnt, 
 without inhabitant. The children of Noph and Ta- 
 hapanes have -f broken the Crown of your head.'* 
 I have let the lavages of the woods loofe upon 
 you. They rage in all your borders. Your 
 
 t This is otherwife rendered " feed on thy Crown." But, 
 hnvever it be underftood, the words, and the whole defcrip- 
 t;oa that folbws, are too remarkable not to bring to our 
 mind all the horrors of an Indian war, and the deteftablecuf- 
 torn of fcalping, or cutting off the skin of the head, to be 
 fold for a price. 
 
 7 country 
 
DISCOURSE III. 6^ 
 
 €6"untry is depopulated, your villages burnt up, 
 and thoufands of your miierable brethren, tor- 
 tured, murdered, or carried into barbarous cap- 
 tivity. "^Deflru6lion upon deflru6lion is cried^ 
 for the whole land is fpoiled.*' The voice of la- 
 mentation is heard, as of a woman in travail ; 
 even the voice of your bleeding country, " that 
 bewaileth herfelf, andfpreadeth forth her hands > 
 faying, Wee is me now, for my foul is wearied 
 becaufe of Murderers. — I have fent a nation up- 
 on you from afar, whofe language you know 
 not ; a mighty nation from the north country ; 
 rifing up from the fides of the earth ; that lay 
 iiold on the bow and the fpear ; whofe voices 
 roar like the fea j who are cruel and have no 
 mercy ; at whofe fame your hands wax feeble, 
 and one fays to another, go not out into the* 
 field, nor walk by the way, for the fword of 
 the enemy is on every fide, and whofoever goeth 
 out fliall be torn in pieces. And behold ! they 
 cat up your harveft and your bread, which your 
 fons and daughters Hiould eat j and they eat up 
 your flocks and your herds and your vines and. 
 your fig-trees ; and they impoverilh your fenced 
 cities wherein you have put your chief trull.'* 
 
 And Iliould any one fay. Why doth the Lord 
 theu; things to his people .? This fhall be your 
 anfwer. Like as ye have forfaken me, and 
 Ihewn yourfclves unworthy of your holy religion 
 and exalted privileges, fo I have forfaken you, 
 and delivered you over to be chaftifed v/ith an 
 
 iron 
 
64." DISCOURSE III. 
 
 iron rod by thefe your fierce enemies. For will 
 ye not fear me, faith the Lord, who have done 
 fo great things in your behalf? Will ye not 
 tremble at my prefence, whom earthquake, fire, 
 and (torm, and all the elements obey ,? Why will 
 ye trufl in lying words, faying " The temple of 
 the Lord, the temple of the Lord ;" — we are 
 Britons, wc are Proteftants ? What fignify thefe 
 names, when you have forgot the caufe of your 
 country, and made your religion a reproach 
 among the Heathen around you ? Will ye fteal, 
 will ye commit adultery, will ye defraud, will 
 ye walk after covetoufnefs, will ye profane my 
 name, will you difregard my righteous judg- 
 ments, will you remain indifferent to the prefer- 
 vation of your ineftimable privileges ; and, then 
 will ye come and (land before me, in my houfe 
 which is called by my name, and fay we are 
 Britons, we are Proteftants, as if this would juf. 
 tify you in all thefe abominations .? 
 
 The very fowls of the heaven a6l a more con- 
 fident part than you. They obferve tlie figns 
 and the feafons wliich tlie Lord hath appointed 
 for them. But you have neither regarded my 
 former judgments, nor have my latter more fe- 
 vere ones awakened your attention, and made 
 you wifer. Even in the very fight of " Sinai's 
 burning mount •," in the midft of the mofl com- 
 plicated miferics ; when blood and defolation 
 arc all around, you have neither reformed your 
 lives, nor regarded the didrefs of your country. 
 
 An 
 
DISCOURSE III, 65 
 
 An evil fpirit of unbelief hath gone forth amons 
 you, fetting evciy prefent danger at a diftance. 
 You have refufed to "play the man for the cities 
 of your God," or to defend that glorious plan of 
 public happinefs delivered dov/n to you by your 
 fathers. Strifes, difcords, hatred, uncharitable- 
 nefs, licentioufnefs^ civil broils, calumnies and 
 contention about trifles, have been uppermoft 
 in your thoughts -, while your moft valuable and 
 elTential interefts have been made a fecondary 
 concern, or perhaps no concern at all, or the 
 concern only 01 thofe who wanted the power to 
 ferve them. 
 
 I^^ fuch circumftances what doth it fignify to 
 fay " The Law of the Lord is v/ith us ;" we are 
 a difiinguiihed ' people ; ours is the reformed 
 Religion, and ours the enjoyment of civil Li- 
 berty ? Were you truly fenfible of the immenfe 
 value of thefe fupreme of bleffings, your prac- 
 tice would have been conformable ; and your 
 fouls would have been enfiamed v/ith all the ar- 
 dors of the brave, on the lead approach of dan- 
 ger towards them.— You likewife fay, you are 
 wife ; and boaftof your fuperior improvements. 
 But what marks of this can you fhew ? Even 
 the Heathens themfelves have outdone you in 
 wifdom and ftratagem. Your armies flee before 
 them ; your wife men are confounded ; none of 
 their devices profper; feeing they have rejea- 
 ed the Lord, and have not fought council of the 
 
 moft high. 
 
 What, 
 
a DISCOURSE III. 
 
 What, th-ii, will be the end of thefe things ? 
 Hear it now from that v/ifdom which cannot err. 
 " Unlefs you repent and return and amend your 
 ways, the foul of the Lord will utterly depart 
 from you. Ik ii:lU pi'e your wives to others, and 
 your fields to them that Jh all inherit them'' 
 
 1h us, my brethren, we fee a ftriking fimi- 
 litude between us and the Jews in many ftrong 
 and capital inftances ; and I am perfuaded you 
 will not think the pifture exaggerated. Within 
 the fliorc period of one year, how many marks - 
 of God's dealing with us have we feen ? Not 
 to mention cxcelTive droughts, earthquakes, and 
 other omens cf his wrath, the troops lent to our 
 protedion have been moil miferably defeated, 
 and fuchfcenes of barbarity, horror, and defola- 
 tion have enfued, as human nature fhudders to 
 recount, and hiftory can fcarce parallel I 
 
 Yet what have we profited by all this ? Has 
 it humbled us under our fins ? Has it brought 
 our civil difcords to an end t Or has it eradi- 
 cated thofe abfurd principles of government 
 that have brought our country to the brink of 
 ruin ? On the contrary, are they not inculcat- 
 ed among us with more zeal and induftry than 
 ever ? Have we not many who have made it 
 their bufincfs to reftrain the ardor of God's peo- 
 ple in their righteous caufe ; to tie up the hands 
 of the king's beft fubjcdls in the hour of ex- 
 tremeft danger, and cry " Peace, peace, when 
 there is no peace ?" Have we not many who 
 
 like 
 
DISCOURSE III. 6^ 
 
 like "^ciQ. prophet Jonah in the ftorm, are gone 
 down to the fail places, to indulge themfelves 
 in inglorious reft, when the poor lliattered bark 
 that carries them along is ready to be fwallowed 
 up of every wave ? 
 
 Yet I would hope that but fmall part of this 
 guilt v/ill fall to the charge of the Proteftant 
 miniftryof this province. It v/ould not become 
 me, who am even lefs than the leaft of all God's 
 fervants, to itand forth the accufer of my bre- 
 thren, on any occafion ; and, on.the prefent, 1^ 
 know many among them wlio have nobly exert- 
 ed themfelves in the caufe of God, their king, 
 ^and their country. Yet, perhaps, after all, there 
 may be fome who have been but too complai- 
 fant to favourite vices and opinions. If that 
 Ihouid be the cafe. Oh ! let them think how 
 great their condemnation v/ill be. For, if the 
 guides be gone out of the way, how fhall thofe 
 that follow after be in the ftraight path ? If the 
 minifters of God's word have once learned to 
 lloojD to prejudices, or to fupprefs one needful 
 truth, either through fear or favour, it is one of 
 the worft fymptoms of total degeneracy, and the 
 hopes of reformation are utterly blafted. 
 
 How different a condu6l did that zealous 
 preacher of righteaufnefs, the author of my text, 
 obferve ? Though called to his facred office 
 when very young, yet he was not awed by the 
 faces of men. He fcorned either to Iboth tliem 
 in their folly •, or to burn incenfe on the altar 
 F 2 of 
 
68 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 of popular iipplaufc •, or to lacrlfice his virtue 
 and judgment to prevailing errors. He fens out> 
 in his firft chapter, %vith a moil fervent and en- 
 lightened fpirit, declaring tliat he had it in charge 
 from the living God to ipeak to his people, and 
 not to be difmVetl at their faces -, for that the 
 fame God v/ho had called him to be a prophet 
 was able to fupport him in the execution of his 
 hio-h commifnon, and had made him as " a de- 
 fenced city, as an iron pillar, as a brazen wall 
 a^ainft the whole land," and all its corruptions, 
 '^Trusting to fuch a mighty fupport (aad 
 what preacher of righteoufneis may not trull to 
 it ?) he determined that no temporal confidera- 
 tion fliould awe or influence him from his duty. 
 He appeared in the midft of his people, in the 
 mod perilous times, not lUce fome wild impof- 
 ror, foaming and tearing his own fielh, but hke 
 a prophet of the moil high God, majellicaliy^ 
 compofed, and awi\illy imprefled with the whole 
 weight of facred and important truth. For the 
 fpac° of forty years, he continued a faithful 
 meflenger of his maker's wilh pleading the caufe 
 of expiring righteoufnefs and trampled virtue, 
 among a back-Hiding people, with an exalted 
 vehemence and unremitting ardor, againft far 
 crreater corruption than we have to ftruggle 
 with. Ours, I trufl, is not yet total like that 
 of the Jews, for which reafon I did not carry the 
 fimilitude quite through •, and, although we have 
 many who are ready to tear our names in pieces 
 
 when- 
 
DISCOURSE III. 6g 
 
 whenever we mention the caufe of our country, 
 €fpecially if we are zealous in prelTing home the 
 great duty of Defending our ineftimable rights 
 againfl a Popilli and Heathen enemy, yet we 
 have aifo many who have laid the ftate of their 
 country, and God's dealings with us, deeply to 
 heart. Nay, I hope that even the woril of us 
 ha\^e fome virtues to put in the b:?.lance with our 
 vices ; that there is mercy with God for us 
 all, if we earneflly feek it of him. -, and that the 
 day of our entire defolation is nor yet come 1 
 But let us remember that every negleft of his 
 vifitations is an ^ppror^ch towards that fatal day, 
 and that if we continue longer hardened under 
 the prefent feyere chadifements of his hand, 
 we have reafon to fear that a worfe thing will 
 befal u.% 
 
 It is the method of God's providence to bear 
 long with his people, and to try all methods of 
 reclaiming them conliftent with their moral 
 agency •, fuch as by reproof, by example, by 
 mercy, and by chailifement. But there is a time 
 when his patience has had its full work, and 
 " * there remaineth no more facrifice for fms.'* 
 There is a ftage or crifis in the corruption of 
 nations, beyond which it is as impc'llible for 
 them to fubfift, on any tolerable principles of 
 focial happinefs, as for the body to move when 
 the life and fpirits are fled. It follows, then, 
 t.hat every neglect to improve by God's merciful 
 
 * Helf. X. 26. 
 
 F 2 vifitauons 
 
70 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 vifitations is an advance to this ftage, and there- 
 fore a fatal fymptom of approaching ruin. 
 
 To offer farther proofs of this would be need- 
 lefs. For if there be any meaning in all that I have 
 laid before you j if the words of the text and 
 the whole tenor of fcripture be of any weight j 
 if the voice of reafon and the experience of ages 
 be worthy of regard •, then it is evident, paft 
 contradidion, that national vices lead to natio- 
 nal mifery. For a holy and juft God miifl pu- 
 nifh the flagrant abufe of his miferies -, and when 
 this abufe is by a whole people, or the majority 
 of them, die punilliment may well be expeded 
 in this world, feeing in the next all the prefent 
 focieties of men will be difbanded. Befides this, 
 in the very nature of things, a general corrup- 
 tion of the feveral members mull lead to a dif- 
 folution of the whole body. 
 
 If we fearch all the annals of mankind thro', 
 we Ihall find that no people was ever truly great 
 or profperous, but by fupporting a fenfe of li- 
 berty, and upholding the majefty of virtue. Go- 
 vernment cannot be maintainedon any other prin- 
 ciples than juflice, truth, and fobriety. Vice is 
 a {landing rebellion againft God and govern- 
 ment, and a total fubverfion of all order and 
 faith and peace and fociety among men. 
 
 Let me, then, my brethren, adjure and be- 
 feech you to improve this day of iblemn humi- 
 liation before the Lord, to thole pious purpofes 
 for which it was let apart. Let me call upon 
 
 you. 
 
DISCOURSE III. 71 
 
 you, by every dear and lacred tie ; By all the 
 deliverances which God hath wrought for youj 
 By all the ineflimable blefiings Wihich you have 
 received at his hand j By the glory and dignity 
 of your immortal nature •, By the fanftifying 
 graces of his holy fiiirit •, By the glorious com- ' 
 ing of his everlalling Son from the bofom of his 
 love ; By his adorable plan of redemption and 
 bloody crofs : By the purity of his everlalling 
 Gofpel and your high calling as Chriftians •, By 
 all that you are, and all that you hope to bs ; By 
 thcf flcnder thread of life that feparates you from 
 the dark manfions of the grave; By the found 
 of the laft trumpet that will raife you to endlefs 
 life j By the fun in darknefs and the moon in 
 blood; By Jefus the Redeemer feated on his » 
 awful tribunal; By the laft folemn fentence and 
 an eternity to come — or if thefe glorious and 
 important confiderations v^^ill not work upon you, 
 let me call upon you by your dread of punifli- 
 ment and fear of ruin ; By all the examples of 
 divine vengeance that have been laid before you ; 
 By a regard to your pofterity yet unborn ; By 
 the fighs and diftrefs of your captivated bre- 
 thren ; and By the groans and miferies of your 
 bleeding country- — repent; be converted from 
 every fm ; humble yourfelves in the dull before 
 the Lord ; cry earnellly unto him for forgivenefs 
 through the blood of Jefus, and iledfaftly pur- 
 pofe to walk before him for the fumre, " in 
 holinefs and rightcoufnefs all the days of your 
 lives!" '^ F 4 Such 
 
72 DISCOURSE III. 
 
 Such a conducl as this will equally entitle 
 you to the character of good chriftians and good 
 citizens. For whatever we may boafl of public 
 fpirit and love to our country, it appears from 
 what has been laid, that he, and he only, is the 
 greateft patriot, and manifefts the greateft public 
 fpirit, v/ho fupports the majefty of religion, reve- 
 rences the laws of his country, and keeps a con- 
 fcience void of offence tov/ards God and tov/ards 
 man. And happy is he, of all others moft 
 happy, whether in a high or low ftation, who, in 
 the prefent confufion of our affairs, can lay his 
 hand on his heart, and pronounce that fuch has 
 been the fteady tenor of his proceedings. For 
 him there will remain the recompence of the 
 Juft, when all fublunary things fliall have come 
 to an end. 
 
 Grant, O heavenly Father ! that fuch may 
 be the future conduft, and fuch the final recom- 
 pence of every one of us here aiTembled before 
 thee. Gracioufly accept this day's imperfefb 
 fervice, and the humble offerings of our praife 
 for all thy unmerited mercies •, and particularly 
 for having faved us from the fury of thofe raging 
 Earthquakes that have fo lately whelmed thou- 
 fands, perhaps lefs guilty than we, in one fud- 
 den ruin. Strengthen us with thy grace for the 
 performance of thofe vows of amendment, into 
 which we have now folemnly entered. Continue 
 to us the pure light of the everlafting gofpel, 
 which thy juflice miglit well remove from us. 
 
 Bring 
 
DISCOURSE III. 73 
 
 Bring our civil difcords and all erroneous doc- 
 trines to a fpeedy end. Hear the cries of our 
 fuffering and captivated brethren every where, 
 and fupport them in thy Faith and Fear. Have 
 pity on the general diftrefs of this country -, and 
 Oh ! thou v/hofe Almighty power can r.-iic even 
 the dead from the grave, raife up !<. ;.:!.:rs and 
 champions among us for our holy Zion, in this 
 day of peril ; that even the bones wliich thou 
 haft broken may hear of joy and gladnefs ! In- 
 fpire us with a high and commanding fenfe of 
 the immenfe value of what we are now called to 
 defend ; which v/ili be the beft foundation of .rue 
 heroifm and' virtue. For could we be once io 
 loft to goodnefs and wifdomas to apprehend the 
 diiierence betv/een one religion and another, 
 one fyftem of government and another, not 
 worth the price of blood and treafure, the day 
 of our defolation vvould not be far diftant ; and 
 we and our pofterity w^ould foon be loft and 
 blended among the nations around us that know 
 not thee-j from which unfpeakable calamity 
 good Lord deliver us to the lateft generations, 
 for the fake of our Saviour Jelus Chrift! Am.en. 
 
 DIS- 
 
i5;€-!3!#*t®®@'4t5«&«-€'«#€>#0isi«S«»«}® 
 
 DISCOURSE 
 
 The Christian Soldier's Duty; the 
 Lawfulnei'k ?.nd Dignity of his Otlice ; 
 and the Importance of the Prote- 
 stant Cause in the Britini Colonies. 
 
 P R E A C: H E O IK 
 
 Chrifl- Church, Philadelphia ; April 5, 
 '^757^ 
 
 At the IDbstrh of 
 
 General S T A N W I X, 
 
 To the forces under his Command, before 
 their march to the Frontiers. With a 
 Prayer on the fame Occalion. 
 
 €^vM*vt€^C^6€^-^€^t0#!^€^^-'€^€^€>€^€>€*e^^ 
 
[ 77 ] 
 
 Luke iii. 14. 
 
 ^}2d the Soldiers demanded of Jilm likeia^ife, 
 
 faying — Mafier^ and what fiall we do ? 
 
 Hefaid unto themy Do violence to no man, 
 
 neither accufe any fafely^ and be content 
 
 with your wage^ 
 
 THIS chapter coRtalns an account of the 
 preaching of St. John the Baptift ; who, 
 being called of God in the wildernefs, and duly 
 commifiioned for his high office, " came into 
 all the country about Jordan, preaching to the 
 people the Baptiim of Repentance for the Re- 
 mifiion of Sins." 
 
 The more thoroughly to awaken their atten- 
 tion, and evince the necelTity of his dodlrine, he 
 appears in the moft llriking charadter •, being, 
 as was prophefied concerning him, " the voice 
 of one crying in the wildernefs ; prepare ye the 
 way of the Lord •, make his paths ftraight ! 
 Every valley (hall be filled, every mountain and 
 hill fhall be brought low ; the crooked \j)laces'\ 
 fhall be made ftraight -, the rough ways fmooth ; ./ 
 
 and all Flefh fhall fee the Salvation of God !" 
 
 These words allude to a known cuftom of 
 great kings, who, when they undertook any 
 long journey, were wont to fend forth their mef- 
 fengers before them ; proclaiming to the peo- 
 ple 
 
78 DISCOURSE IV. 
 
 pic to make their way phiin. Now, as the Jews, 
 at this time, daily looked for the coming of their 
 King or Promiled Mefliah, ftich a proclamation, 
 from lb extraordinary a pcrlbn, crying out to 
 clear the way, " for that the Salvation of God 
 was at hand," could not fail to excite their cu- 
 riofity, and intcreft their affedions ! 
 
 Every heart was accordingly feized with an 
 inltant hope of beholding die Defire of Nations ; 
 with whom they expeded to fliare crowns and 
 empire and temporal glory. Nay, they began 
 *' to mufe in their hearts whether John himfelf 
 were the Chrift *," or only his fore-runner. In 
 cither cafe, they were eager to embrace the bap- 
 tifm which lie preached •, as artful courtiers will 
 ftrive to recommend themfelves to the graces 
 of an expefted Mafter. Hence, '' a Multitude 
 of them came forth, to be baptized of him." 
 
 John, who faw their carnal views, is not too 
 forward in conferring liis baptifm upon them, 
 without duly initru6ting them in the nature and 
 conditions of it. " O generation of vipers ! 
 fays he •, who hath v/arned you to flee from the 
 wrath which is to come ?" Neverthelefs, if you 
 are really defirous to efcape it, and to be ad- 
 mitted to the bleflings promifed in the MefTiah, 
 do not deceive yourfclves in thinking tliat thofe 
 
 * They were, no doubt, fometlme in this fufpenfe, before 
 John refolves them, by telling them that he was not the 
 ChriH, nor even worthy to unloofe the latchct of his (hoes; 
 but that the Chriil was quickly to follow after him. 
 
 bleflings 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. 79 
 
 blefiings may be derived to you by inheritauce. 
 They are not of a carnal but of a fpiritual na- 
 ture. Nor will it avail you any thing to fay, 
 - " we have Abraham to our father j" and are 
 thereby the children of promife. For I fay unto 
 you that unlefs you bring forth fruits meet for 
 repentance ; you can by no means inherit thofe 
 Promifes — " For God is able of thefe ftones to 
 raife up children to Abraham ; and in them fhall 
 his promifes be made good, if not in you. And 
 you muftnov,Vvvithoutdelay,make your choice.*" 
 " For the ax is already laid to the root of the 
 trees ; and every tree that bringeth not forth 
 good fruit is to be hewn down and caft into die 
 fire." 
 
 Such an alarming denunciation ftruck the peo- 
 ple with double ailonifhment ; and they preffed 
 ftill more eagerly about John, ciying — -f- "what 
 iliall v/e do then j" to efcape this ruin and ob- 
 tain this falvation ? " He anfwered and faid un- 
 to them, he that hath two coats, let him impart 
 to him that hath none. And he that hath meat 
 let him do likewife ;" herein foenuoufly recom- 
 mending the uhiverfal pradice of that diffufive 
 charity and benevolence, which are a main foun- 
 dation of moral virtue, and the moft acceptable 
 fervice we can render to our adorable Creator ! 
 
 Among others who prejffed forward, on this 
 occafion, came the Publicans, a fet of men in- 
 famous for their illegal exadions upon the peo- 
 
 * V. 7,8, 9. t V. xo, II, 12, 13, 
 
 pie. 
 
So J) I S C (; Li K S E IV. 
 
 pie, crying--*'' Mailer, what fnaii v/e do?" Jofrrt, 
 Avho knew their charader, llrikes boldly at their 
 capital vice-, charging them by their hope of 
 lalvarioii and their dread of Ruin, — '■'■ exadt no 
 more than wliat is appointed you" by law •, for 
 how (hall you begin to be good, till you ceafe 
 to be unjult ? 
 
 Last of all came the Soldiers -]-, " demand- 
 ing of him likewile, faying — and v/hat fhall we 
 do ? he fiid unto them do violence to no man, 
 neither accule any falfely, and be content with 
 your wages.'* 
 
 Such are the words which were reccmm.ended 
 to me as the fubjedof this difcourfe. And had 
 I been left to my own choice, I could not have 
 lelected any more fuitable to my purpofe. For 
 being delivered by divine infpiration, on a m.ofl 
 important occafion ; namely, when the ibldiers 
 thcmfelves earneilly requeiled to know, by what 
 means they might elcape the threatened fir-e of 
 God's wrath, and obtain falvation through the 
 Melfiah, we may be lure they imply in them the 
 fundamental parts of the Chriftian Soldier's 
 Duty i lb far at leaft as relates to that particular 
 charafter. 
 
 IsHALL therefore proceed upon them, in tlieir 
 natural order. With diffidence, however, I en- 
 ter upon my lubjedl. I know many of you to 
 be men of diflinguiflied underftanding; confcious 
 of the dignity of your own ciiaracler, and of the 
 t V. 14. 
 
 glorious 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. Si 
 
 glorious caufe whefein yoii are engaged. And 
 nothing but your own exprefs delire, could give 
 rtie courage to ofler my thoughts concerning any 
 part of your duty. But, being invited thereto, 
 I fhall proceed to the utmoft of my abilities, as 
 far as the time will permit. And, whatever may 
 be the execution, I can fafely fay that I bring 
 tvith me a heart zealous for the public — and re- 
 gardful of you ! 
 
 First, then, the Chriflian-Soldier is to "do 
 Violence to no man." 
 
 There are two forts of violence which a fol- 
 dier may be guilty of. One is againft thofe who 
 are lawfully veiled with command over him. 
 This is commonly fliled Mutiny, and is a crime 
 of the molt atrocious nature ; feldom to be ex- 
 piated but by the Death of the offender. And 
 as God is a God of order, it muft be peculiarly 
 odious to him. 
 
 Another fort of Violence, which a foldier 
 may be guilty of, is againft his Fellow-fubjefts. 
 This is that violence more immediately meant 
 in the text; the original word there, fignifying 
 the Ihaking or terrifying a man, fo as to force 
 money from him through fear. This we find 
 exprelly forbid by the fpirit of Chriftianity, un- 
 der pain of forfeiting the Salvation of God. And 
 we may glory to fay. that it is alfo forbid by the 
 mild fpirit of the Britifh conftitution ! 
 
 Our Soldiery are armed by the laws of their 
 G coun* 
 
81 D I 3 C O U R S E IV. 
 
 countns and fupported by the community; not 
 to command, but to ferve it-, not to opprefs, 
 but to protect, it. Should they, therefore, turn 
 their Iword againft thofe from whom they derive 
 their authority, and thus Violate the juft rights 
 even but of one Freeman, who contributes to 
 their fupport — what a complication of guilt 
 would it imply ? It would be treachery ! It 
 would be ingratitude ! Nay, it would be parri- 
 cide ! 
 
 As for the tyrants of mankind, let them 
 (belying heaven and pretending an authority 
 from God) lead forth their armed (laves to plun- 
 der, to harrafs and to deftroy thofe to whom 
 they owe protedion ! Let them fill thofe lands 
 with Violence and Blood, which they ought to 
 fill with BielTrng and Joy ! " Verily I fay unto 
 you they fhall have their reward." For, believe 
 me, fuch adions are odious to heaven, repug- 
 nant to the gofpel; and God will certainly 
 avenge his own caufe ! 
 
 Happy for us, we rejoice under milder in- 
 fluences ! our gracious fovereign, thro' a long 
 and profperous reign, has never, in any inilance, 
 oflered violence to the rights of his fubjeds j nor 
 permitted it in his fervants. The Comman- 
 ders placed over us, in our prefent diftrefs, have 
 fignalized themfelves as patrons of juftice and 
 lovers of liberty. Though appointed over great 
 armies, aniong a people long accuftomed to 
 
 pro- 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. 83 
 
 profound peace, jealous of their privileges, and 
 fome of them even unreafonably prejudiced 
 againft all Force and Arms ; yet they have hap- 
 pily reconciled jarring interefts, and, with all 
 pofTible care, fupported the Military, without 
 violating the Civil, power. 
 
 As a fignal inftance of the harmony arifmg 
 from this condud, it will be but juftice to men- 
 tion you, gentlemen, whom I have now the ho- 
 nor to addrefs. You have been among us for 
 many months. Mofl: of you were at firlt but a 
 raw unformed corps ; and, from the manner of 
 your being quartered out in fmall parties among 
 the inhabitants of this city, difturbances mio-ht 
 have been expeded. But quite the reverfe has 
 been the cafe. No deeds of Violence have been 
 •offered. No complainings have been heard in 
 our ftreets. Your condu(5t has done honor 
 to yourielves, and to thofe v/ho have the Com- 
 mand our you. 
 
 All I fhall add, then, on this head is, to be- 
 feech you, by your hopes of the Gofpel-pro- 
 mifes, to perfevere in the fame dutiful inoffen- 
 five behaviour towards your fellow-citizens, in 
 all parts of your future conduft. And, as you 
 can never be led to deeds of Violence by any 
 authority appointed over you, let it never be 
 faid that your own choice or ralhnefs engaged 
 you in them •, fo as to fubjefl you to the fevere 
 and ihameful punifliments denounced againft 
 G 2 them. 
 
S4 DISCOURSE IV. 
 
 them, by the laws of your country in this world* 
 
 and by the Gofpel of Chrill in the world to 
 
 come. 
 
 Thus I have endeavoured to give the true 
 meaning of the words "do violence to no man." 
 I know° here are fome who affed to underftand 
 them in a more unlimited fenfe •, as containing 
 a crcneral prohibition of all Force and Arms 
 whatfoever. But, in this, they are neither war- 
 ranted by fcripture nor reafon. Nay, the very 
 reverfe is evident from the text itfelf. 
 
 The Soldiers, whom Saint John addrefies, 
 received wages for fighting and bearing arms 
 againft the enemies of their country. He ex- 
 preisly enjoins them to be content with thofe 
 wa^res. But this he never would have done, if 
 the*^fervice, which they performed as the condi- 
 tion of the wages, had been that identical Vio- 
 lence, which he fo (Irongly prohibits in the for- 
 mer part of the verfe. They muft indeed be very 
 bold, who can charge the fpirit of God with fuch 
 a Coutradi61:ion ! 
 
 But the faft is that— to fupport Juflice, to 
 maintain Truth, to defend the goods of Provi- 
 dence, to reprefs the wild fury of lawlefs Inva- 
 ders, and by main force, if pofTible, to extirpate 
 oppreflion and wickednefs from the earth, has 
 never been accounted Violence in any language 
 or country. On the contrary, it is duty to the 
 public, and mercy to thoufands ! 
 
 Ip 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. 85 
 
 If Society is of God's appointment, . every- 
 thing effential to its fubfiftence miift be fo too ; 
 for he that ordains the end, ordains the means. 
 But how fhall Society fubfift, if we are to.fub- 
 mit to the unrighteous encroachments of every 
 reftlefs Invader ? If we are tamely to be plunder- 
 ed, tortured, maflacred and dellroyed by thofe 
 who covet our poffefiions ? has God given us 
 his Gofpel, endowed us with reafon, and made 
 us fit for fociety, only to put us in a worfe con- 
 dition than the roaming Savage, or the Beall of 
 prey ? 
 
 We all allow, in common cafes, that a pub- , 
 lie Robber may be fubdued by force or death, 
 if other means fail. We grant alfo that thofe 
 who invade private property may be compelled 
 to reftitution at the bar of juftice. But if inde- 
 pendent ftates have injured us, to what bar fhali 
 we cite them ? who fhall conftrain them to ap- 
 pear at our fummons ? or, if they fhould appear, 
 who fhall oblige them to abide by the fentence ? 
 open force, then, muft be the dernier refort. 
 And llrange it is that thofe who are often fo li- 
 tigious in cafes of private right, Ihould affeft to 
 be the moft palTive in what concerns the rights 
 of the community ! 
 
 In fliort, if human focieties are inflituted for 
 any end at all, independent ftates may not only" 
 defend their rights when invaded ^ hut if they 
 are already deprived or defrauded of th<im, they 
 may demand reftitution in the loudeil. and moft 
 
 G 2 iin^ 
 
85 D I S C O U R S E IV. 
 
 importunate manner; even by calling for it in 
 thunder at the very gates of their enemy. This 
 is often the Ihortelt and moft merciful method. 
 Nor is it doing Violence to our neighbours, but 
 juftice to ourlelves, and to the cauie of Right, 
 Liberty, Virtue, and public Safety •, which would 
 otherwife be left unavoidably to fuffer. 
 
 It were indeed fmcerely to be wifhed that 
 the Gofpel of the blefTed Jefus might have fuch 
 an univerfal influence on the lives of all men, 
 as to render it no more neceffary to learn the 
 art of war. But alas ! this is a degree of per- 
 fedion not to be hoped for in the prefent ftate 
 of things, and only to be looked for in the king- 
 dom of univerfal Righteoufnefs. Were all men 
 arrived to fuch a degree of goodnefs as to ren- 
 der force unneceffary, then alfo the magiilracy, 
 the laws, and every thing elfe belonging to parti- 
 cular focieties in this world, would be a need- 
 lefs inilitution. But as long as particular focie- 
 ties are of any ufe, fo long will force and arms 
 be of ufe •, for the very end of fuch focieties 
 is to unite the force of individuals, for obtain- 
 ing fafety to the whole. 
 
 What I have already faid will convince every 
 reafonable perfon that the words— do violence 
 to no man — were never meant as a general pro- 
 hibition of all force and arms ; fo often neceffary 
 in this embarraffed fcene of things. As for thofe 
 who from views of intercfl, pretended fcruples 
 of confcience, and I know not what prejudices 
 
 or 
 
DISC O U R S E IV. %y 
 
 education, ftill fhut their eyes againft the cleareft 
 light, I do not pretend to offer arguments for 
 their convidion. 
 
 If the barbarities that have been committed 
 around them ; if the cries of their murdered 
 and fufFering brethren •, if their country fwim* 
 ming in blood and involved in an expenfive 
 war — if thefe things have not already pierced 
 their ftony hearts, and convinced their deluded 
 reafon, that their principles are abfurd in idea 
 and criminal in praftice, I am fure any thing I 
 might fay farther, would have but little weight. 
 I fhall only beg leave to remind them, that they 
 will have this caufe to plead one day more be- 
 fore a tribunal, where fubterfuges will ftand 
 them in no Head •, and where it will be well if 
 they are acquitted, and no part of the blood that 
 has been fpilt is required at their hands. 
 
 Having found it neceffary to dwell fo long 
 on the former part of the text, I Ihall be very 
 brief on what remains. 
 
 The Chriftian-foldier is forbid, in the Second 
 Place, to " accufe any man falfely." 
 
 To circumvent, to bear down, or to take 
 away, the character of another, for the fake of 
 revenge, profit or preferment, is indeed a crime 
 of the moil unpardonable nature. It feldom ad- 
 mits of any reparation, and ftrikes at the very 
 root of all peace and faith and fociety among 
 men. Surely, then, among a fociety of foldiers, 
 whofe flrength confifts in their harmony, and 
 
 Q 4 whofc 
 
88 DISCOURSE IV. 
 
 whofe peculiar charader is their Honor and 
 Veracity, fuch a pernicious vice ihould be dif- 
 courao-ed in an eminent degree, as tending to 
 their immediate ruin, and odious both to God 
 and Man. 
 
 In the Third and lail place, the Chriilian-foU 
 dier is to be content with his wages. 
 
 This is alfo a very efiential duty. Nothing 
 ought to be more inviolable among men than 
 the performance of their covenants. Now, be- 
 tween the Britiih ftatc and its foidiery, there is 
 a covenant of the moft facred nature. They 
 voluntarily enlift into a certain fervice for certain 
 wares, Thcfe wages are fufiicient for a com- 
 fortable fubfntence. The Britidi government 
 has Mercy in its whole nature, and all its ap- 
 pointments are liberal. The wages of our com-, 
 mon foidiery are almofl equal to thofe of the in- 
 ferior oulcers in many other ferviccs. Surely 
 then, for them above all others, to be difcon-., 
 tented with thofe wages, to negleft the duty 
 annexed to them, or to be faint-hearted in its 
 performance, would argue the higheft hafenefs, 
 It would be breach of Faith, breach of honor, 
 and a total want of every generous affeftion. 
 
 Moreover, to be content with one's Wages 
 implies alfo a faithful application of them to 
 the ufcs for v/hich they arc given. They are not 
 to be fpcnt in riot and intemperance, but in 
 keeping the body neat, clean, healthy, and vigo-r 
 rous for the difc.hargc of its duty. Nallinefs and 
 
 flovenlincfs 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. 89 
 
 fiovenlinefs in drefs or behaviour are fure marks 
 of a mean and daftardly temper. The man who 
 difregards the care of his own perfon, which is 
 the Image of his maker, can have neither fpirit 
 nor grace nor virtue in him. It will be almolt 
 impofllble to exalt his groveling Soul to the per- 
 formance of any great or heroic aftion. 
 
 And as for intemperance in a foldier, a vice 
 of more ruinous conlequence cannot well be ima- 
 gined j or rather it is a complication of all 
 vices. For not to fay that it generally leads to 
 thofe a6ts of Violence, fo fully mentioned above, 
 it is in itfelf a manifeft violation of every tie be- 
 tween the Soldier and his country. 
 
 The Soldier, by the terms of his enliftm.enr, 
 configns his health, flrength, and fervice to the 
 public, in confideration of his receiving certain 
 wages. Now for him to fpend thofe wages in 
 enervating or deftroying that very health and 
 ilrength for which they are given him, would be 
 robbery of the public ! nay, defertion itfelf is not 
 a greater crime ; and nothing but the mercy of 
 our laws, in compafiion to the frailties of hu- 
 man nature, could have made the punifliment 
 of the one lefs than that of the other. For a fol- 
 dier may as well be found abfent from his poft, 
 or afleep on it, as be found on it in a condi- 
 tion which renders him unfit for the duties of 
 it. 
 
 In Ihort, difcontent, floth, murmuring and 
 intemperance, have been the bane of many a 
 
 powerful 
 
90 DISCOURSE IV. 
 
 powerful army, and have often drawn down the 
 divine difpleafure, by giving them up to cer- 
 tain ruin. 
 
 Upon the whole then, we may conclude from 
 the text, that the particular duty of chriftian 
 foldiers confifts chiefly in — Obedience to thofe 
 who are appointed to command them ; a re- 
 fpeflful inoffenfive Behaviour to thofe who fup- 
 port and maintain them -, ftrid Honor and un- 
 fhaken Veracity towards one another ; Tempe- 
 rance, Sobriety, Cieanlinefs, and Contentment 
 in their private charafteri and a fteady, bold 
 and chearful difcharge of whatever fervice their 
 King and Country may require of them. 
 
 I SAID that thefe things conftitute the parti- 
 cular duty of foldiers, confidered as fuch. But 
 here let it be remembered, that no fpecial in- 
 jun6lions of this kind to any certain order of 
 men can poffibly exempt them from the general 
 precepts of the gofpel. Though the text be 
 addrelTed particularly to the foldiers, confidered 
 in that charafber •, yet as they are nlfo Men and 
 Creatures of God, they are equally called (in 
 the eleventh verfe for inftance) to the praftice of 
 univerfal benevolence and charity, with the 
 whole body of the people, whereof they are a 
 parr, and to wliom that verfe is direded. 
 
 Thus I have finifhed what I propofed from 
 the text. 
 
 And now, gentlemen Officers, you will per- 
 mit me to addrefs the rem.aindcr of this difcourfe 
 
 more 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. gt 
 
 more immediately to you. I know you love 
 your King and Country. I know you regard 
 thofe men under your command, and would 
 wifh to fee them fhining in the practice of thofe 
 virtues which I have been recommending. But 
 yet, after all, this mull, in a great meafure, de- 
 pend upon yourfelves. 
 
 If, then, you would defire to have any tie up- 
 on their confciences -, if you would willi to fee 
 them ad upon principle, and give you any 
 other hold of them than that of mere command-"- 
 let me. Oh let me befeech you, to cultivate and, 
 propagate among them, with your whole in- 
 fluence and authority, a fublime fenfe of Reli- 
 gion, Eternity, and Redeeming-Love ! Let the 
 bright profpects of the Gofpel of Jefus be placed 
 ftill before their eyes ; and let its holy precepts 
 be inculcated frequently into their hearts ! 
 
 But, above all things, let the adorable name 
 of the everlafting Jehovah be kept facred among 
 you ! Glorified angels fall proftrate before it ! 
 The very devils themfelves tremble at it ! And 
 fliall poor worms of earth ; dependent on a pulfe 
 for every breath of being •, furrounded with dan- 
 gers innumerable ; marching forth in the very 
 " fhadow of death j" to-day here, and to-mor- 
 row in eternity — fhall they dare to blafpheme 
 that holy name, before which all nature bends 
 in adoration and av/e ? Shall they forget their 
 abfolute dependence upon it for all they have, 
 and all they hope to have ? 
 
 Alas ! 
 
92 D I S C O U R S E IV. 
 
 Alas ! when the Name of our Great Creator 
 is become thus familiar, and proftituted to every 
 common fubjecft, what name fhall we invoke in 
 the day of danger ? to what refuge fliall we fly 
 amidft the various prelTures of life ? to. whofe 
 mercy fnall we lift up our eyes in the hour of 
 death ? and into whofe bofom confign our fouls, 
 when we launch forth into the dark precindts 
 of Eternity ? 
 
 Once more, then, I befeech you, let the name 
 of. the Lord be holy among you •, elfe have you 
 no fure foundation for virtue or goodnefs ; none 
 for dependence upon providence; none for the 
 fanclity of an oath ; none for faith, nor truth, 
 nor " obedience for Confcience-fakc." 
 
 Next to religion and a fovereign regard to 
 the honor and glory of your great Creator, it 
 will be of the utmoft importance to cultivate, 
 in yourfelves and thofe under you, a noble, man- 
 ly, and rational -j- Enthuliafm in the glorious 
 caufe wherein you are engaged ; founded on a 
 tiiorough convidlion of its being the caufe of 
 Juftice, the Protefcant-caufe, the caufe of Vir- 
 tue and Freedom on earth. 
 
 Animated by this fublime principle, what 
 wonders have not Britons performed? How 
 have they rifen, the terror of the earth ; the pro- 
 testors of the Opprefied •, the avengers of Juf- 
 
 t Tlie author hopes to be e.vcufed in the ufe of this word, 
 a<i here reftriilcd and explained. He docs not l:no\v another, 
 that would conve; hs idea, to fublUtutc ;n its place. 
 
 ticc, 
 
D I S C O U R S E IV. 93 
 
 tice, and the fcourge of tyrants ? How have 
 the ions of Rapine and Violence fhrunk before 
 them, confounded and o'erthrovvn ? Witnefs, 
 ye Danube and Sambre, and thou Boyn, crim- 
 foned in blood ! bear witnefs and fay — what was 
 it that fired our Williams and our Marlboroucrhs 
 to deeds of immortal renown ? What was it that 
 fteeled their hearts with courage, and edged 
 their fwords with victory ? Was it not, under 
 God, an animating conviction of the juitice of 
 their caufe, and an unconquerable paffion for 
 Liberty, and the purity of the Proteftant 
 faith t? 
 
 And do you think now, gentleman, that the 
 caufe wherein you are engaged is lefs honor- 
 able, lefs important; or that lefs depends on 
 the fword you draw ? No, gentlemen ! I will 
 pronounce it before Heaven and Earth, that 
 from the days of our Alfreds, our Edwards, and 
 our Henries downwards, the Britifli fword was 
 never unHieathed in a more glorious or more di- 
 vine caufe than at prefent ! 
 
 f Never were the noble efFccls of this fubllme principle fo 
 COnfpicuous as at the glorious battle of theBoyn. Here ouroreat 
 deliverer king William, with afmall army, routed a much fu- 
 perior, and perhaps otherv^ife a better one. There was only 
 this difference. The one fought for hberty, for religion, and 
 their country; and were ardent in their caufe, from a convic- 
 tion of its juflice. The other fought in defence of tyranny, 
 having little of their 07.n to io'e, and no fteady principle to 
 aiS upon. 
 
 Look. 
 
^4 D I S C O U R S E IV. 
 
 I,ooK round you ! behold a country, vaft ia 
 extent, merciful in its climate, exuberant in its 
 foil, tlie leat of plenty, the garden of the Lord ! 
 behold it given to us and to our pofterity, to 
 propagate Virtue, to cultivate ufeful arts, and 
 to fpread abroad the pure Evangelical Religion 
 of Jcfus ! behold colonies founded in it ! Pro- 
 tejiant Colonies ! Free Colonies 1 Britijlo Colo- 
 nies ! Behold them exulting in their Liberty ; 
 flourifhing in Commerce ; the Arts and Sci- 
 ences planted in them •, the Gofpel preached ; 
 and in fhort the feeds of happinefs and glory 
 firmly rooted, and growing up among them ! 
 
 But, turning from this profpect for a moment, 
 look to the other hand ! diredl your eyes to the 
 wefbward ; there behold Popijh Perfidy, French 
 Tyranny, and Savage Barbarity, leagued in tri- 
 ple combination, advancing to deprive us of 
 thofe exalted BleiTings, or to circumfcribe us 
 in the poflefiion of them, and make the land 
 too fmall for us and the incrcafing multitude of 
 our pofterity ! 
 
 Oh Britons ! O Chriftians ! what a profpedl 
 is tliis ! 'tis odious to the view, and horrible to 
 relate. See, in the van, a let of fierce Savages 
 hounded forth againll us, from their dark lurk- 
 ing places ; brandiiliing their murderous knives •, 
 Iparing neither age nor fex -, neither the hoary 
 fire, por the hopeful fon; n(;ither the tender 
 virgin, nor t!ie helplefs babe. Ten thoufand 
 
 furies 
 
DISCOURSE IV. ^s 
 
 furies follow behind and clofe up the fcene ! 
 grim Superftition, lording it over Confcience ! 
 bloody Perfecution, fhaking her iron fcourge ! 
 and gloomy Error, feducing the unwary foul ! 
 while, in the midft, and all around, is heard the 
 voice of Lamentation and Mourning and Woe ; 
 Religion bleeding under her ftripes ! Virtue ba- 
 nilhed into a corner ! Commerce bound in chains, 
 and Liberty in fetters of iron ! 
 
 But look again, gentlemen ! between us and 
 thofe evils, there is yet a fpace or gap left ! and, 
 in that gap, among others, you {land ; a glorious 
 phalanx ! a royal f Corps formed by the befl 
 of Kings for the nobleft of purpofes ! — formed 
 to be the avengers of Liberty and protestors of 
 jullice in this New world ! 
 
 And now is not my affertion proved ? Con- 
 fidered in this light, does it not appear to your- 
 felves that never, from the firfl of time, was a 
 body of Britons engaged in a more glorious 
 caufe than you are at prefent ; nor a caufe on 
 whofe illue more depends ? You are not led 
 forth by wild ambition, nor by ill-grounded 
 claims of right, nor by falle notions of glory. 
 But, configned to you is the happinefs of the 
 prefent age and of late pofterity. You wear up- 
 on your fwords every thing that is dear and va- 
 luable to us, as Men and as Chriftians. And 
 upon your fuccefs it depends, perhaps, whether 
 
 f This Corps confilled chiefly of the royal American RegL 
 
 ment. 
 
 3 the 
 
g6 DISCOURSE IV. 
 
 the pure religion of the gofpel, ftreaming iin- 
 corrupted from its facred fource, rational, mo- 
 ral, and divine, together with liberty and all its 
 concomitant blclTings, fhall finally be extended 
 over thefe American regions •, or whether they 
 Ihall return into the bondage of idolatry, and 
 darknefs of error for ever ! 
 
 In fuch an exalted and divine caufe, let your 
 hearts betray no doubts nor unmanly fears; 
 Though the profpeft may look dark againit 
 us, and though the Lord may juftly think fit to 
 punilh us for our fms, yet we may firmly truft 
 that he will not wholly give up the Protcltant- 
 caufe ; but that it is his gracious purpofe, in 
 due time, to add to the reformed church of 
 Chrifl, " the Heathen for an inheritance, and 
 the uttermofl: parts of the earth for a poITef- 
 fion." 
 
 Go forth, then, with humble boldnefs, as men 
 confcious that their defigns are approved of" 
 God. And oh ! if perchance your feet fhall 
 touch thofe fields that have already drank in 
 the blood of the Slain, and have beheld your 
 brethren expiring in 'all the variety of woe — 
 gently, oh gently tread among their f uncoilin- 
 
 t The body of men to which this diicourfe was delivered, 
 were expefted to have gone diredtly againll Fort du Quefne 
 on the Ohio, but were obliged to afl only on the defenfiv* 
 for that vear. A great part of them, however, were prefent 
 at the rrdu6>ion of the place the year following, under Briga- 
 dier-General Forbes, who, to hisimmottal honor, literally ful- 
 filled what is here hinted at. For, having happily got pof- 
 
 fcffion 
 
DISCOURSE IV. 9;^ 
 
 ^d bones ! drop a tear over their fcattered afhes ; 
 and give a moment's paufe for reflexion ! It 
 will touch the heart with tendernefs, and be a 
 fruitful fource of much ufeful thought. It will 
 give frefh vigor to every arm, and nev/ ardor to 
 every breaft ! 
 
 To fee one cf our fpecies rriarigled ahd torrt 
 in pieces is horrible ! to fee a Briton, a Protef- 
 tant, our friend, our neighbour, fo tifed, is 
 more horrible ftill ! but to think that this Ihould 
 be done^ not to one but to thoufands -, and done 
 in an unguarded hour ; and done without pro- 
 vocation ; and done with all the aggravation of 
 infernal torture •, and done by favages ; and by 
 favages whom we have cherilhed in our bofom ; 
 and by favages ftirred up againft us contrary to 
 the faith of treaties; and ftirred up by men 
 
 felfion of the Fort in November, 1758, a large part of his ar- 
 my was fent to Braddock's field on the banks of the Monon- 
 gahela to bury the fad remains of the dead that had lain there 
 Upwards of three years. This was truly a moving and very 
 folemn fcene ; made yet more fo by the tears of fundrles who 
 had loft their fathers, brothers and deareft relatives in that fa- 
 tal fpot. 
 
 There is an account of fuch a burying as this in the Roman 
 hiftory, painted in very moving terms by Tacitus; who tells 
 us that Germanicus and his foldiers, having come near the 
 forefl of Teutoburgium, where by report the bones of Varus 
 and the legions had lain fix years unburied, they became pof- 
 fe/Ted with a tendernefs to pay the latl offices to their country- 
 men. In performing this fad duty, " no one, fays he, could 
 diftinguifli whether he gathered the particular remains of a 
 ftranger, or thofe of a kinfman ; but all confidered the whole 
 as their friends, the whole as their relation?, with heightened 
 Ctfentments ag.tiftft the foe." 
 
 H pro-' 
 
98 D I S C O U R S E IV. 
 
 profefllng the name of chriflians — good heaven 1 
 what is it ? words cannot paint the anguilh of 
 the thought •, and human nature ftartles from it 
 with accumulated horror ! 
 
 Rise Indignation ! rife Pity ! rife Patriotifm ! 
 and thou Lord God of Righteoufnefs, rife 1 
 avenge our bleeding caufe ! fupport Juflice, and 
 extirpate perfidy and cruelty from the earth ! 
 infpire thofe men, who now go forth for their 
 King and Country, with eveiy fpark of the mag- 
 nanimity of their foreflithers ! the fame our caufe, 
 the fame be its ilTue ! Let our enemies know 
 that Britons will be Britons ftill, in every clime 
 and age ! and let this American world behold 
 alfo thy Salvation ; the work of the Lord for 
 his Inheritance ! Even fo •, rife Lord God of 
 Hofts ! rife quickly ! Amen and Amen. 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 A 
 
[ ^9 ] 
 
 A PRAYER 
 
 On the fame OcGafion. 
 
 FA T H E R of all ! Preferver of all ! Judge 
 of all ! thou Firft and Bell of Beings ! all 
 praife and glory be afcribed unto thee, who haft 
 made us capable of feeking and loving thee; 
 and haft invited us to fly to the throne of thy 
 Mercy for aid and direflion in all our undertak- 
 ings, and deliverance in all our dangers. Surely 
 that heart muft be loft to every nobler feeling, 
 that does not fee and adore thy unlpeakable 
 goodnefs towards the children of men — 
 
 We fee and v/e adore it, O thou King of Na- 
 tions ! ftruckwith the tranfcendent Majefty of thy 
 perfedtions, confcious of our own unworthinefs, 
 and relying on the merits of thy ever blefted 
 Son, we proftrate ourfelves in the duft before 
 thy glorious prefence ; fearing, yet loving ; 
 trembling, yet adoring ! 
 
 We confefs, O Lord ! that thou haft done 
 wonderful things for us and for our fathers ! 
 thou haft indeed given us a goodly heritage 5 
 and the power of thy glory hath often fupport- 
 ed us fignally in the days of our danger. But 
 -alas ! our ingratitude has increafed in proportion 
 to thy Mercies, and all forts of tranfgrelTions 
 have fpread themfelves wider and wider among 
 H 2 us. 
 
loo P R A Y E R. 
 
 us. Thou haft vifited us for thefe things, and 
 lent thy Judgments upon the earth, but ftill we 
 have not learned Righteoufnefs ; and jtiftly might 
 our unworthinels provoke thee to remove from 
 us our ineftimable privileges, both civil and re- 
 ligious. 
 
 Yet ftill, though we have ftnned againft hea- 
 ven and before thee, wc will truft in thy pater- 
 nal mercy — and we know in what we truft. 
 Thine ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, nor 
 thy hand ftiortened that it cannot fave ; and there 
 is fufficiency in the blood of the Redeemer! 
 fuffer us, therefore, O merciful Father, in this 
 day of our vifitation, to throw ourfelves upon 
 the merits of the ever-blefled Jefus •, humbled 
 under thy chaftifements -, confefllng and be- 
 wailing our paft offences, both public and pri- 
 vate ; and befeeching thy divine grace to revive 
 among us a fpirit of primitive piety, integrity 
 and virtue ! 
 
 But oh ! above all, and as the foundation of 
 all, infpire us with an awful reverence of thy 
 glorious majefty. Give us an unfliaken Loyalty 
 to our gracious ibvereign ; and a prevailing love 
 find veneration for our excellent Conftitution^ 
 civil and religious ! and as often as we are called 
 more immediately to appear in defence of it, O 
 grant that in fuch a glorious caufe we may 
 betray no unmanly fears ; but ad the part of 
 Britons and of Freemen •, going forth devoted 
 cither to death or to viftory •, and fcorning a 
 
 life 
 
PRAYER. loi 
 
 life that is to be purchafed at the expence of the 
 Froteftant Religion and our National Privi- 
 leges ! 
 
 Bless and long preferve our rightful fove- 
 reign King George ! Blefs his royal family and 
 all his aUiances ! furround him with Counfellors 
 of a true uncorrupted Britifh Spirit ; men faga- 
 cious to difcover, and ftedfaft to purfue, their 
 country's Good. Guard him from all confpis-a- 
 cies againft his perfon and government ; whether 
 fecictor more open. May his adminiflration be 
 Heady ! fteady in the caufe of liberty 1 Heady 
 in promoting the public welfare ! fleady in op- 
 pofing the enemies of our Zion ! and may the 
 gates of hell never prevail againft it ! 
 
 For this end, O Lord, give fuccefs to his 
 arms both by fea and land, and favour our righ- 
 teous caufe ! give courage, condudt and inte- 
 grity to our commanders, and " thofe who turn 
 the battle from &ur ^ates." In a particular man- 
 ner, blefs all thofe who go forth for the Prote- 
 ilant-caufe, in this American World ! make them 
 inftrumental in preferring among us, and fpread^ 
 ing abroad to the remoteft parts of the habitable 
 earth, the precious BlelTings of Liberty jand un- 
 •dehled Relio-ion. And thou that ftilleii the rage 
 of the ocean, and the tumults of the people, 
 fpeak peace to the rage of our implacable and 
 favage foes, and bring this expenfive war to a 
 Ufa and fpeedy iffue ! May we foon b« delivered 
 ¥^ 3 frorfli 
 
I02 PRAYER, 
 
 from all our fears, and peace be reftored in all 
 our borders. 
 
 May thefe men here prefent, who now gO 
 forth in our caufe, be returned fafe to our friend- 
 Ihip, crowned with triumph andvidory j that they 
 and we together may afterwards ferve and adore 
 thee without fear, in holinei's and righteoufnefs 
 before thee, all the remainder of our days ! Hear 
 us, O heavenly father, for thy fon Jefus Chrill's 
 fake, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghoft, 
 one God, be the kingdom and the power and the 
 glory, world without end ! 
 
 * * * 
 
 DIS- 
 
[ 103 ] 
 
 DISCOURSE V. 
 
 The Duty of praifing God for lignal Mer- 
 cies and Deliverances. 
 
 Preached, September 17, 1758. 
 
 On Occafion of the remarkable Succefs of 
 His Majesty's Arms in America, 
 during that Campaign. 
 
 ExoD. XV. I. 
 
 / will fmg unto the Lord', for he hath 
 triumphed glorioujly, 
 
 IF we look back to the records of antiquity^ 
 v/e fhall find that fome of the oldeil and 
 moft exalted compofitions of men, are Songs of 
 praife and extafy to their great Creator. 
 
 There is foniething in Poetry and Mufic ad- 
 mirably fuited to divine fubjeits ; and it is na- 
 tural for the foul, when ftruck with any thing 
 furprizingly Great, Good, or New, to break forth, 
 beyond the common modes of fpeech, into the 
 moft rapturous turns of exprefTion -, accompa- 
 nied with correfpondent attitudes of body and 
 modulations of voice. Even the untutored fa- 
 vages around us furnifh flriking examples of 
 this. 
 
 H 4 Hence 
 
104 DISCOURSE V. 
 
 Hence it is, that Poetry and Muficwere ori- 
 ginally confined to the immediate praifes of the 
 Deity ; and the beft and wifeft men, of all 
 ages, have had recourfe to divine Hymns and 
 fpiritual Songs, in the effufions of their fouls 
 before the almighty Lord of heaven and earth, 
 
 Ere yet temples were bqilt, perhaps, or fixed 
 hours of devotion fet apart •, when the voice of 
 Confcience could be heard, and the bufy fcenes 
 of art had not yet feduced away the attention of 
 man ; the great progenitors of our race, as they 
 tended their flocks on from pafture to pafture, 
 no doubt, often felt their hearts rapt into this 
 kind of facrcd extafy, and poured them forth in 
 unpremeditated ftrains before the Lord. When- 
 ever they received any fignal in (lance of AI7 
 mighty Goodnefs ; whenever any furprifing ef- 
 fect of Almighty Power llruck their fight and 
 kindled admiration ; that aufpicious m.omenc, 
 they, doubtlefs, embraced and ^dored the invifi- 
 ble hand from which the whole proceeded ; the 
 hand that formed the earth, the fun and moon, 
 which they beheld •, that hung the clouds in air ; 
 that charged their boioms with treafures, an'4 
 bade them drop down in fatnefs to rejoice herb 
 and beafl and man, 
 
 These fublime exercifes m^iy be confidere^ 
 as the expref^ infpirations of God himfelf, be- 
 ing nothing clfe but the fecret agency of his 
 grace, through the means of his works, on the 
 hearts of men, in thefe early days of fimplicity •, 
 jind, as this was the firfl fourcc of Poetry, it 
 
 were 
 
D I S C O U R S E V. 105 
 
 V/ere to be wiihed that fhe h^d never defcendecj 
 beneath her high original. It were to be wifhed 
 that, among all our other improvements, we had 
 not too much improved away this pure primi- 
 tive intercourfe, with the Father of Lisht and 
 Spirits ! Yet ftill, we are to refiedt that this is 
 .a world of imperfedion -, and that, as there are 
 advantages, fo there are alfo inconveniences, in- 
 cident to every ftage of its progrefs from origi- 
 nal fimplicity to its laft ftate of refinement. 
 
 But, to proceed on our fubjedt ; fome pf the 
 moft beautiful pieces of divine poefy are left us 
 by the eaftern nations, and especially by the 
 Hebrews ; with whofe compofitions of this kind 
 we are more diredly concerned, as they are pre- 
 ferved for us in our Bibles. 
 
 No\y, of all that we read there, one of the 
 moft exalted is the Sojjg of Mofes, from which I 
 have taken my text -, compofed in a tranfport 
 of joy, admiration and gratitude, when he be- 
 held the Mighty One of Ifrael divide the great 
 deep, and lead his people thro' on dry ground. 
 
 This was a fubjedt marvellous indeed, and 
 cfto^ifhing beyond a parallel ! At the blaft of 
 the noftriis of the God of heaven, the courfe of 
 r^ature was cpntrouled. The waters divided be- 
 fore the Lord. They left their channel in the 
 heart of the fea, They were gathered up, on 
 either fide, wave on wave, heap on heap ; and 
 itood congealed in liquid mountains at the nod 
 of the Almighty. The Children of Ifrael pafied 
 through. Immediately the \yaters qloled with 
 
io6 D I S C O U R S E V. 
 
 irrefiftible fury. Pharaoh's proud hoft was co- 
 vered, overwhelmed, confumed ; as a Hone that 
 finks to the bottom — 
 
 " Then fang Mofes and the Children of If- 
 rael this Song unto the Lord, faying (each for 
 himfelf) / ijoillfing unto the Lord, for be hath tri- 
 tanphed glorioujly. The horfe and his rider hath 
 he thrown into the Sea. The Lord is my 
 ftrength, and my fong •, and he is become my 
 falvation. He is my God, and I will prepare 
 him a habitation ; my father's God, and I will 
 exalt him. The Lord is a man of war ; the 
 Lord is his name !" 
 
 In fuch ftrains as thefe did the raptured lea- 
 der of Ifrael, and all Iiis followers, celebrate the 
 Cod of their Fathers^ on dieir deliverance from 
 the rage of Pharaoh, leaving an example for the 
 imitation of all ages, on the like occafions \ and, 
 indeed, every civilized people, into whofe hands 
 this Song hath fallen, have been lavifh in its 
 praifes. Its abrupt and beautiful beginning, 
 its pious and fervent conclufion, and the fub- 
 lime fentiments and grand imagery that prevail 
 through the whole, juitly render it a divine flan- 
 dard for all compofitions of the like kind. 
 
 In difcourfing further from that part of it, 
 which I have taken as my prefent fubjedt, two 
 things readily offer themfelves to be done — 
 
 First, to enforce the general dutyofprai- 
 fing God at all times, for his general works of 
 providence-, and to point out the good effedts 
 thereof on the temper. 
 
 Secondly, 
 
D I $ C 6 U H S E V. 107 
 
 Secondly, to fhew the particular duty of 
 praifing him on particular occafions, for fignal 
 mercies and deliverances. 
 
 The latter of thefe is wha;t I have now more 
 Immediately in view ; the former being a main 
 bufmefs of all our Preaching. But a few words, 
 on that head, may not be improper, before we 
 proceed to the other. 
 
 The arguments to enforce the general duty 
 of praifing God are many and various. Fa- 
 vours conferred demand a return of gratitude ; 
 and we can fcarce think of the man, who, even 
 in his common dealings with men like himfelf, 
 is infenfible of favours, or returns evil for good, 
 without abominating his chara6ter. But how is" 
 the guilt of fuch a condudl encreafed, when it 
 is towards that Being who gave us life^ breath, 
 and all things ? 
 
 If we confider the awful relation in which we 
 ftand to God, whether as our Creator, our Pre- 
 ferver, our Redeemer, or our Judge ; much do 
 we owe to him ! much have we to hope, and 
 much to fear from him ! In all thefe relations, 
 he is equally entitled to our warmefl adoration 
 and praife. 
 
 When we confider him as riling up from 
 his myfterious Eternity, to fpeak a whole world, 
 into being-, when, through the eye of faith, 
 we behold him feated on the throne of his omni-« 
 potence, dealing abroad happinefs to his vaft fa- 
 mily of heaven and earth — -Seraphs and Cherubs^ 
 Angels and Principalities, Men and living crea^ 
 
 tures 
 
io8 D I S C O U R S E V. 
 
 tures in proportion to their various capacities 
 to receive it ; when we behold him condefcend- 
 ing to govern the affairs of the univerfe, and 
 carrying on, from the beginning, one great 
 fcheme of providence for accomplifhing his 
 own divine purpofes of love towards us i when, 
 for this end, we find him vouchfafing the grace of 
 his holy fpirit to aid and fupport the Juft, and 
 not fparin^ even the Son of his bofom to redeem 
 
 and reftore the Fallen ; 1 fay, when we con- 
 
 fider thefe things, is it poffible for us to with- 
 hold the juft tribute of our wonder, love, grati- 
 tude and adoration ? 
 
 But, befides thefe powerful arguments, wc 
 are likewife to remember that the immediate 
 worfhip of the Diety is undoubtedly the nobleft 
 .and moft improving exercife of our rational na- 
 ture. The foul of man, in this uncertain ftate 
 of things, is as it were confined from home ; 
 and, unlefs when tending towards her center, by 
 contemplating and adoring the great fource and 
 model of all perfeftion, ihe ca,n find no lafting 
 happinefs, but is diftrafted by falfe hopes and 
 falfe fears. There is not in all the univerfe, 
 excepting God, an objeft capable of fully flitis- 
 fying the intelledtual and moral powers of the 
 foul •, and therefore it behoves her much to foar 
 often above this enfnaring mafs of earthly defires^ 
 and to ftrive for communion with him, who is 
 her fupreme good. 
 
 The beft of men have found their chief com- 
 fort to confift in ex^rcifes of this kind -, and thofe 
 
 elevated 
 
I) I S C O U R S E V. i-o^ 
 
 ekvaited flights of the foul to God, when thus 
 winged with love, joy and admiration, truly 
 proclaim her divine original, her capacious 
 powers and glorious deftination for eternity. 
 They expand and ftrengthen heF faculties, im- 
 prove and exalt the temper, and prepare her for 
 the harmony of heaven ! 
 
 Now theie facred exercifes of praife to God 
 itiuft not be entirely confined to clofets, and of a 
 private nature. We are likewife obliged to 
 praife him publickly " in the great congrega- 
 tion, and to reverence him in the alTembly of 
 his faints.** 
 
 Men are all citizens of the world, as well as 
 of particular focieties. They are fubjefted to 
 the fame general laws ; and, in many cafes 
 blended together in one common lot. We en- 
 joy many Blefllngs in common, and in common 
 have deferved many punifhments. In common, 
 therefore, we ought to deprecate the latter, and 
 praife our great Benefaftor for the form.er. 
 
 But, added to all this, the exercifes of Reli- 
 gion are greatly quickened by friendly commu- 
 nion. Man is of a fympathizing nature ; and, 
 when a number of God's people are pioufly af- 
 fembled before him, mingling hearts and voices 
 in one folemn ad; of devotion, a kind of facred 
 flame is apt to catch from bofom to bofom, 
 lighting up fuch rapturous ftrains of ardent 
 praife, as no other circumftances, perhaps, could 
 eafily excite* 
 
 Nor 
 
210 D I S C O U R S E V. 
 
 Nor are fuch religious exercifes only calcu- 
 lated to improve our own natures, but likewife 
 peculiarly delightful to God himfelf ; and we 
 may venture to aiBrm that, among all hi§ works, 
 there is not ^ fight niore grateful to him, than 4 
 number of his dutiful children thus decently 
 aflembled before him, and catching, as it were, 
 a few moments from the vanities of life, that 
 they may devote them to ferious reflexion, and 
 fervently breathe up the humble defires and 
 pious tranfports of their fouls to His holy and 
 exalted name. 
 
 Thus far with refpeft to the duty of praifing 
 God for his general works of kindnefs and love. 
 But this is not all. I propofed, in the Second 
 pUce, to fpeak of the great duty of praifmg him, 
 on fpecial occafions, for particular mercies and 
 deliverances -, and that not only privately in our 
 clofets, but in the public aflemblies of his peo- 
 ple. 
 
 On this head, we ha;Ve many illullrious exam- 
 ples before us. I have already mentioned that 
 of Mofes and the Ifraelites ; and from their fub- 
 lime fong of thanfgiving, on their deliverance 
 from the power of Pharoah, I have taken my 
 text. I Ihall offer only one example more. It 
 is the great Feftival-Sacriiice and Thankfgiv- 
 ing of David, on receiving back the f Ark of 
 God. 
 
 On that happy occafion, he and all the El- 
 ders of the people, and the Levites 4nd th«. 
 
 f Cliron. XV. xvi. 
 
 cap- 
 
D I S C U R S E V. Ill 
 
 captains over thoufands, appeared in folemn 
 proceffion, with inftruments of mufic, pialteries 
 and harps and cymbals, and the found of the 
 cornet and of the trumpet, and the hfting up 
 the voice with joy : And David himfeif came 
 dancing and finging before them, infomuch, 
 that Saul's daughter, beholding him out at g 
 window, and not being animated with the fame 
 godly rapture, that actuated the pious monarch, 
 defpifed hi m in her heart, as guilty of levity. 
 
 But why Ihould I mention examples ? The 
 fame reafon that calls us to humble ourfelves un- 
 der the marks of God's dlfpleafure, calls us to 
 rejoice with thankfgiving on the marks of his 
 favour. For a feries of years paft, we have had 
 many days of Weeping and Sorrow and Failing -, 
 and the hardeft heart would bleed to recount- 
 the fcenes of fuffering and anguifh and diilrefs; 
 which we have beheld. But, blefied be God ! 
 our affairs begin to wear a better afpe6t ; aud we 
 may now come before his prefence with fongs of 
 holy triumph and joy. Each of us for himfeif, 
 and all for the public, may take up the elevated 
 drains of Mofes and of David 
 
 " We will fmg unto the Lord, for he hath 
 triumphed glorioufly ; tlie horfe and his rider 
 hath he thrown into the fea. The Lord is our 
 ftrengih and falvation ; and he fnail be the fub- 
 jeft of our fong. Fie is our God, and we will 
 prepare him a habitation j our fathers God, and 
 
 3 we 
 
112 D I S C O U R S E V; 
 
 we will exalt him. The right hand of the ♦ 
 Lord is become glorious in power, and hath 
 dalhed in pieces the enemy. They faid, We 
 will purfue, wc will overtake, we will divide the 
 fpoil — But thou didft blow thy wind, and the 
 fea covered tliem ; they funk as lead in the 
 mighty waters-^-]- Sing unto the Lord all the 
 earth i fhew forth from day to day his falva- 
 tion. Declare his glory among the heathen ;• 
 his marvellous works among all nations—Wherr 
 his people were but few, even a few and flran- 
 gers in the land ; w^hen they went from nation tor 
 nation, and from one kingdom to another, he 
 fuffered no man to do them wrong •, yea he re- 
 proved kings for their fakes — BlefTed be the 
 Lord God of Ilrael for ever and ever : And all 
 the people faid Amen, and praifed the Lord" — 
 
 Deliverances and bleffings equal to thefe^- 
 have been received by us and by our fathers,- 
 both now and of old. The power of God's 
 Glory hath often Ihone illuftrious in behalf of 
 the Proteftant caufe j and we trull it will yet 
 Ihine to the remoteit periods of time. 
 
 Early did the defigns of our enemies appear 
 againft the rehgion and liberties of Britain. 
 When our fathers had but juft Ihaken off thef 
 yoke of fpiritual bondage, and eflabliflied the 
 Religion of Jefus in its native purity, reformed 
 from popifh error and fuperilition •, a bloody dc- 
 fign was hatched by our refllefs foes to extin- 
 
 • Exod. XV, f I Chron. xvi. 
 
 guiih 
 
t) I S C O tJ R S E V. 113 
 
 guiiii our name and religion together. Their 
 vaft Armado failed, exultant, before the gale. It 
 covered the whole ocean, it approached the coaft 
 of Great Britain -, and, in the pride of their heart, 
 they faid " What fhall refift our power ? We will 
 purfue, we v/ill overtake, we will divide the fpoil." 
 — The eternal God, v/ho dwells in heaven, the pro- 
 tedor of the Juft, iaw and heard them. He laughed 
 their devices to fcorn. Obedient to his nod, his Ser- 
 vant-Seas and Winds rofe and raged. The proud 
 hopes of the enemy were brought low ; and all 
 their ftately caflles, that rode erewhile fo trium- 
 phantly on the v/atery furface, were now difperft 
 before the breath of the Almighty, or whelmed 
 to the bottom in the midft of his vengeance, as 
 a fhone that is dropped from the hand. 
 
 In the fight of Britain, this Deliverance was 
 wrought. Our fathers, from the fhore, ftood and 
 beheld it. Their praifes and fhouts of triumph 
 afcended to the f!<.y. The God of Vid:ory was 
 their theme. Him they adored, and him they 
 left It in charge for their children to adore, to 
 the lateft generations ! 
 
 The next attempt againft our Protellant Faith 
 was laid dark as Night, and deep as hell. In 
 the bowels of the earth a Mine was placed, with 
 a view to blow up the king, the royal family, 
 both houfes of parliament, and deftroy at once 
 the whole hopes and llrength of our bleiTed re- 
 formation. But the all-feeing eye of God de- 
 te<51:ecl the black defign, and his all-powerful 
 
 I arm 
 
114 D I S C O U R S E V. 
 
 arm dragged the conipirators to light and de- 
 ferved vengeance •, thereby working a fecond 
 deliverance as great as the former. 
 
 Since that time, many repeated attempts have 
 been made to divide us from ourfelves, and de- 
 lude the unthinking multitude by means of a 
 Popifli Abjured pretender. But the Lord has 
 rendered thefe as vain as all the others. 
 
 Thus defeated every where in the parent- 
 land of Proteftantifm and Liberty, our invete- 
 rate foes are making their laft defperate pufh, 
 af^ainft our holy eftablilhment, civil and reli- 
 o-iolis, in thefe remote parts of America. But 
 we truft in that fame power whicli has appeared 
 fo fio-nally for our fathers — Thou, O God, haft 
 been our truft ; nor have we trufted in vain. 
 
 After the days of mourning which we have 
 feen, the ftiort period of one year has produced 
 fuch a turn in favour of the Proteftant caufe, as 
 even aftoniflies ourfelves, and among pofterity 
 will fcarce be believed. The wonderful fuccefles 
 of the Pruflian Hero, towards the clofe of the 
 laft campaign in Germany ; and the fuccefles 
 which, in the prefent campaign, God has already 
 been pleafed to bcftow on the Britifti arms in 
 America, by the redudion of Louift)ourg and 
 other important places, fiirnilli a feries of fuch 
 happy events, that if any one had propofed them 
 to our hopes a twelvemonth ago, we fliould have 
 thought him mocking our credulity, or infult- 
 ing our diftrefs. But all things are poflible to 
 r. God;^ 
 
D i S C 6 U R S E V. ii5 
 
 feod ; and, when affairs are at the worft, then is 
 bften the time when the Mighty One of Ifrael is 
 pleafed to interfere, and therein *« to triumph 
 glorioufly." 
 
 In fuch eafes^ it is our indifperlfiBIe duty td 
 mark the manifeftations of his power with hum- 
 ble reverence, and to rejoice before him exceed- 
 ingly ; but ftill we muft " rejoice with tremb- 
 ling." Although the Lord hath brought dowfi 
 the proild hopes of our enemies, who like the 
 AfTyrian of old, began to lift themfelves up and 
 to boaft of their viftories j yet we are to remem- 
 ber that they and we are ftill held in the Ba- 
 lance of his Almighty power, and it is impolTible 
 to fay which Scale he may finally caufe to mount 
 ■Up, or which to preponderate. 
 
 Besides this^ even the beft fruits of Vidory 
 are befet round with thorns j and what are days 
 bf rejoicing to others are but days of mourning 
 to many, whofe deareft Relatives have given 
 tip their lives, a facrifice in the coriteft; This 
 world is a chequered fcene, arid we are to ex- 
 pe6l no pure blifs in it. But let us aft the part 
 bf good Subje6ls arid good Chriftians, and then 
 we may fafely truft the iffue to his diredion,- who 
 Is fupremelyjuft, wife, and holy I 
 
 fei& 
 
DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 Concerning the Conversion 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 HEATHEN AMERICANS, 
 
 AMD 
 
 The final Propagation of Christianity and 
 the Sciences to the Ends of the Earth. 
 
 in two parts. 
 
 Part I. Preached before a voluntary Conven- 
 tion of the Episcopal Clergy of Pennsyl- 
 vania, and Places adjacent, in Chrift Church 
 Philadelphia, May 2d, 1760; and publifji- 
 ed at their joint Requefl. 
 
 Part II. Preached in the College of Phila- 
 delphia, before the Truftees, Mafters and 
 Scholars, at the firft anniverfary Commence- 
 ment. 
 
To the moft Reverend, His Grace, 
 
 THOMAS 
 
 Lord Archbifhop of Canterbury, Prefident ; 
 And 
 
 To all the honorable and venerable Members of 
 
 the SOCIETY 
 for propagating the Gofpel in foreign Parts. 
 
 My Lords and Gentlemen, 
 
 AFTER the many excellent Sermons that 
 have been preached and publifhed by the 
 members of your body, on the Propagation of 
 Chrijl's religion through the untutored paits of 
 the earth; the prefent publication may be thought 
 to argue fome degree of prefumption. And this 
 confide ration, added to the difficulty of faying 
 any thing new or interefting, on a fubjedl fa 
 fully handled by many of the brighteft crnan ents 
 of our church, would have deterred the author 
 from letting xhtjirfi Part of this Difcourfe ap- 
 pear in print ; if, on the other hand, he iiad not 
 been encouraged therein, bytheexprefs dciii-tof 
 his brethren who heard it, and the Hopes that 
 his fituation in America may have enabled him 
 to place fome particular points in a hght, per- 
 haps, fomewhat new. 
 
 With refpedt to the fecond Part, it may dc 
 thought a very neediefs labour to attempt a 
 proof — That the interefts o^ Chriftianity will be 
 advanced, by promoting the interefts of Science. 
 But it hath been the author's misfortune, in his 
 I 4 endeavours 
 
[ n ] 
 cndeav'-urs for the latter, to meet with men, 
 who fecming to confider the advancement of 
 Knowlege and free Enquiry as unfriendly to their 
 dark Syftem, have fet themfelves up, with 
 rage truly illiberal, to ftifle the infant Sciences 
 here. For this reafon, iie thought he could not 
 do a better lervice than endeavour to fhew them 
 at large that they were, in effect, waging war, 
 not only with every thing elegant and uicful in 
 life, but even with the extenfion of our Common 
 Chr,fiianit\ and the beft interefts of our fpecies ' 
 And if, in the prolecution of this defign, he hath 
 been led into a more particular Analyfis of the 
 fciences than fome may jvidge needful in a dif- 
 courfc of this kind, he hopes the circuniflances 
 of the cafe will be his plea. It may aUo be fome 
 Apology, that it was delivered in a Semiinary of 
 Literature, and before a learned Body. 
 
 He cannot conclude without taking this op- 
 portunity of exprelTing his gratitude to the vener- 
 able fociety in general, for the honor done him 
 by their body •, and to fundry illuflrious Mem- 
 bers in particular for the countenance •and pro- 
 te(ftion they have always Ihewn him, in carrying 
 on the fundry Concerns committed to him, in 
 the diftant Parts of the Earth. More efpecially, 
 -he owes moft humble Thanks to that truly learned 
 Prelate, hereafter quoted, who having himfelf 
 written fo excellently on the Accompiifhment of 
 the Prophecies, condefcended to perule and make 
 fome corredlions in the firft Part of this Dif- 
 courfe, before the prcfent Ediiion was comniit- 
 tcd to the Prcfs. 
 
 The AUl HOR. 
 
DISCOURSE VI. PARTI. 
 
 P S A L M il. 8. 
 
 AJk of me and I fl^ all give thee the Heathen 
 for thine inheritance, and the uttermoji 
 parts of the earth for thy pojfefjlon. 
 
 ** T F you would make the foul of man great 
 X and good (fays a fublime -j- writer) give her 
 large and extenfive profpe6ts of the immenfity 
 of God's works, and of his inexhaufled Wifdtm 
 and Goodnefs." 
 
 Now, thofe divine attributes of Wifdom and 
 Goodnefs are no where more glorioufly difplayed 
 than in the Gofpel-difpenfation, and in thofe 
 marvellous Revolutions and Workings of Pro- 
 vidence, which the Almighty has performed, 
 and will yet perform, for the Salvation of man- 
 kind, and the final extenfion of his Son's kino-^ 
 dom to the ends of the earth. 
 
 Welcome, therefore, thrice welcome the lioly 
 Scriptures, thofe living oracles of God, which 
 can lend a cki^e to our meditations, and conduct 
 them, by divine Grace, through thefe awfully 
 improving fubjeds. Here is the " Myflery 
 which was hid from ages and from generations, 
 
 I Dr. Burnet in ^is Theory. 
 
 km 
 
X22 D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 but which God at length manifefted to his Saints, 
 with a promife that the riches of the glory 
 thereof Ihould be made known among the Gen- 
 tiles." t 
 
 This latter part of the Gofpel-difpenfation, 
 which relates to the final converfion of the Gen- 
 tiles, even " to the uttermoft parts of the earth," 
 is that which, by the words of my text, and the 
 prelcnt occafion of our meeting, I am more im- 
 mediately led to conlider. And, in doing this, 
 I Ihall, by divine affiflance, purfue the following 
 Method. 
 
 First, I Ihall endeavour to fhew, from the 
 general voice of Prophecy — That it is the gra- 
 cioas purpofe of God, in his own good time, to 
 bring the Heathen around us to the knowlege 
 of his bleffed Gofpel, through the grace of our 
 Lord Jefus Chrift. 
 
 SECONDLY, I Ihall make fome remarks on the 
 prefent fituation of things on this continent 
 v/idi refpeft to the Gofpel-oeconomy, and the 
 probability of a fpeedy accomplifhment of the 
 Prophecies wliich relate to the final converfion 
 of the nations. 
 
 Lastlv, from this view of things, I Ihall of- 
 fer an humble Addrcfs to you, my Brethren, who 
 are employed as inllruments in the hand of God 
 for carrying on this great work of Converfion, by 
 the Preaching of the Golpel in thefc diflant Re- 
 
 Colofiiajis i, 26, 37. 
 
 . gions, 
 
PARTI. i2g 
 
 gions, to which its joyful Sound hath fo lately 
 reached. 
 
 You fee here, what a large field is opened ; 
 and would to God that I were endued with gift§ 
 ^nd powers fufficient to acqiiit rnyfelf thereini 
 agreeable to your expedlations. Biit I know the 
 vaft, the glorious importance of the fubjedls pro-r 
 pofed ; and I feel my own weaknefs, I befeeclii 
 you, therefore, to fend forth your prayers for 
 me to the throne of grace, that thefe fubjecfts 
 may not fuffer in my hands j and that I may be 
 enabled to fpealc as becomes one called to the 
 prefent office. 
 
 I AM, in the first place, then, to confider 
 the general voice of prophecy, with refpe6t to 
 the Converfion of the Heathen around us. And 
 among many other illuftrious predidions of this 
 event, the words of my text, and the verfes pre- 
 ceding it, are full and ftrong. 
 
 " Why do the Heathen rage, and the people 
 imagine a vain thing ? — Yet have I fet my king 
 upon my holy hill of Sion, — Thou art my fon j 
 this day have I begotten thee. Afk of me, and 
 I fhall give thee the Heathen for thine inheri- 
 tance, and the uttermoft parts of the earth for 
 thy pofifelTion." The meaning of which is, ac- 
 cording to all the commentators 
 
 Thou art my fon Jefus ! This day have I 
 anointed thee king over all the world, which 
 thou hail purpofed to redeem. Go on-, com- 
 pleat the great eternal fcheme, and thereby ef- 
 
 ;abiilh 
 
124 D I S C O U R S E V-I 
 
 tablifh for thyfelf a kingdom of everlafting holi- 
 nefs. In vain fhall the nations rage. In vain 
 fhall their proud leaders, Herod, Pontius Pilate, 
 the Pharifees and rulers of Ifrael, combine them- 
 lelves againft thee. In vain fhall they feek to 
 dethrone thee, to cut thee off from the earth, 
 and to crufn thy kingdom in its birth. My eter- 
 nal purpofes are fixed. The right hand of my 
 power fhall be thy flrength and guide. It fhall 
 defeat all the machinations of thy enemies, and 
 raile thee even from the habitations of the 
 dead, to thine inheritance in the manfions of 
 glory. There fhalt thou dwell for ever, and 
 whatever thou fhalt afk of me thou fhalt receive, 
 till the Heathen become thine inheritance, and 
 the very ends of the earth thy pofTefTion. 
 
 Herein we fee a mofl ftriking Predi(5bion 
 concerning the propagation and final extenfion 
 of Chrift's kingdom to the very remoteft nations 
 of the world. And indeed there is a beautiful 
 harmony among all the prophetic writers, rela- 
 tive to the fame event. 
 
 The venerable Patriarch Jacob, in blcfTmg his 
 fon Judah, gives an early intimation thereof i 
 and tells him that the fceptre fliould not depart 
 from his family till the immortal Shiloh fhould 
 come, who wls to ereft an everlafting kingdom, 
 unto " whom the gathering of the people was 
 
 to be t." 
 
 But of all the Prophetic writers, the fublime 
 
 t Genefis xlix. lo. 
 
 Ifaiah 
 
PART I. 125 
 
 Ifkiah feenis to have been favoured with the ful- 
 left view of the Gofpel-ftate, from the very birth 
 of the Mefliah to that glorious period, whereof 
 we are now fpeaking, when the " kingdoms of 
 this world ihall become the kingdoms of our 
 Lord, and of his Chrift." For this reafon he has 
 been called the Evangelical prophet, and has de- 
 livered many noble predictions concerning the 
 cxtenfion of the Gofpel, and the final converfion 
 of the nations. 
 
 " The * earth, fays he, in a language pecu- 
 culiarly ftriking and emphatical, fhall be full of 
 the knowlege of the Lord as the waters cover 
 the fea. And in that day there fhall be a root of 
 JefTe which fhall fland for an enfign of the people; 
 to it fhall the Gentiles feek, and his reft fhall be 
 glorious. " 
 
 And again the fpirit of God, fpeaking by the 
 fame Prophet concerning the MefTiah, fays — 
 " It -f- is a light thing for thee, [or a fmall part 
 of thy undertaking] that Thou [the faviour of 
 the world] fhouldft be my fervant to raife up the 
 tribes of Jacob, and to reftore the preferved of 
 Ifrael. I will alfo give thee for a light to the 
 Gentiles, that thou mayeji be my fahation unto the 
 end of the earth. 
 
 Indeed the laft chapters of this book are only 
 one continued prediction of this period, and the 
 glorious circumflances attending it. 
 
 " I AM found, fays he, of them that fought 
 * Ifaiah xi, 9.0. ... f Chapter, xllx. 6. 
 
 ; 
 
ti* b t S C O U R S E vL 
 
 mc jioti I faid, behold me, behold me to a njU 
 tion that was not called by my name *.'* 
 
 Nay he even gives a Geographical divifion of 
 the quarters of the world that were to receive the 
 Gofpel, wherein he has included the whole Four; 
 
 " I WILL fend thofe that efcape of them, fays 
 he, to Tarihifli, Pul and Lud that draw the bow, 
 to Tubal and Javan, to the Ifles afar oif that have 
 not heard my fame nor feen my glory ; and they 
 fhall declare my glory among the Gentiles -}-.'* 
 
 Now, according to our learned Commentators, 
 Tarlliifh denotes the East, Pul and Lud the 
 SouTHj Tubal and Javan the North, and the 
 ides the West. For, in holy fcripture, thelQes, 
 rhe Sea, and the Weft are frequently put for one 
 another; fo that " the iflands afar off which have 
 not heard of God's fame, nor feen his glory," may 
 well be underftood to comprehend this Ameri- 
 can Continent, or West-Indies generally fo 
 called, as the leai-ned Dr. Loivth has obferved in 
 his accurate commentary upon this paffage. 
 
 To the fame purpofe fpeaks the prophet 
 Jeremiah, in his fixteenth chapter. Intending to 
 reproach the Jews for their abfurdity in apoila- 
 tizing from the true God, after they had once 
 known him, he tells them that, to their great 
 difgrace, a time would come when the very 
 Heathen themfelves, who had never heard the 
 n:i;ne uf God, would come to him even from the' 
 uttcrmojl parts of the earth j and confefs that the' 
 
 • Chapter kv. i . f Chapter Ixvi. 19. 
 
 gody 
 
P A R T I. iif 
 
 gods which they had worfhipped were no gods at 
 all, but that they and their fathers had inhe- 
 rited lies from the beginning, and put their truft 
 in things that profited not. 
 
 " O * Lord, my ftrength and my fortrefs and 
 my refuge in the day of afflidtion j the Gentiles 
 fhall come unto thee from the ends of the 
 EARTH, and fhall fay. Surely our fathers have in- 
 herited lies and vanity, and things wherein there 
 is no profit. Shall a man make gods unto him- 
 felf, and they are no gods ?" 
 
 Let us hear alfo the prophet Daniel, f "The 
 God of heaven fhall fet up a kingdom which 
 Ihall break in pieces and confume all thofe king^ 
 doms (i. e. the four monarchies) and it fhall ftand 
 for ever and ever. || Behold, one like the fon of 
 man came with the clouds of heaven, and there 
 was given him dominion and glory and a king- 
 dom, that all people and nations and languages 
 fhould ferve him." 
 
 In hke manner fpeaks Malachi. " From § the 
 Rifmg of the Sun to the Going-down of the 
 fame, my name fhall be great among the Gen- 
 Tiles ; and in everyplace incenfe fhall be offered 
 imto my name, and a pure offering ; for my 
 name fhall be great among the Heathen." All 
 which is confirmed, with the utmofl folemnity 
 by the angel's found in the revelation, and the 
 great voices from heaven, declaring — 
 
 " That the kingdoms of this world are be- 
 
 * Jeremiah xvi. 19, to. f Daniel ii. 44. |j VII. 
 
 13, 14. $ Malachi i. it, 
 
 come 
 
128 D I S C O O R S E VI. 
 
 come the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his 
 Chrift, and he Ihall reign for ever and ever." * 
 
 Now, although thefe Prophecies may, in parr, 
 have had their completion, by the vafl: rapidity 
 with which the Gofpel fpread itfelf into almoil 
 every known corner of the old world, foon after 
 our Saviour's Afcenfion into heaven, yet, me- 
 thinks, it is impoffible that they Ihould ever have 
 their full accomplifhment without the Conver- 
 fion of the Indian Natives around us, and the 
 propagation of Chrift's kingdom to the remoteft 
 parts of this continent. We have many of the 
 ftrongeft arguments to induce this belief. For, 
 in the firft place, none of thefe Texts, which I 
 have read, put any Ihorter limit to the fpreading 
 of the Gofpel than the Ends of the Earth, and 
 from the Rifmg of the Sun to the Going-down 
 of the fame. And fecondly our Saviour himfelf, 
 the greateft of all the Prophets, has exprefly 
 told us that " Jerufalem f fhall be trodden down 
 of the Gentiles, till the times of the Gentiles be 
 fulfilled." Now Jerufalem is ftill trodden down 
 by the Gentiles, and |1 confequently their times 
 are not yet fulfilled. 
 
 We believe, therefore, on the moft folid prin- 
 ciples, that there is referved by Providence Ibme 
 future period or crifis in the Gofpel-oeconomy, 
 for a more remarkable and final § Coming in 
 cflhe Fulnefs of the Gentiles^ even to the ends of 
 
 " Rev. xi, 15. +Lukexxi. 24. || See the learned 
 
 Billiop NcwtOM's DiiTertations N". XX. § Rom. xi. zq. 
 
 th« 
 
PARTI. 129 
 
 the earth •, and that it is the great and gracious 
 purpofe of God, in that day, to manifeft himfelf 
 to the " Heathen around us, and bring them to 
 the knowlege of his bleffed Gofpel, through the 
 grace of our Lord Jefus Chrift i" which was the 
 lirft thing I propofed to ihew. 
 
 But here Infidelity ufually urges the follow- 
 ing queftlons, viz. 
 
 If fuch be the intention of God, and fo great 
 the efficacy of his Gofpel •, what mull become of 
 thofe who have fat fo long in darknefs and the 
 fhadow of death ? And why does he fo long de- 
 lay the accomplilhment of his own eternal pro- 
 piifes ? 
 
 Reverence to the fupreme Lord of heaven 
 and earth, it might have been hoped, would 
 have fecured the advocates of the Chriftian Re- 
 velation againft queftions of fuch high prefump- 
 tion. For who fliall fay unto the Almighty, 
 what doft thou ? Or what man, of mortal de- 
 fcent, fhall hope to unfold thofe fecret reafons of 
 divine condud, which eternal wifdom hath not 
 thought fit to reveal ? 
 
 As for us, we Ihall only reply in general that 
 as " Thofe * who have fmned in the Law Ihall 
 be judged by the Law, fo thofe who have fmned 
 without the Law [if they perifi] fhall perifh 
 without it," As the fpirit of God hath not 
 thought fit to declare how far the S a tisf allien of 
 Christ v/ill be applied to thofe who never heard 
 
 * Romans ii. 12. 
 
 K of 
 
t^o DISCOURSE vr. 
 
 of his name, we muft not prefume to be wife 
 above what is written. The nations that fit in 
 darknefs and the fhadow of death muil be left ta 
 God's unccvsnanted Mercies, to judge them ac- 
 cording to the meafure of Knowlege and Light 
 which they have received. The Tribunal of the 
 Almighty is erected upon infinite Wifdom, Juf- 
 tice and Goodnefs — and infinite Wifdom^ Jujlice 
 and Goodnefs cannot commit Error or Wrong ! 
 
 With refped to the fecond queft:ion — " Why 
 doth the Almighty fo long delay the accomplifh- 
 ment of his own gracious promifes ?" We mull 
 anfwer much in the fame general manner. Known 
 unto God, and him alone, are all his councils 
 from the foundation of the world. Some Con- 
 jeftures, however, we may humbly offer on this 
 head, without incurring' the charge of prefump- 
 tion. 
 
 Except in extraordinary cafes, the fupreme 
 
 Being feems to conduft all his operations by 
 
 general laws •, and, both in the Natural and Mo- 
 
 ral world, the advances to Perfedion are gradual 
 
 and progrefTive. The Law and the Prophets, 
 
 which were of old, were but a faint and myfte- 
 
 rious Revelation of the will of God, compared 
 
 to the full blaze of the Gofpel,,.whereby_his 
 
 WHOLE -|- COUNCIL fhone forth at lail to mankind. 
 
 The Lord fpoke once in thunders and lightnings 
 
 from Mount Sinai, § but now leaves the conver- 
 
 fion of nations to the ordinary methods of his 
 
 providence. God did not give the Chriftian Re- 
 
 \ Asfls XX. 27. § Exodu^ ,\ix. 19. 
 
 velation 
 
P A R T L 131 
 
 Velation itfelf, till the f Roman ambition had 
 brought almoft the whole world to a kind of 
 fimilarity of language and manners, and had 
 opened fuch an intercourfe between diftant na- 
 tions, as made that one of the moft favorable 
 periods for fpreading a new Religion. Coun- 
 tries were now accelfible that had before been 
 unknown ; and univerfal peace, added to uni- 
 verfal fubje6tion to one common Empire, gave 
 the Difciples of Chrift and firlt Preachers of the 
 Gofpel a great advantage in travelling from 
 Clime to Clime. ^ 
 
 Now, who knows but almighty wifdom may 
 have predetermined a period fimilar to this, in 
 the fituation of affairs in this New World, for 
 fpreading his glorious Gofpel to the remoteft 
 parts of it ? 
 
 And the confideration of this leads me to the 
 Second head of my difcourfe •, which was " to 
 make fome remarks on the fituation of things on 
 this Continent, with refpedl to the Gofpel-oeco- 
 nomy, and the probability of a fpeedy accom- 
 plilhment of the Prophecies which relate to the 
 Coming in of the Fiilnefs of the Gentiles, and final 
 Converfion of the Nations." 
 
 And here what a feries of remarkable cir- 
 cumftances claim our moll devout attention ? 
 Reafoning upon Moral as upon Natural things, 
 
 f See fome fine remarks on this head by Dr. Robertfon, the 
 celebrated author of the hiftory of Scotland, in his fermon 
 before the fociety in Scotland for propagating Chriftian Knovv- 
 lege. 
 
 K 2 what 
 
132 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 what a beautiful analogy fhall we find among ail 
 the operations of Divine Providence ? 
 
 The Sun, the glorious Luminary of Day^ 
 comes forth from his chambers of the East, 
 and, rejoicing to run his courfe, carries Light 
 and H^at and Joy thro' the nations to the re- 
 motefl parts of the West, and returns to the 
 place from whence he came. In like manner 
 it doth appear that the Light of the glorious 
 Gofpel is to proceed, till it hath carried one 
 brio-ht Day over all the habitable world -, and 
 then will come the end of things. The infpired 
 Writers, we have already feen, love to fpeak of 
 the propagation of Chriftianity, under this figure; 
 as proceeding from the Rising to the Setting 
 of the Sun. ; and this courfe we find it has pur- 
 jfued. 
 
 • In the primitive ages of Simplicity, the firfl in- 
 dications of Divine Will were given to the Pa- 
 triarchs of mankind in the Eastern parts of the 
 world, by God himfelf, converfmg with them 
 face to face, as they tended their flocks, or jour- 
 nied on from paflure to pafture. This was the 
 Dawn of things. Soon afterwards followed the 
 Law, and then the Prophets, advancing nearer 
 and nearer to a full and perfe6l Revelation, till 
 at laft it broke forth in its Meridian glory, by 
 'the coming of the fonof God, at that period al- 
 ready referred to, when the fituation of the worid 
 had prepared the way for its more efi^edlual re- 
 ception. The Wifdom of God was vifible in 
 
 ^ alJ 
 
PARTI. 1^1 
 
 all tliis-, and foon did the Chriftian Religion 
 ipread itfelf Westward, till it reached the vaft 
 Atlantic ocean, and the Ifles of the Gentiles^ where 
 the poftcrity of Japhet dwelt. 
 
 Now among thefe Ifles J or places ea theOcean, 
 or Wellern parts, as they are indifferently 
 phrafed, Great-Britain, our Mother-country, 
 that ultima Thule of the ancients, bore a principal 
 iigure. Early was the Gofpel preached in her, 
 if not by the Apoftles thernfelves, yet certainly 
 ■by Ibme of their followers, in their days, and be- 
 fore the deftru6tion of Jerufalem j]. 
 
 Here the matter relied. This was thtfirfi 
 Stage of the Gofpel-progrefs. To the Weftward 
 of Britain the ancients feem to have known no- 
 thing. They confidered thefe illands as the ends 
 of the world j and extenfive as the Roman em- 
 pire was at our Saviour's coming, this American 
 continent, more extenfive than it all, lay entirely 
 hid from their knowlege, and feems to have 
 been referved as the ftage of a y^rW remarkable 
 
 II There is fome probability that the gofpd was preached in 
 Great-Britain by St. Simon the apoftle, there is much greater 
 probability that it was preached there by St. Paul; and there 
 is abfolute certainty that it was planted there in their Days. 
 Eufebius fays that the apoftles preached in all the world, and 
 fome of them pafTed beyond the Ocean, even to the Britannic 
 ifles ; — tra7is Oceanum e^jajjjfey ad eas infula; quiS Britannica 
 iiocantur. Demons. Evang. lib. 3. 
 
 And Theodoret, among the nations converted by the apof- 
 rtles, reckons particularly the Britons ■.—■r.eque Jolum Romanosy 
 fed et Britanncs, atque, ut femel dicatn, o-mne hominum genus, 
 Serm. 9. See Bilhop Keiuton, Differtation XVIII. 
 
 K 3 period 
 
134 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 period in the Gofpel-progrefs. Not a veftige, 
 therefore, of Chriftianity was propagated hither, 
 till after it had kept poirefTion of the Old World, 
 in various forms and under various corruptions, 
 for at leaft fifteen centuries. But, at the expira- 
 tion of that period, it pleafed God to open the 
 way to the difcovery of new countries, which 
 likewife opened the way to the eftablifhment of 
 the Gofpel in them. For it is obvious to re- 
 mark, that the nations, which were raifed up for 
 this purpofe, were thofe among whom Chrifti- 
 anity was openly profefl'ed, and confequently 
 they carried their religion along with them. Be- 
 ing likewife fuperior to all the reft of the world 
 in the arts of Commerce and every improve- 
 ment of civil life, they were the fitteft to ex- 
 plore new fettlements, conciliate the affections of 
 the natives, and pufti their difcoveries to the 
 greateft extent. This they did with remarkable 
 zeal and fuccefs ; and, tho' it muft be confefled 
 that they have made ufe of the advantages which 
 they enjoyed, chiefly for the fecular purpofes of 
 extending their Empire and Commerce, yet they 
 have not been altogether negligent of the propa- 
 gation of the facred religion which they profefs. 
 
 In this divine work, our Mother-country, one 
 of the pureft branches of the Chriftian-church, 
 always foremoft in every pious and humane un- 
 dertaking, has fignally exerted herfelf. In her, 
 even in an age wherein Chriftianity hath loft 
 much of its influence on the lives of men, many 
 
 publig 
 
PARTI. 135 
 
 public Societies have been formed, and noble 
 contributions made, with the glorious view of 
 .extending the Knowlege of God over this vaft 
 untutored Continent. At the head of thefe is 
 juflly placed that venerable Society, incorpo- 
 rated " for propagating the Gofpel in foreign 
 parts," in whofe fervice moll of you, my bre- 
 thren, have the Honour to be employed ; and 
 for promoting whofe pious deiigns we are now 
 voluntarily afiembled together. This auguft 
 and venerable body confills of the principal dig- 
 nitaries of our church, fundry of the prime no- * 
 biUty of the nation, and many other pious per- 
 fons of every degree. It has fubfifled for near 
 fourfcore years, and, by the providence of God, 
 has been remarkably enabled to fupport the great 
 and growing expenc^ inciderit to fuch an un- 
 jdertaking. 
 
 Two objedshave moft worthily employed the 
 attention of this Society-, the First, to provide 
 for the adminiflration of religious ordinances 
 among our Colonifts themfelves, who • have hi- 
 therto been generally too thinly fettled to be able 
 to fupport a regular miniftry without fuch af- 
 fiftance J the Second, to win over the Hea- 
 then-natives to the knowlege of God, and a 
 firm attachment to our national intereft. Thefe 
 two defigns, however much evil men may ftrive 
 to feparate them, muft neceffarily go hand in 
 Jiand. Should the Society employ themfelves 
 wholly to the bufmcfs of cgnverting the Indian 
 K 4 natives 
 
136 D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 natives from Heathenifm, while they fufFered 
 their own colonies to degenerate into a ftate lit- 
 tle better than that Heathenifm itfelf, the at- 
 tempt would be equally vain and unjuft. For 
 it would be to little purpofe for us to fend out 
 Milfionaries among them to perfuade them to 
 embr::ce our Religion, unlefs " the Light there- 
 of fhculd fo Ihine before them, that they feeing 
 our good works ^nay glorify our father which is in 
 heaven. *" 
 
 The fupport, therefore, of Chriftianity among 
 ourfelves, and the propagation of it among our 
 Heathen Neighbours, are but different parts of 
 the fame undertaking ; and tho' we have not hi- 
 therto had any great fucccfs in the latter, yet it 
 is our duty to continue our bell endeavours. 
 For who knows either the particular time when, 
 or the means by v/hich, the Lord may be pleafed 
 to accomplifh his own divine Promifes ! 
 
 The Converfion of nations has often, before 
 now, been brouglit about when but leaft ex- 
 peded, and by means which, to human fore- 
 fight, feemed the lead prob..Lyle. One fmgle 
 Savage, fully convinced of the Truth of Chrifti- 
 anity, and truly animated by its fubhme fpirit, 
 may perhaps, thro' the power of the living God, 
 at Ibmc future period, be rendered an Apoftle to 
 the reft, and an inftrument of turning thoufands 
 from 'the ways of Darknefs and the " power of 
 Satan, to the marvellous light of Chrift, that 
 
 • Maithey V. i5. 
 
 they 
 
PARTI. 137 
 
 they may receive forgivenefs of fins, and an in- 
 heritance among them which are fandiified by 
 faith that is in Him." f 
 
 Innumerable methods, befides this, are in 
 the providence of that God, whofe power who 
 ihall tell ? And it is impoflibk but, in his own 
 appointed time, he muft give the promifed blef- 
 fmg to the pious endeavours which are continu- 
 ally ufed for the propagation of his Golpel in 
 this Weftern world. 
 
 Many obftacles, which formerly lay in the 
 way of this great work, feem now to be almofl 
 entirely removed. We were, heretofore, but a 
 fmall people, poflefling an inconfiderable fpot of 
 this Continent. Our acccis to the Heathen na- 
 tions was difficult and dans;erous. Our know- 
 lege of their country was but very limited; and 
 the arts of our bufy enemies had fown many pre- 
 judices among them to our difadvantage. 
 
 But now the cafe is much altered. Weare be- 
 come a great and growing people ; extending, 
 and likely to extend, our empire far over this 
 continent. The prefent war, which we fliort- 
 fighted mortals confidered as one of the greateft 
 evils, is like to be produ6live of the bell of con- 
 fequences. With the deepeft adoration, we be- 
 hold the hand of Providence in it. A feries of 
 unlooked-for fuccefles has blefled our arms, for 
 which we and our pofterity, throughout all ge- 
 ^eiations, ought to offer up continual Hymns 
 f A(5lsxxvi 18. 
 
 5 of 
 
i-S DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 of gratitude and praife to the Giver of all vic- 
 tory. The Protcftant intereft in America has 
 now leceived fuch fignal advantages, and ob- 
 tained fuch fure footing, that we trull neither the 
 machinations of its inveterate enemies, nor even 
 ihe gates of hell itfelf, Ihall ever prevail againft 
 it. Our credit with the Indian natives begins 
 to ftand in a high point of light. A more tho- 
 rough knowlege of their country and manners 
 is obtained than ever we had before. Strong 
 fortifications are fixed, which will always facili- 
 tate our accefs to them. The attention of all 
 ranks of men is now more turned to the profe- 
 cution of our interefts on this continent than 
 ever was known at any former period ; and if it 
 fhall pleafe God to dired the hearts of our Rulers 
 to a Peace which rnay in any degree be anfwer- 
 able to our former fuccefles, then will be the 
 time when we may expect to fee Chriftianity 
 propagated to advantage. 
 
 By our connexions with our Mother-country 
 and the productions of our own happy climate, 
 we are the only people of all the European na- 
 tions, fettled in America, that are able to feed 
 the Hungry and cloath the Naked. When our 
 enemies fhall be confined within their due bounds, 
 we fhall thus have obtained a more natural and 
 lafting dominion over the Heathen natives of 
 this continent by our Arts and Manufa»5lures, 
 than the Romans did over the old world by the 
 terror of their arms. Every river, creek, inlet, 
 
 lake 
 
PART I. 139 
 
 lake and fettlement, will be open to our Com- 
 merce ; and when we ftretch forth food and rai- 
 ment, and pradlife the other arts of Humanity, 
 to the glad inhabitants, it is hoped that v/e fhall 
 not be wanting to ftretch forth alfo the bread •}- 
 of life to their familTied fouls. The prefent fpi- 
 rit and difpofition of our nation give us a well- 
 grounded afTurance that the means will never be 
 wanting for carrying on fuch benevolent pur- 
 pofes ; and when all thefe things fhall conlpire, 
 we may truft that the promifed period, when the 
 Fuhefs of the Gentiles fhall come in, and the Na- 
 tions be converted, " even to thefe remoteft 
 parts of the earth," cannot be far off. 
 
 One circumftance more, which bears themofl 
 favourable afped towards the accomplifhment of 
 this event, ought not to efcape our notice. It is 
 the fpirit which now difplays itfelf, through 
 thefe American colonies, for the founding femi- 
 
 t 014 Hakluyt, in his dedication to Sir Francis Wal- 
 siNCHAM, has a fine thought to this purpofe ; which fhews 
 that our endeavours for the propagation of Chriftianity in theie 
 parts, are only a receflary refult of our firll plan in making 
 new difcoveries ; and that our Public Faith, in conjundlion 
 with our Duty to our God, engages us to the continuance of 
 thefe endeavours. 
 
 " For mine own part I take our trafHck with the borne na- 
 tlifalles, (meaning the Indians) as a pledge of God's further 
 favour, both unto us and them ; but to them efpecially, unto 
 whofe doors, I doubt not, in time fhall be by us carried the 
 incomparable Treafure of the Truth of Chriftianity and of the 
 Gofpel, while we ufe and exercife common Trade with their 
 pierchants. 
 
 naries 
 
I40 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 naries of Learning and the advancement of ufe- 
 ful Science. Such pious defigns as thefe, aided 
 and improved by a preached Gofpel and the di- 
 vine blefling, cannot fail of fpreading the rays 
 of heavenly knowlege far over this untutored 
 continent. The confideration of this hath ever 
 been an interefling topic with me •, and, there- 
 fore, I have thought it worthy of being feparate- 
 ly handled -f. In the mean time, the bare men- 
 tion of this Circumitance, added to the Argu- 
 ments already laid before you, will be lufHcient 
 to eftablifli the *' probability ofafpeedy accom- 
 pliihment of the prophecies which relate to the 
 final Converfion of the nations ;" v/hich was the 
 Second Head of my Difcourle. 
 
 I PROCEED, therefore, inthcLAST place, "from 
 this view of things, to offer an humble Addrefs 
 to you, my brethren, who are employed as inftru- 
 ments in the hand of God, for carrying on this 
 great work of converfion, by the preaching of 
 the Gofpel in thefe remote and heretofore untu- 
 tored Regions \ whither its joyful Sound hath 
 {o lately reached." 
 
 And this part of my fubjed I enter upon with 
 that diffidence and humiliation of heart, which 
 become one who is fpeaking to men of known 
 capacities and integrity j and among whom^e 
 fundry of my feniors in the facred office of the 
 miniilry. Added to this, a feries of neceffary avo- 
 cations hath, for fome years paft, drawn a confi- 
 derablc part of my attention from the immediate 
 
 t See Part II of this Difcourfe. 
 
 ftudy 
 
PART I. 141 
 
 ftudy of that Divine Science, which both duty 
 and inclination would induce me chiefly to cul- 
 tivate; and nothing but your exprefs injunc- 
 tions, joined to a perfuafion that it will not be 
 neceflary for me to fay much on this fabje6l> 
 could give me the Freedom to proceed. 
 
 Is it fo, then, my brethren, that God hath 
 ehofen the Britilh nation, above all others, to fet- 
 tle the moil important part of this continent ? 
 hath he profpered their arms, and extended their 
 empire in the moft fignal manner, thro* a feries. 
 of hazardous events ? Doth he feem to have pur- 
 pofed. through us the extenfion of his everlafting 
 Gofpel 'to the ends of the world, and are you 
 charged with the miniftration of that bleffed 
 Gofpel, and feverally capable of contributing 
 fomewhat, under divine afliftance, to the haflen- 
 ing of that happy period, wherein " the Know- 
 lege of the Lord fhall cover the whole earth as 
 the waters cover the fea?" Are thefe things fo; 
 and can we ever be without the moft animatincr 
 motives to fupport and encourage us in fo noble 
 an undertaking, how inconfiderable fbever the 
 temporal adva,ntages may be, which are an- 
 nexed to it H Confidered in this light, how 
 divinely important does your Mission appear? 
 You may look upon yourfelves as fellow-La- 
 hourers with the beft and greateft men of every 
 Age, in that glorious Work for whicK the Pro- 
 phets prophefied ; for which the Lord Jefus de- 
 fcended from Heaven — for which he toiled, and 
 for which he bled — even the great Work of pro- 
 pagating 
 
142 DISCOURSE Vr. 
 
 pagating Wifdom arid faving Knowlege, to the 
 Very Ends of the habitable World ! Every ad- 
 vantage you gain this way, you may confider as 
 an Enlargement of your Mafter's Kingdom, 
 and a Glory far fuperior to that of temporal Con- 
 quefts and Foundations ! 
 
 In fo noble a work, therefore, the conduit of 
 that firil of Mijfionaries, the great Apoftle of the 
 Gentiles, our illuftrious predecelfor in the bu- 
 fmefs of preaching the Gofpel among unculti- 
 vated nations, ought to be our rule and model. 
 *' When it pleafed God, fays he, to reveal his 
 Son in me, that I might preach him among the Hea- 
 then, immmediately I conferred not with jflefh 
 and blood." This zealous fervant of Chriil had 
 formed a jufl idea of the work he had under- 
 taken, and confidered it as a field wherein he 
 was to encounter many difficulties, and reap 
 but few worldly advantages. He therefore pro- 
 pofes to himfelf advantages of a more durable 
 nature, and ftrives to raife himfelf above this 
 world, and all its clogs and attachments.^ For 
 this end, he holds daily intercourfe with the Fa- 
 ther of Spirits, and was frequent in prayer and 
 meditation. And certainly if ever men ought 
 to be ferious, humble, abftraded from worldly 
 embarraflments, and dependent upon divine af- 
 fiftance in any office or truft in this world, it 
 ought to be in the Exercife of the Minijlry, and 
 difpenfation of the glorious Gofpel •, for who is 
 
 of himfelf fufficient for thefe things i* 
 
 But 
 
PART I. 143 
 
 But together with Serioufnefs, Prayer, Medi- 
 tation, and dependence upon God, an ardent 
 Zeal and Fervor of Spirit are moft neceflary 
 quahfications. In any undertaking, where the 
 world has but few advantages to follicit pcrfe- 
 verance, nay where many inconveniencies muft 
 neceflarily be furmounted, it is well for a man 
 to have within himfelf a fervent principle of 
 a6lion. Indeed, indifference in the difcharge of 
 any duty is a great error, but in things of the 
 higheft moment it is unpardonable. It was a 
 fevere rebuke to one of the churches, that fhe 
 was luke-warm -, for which fhe was threatened to 
 be Ipued out. f " I know thy works, that thou 
 art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert 
 cold or hot," faith the fpirit of God to her. 
 Whoever confiders the immenfe value of hu- 
 man fouls ; whoever is impreffed witha juft fenfe 
 of our prefent degeneracy; whoever contem- 
 plates the vail goodnefs of God, and believes the 
 Gofpel to be the produce of the greateft Love 
 which heaven could fhew, or a corrupt world 
 receive — muft needs be inanimate indeed, not 
 to glow with an unquenchable ardour for its uni- 
 verfal extenfion to all the fons of men ! 
 
 Together with zeal for Religion, " pure and 
 undefiled before God and the father," 1| a zeal 
 for Civil Liberty, its infeparable companion, will 
 be truly commendable. It is the peculiar glory 
 of the Britifh Nation to ftrive not only to en- 
 ■f Rev. iii. 15. ][ James i. 27. 
 
 lighten 
 
144 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 lighten, but to ennoble, the Human Race ; Hot 
 only to break afunder thofe y/»/n7W Fetters which 
 the Dominion of Antichrist hath eftablifbed 
 over the Souls of men, but likewife to let the op- 
 preJTed go FKEEy and to ftrikc oHiWio^e bodily Fet- 
 ters under which fo great a part of the human 
 Species groans. 
 
 In fo righteous a caufe, it becomes the Mini- 
 fters of God's Word, which is founded on Li- 
 berty both of Body and Mind, to ftand among 
 the warmefl Champions •, and therefore Ihould 
 ever another period come, when a cruel enemy 
 is advancing to rob us of all that we account 
 dear and facred, let us cry aloud and fpare not. 
 Beincr placed on the walls of our Sion, and glow- 
 ing fubiimely with the fpirit of Gofpel-truth and 
 Freedom, let us be earneft with our country, as 
 we have been heretofore, warning, exhorting 
 and animating all around to " play the men for 
 the people and cities of our God." -f- 
 
 ThisIs agreeable to the injunflions of our be- 
 nevolent fuperiors in fuch cafes delivered to us. 
 We are charged to enforce Loyalty, public 'Spi- 
 rit, SubmifTion to jufl government, and the Pay- 
 ment of neceffary tribute and taxes. Defign- 
 ing men may infinuate, as they have done, thaj: 
 this is going beyond our fphere, and they may 
 oppofe and injure us by every device in their 
 power. But ten thoufand fuch attempts and in- 
 linuations ought not to deter us from our duty. 
 
 t 2 Sam. X. 1 2. 
 
 Our 
 
PART L 145 
 
 Our Civil and Religious rights are infcparably 
 connefted •, and whatever hurts or deflroys tlte 
 former irxUil, in the ilfue, hurt or dcllroy the 
 latter. 
 
 Bur further, to a commendable Zeal in every- 
 thing praiie-worthy, we muft add Prudence and 
 Decorum of condud ; and, above all, a gene- 
 rous Spirit of Fcrbiarance, Tokration, and Cha- 
 rity to our Proteilant brethren of other de- 
 nominations. Thele are Duties peculiarly in- 
 cumbent on the Minifters of lb benevolent a 
 Religion as that of Jesus, and fo generous a 
 Church as that of England. Mairters of Con- 
 fcience come not under human cognizance. The 
 Gatholic and free fpirit of the Britilh Govern- 
 ment and Proteilant religion difdains to ere6t a 
 tyranny over the minds of men, or to reign over 
 uninform.ed zeaL Rehgion can be foui'ded on 
 nothing etfe but every man's private convidion. 
 'Tis to God, in the end, that we muft all an- 
 fwer •, and from our own Confciences, in the 
 mean time, that we mull receive remorfe or fatis- 
 fadion. Another man cannot interfere, nor feel 
 for us, nor judge for us, in this mattef . 
 
 One thing further is abfolutely necefiary for us 
 as Minifters of God's word \ and that is great 
 care and induftry in the compofition of our Ser- 
 mons, We have many eyes upon us i and certainly 
 it is treating a fenfible audience with a very great 
 degree of difrefped, for any man to frep into a 
 
146 D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 pulpit to entertain them with what bears all the 
 marks of want of Study and Care. 
 
 " It is an unfeafonable piece of Vanity (fays 
 a learned || Prelate of our church) for any 
 preachers to offer their own crudities, till they 
 have well digefted and ripened them. I wifli 
 the Majelly of the Pulpit were more looked to, 
 and that no fermons were offered from thence, 
 but fuch as fliould make the hearer both wifer 
 and better.'* 
 
 We do, however, readily acknowlege that a 
 man vitally good, much with God, rich in Grace, 
 fervent in Spirit, a mailer of literature and ex- 
 prefTion, powerful in Eloquence, and above all, 
 mighty in the Scripiures, may be well warranted, 
 as circumllances may require, to fpeak without 
 any immediate Itudy or preparation. But, in a 
 general way, this method argues fo much want 
 of care and deference •, it is withal fo dangerous 
 in its ufe -, and thefe divine Gifts mentioned 
 above fall fo feldom to the fliare of any one man, 
 and it is moreover fo eafy to miflake or fubftitute 
 the wild Ebullitions of a heated Imgination, or 
 Pharifaical Pride, in their room •, that our Church 
 fuppofes no Preaching of this fort. And what- 
 ever a man of the moll extraordinary virtues and 
 talents may be able co do in an unpremeditated 
 manner, he will certainly do mucli more by 
 (ludy, meditation and accurate compofition. 
 
 II Bilhop Burnet. 
 
 Great 
 7 
 
P A R T L 147 
 
 Great care is alfo requifite in the choice of 
 our fubjeds. The whole circle of Gofpel-truths 
 is before us ; but fome require to be more fre- 
 quently preiTed home than others. Subje6ls of 
 Litigation, however, and points of Controverfy, 
 are to be avoided ; unlefs in times of extremeft 
 danger, when Fundamentals and Effentials may 
 be attacked. 
 
 Some men there are who, in their Preaching, 
 betray a marvellous Littlenefs of Genius, and 
 Barrennefs of matter. They are ever upon mi- 
 nute diftindlions, Party-Shibboleths, perplexing 
 definitions, and nice modes; ten thoufand of 
 which, if put in the balance with true Religion, 
 and the weightier matters of the LaiL\ would not 
 weigh a fingle grain, efpecially when attended (as 
 they generally are) with Revilings and Curfings 
 and Anathemas againll all others differing the 
 leaft from them in perfuafion, to the breach of that 
 HEAVENLY Charity, which is the very elTence of 
 Chrift's Gofpel, and the height of religious per- 
 fection. We may well fufpeft fuch men to be 
 but Smatterers in the Divine Science of Reli- 
 gion, much like thofe bold Pretenders in the 
 other Sciences, who finding it a work of hard 
 labor to obtain a thorough knowlege of their 
 profeflion, or pcradventure not having the ca- 
 pacity for it, are therefore obliged to hide their 
 own ignorance, and fupply the want of real fl<.ill, 
 by arrogant pretenfions-to fome new difcovery, 
 L 2 or 
 
148 D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 or an affedted fingularity in the treatment of Tome 
 common points. 
 
 But not fo the man of comprehenfive know- 
 kge. Not fo the Preacher who has a clear and 
 glowing view of his Mafter's rehgion in general 
 He will not endeavour to divide and perplex 
 mankind by vain and infignificant diftindlions, 
 but to unite and animate them all in the exer- 
 cife of true vital and evangelical piety. He 
 will not multiply notions, or delight to dwell 
 on trifies, that tend to fow animofities and create 
 confufions among the fame Species ; but to en- 
 force univerfal Vn-tue, and light up the lamp of 
 heavenly Charity, to adorn and gild this gloomy 
 vale of life. 
 
 Such a one will firfl endeavour to obtain, for 
 himfelf, jull and elevated notions of the fupreme 
 Being, together with a mafculine devotion of 
 heart, by approaching in frequent a6ls of con- 
 templation to the fountain of all grace ; and 
 what he himfelf ?V, he will drive to make others 
 he. When he fleps into the pulpit, he will carry 
 no fchemes or views thither with him that are 
 fliort of his Mailer's Glory. He will appear as 
 one ilandingin the prfence of the great Jehovah, 
 glowing for the good of his fpecies, and im- 
 prefTed with the vaft confequence of eternity. 
 On every fubjedt, he will fpeak what he feels^ and 
 drive to make others feel what he /peaks. 
 
 But, in his more folemn addrefles, when he 
 
 finds 
 
PART I. 149 
 
 finds it particularly neceffary to reluminate 
 the dying fpirit of Freedom and R.eligion hereon 
 earth •, or when the glorious profpefls of a better 
 world and the amazing Goodnefs of Redeeming 
 Love are liis theme, he will then be great in- 
 deed ! He will feem all on fire. His very 
 face will fpeak a foul of rapture. He will be 
 borne along v/ith a winged ardor of Genius, 
 pouring forth a torrent of facred Eloquence, 
 which fome will call Enthufiafm ; but, if it mufl 
 be fo called, it will be the noble Enchufiafm of 
 Truth and Reafon — a pure and tranfcendent 
 flame, bearing all down before it, and burning 
 Hill clearer and ftronger to the very laft — 
 
 The fallen and linful eftate of man ; the 
 Grace and Goodnefs of God ; the wonders of his 
 Love ; Chriil crucified; the Purity of his ever- 
 lafting Gofpel -, Charity and Virtue ; Righte- 
 oufnefs. Temperance and a Judgment to comie, 
 together with an Eternity afterwards — who, my 
 brethren, that has thefe fubje6ls before him, 
 would floop to any thing of trivial moment, or 
 difgrace them by a crude and unworthy ma- 
 nagement ? 
 
 May the God of heaven give all of us the 
 grace of his holy fpirit to manage them as we 
 ought, and conduct us in every other part of our 
 duty " * for the edifying the body of Chrift." 
 Being pofTefled with a juft conception of the 
 dignity of our holy Profeflion, and a thorough 
 * Ephef. iv. 1 2. 
 
 L 3 vene- 
 
150 D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 veneration for the Saviour of the world, may we 
 ftrive, in our feveral fpheres, with an earneft 
 contention of foul, for the eftablifhment of 
 genuine piety, and to make " his ways known on 
 Earth, and his faving health among all Na- 
 tions." May our Lives be a convincing ar- 
 gument to the Heathen around us, that our Re- 
 ligion is fomething more than a name, and that 
 we are in good earneft ourfelves, concerning that 
 which we would perfuade them to embrace ! 
 
 * * * 
 
 
 PART 
 
[ 151 ] 
 
 PART II. 
 
 Delivered before the Truftees, Maflers, 
 and Scholars of the College and Academy 
 of Philadelphia, at the firft anniverfary 
 Commencement in, that place. 
 
 Psalm ii. 8. 
 
 Ask of me and I fhall give thee the Heathen 
 for thine inheritance^ and the uttermojl 
 parts of the earth for thy pojfejjion. 
 
 A FULL explanation of this text, compared 
 with fundry others, that foretel the final 
 Converfion of the Heathen, and feem to have a 
 particular reference to our fituation on this Con- 
 tinent, hath been already attempted. 
 
 Christianity, we obferved, was firfl: reveal- 
 ed in the eastern parts of the world. Like the 
 Sun, there it rofe ; and, like him, advancing 
 WESTWARD through the nations, diffufed light 
 and love and joy, wherever it came. At length, 
 it crofied the vaft Atlantic \ and, in the fettle- 
 mcnt of thefe colonies, a way was opened for 
 adding a large inheritance to the Kingdom ot 
 Jefus, in the remotefl parts of the Weft. 
 
 L 4 'Tis 
 
152 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 *Tis true that no great progrcfs hath hitherto 
 been made in this work. There is yet an im- 
 menfe depth of this continent, whofe forlorn in- 
 habitants never had any opportunity " to hear 
 the glad tidings of lalvation •," and, of thofc 
 who have been bieft with fuch an opportunity, 
 few, very few, have turned a liftening ear to the 
 joyful found. 
 
 But "f the Promifes of God in Chrift are all 
 Yea and Amen." A careful examination of his 
 revealed word hath thoroughly fixed our belief 
 that the time will come, when the Heathen 
 around lis fhall be gathered into his fold, 
 under the great fhepherd and bifhop of fouls. 
 Nay many aufpicious circumftances in the pre- 
 fent fituation of things on this continent, already 
 enumerated, give us reafon to cxpefl that the 
 accomplilhment of this event is nov/ not far re- 
 mote. And oh ! what a triumphant confidera- 
 tion is this, to thofe who believe the Goipel of 
 Jefus " to be the power of God unto filvation .?" 
 
 Now, one of thofe circumftances, which was 
 but {lightly mentioned before, I have at prefcnt 
 the moft favorable opportunity of confidering 
 more at large. It is " the fpirit which difplays 
 itfelf, through thele American colonies, for the 
 founding feminaries of Learning -, and the great 
 influence which the advancement of the Sciences 
 has on the advancement of Chrifb's Gofpel. 
 
 In order to do juftice to this fubjed, it will be 
 
 i Corinth, i 50. 
 
 ncceffary 
 
PART I. 153 
 
 necefTaiy to give fome account of the Human 
 Sciences, as well as of the fublime Science of 
 Chriftianity -, to fliew the fubferviency of the 
 former to the advancement of the latter, and 
 thereby to engage your continued favour and 
 protection of this infant Seminary, And that I 
 may proceed with the greater precifion and clear- 
 nefs, I fliall recur to firft principles. 
 
 If v/e confult the conflitution of our nature, 
 we fliall find ourfelves, in every purfuit, actuated 
 by the defire of Happinefs, and determined to 
 account every thing more or lefs valuable, as it 
 tends more or lefs to that end. 
 
 Happiness, hov/ever, is a com.plex thing, 
 compounded of many ingredients ; and the road 
 to attain it has its labyrinths and windings, not 
 to be travelled, but with caution and forefight. 
 For man, being made up of foul and body, fiif- 
 tains a double relation, and is capable of a double 
 kind of pleafure •, there being a variety of ob- 
 jects fuited to the variety of his affefticns, paf- 
 fions and tempers, when in their found moral 
 ftate. His Hslppinefs, therefore, mufl evidently 
 depend on making a right eftimate of thefe ob- 
 jects, and maintaining this found temperament 
 of conftitution ; fo as to purfue each of them 
 with a degree of force commenfurate to their re- 
 fpedlive values, or tendencies to give pleafure. 
 
 Hence, then, whatever enables a man to make 
 a right eftimate of things, and to frame his con- 
 du6t agreeably, mufl be confidered as an engine 
 of his happinefs, and is to be valued propor- 
 
 tionably. 
 
154 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 tionably. It follows, therefore, that thofe rc^ 
 fearches which bring him acquainted with him- 
 felf, the ends, ufes and meafures of his feveral 
 powers and movements, together with the ends 
 and ufes of the various objedls with which he 
 ftands connefted, muft be a main fpring of his 
 happinefs •, and, in this view, may be denomi- 
 nated his true Wifdom, thefrft and great Philofo- 
 phy ; or that glorious Syftem of Knowlege, which 
 gives him his chief preheminence over the brutes, 
 and exalts him to the fupreme perfedion and 
 higheft enjoyment of his nature ! 
 ' Other Sciences may have their ufe, as mat- 
 ters of ornament or amufement. But whenever 
 they interfere with this grand Science of Life 
 and Manners, they are to be difregarded as empty 
 trifles •, fubjeds at bed but of vain curiofity, or 
 unavailing fpeculation. 
 
 I SHALL, therefore, endeavour to diftingulfhi 
 the True from the Falfe, the fpurious parts of 
 Knowlege from thofe of genuine growth, by 
 pointing out to you the effential branches of this 
 great Mafter-fcience. In doing this, let us never 
 lofe fight of the fundamental principle al- 
 ready laid down, namely that every part of 
 knowlege, (human knov/lege I fpeak of) derives 
 its value from its tendency to inform us — What |I 
 we are, and whither dcftined -, what our con- 
 ftitution and connexions i and what our Duties in 
 confcqucnce thereof. 
 
 II Quid fumus, el quidnam vifturi glgniinur, 
 
 Who- 
 
PART II. 155 
 
 Whoever fets out on this enquiry will, in 
 the firft inftance, be ftruck with the vaftnefs of 
 the undertaking, and the infufficiency of his own 
 abilities. Human nature, and the various natures 
 around it, are a copious fubjeft. Life is fhort, 
 and each man's own experience too fcanty to 
 trace for himfelf the relations and litnefs of 
 things ; to examine into all Moral and Phyfical 
 Qualities •, and, from thence, to deduce the 
 Rules of Conduft, and afcertain the true Path 
 of Happinefs. Like a traveller in a ftrange 
 country, he will, therefore, be glad to enquire 
 his way of others ; and make all poflible ufe of 
 the Experience of thofe who, with honor and 
 fuccefs, have travelled the path of life before 
 him. He will endeavour to avail himfelf equally 
 of the good and bad fortune of thofe whofe 
 courfe is finilhed, and llrive to bring all Antiquity 
 under Contribution to him for wifdom. 
 
 But how could this be done, if there were 
 not fome method of preferving, and pofTefling 
 ourfelves of, the experience of others ? And here 
 we fee the ufe of Languages and Writing. Ne- 
 verthelefs, an acquaintance with all forts of lan- 
 guages would be almofl as difficult an acquifi- 
 tion, as the particular examination of all forts of 
 things. Hence then, it became neceflary for 
 the Learned to fix on fome Univerfal Lanpuaee 
 or Languages, as the grand channel or inilru- 
 ment of conveying their experiences, obferva^ 
 tions and conclufions, concerning the Conduct 
 of Life and the Truth of Things. Now 
 
156 DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 Now Greek and Latin have been chofcn for 
 thefe purpofes, on feveral fubftantial accounts. 
 For, not to mention that many of the nobieft 
 proJuflions of ancient genius were originally 
 written in thefe languages, it is to be obferved 
 that dead languages are more durable, and lefs 
 fiuftuating, than living ones •, and, befides this, 
 living nations, jealous of each other, would think 
 it too great a mark of diflindion to chufe the 
 language of any particular nation among them, as 
 the grand channel of knowlege and experience. 
 
 We fee, then, that an acquaintance with v/hat 
 is called the Learned Languages is flill juftly 
 confidered as a part of liberal Education, and a 
 necelTary introduftion to the Sciences. For, 
 though words, abllraclly confidered, cannot in 
 themfelvcs add to our knowlege, yet as the Means 
 cf conveying and acquiring knowlege, they will 
 be ftudied by all thofe who, to their own ex- 
 perience, would add the experience of thofe 
 who have lived in former ages •, or, living in 
 the prefent, can no otherwife render the fruits 
 of their enquiries iifeful to mankind, than by 
 Language and Writing.-]- 
 
 t The author found it neceffary to be thus particular in 
 explaining the ufe of the Learned Languages ; fome regarding 
 them as a reedlcfs part of education, and others confidering 
 them as all the education neceflary to a fcholar — Opinions 
 equally prcjjdicial to the advancement of Sound Knowlege. 
 Under this head, it is obvious that he means to include Hif, 
 tory, both natural and civil ; i, e. whatever can be obtained 
 from the Experience of others. 
 
 Never- 
 
P A R T II. 157 
 
 Nevertheless, a perlbn, who knows himielt 
 endued with reafon and undcrilanding, will not 
 be content to take his knowlcge entirely at Se- 
 cond hand. On iubjeds lb important as the na- 
 ture and fitnefs of things, and the Sumniuni 
 Bonum of man, he will not rely wholly on a Hif- 
 torical knowlege, founded on the Experience 
 and Teftimony of others ; hov/ever r^uch his 
 labors may be fliortened thereby. He will think 
 it his duty to examine for himfelf, and to ac- 
 quire a Moral and Phyfical knowlege •, founded 
 on his own Experience and Obfervation. 
 
 This is what we call Philofophy in general; 
 comprehending in it the knov/lege of all things 
 Human and Divine, fo far as they can be made 
 the obje6ls of our preient enquiries. Now, the 
 genuine branches of this Philofophy, or great 
 lyftem of practical Wifdom, together with the 
 necefiary inftrumental parts thereof, may be in- 
 cluded under the following general heads; it 
 appearing to me that the nature of things admits 
 of no more. 
 
 1. Languages, &c. which have been already 
 mentioned rather as an Inftrument or Means of 
 Science, than a Branch thereof. 
 
 2. Logic and Metaphyfics, or the Science of 
 the Human mind ; unfolding its powers and di- 
 re(5ling its operations and reafonings. 
 
 3. Natural Philofophy, Mathematics, and 
 the reft of her beautiful train of fubfervient arts ; 
 inveftigating the Phyfical properties of Body, 
 
 ex- 
 
15S D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 explaining the various phasn'omena of Nature; 
 and teaching us to render her fubfervient to the 
 eafe and ornament of Life. 
 
 4. Moral Philoibphy-, applying all the above 
 to the bufineis and bolbms of men, deducing 
 the laws of our condud from our fituation in 
 life and connexions with the 'Beings around us, 
 fettling the whole CEconomyof the Will and 
 Aficdions, eftabliHiing the predominancy of 
 Reafon and Confcience, and guiding us to Hap- 
 pinefs, through the practice of Virtue. 
 
 5. Rhetoric, or the art of mafterly Compo- 
 fition, jull Elocution, and found Criticifm; 
 teaching us how to cloath our wifdom in the 
 mofl amiable and inviting garb ; how to give 
 life and fpirit to our ideas, and make our know- 
 k'ge of the greateft benefit to ourfelves and 
 others. 
 
 This lad mentioned part of literary accom- 
 plifhment, like the firft, I grant, is to be confi- 
 dered rather as an Inftruinent, than a Branch 
 of Science. But if the above definition be juft, 
 you will not v/onder that v/e feparate it from 
 Languages, as being of a much higher nature 
 than they •, and even place the lludy of it after 
 all the other Sciences, feeing they are [j neceffary 
 and iubrervient to its perfection. 
 
 These are the capital branches of Human 
 Science, as taught in every liberal inftitution ; 
 and were there no connexion between them and 
 II See Appendix II. Number I. 
 
 the 
 
PART II. 159 
 
 the knowlege of Chrifl's religion, or did we flop 
 fhort at the former without bringing them home 
 to the latter •, we fhould then indeed be build- 
 up to ourfelvs ftruftures of emptinefs on foun- 
 foundations of rottennefs. But it is impofTible 
 that ever Sciences, fo liberal as thofe mentioned 
 above, tending fo diredlly to elevate and enlarge 
 the mind, fhould be at enmity to the divine Sci- 
 ence of Chriftianity, and the great myftery of 
 Godlinefs ; that fublimeft fyftem of Philofophy, 
 into which even the Angels themfelves defire to 
 be further initiated ! A little learning, may pof- 
 fibly have the EfFe^fts which a great -j- genius af- 
 cribes to it. But luch an acquaintance with the 
 fciences, as is defcribed above, will be fo far from 
 damping the ardor of religious knowlege, that it 
 will be more and more inflamed thereby ; which 
 is a moil convincing argument of the flrong and 
 immediate connexion between them. 
 
 Were it neceffary to be particular on this 
 head, I might mention the example of the 
 greateft and beft Philofophers of every age ; 
 who have always been the moil devout men. 
 Far from being pu fifed up with the pride of hu- 
 man Learning, or " ailiamed of the Gofpel of 
 Chriil," they have made it their glory, and ac- 
 knowlege it to contain the only infallible rules of 
 their condud; in this life, and the only founda- 
 tion of their hope in that Vv'hich is to come. It 
 is faid of the great Sir Ifaac Newton, that, tho' 
 t Bacon. 
 
 he 
 
;^o DISCOURSE VI. 
 
 he entered further into the depths of PliiloPjpk/ 
 than ever mortal before him, yet he accounted 
 the Scriptures of God to be the moft fubhme 
 Philofophy ; and never mentioned his Creator's 
 name without an awful paufe of adoration, 
 wonder and felf-abafement ! 
 
 The further we pufh our enquiries into na- 
 ture, the more we fliall be convinced of the 
 greatnefs of its author, and the infufficiency of 
 unenlightened Realbn. We fhall find many 
 things of the utmoll importance for us to know, 
 which yet will baffle all our efforts, ' and elude 
 our moft eager refearches. The creation and 
 various revolutions of the v/orld, the fall and 
 redemption of man, the lafl judgment and an 
 immortality to come, are fubjedls in which no 
 human wifdom could inftruct us, unlefs the 
 Lord had been pleafed to reveal himlclf con- 
 cerning them. 
 
 And yet what is all the Philofophy in the 
 world compared to a knowlege in thefe points t 
 Where is its fublimity, or what is its fignincancy 
 to us, if it affords us no infallible rule of duty at 
 prefent, and no ground of hope hereafter ? If n 
 leaves us in the dark concerning our own origi- 
 nal, the means of falvation from fin and mifery, 
 and the immortal ftate of our fouls in the un- 
 tried periods of eternity ? 
 
 What joy, then, mud it yield a fincere En- 
 quirer, to be fufficiently informed upon thei'e 
 important fubjefts, by a revelation from God 
 4 him- 
 
Part ii. isi 
 
 himiclf ? Can he negle6l or defpife fuch an awful 
 fyftem ? Or will he not rather take it to his bo- 
 Ibm, fearch into its depths, and reverence it as 
 " containin52; the words of eternal life," and be- 
 ing the richeft legacy which heaven could give^ 
 or earth receive ? 
 
 Such a Revelation and fuch a Legacy are the 
 Scriptures of God. In all the fimplicity of truth 
 and beauties of majefty, they deliver thofe rules 
 by which we are to live here and be judged here- 
 after. Containing doctrines the moft rational 
 and exalted, precepts the moft humane and im- 
 portant, a ftile the moft rich and perfuafive, 
 abounding in all the variety of tropes and 
 figures, and " ftiarper than a two-edged fword,'* 
 ' the Scriptures are calculated to feize and purify 
 the affeftions ; to enlighten and exalt the under- 
 ftanding •, to alarm ahd roufe the eonfcience ; 
 to confirm our hopes and remove our fears ; to 
 banilh fuperftition and caft down the idols of the 
 nations •, to mitigate lawlefs power and hum'a- 
 nize the rage of barharifm ; and to call men oft' 
 from a vain dependence on external ceremonies, 
 to a truft in the Living God, obedience to his 
 moral laws, repentance for paft offences, an ac- 
 ceptable and manly devotion of heart, a longino- 
 after Immortahty, an union with the divine na- 
 ture, and an exaltation to the life of Angels and 
 felicity unfpeakable ! 
 
 Every thing which human reafon would defire 
 to be informed in, is fully brought to light in the 
 
 M Gof- 
 
i6i D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 Gofpel. Here the Origin, Connexions andDu- 
 ties of man arc amply delcribed ! Here h>s de- 
 parture from his firft Innocence and reaitude, 
 the degradation of his nature, and all the mar- 
 vellous workinE-s of omnipotence to reclaim and 
 fave him, are diftindly recorded ! Here we .ee 
 the Prophets prophcfying for his fake, the old 
 world dro^A-ned, another fitted up, and laft of all 
 the Lord of Glory defcending from heaven, to 
 accomplilh the amazing Plan of Redemption, 
 and reftore him to tlie divine favoflr ! Here alfo 
 Life and Immortality are brought to light, and 
 the Future d.fplayed! Here the folemnity of 
 the laft Judgment, and the aftonilhing fcenes o 
 the general Confummation, are laid before us! 
 Here Death is difarmed of his Sting, and the 
 Grave 6f Viftory ! Here the gates of Heaven 
 are fet open-and Oh! what an unutterable 
 weight of Glory, thro' all the ages of eternity- 
 SAV,then, ye Wife Ones of the earth! ye 
 
 Sa-es ye Philofophers, or by whatever other 
 name^ye would be called 1 fay now what is the 
 amount of your knowlcge, if it refolvesyou not 
 on fuch fub eas as thefe ? Can ^".^=q"-"«"™ 
 with human Science render yotMndifterent to 
 fu h an exalted fyftem of heavenly Wildom as 
 te? Surely not. Tlie one wil only inflame 
 
 lour thirft for the otl^er, and make you pt r 
 [t as the finiming and moft durable pa, t of the 
 
 *'fFo.. whether thcvc be Tongues, they ^Jall 
 
PART IL i6- 
 
 ceafe ; or whether there be Knowlege, it fhall 
 vanilh away." This vain world itfelf, ail its gay 
 fcenes, every thing that we account v/ife or cu- 
 rious in itj fhall come to an end and pleafe no 
 more. But the fublime fubjefts of the Gofpel 
 will ftill be New. They will be the obje6l of our 
 endlefs enquiries, and conftitute a Philofophy, 
 the Marvellous of which eternity cannot exhaufb, 
 nor the longeft periods of duration bring to decay. 
 And now, having Hiewn the fubferviency of 
 Human Science to the advancement of Chriflia- 
 nity, and that a liberal Education is a means of 
 fpreading a thirft for heavenly wifdom ; what 
 need I add more to befpeak your continued fa- 
 vour and prote6lion of this Seminary .? Surely it 
 cannot be indifferent to us, whether the know- 
 lege of Chrifl and his blelTed Gofpel fhall be 
 fpred over this continent, or not ? Surely it 
 cannot be indifferent to us, whether our own 
 children fhould be bred up in ignorance ; or whe- 
 ther they fhall fhine in every moral excellence, 
 the glory of their country and a light to the 
 world around them ? Vv^e mufl know the rela- 
 tion in which we fland to them, and the account 
 wliich we fhall one day be required to give of 
 their tender years. 
 
 For whatever bufinefs a man may be defign- 
 ed, a liberal education will not only prepare him 
 for that, but alfo for a life of general virtue. — 
 If intended for the noble Profeflion of th-e Law, 
 to be the proteiftors of the innocent and advo- 
 
 Xvl 2 cates' 
 
i64 D I S C O U R S E VI. 
 
 cates of juftice •, the bed foundation will be a 
 love of humanity, and a thorough knowlege of 
 the laws of nature, and general rights of man- 
 kind. If for the fervice of the flate, the fame 
 will hold good. The man beft acquainted with 
 the nature of civil government, the juft bounds 
 of authority and fubmifTion, and the univerlal 
 principles of equity and virtue, will always be 
 the ablefl Politician and firmeft Patriot. Again, 
 if intended to follow the healing art of Phyfic, 
 the knowlege of Mathematics and the various 
 branches of Natural Philofophy, will be the beft 
 introduftion. If propofed for the Miniftry of 
 the bleffed Gofpel, every human Science ought 
 to lend its aid, and kindle a love of wifdom. 
 
 If other arguments were neceffary to induce 
 you to the cuftivation of knowlege and the fup- 
 port of fuch uleful feminaries as this, I might 
 difplay to you the wonderful change which the 
 Sciences have produced in the ftate of every coun- 
 try where they have been received. Though 
 they have not been able wholly to eradicate Ty- 
 ranny yet they have always checked and miti- 
 gated' its influence-, infpiring humanity, love 
 of moral excellency, and every fofter virtue. 
 
 But why Ihould I bring inftances from other 
 countries, when one of the moft iHuftrious is be- 
 fore our eyes ? This polilhed and flouncing 
 City ' w!iat was it fourfcore years ago ? Even its 
 foundations were not then laid, and in their 
 place was one depth of gloomy wildernefs i h,s 
 
PART II. 165 
 
 veiy fpot, the Seat of the Mules — where I have 
 now the honour to ftand, preaching the Goipel 
 of Jefus, furrounded with men excelUng in ever)' 
 vakiable accompHfhment, and youths rifing after 
 their great example — had I feen it then, what 
 fhould I have found it ? A fpot rank with weeds 
 perhaps, or the obfcure retreat of fome lawiefs 
 3nd uncultivated favage ! 
 
 O GLORIOUS change ! O happy day ! that now 
 beholds the Sciences planted where barbarity 
 was before ! that now fees this Inftitution at 
 length brought to fuch perfection, as to extend 
 the Laurel to its firft worthy fons ! how ought 
 fuch advances in knov/kge to rejoice every heart 
 among us ; but efpecially thofe whofe pious 
 labors have contributed eminently to that end ! 
 
 Oh ! heaven-born Wifdom, and thou divine 
 Science ! proceed, Hill proceed ! let other Semi- 
 naries fuch as this rife, where other defarts now 
 extend ; and, beyond thefe, let others and ftill 
 others jife, through the remoteil depths of this 
 continent ; till Chrift's kingdom is made univer- 
 fal, and " the Heathen be given him for an in- 
 heritance, and the uttermofl parts of the earth 
 for a poflelTion ! " 
 
 M 3 D I S^ 
 
^®®#®#@®e#®®&®®'®-&€«2©at >®® 
 
 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 The great Duty of public Worfhip, and of 
 erefting and fetting apart proper Places 
 for that Purpofe. 
 
 Preached 
 
 In St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia, 
 September 4th, 1761. 
 
 Being the Day appointed for the firil Per- 
 formance of Divine Worfhip in the faid 
 Church. 
 
 With an Account of the Service ufed on 
 that Occasion. 
 
 ^vt0€*C^€^t€^?€^t€*#'€*€*0?€*€^€^#€^*^*^# 
 
 M 4 At 
 
At a Meeting ofFeJiry, held at St. Peter's 
 Church, September 7///, 1761. 
 
 RESOLVED, that the Thanks of this 
 Board be given to the Rev. Dr. Smith, 
 for his excellent Sermon preached at the Opening 
 of St. Peter's Church, the 4th Inftant-, and 
 the Church-Wardens are ordered to return him the 
 Thanks of this Board accordingly, and to requell 
 the Favour of him to furnifh a Copy of the faid 
 Sermon to be printed. 
 
 True Copy from the Minutes. 
 
 A. Stedman, Church- Warden. 
 
 PRE- 
 
PRE FACE. 
 
 IT was an ancient Cuftom not onlvamono- the 
 Jews, but even among the Gentiles, long 
 before Christianity, to feparate from com- 
 mon Ufe, by certain formal Rites of Dedication 
 their Temples, Altars and Places of relio-ious 
 Worfhip. And we find God himfelf exprefsly 
 approving this Cuftom in Refped to the Jcv s 
 (who were his peculiar People, and blefied with 
 a more adequate Knowlege of his Name) inal^ 
 much as he vouchfafed his fpecial Prefence in 
 the Places fo feparated and dedicated by them. 
 Of this, the Chapter, from which the Text of 
 the following Difcourfe is taken, furnifhcs fuiE- 
 cient Evidence •, and, in the third Verfe of the 
 fucceeding Chapter, God exprefsly tells Solo- 
 mon — " I have heard thy Prayer and thy Sup- 
 plication — I have hallowed this Houfe which 
 thou haft built, to put my Name there for ever -, 
 and mine Eyes and mine Heart ftiall be there 
 continually." 
 
 Agreeable to this, the primitive Chriftians, 
 even in the moft difficult Times (as we have the 
 ptmoft Reafon to believe) did not refort to any 
 Place for ftated Worftiip, till they had ^x^ fepa- 
 rated or fet it apart J if not by public Rites, yet 
 at leaft by peculiar Thankfgivings, and Prayers 
 for a fandified Ufe thereof. And in the more 
 
 prof- 
 
J70 PREFACE. 
 
 profperous Days of Chriftianity, when Kings 
 and Potentates became Converts to its Truths, 
 thefe Separaticns were performed with far greater 
 Ceremony, and diftinguilhed by the more pom- 
 pous Names of Dedications, Con fecr alio ns, and 
 the like •, in all which adls, " the common Prayers 
 of the Churcli were npt looked upon as fufficient, 
 without fpecial Panegyrical Orations, and Forms 
 of Adoration and Praife more pecuhar to the 
 Occafion."* 
 
 This Cuilom was very early introduced into 
 our Mother-Country •, for we find Auflin him- 
 felf, who has been ftyled the Apoftle of our An- 
 ceftors, agreeable to his inilruftions, converting 
 fuch Idol-temples, as were fit for Ufe, into Chrif- 
 tian Churches, by the Rites of Confecration. And 
 in after-times it was exprefly provided, that all 
 Churches, ^c. fhould be confecratcd within two 
 Years after they were finilhed ; ■\ nor do our 
 Laws take any Notice of Churches or Chapels, as 
 fuch, till they are formally confecrated. || 
 
 Now, it i^ to be prefumed that, in thefe Laws 
 and Regulations, our Fore-fathers were aduated 
 by the fame pious Motives that influenced the 
 primitive Chriftians •, namely the Hopes (ground- 
 
 * See Bingham's Ecclef. Antiquities, who gathers this from 
 Eiijebius, who has preferved an Oration delivered on one of 
 thcfe OccaAons. 
 
 •[- — ut omnes Cathedrales Ecclefix, et Conventuales, ac Pa- 
 rochiales, a tempore Perfcclion^s ipfmim, infra Biennium, 
 per Dioecefanos ad quos pertinent, vel eorum Auftoritate per 
 alios, Confecrattcues accipcreat. 
 II V. Coke Ina. 4. 
 
 ed 
 
PREFACE. 171 
 
 ed on the old Teflament, and more particularly 
 on the new) that God would be fpecially preient 
 with them, to hear their Prayers and pardon their 
 Offences, in thofe Places thus fe'parated to his 
 Service, and dedicated to his Name, And thus 
 run the Preambles of thefe very Laws them- 
 felves— " Domus Dei, mater tali Subje£Jo non dif- 
 f<.rens aprivatis, per Myjlerium Dedicationis invifi- 
 hik, jit Templum Domini, ad expiationem Dcliolo- 
 rum ^ divinam Mifericordiam implorandam''^— Ij. 
 And therefore it was but fit that the Perfor- 
 mance of a Sei*vice fo folemn and ancient, agree- 
 able to the fame Laws, fliould be referved to the 
 highefl Dignitaries of the Church, namely the 
 Bifhops, or thofe having their immediate Autho- 
 rity. 
 
 In this Country, then, where our Church is 
 far removed from the Government of her Biiliops, 
 and where it hath not yet been the Method (nor 
 indeed would Circumllances always admit) be- 
 fore a ftated Ufe of our newly-eredied Places of 
 Worihip, to follicit a fpecial Authority for fepa- 
 rating them to God's Service, in the exprefs 
 Manner of any approved Ritual ; all we can do 
 is to preferve fo much of the original Defign of 
 the thing as Prefbyters inaywarrantably perform, 
 and which, in fuch Circumftances, may be 
 thought more immediately necciTary for Edifica- 
 tion. We may meet on a fixtDay ; and, in Con- 
 jundlion with the common Service of the Church, 
 
 II Vid. De Confecr, & Reform. Stat. Ecdes. 52 Hen. 3. 
 Cih/on'i Cod, 
 
 ^' may 
 
172 PREFACE, 
 
 may ufe fuch particular Forms of Prayer, and 
 Sermons, as may be fuitable to the Occafion ; 
 profefllng before God and the World, our hum- 
 ble Defire oi fetting apart fuch Places to his Ser- 
 vice, and keeping them continually facred to 
 that pious End. 
 
 Thus much is in the Power of every religious 
 Society i and thus much, at lead, as Members 
 of the Church of England, it is our particular 
 Duty to do, with all polTible Solemnity, Gravity, 
 and Love to God, whenfoever we devote any 
 particular Place to his Service ; in Order that 
 for ever afterwards, when we enter therein, we 
 may confider ourfelves as entering into the Place, 
 where he hath promifed to manifeft his more im- 
 mediate Prefence, and behave ourfelves when 
 there (as the primitive Chriflians are |1 laid to 
 have done in their Places of Worfhip) with the 
 utmoft Reverence and Devotion, as in the Palace 
 of the Great King. 
 
 These were the Principles kept in View at the 
 Opening of St. Peter's Church in this City ; 
 and the beft Teftimony for the Condud of that 
 Solemnity is the Approbation it met with, even 
 from fome who came prejudiced againft every 
 Thing of that Kind. And here it is but Juftice 
 to the oinciating Minifters to fet down the whole 
 Order and Choice of the Service, made by them 
 on this Occafion. 
 I . A beginning was made, with pronouncing the 
 
 following Sentences. 
 
 II Chr)'roIlom. 
 
 « Thus 
 
IMI E F A C K. 17^ 
 
 " Thus laith the Lord : The Heaven is my 
 Throne, and the Earth is my Footflool. Where 
 is the Houle that ye build unto me ? and where 
 is the Place of my Reft ? Ifaidb." 
 
 " From the riling of the Sun, to the Goino- 
 dcvn Qf the fame, my Name fliall be great amono- 
 the Genliles •, and in every Place Incenfe fhall be 
 offered unto my Name, and a pure Offerino- ^ for 
 my Name fhall be great among the Heathen 
 faith the Lord of Hofts. Malachi.'' 
 
 " The Wildernefs and the folitary Place fliall 
 be glad, and the Defart fhall rejoice and bloffom 
 as the Role. Ifaiah.''* 
 
 " Where two or three are gathered too-ether 
 in my Name, there am I in the midft of them. 
 St, Matthew:' 
 
 1. An occafional Prayer from the Reading-Delk. 
 
 3. Morning Prayer of the Church, as ufual. 
 
 4. Proper Pfalms. 84th. i22d. lo^id. 
 
 n I Kings, Ch. viii. 
 
 5. The Leifons, viz, > St. Matthew, Ch. xxi. to 
 
 J ver. 14th. 
 [N. B. Thus far {except reading the Abfolution) 
 by the yoiingeji officiating Mmifter.*^ 
 
 6. An occafional Prayer, with a Baptifm, at the 
 Fount. [By the Author of the following Ser- 
 mon.] 
 
 7. The Remainder of the Morning Service 
 (ufing only, inftead of the Colled for the Day, 
 
 * Rev. Mr. Dcuche. 
 4 that 
 
174 PREFACE- 
 
 that for St. P^/^r's Day, and the laft for good 
 Friday) by the -f eldeft MifTionary prefent. 
 
 8. Occasional Prayer, with the Communion 
 Service. 
 
 9. The Collefts, as above. 
 
 10. The Epiftle. Haggai, Ch. 2d. to ver. loth. 
 
 1 1 . The Gofpel for St. Peter's Day. 
 
 [N. B. This pari of the Service was performed at 
 , the Altar, by the § eldefl officiating Minifler.] 
 
 To this fuccceded the following Sermon ; and 
 if a Judgment might be formed from the Atten- 
 tion wherewith it was received by a very crouded 
 Audience, the Author may flatter himfelf that 
 now, when it appears from the Prefs, and foUicits 
 a candid Peruial in the Clofet, it may be of fome 
 Service ; more elpecially that part which re- 
 gards our negleded Sabbaths, and public Ordi- 
 nances. 
 
 The Author's enn-no-ements allow him but few 
 Opportunities of addrefling the World in this 
 Way i and thofe hitherto have chiefly arifen out 
 of public Occafions, where the Calls were fud- 
 den, and where he hath only had Leifure to 
 fhew the Warmth of the Heart, and not the la- 
 bour of the Head — Happy always if, with aDe- 
 fire to ferve his' Friends, he can give any Tefti- 
 mony of a Zeal for Truth, and for that Church 
 whereof he is a Member ! 
 
 t Rev. Mr. KcilL § Rev. Mr. Siurgeon. 
 
 I King* 
 
[ ^75 I 
 
 I Kings, Chap. vlii. 13,27, ^y, 60. 
 
 I have furely built thee an Houfe to dwell in, a fet- 
 tled Place for thee to abide in for ever I — -But will 
 God indeed dwell on the Earth? Behold the 
 Heaven^ and the Heaven of Heavens, cannot con- 
 tain thee \ how much lefs this Houfe that I have 
 builded?'— 
 
 'The Lord our God be with us as he was with our 
 Fathers : Let him not leave us, nor for fake us — 
 That all the People of the- Earth may know that 
 the Lord is God, and that there is none elf e. 
 
 My Brethren ; 
 
 ALT HOUGH I have only read to you the 
 foregoing verfes, as being thofe which I 
 am more immediately to infift upon, yet the 
 greateft part of the chapter from which they are 
 taken, containing the hiftory of Solomon's De- 
 dication of the Temple, and which has been 
 already read to you as the firfc Lefibn for this 
 day's fervice, will be the fubjeft of m.y following 
 difcourfe. 
 
 But, before I proceed, it may perhaps be ex- 
 pected that I fhould carry you back into remote 
 antiquity, to invefligate the origin and fnew the 
 
 ' reafon- 
 
176 D i S C D tJ R S E. 
 
 reaibnablencfs of Consecrating, DEDiCAf- 
 IZ'JG, or Setting apart, particular places for 
 the more immediate and public worfliip of the 
 fuprcme God. And fuch art enquiry, it muft he 
 confefsed, woiiid furnifh out a moft interefting 
 detail ; no way unfuitable to this day's Iblemni- 
 ty. But the time being Ibort, and having ano- 
 ther plan in view, I lliall touch but flightly on 
 thefe matters. 
 
 The great Progenitors of our race, Adam and 
 Eve, v/hen they firil fprung from the forming 
 hand of their munificent Creator, no doubt, felt 
 their hearts bound with joy and gratitude unut- 
 terable. Every thing within and without them 
 contributed to heighten this joy into the riiofl 
 tranfccndent extafy. The curiofity of their own 
 ftrufturc, the Paradife that furrounded them, the' 
 unfading beauty, the eternal verdure and yet con- 
 tinual novelty, of its fcenes (while they continued 
 in their ftate of Innocence) led thern, doubtkfs, 
 at all times and in all places, into the moll fer- 
 vent acknowlegments of that Goodneis from 
 which the whole proceeded. Neverthelefs, it 
 is n3 way improbable but that they had Ibme 
 CONSECRATED placc, fomc chofen Bower, by 
 brook or by fountain, adorned with all the bloomy 
 honors of Paradife, whither (at ftated times, and 
 at proper intervals) they might retire from the 
 heat of the day, to offer up their more imme- 
 diate prailes for Creating Love and Prelcrving 
 Goodnefs, 
 
 But 
 
DISCOURSE. VIL 177 
 
 . But whatever may be in this, one of the firll 
 things we lind their Delcendents employed in, 
 after the Fall, was their folemn offering up 
 " the fruits of the earth, and the firiliings of 
 " their flocks," in places fet apart for that end ; 
 and, after the Flood, Noah no fooner defcends 
 from the Ark than he is found ereftino- an altar 
 
 o 
 
 imto the Lord. Abraham too planted a Grove 
 in Beerlneba, where he called on the name of the 
 everlafting God ; and this God himfelf, through 
 four whole chapters of Exodus, is found inftruc- 
 ting Mcfes how to ereft and adorn that glorious 
 Tabernacle which we read of there. 
 
 Now thefe places of worihip were agreeable 
 to the Hate of a people, in thofe early ages, mi- 
 grating from place to place. But when nations 
 were fettled, and diflind focieties formed, in the 
 place of Groves and temporary Tabernacles, fu- 
 perb Temples were ere6ted. And thus it was 
 with the Jews, at the time of eredling that Tem- 
 ple of unparallelled magnificence and architedure 
 divine, whofe Dedication or Confecration my 
 text refers to. 
 
 After journeying for many years thro' the 
 wiidernefs, after fuftaining many bloody wars 
 with their fierce enemies, that people had now 
 got full polTefTion of the Land of Promife, and 
 enjoyed that happy tranquillity, which their fouls 
 had long and earneftly wiflied for. 
 
 And now, what improvement doth their illuf- 
 
 trious monarch make of this occafion .? Doth he 
 
 N forget 
 
178 DISCOURSE Vlf. 
 
 foi-o-et theGoD of Israel, that had led his peo- 
 ple through fo many dangers ? Doth he turn the 
 fruits of Peace entirely to works of fecular im- 
 port, or of low felfilh enjoyment ? No ! but he 
 remembers the intimation given by the prophet 
 Nathan to his father David, how that his for^ 
 after him Ihould build an Houfe (not a movea- 
 ble and temporary Tabernacle, but a fixed and 
 fetded Houle) to the name of the Lord for ever f. 
 Accordingly, with his whole heart and fpirit he 
 fets about this divine work, and writes to diftant 
 places, for an amazing ftore of materials of every 
 fort. To this purport is his letter to Hiram, 
 king of Tyre and Sidon p 
 
 " Thou knoweft, fays he, how that David 
 
 " thy father could not build an houfe (or fixt 
 
 " temple) unto the name of the Lord his God, 
 
 « for the wars that were about him on every 
 
 *' fide, undl the Lord put them under the foles of 
 
 " his feet. But now the Lord my God hath given- 
 
 « me reft on every fide, fo that there is neither 
 
 " Adveriary nor evil occurrent : and behold, I 
 
 '•' purpofe to build an houfe to the name of the 
 
 " Lord my God •, as . he fpake unto David my 
 
 <' father, faying, Thy Ion, whom I will fet upon 
 
 « thy throne in thy room, he fhall build an: 
 
 " Houfe unto my name. Now therefore, com- 
 
 « mand them [thy fervants] to hew me cedar 
 
 ^ trees out of Lebanon j for thou knoweft that 
 
 t 2 Sam. i. 13. t 1 Kings v. 2, 7. 
 
 there 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 179 
 
 ^* there is hot among us any that can fkill to 
 *' hew timber like the Sidonians §.'* 
 
 Solomon having procured his materials, and 
 at length finifhed his houfe with fuch a profu- 
 lion of ornament and eaftern magnificence, as 
 far excels all the pomp of modern times ; hav- 
 ing been favoured with the divine direftion in 
 planning and carrying on the work ; having built 
 the walls with hewn Hone, and lined them with 
 cedar ; having carved and adorned the doors and 
 linings with gilded Cherubims, and palm-trees, 
 and knops and full-blown flowers ; having over- 
 laid the holieft places, fuch as the Oracle, the 
 Altar and the Sanftuary with plates of m.aliy 
 gold J having furnifhed the whole houfe with 
 tables, and candlefticks, and lamps, and tongs, 
 and bafons, and bowls, and cenfers, made alfo of 
 gold, and curioufly embofled with flowers •, to- 
 gether with fuch an immenfe quantity of bafes, 
 and lavers, and pots, and other vefl^els of polilh- 
 ed brafs-work as was not to be weighed j: j — 
 the day was now come when this fuperb Edi- 
 fice, v/ith all its coilly apparatus of furni- 
 ture, was to be dedicated, consecrated 
 N 2 and 
 
 § Thefe are the fame Sidonians whom Homer calls 'C7oXtiiS»oa'A«f, 
 much (killed in divers arts ; which particular charadler of them 
 is mentioned to fliew that Solomon fought out the moft excellent 
 artifts in the world for the work of the temple; and that the 
 Bible account of them correfponds exaflly to that given of 
 them, in fome of the moft ancient profane writings which we 
 now have. 
 
 f I Kings, ch. vi. vii. ^ 
 
i8o DISCOURSE VIL 
 
 and SET APART for ever to the name of the 
 
 Lord ! 
 
 On that memorable day, the Elders and 
 Judges of cities, the Heads of tribes and Chiefs 
 of families, aifembled themfelves before king 
 Solomon, and began the folemnity with a grand 
 proceflion from Jerufalem to Mount-Sion, in 
 order to bring from thence the ark of the 
 COVENANT^ containing the two tables of the 
 LAW •, which had been depofited there by David 
 (when he brought it from the Houfe * of Obed- 
 Edom) in a temporary Tabernacle, until a fixed 
 Houfe fliould be prepared for its reception. 
 
 In the like folemn manner did they return 
 from Mount-Sion, to the Mount of the Temple 
 at Jerufalem, the Priefts bearing the Ark with 
 the Law, and the Levites the Tabernacle m 
 which it had been placed, with all the holy vei- 
 lels of the fanftuary ti that there might remain 
 no occafion for Idolatry, nor pretence forfchifiii, 
 or worihip in any other place fave that which 
 was now dedicated to the Lord. 
 
 Solomon and his grand retinue being now 
 arrived at the tempie, in the midft of facrificei 
 of llieep and oxen innumerable -, the priefts, 
 whofe privilege it was (leaving their attendants 
 in the outer courts, and before the houfe) en- 
 tered firft into the holy place, and then into the 
 moft Holy, and there with folemn awe they de-^ 
 
 pofited 
 
 * 2 Sam. vi. 12, 17. t I Kings, Ch. vHi. 
 
DISCOURSE VII. iSi 
 
 pofited the Ark in th^ place prepared for it, 
 under the wings of the golden Cherubims, that 
 expanded themfelves from wall to wall, fliad- 
 ing the Mercy-seat and the Cherubims of 
 Mofes. 
 
 But behold now a moft flupendous appear- 
 ance ! No fooner had the priefts retired from the 
 moft holy place to begin the fervice at the Al- 
 tar ; no fooner had the trumpeters and fingers 
 become as one, and lifted up the voice in full 
 chorus with § Trumpets and Cymbals and In- 
 ftruments of mufic, to be heard in praifing and 
 thanking God, than lo ! a cloud of thick dark- 
 nefs, declaring the immediate prefence of the 
 glory of the Lord filled the whole houfe ; fo that 
 the priefts durft not ftand to minifter by reafon 
 thereof, but retreated to the outer courts with 
 the utmoft confternation. 
 
 And here let us paufe, ponder and refledl on 
 the nature of this wonderful phsenomenon. 
 Strange it may feem that a God, who is Light it- 
 felf, fhould appear in thick darknefs. But, as 
 he knows whereof we are made, this is in com- 
 pafiion to our weaknefs. 
 
 We are not, however, to think that this Dark- 
 ness was nothins; more than the Pillar of Cloud, 
 in which the -f- Schechinah, or prefence of the 
 
 N 3 divine 
 
 § 2 Chron. 6, 13. 
 
 f As the Son of God, when he came into the World to re- 
 deem Mankind, did, of his infinite Condefcenfion, take upon 
 Oim their Nature as a Vail to his Divinity, that he might 
 thereby converfe sviih them Face to Facej fo the great Jeho- 
 
 vah. 
 
i82 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 divine Glory, iifually manifefted itfelf •, for this, 
 it is to he prefumed, would not have terrified 
 
 to 
 
 VAH, in converfing with the I/raflites, did it by his divine 
 ScHECHiNAH, Or the Prefenceof his Glory, abiding under the 
 Form of a Pillar of Cloud and Pillar of Fire. 
 
 This well-known Appearance it was that went before the 
 Jfraelites in the Wildernefs ; that called Mofes up into the 
 Mount ; that fpoke to \ Aaroti and Miriam in the Door of 
 the Tabernacle ; and that finally reiled " over the moit holy 
 Place within the vail ; and thence fpoke from off the Mercy-feat, 
 that was upon the Ark of the Teflimony, from between the two 
 Cherubims." || And this former Dwelling of God among the 
 Ifratlites by the Schechinah, was all along a moft luminous 
 Type of his Son's future Dwelling in human Nature. 
 
 Now, outwardly this Habitation of the Prefence of the Di- 
 vinity looked as a Cloud, but inwardly as a Fire; and the 
 Fire, or inward Part, was that which was more immediately 
 termed the Glory, and put on different appearances accord- 
 ing to different Cirqumftances. Sometimes it fhone through 
 the Cloud in fuch ferene and foftened Luflre, that it might be 
 looked upon by common Eyes, Sometimes it prevailed fo much 
 over the Cloud, that only the Eyes of a favoured few could be- 
 hold it, and that too by repeated Efforts and by gradual Ap- 
 proaches. And fometimes it broke out fo intenfely flrong, 
 cclipfing the Sun, the Cloud and the whole Face of Thingsj 
 that no human Eyecould behold it, or any thing elfe that fell 
 within its overwhelming Splendors. 
 
 Beautifully has the Je-aiiJJ:) Rabbi, Jehudah, expre/Ied 
 himfelf on this Subjeft, as he is quoted by Bifhop Patrick. 
 " Of the Glory mentioned in Scripture, there is one (faith 
 he) which all the Israelites faw, fuch as the Cloud and 
 confuming Fire ; another of fuch a Nature that the Eyes of 
 the Prophets could fullain it; but another fo pure, and bright 
 to fuch a Degree, that no Prophet is able to apprehend it, but 
 if he venture to look on it, his Compofition is diffolved." 
 
 Of the Firji or milder Glory, I have mentioned fundryln^ 
 fiances; and i: feems referred to in Pfalmxcvii. 2.3. " Clouds 
 and Darkness are round about Him, and Fire goeth be- 
 fore Him. -—Of the second Kind, where the Fire or Glory 
 fo far prevailed over the Vail or Cloud, that only a favoured 
 jpfw could behold it, and that at a Diltance, or by gradual 
 f Numb. xii. 5. || Nujnh vii. 8, 9. 
 
 Ap- 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 183 
 
 to the degree here fpoken of. No, my brethren. 
 
 But, on the contrary, as we know that the Glory 
 
 N 4 on 
 
 Approaches, we have a moft grand Defcription in Exodus xx\v. 
 JO. as it was feen by Mo/es and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and 
 the feventy Elders---" And they faw the God of Israel, and 
 there was under his Feet, as it were a paved Work of Sapphire- 
 Stone, and as it were theBody of Heaven in his Clearnefs"- - 
 or' the united Splendors of all the heavenly Luminaries. And 
 when Mofes was to be called nearer to this glory, the others 
 being commanded to remain afar off, fix Days was he in his 
 Approach to it, while the Lord kindly vailed it before him, 
 nor was it till the <"eventh Day that he was taken into the midft 
 of it; while it appeared like a devouring Fire^ on the top 
 of the mount t® thofe at a dillance. 
 
 But as to the third Glory, v.'hich, in its unvailed Splen- 
 dor:, eclipfes all the created Luminaries of the Univerfc, feeing 
 TiO human Eye has been able to behold it, fo no human Lan- 
 guage has been able to defcribe it, otherwife than by the Ne- 
 gative Terms of Darkness, or " Light which no Man can 
 approach, or behold and live."f For that which overwhelms 
 and hides the View of all things elfe, and yet is itfelf beyond 
 the Power of all View, mull, in refpeft to us, be the fame as 
 total Darkness. 
 
 This high Degree of Glory is that in which the more 
 immediate prefence of the Godhead feems to have been mani- 
 fefted on fpecial Occafions. This it appears to be that broke in 
 upon St. Paul at Noon-Day, fo intenfely flrono-, that the Sun 
 fhone to him in vain ; for " he could not fee for the Glory of 
 that Light, but was led by the Hand of thofe that were with 
 him," who, it is prefumed, faw only a leffer Degree of this 
 aftonilhing and overwhelming Light. This too it was that 
 filled the whole Body of the Tabernacle, at the Confccrating 
 thereof, fo that Mbjes, who had entered into the fecond Glory 
 and beheld it, was not able to enter into this. 
 
 Can we doubt, then, but that it was the fame Superior 
 Glory, dazzling and overwhelming all things befides, that 
 aftonilhed the Priefts at the Confecration of the Temple? Had 
 it been the more ufual Appearance of the Cloud and the 
 the Glory together, it is not to be imagined that they v/ould 
 have been driven by it from the Service at the Altar as the 
 
 t I Tim. vi. l6, Exod. xxxiii. 18. 
 
 now 
 
i84 DISCOURSE. VII. 
 
 on this accafion was fuperior to that of former 
 ones, fo we may believe its vailing darknefs was 
 fuperior alfo •, or peradvcnture, if entirely un- 
 vailed, the fame would be the effeft of the un^ 
 fufferable power of Light itfelf, and the Dark- 
 ness be fuchas our fublime poet fpeaks of — 
 "Dark with exceflive Bright" — 
 Suppose a perfon long pent up in a gloomy 
 dungeon, where fcarce a fingle ray had pene- 
 trated to cheer his lonely hours j and fuppole 
 
 now were ;— -with a View, no doubt, in the Condufl of Pro- 
 vidence, to " intimate that their Miniftry and Way of Wor- 
 fhip fhould ceafe when the Meffiah came, in whom the Fulnefs 
 of the Godhead dwelt bodily." Indeed, we are exprefly told 
 that the Glory did, on this Occafion, break entirely out of 
 the Cloud ; and after it had filled the whole Houfe, " daz- 
 zling rather than enlightening (faith the learned Bifliop Pa- 
 trick) fo that nothing elfe could be feen'' while it continued 
 there, it fettled at laft in the moft holy Place. 
 
 No Perfon feems to have had more beautiful and accurate 
 Conceptions on this Subjeclthan our fublime Poet Milton, in 
 the Paffage already referred to.— 
 
 *' Fountain of Light ! thyfelf invifible 
 
 ♦' Amidft the glorious brightnefs where thou fit'ft 
 
 «' Thron'd inaccefiible ; fave when thou fhad'ft 
 
 *' The full Blaze of thy Beams, and thro' a Cloud, 
 
 •' Drawn round about thee like a radiant Shrine, 
 
 " Dark with excessive Bright, thy Skirts appear, 
 
 *' Yet dazzle Heaven, that brightell Seraphim 
 
 " Approach not, but with both Wings vail their Eyes !" 
 
 These Remarks, as far as the Author's Knowlege extends, 
 lie thinks fufficiently warranted. But, if he Ihould be mis- 
 taken in any of them, they contain no hurtful pofition, and 
 therefore may be fubmitted with all Deference to the Correc- 
 tion of thofe, who have had more Leifure, than hath ever been 
 his Lot, to attain an exad and critical Skill in Oriental Li- 
 terature. 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 185 
 
 him liberated at once, and turning his eye to the 
 Noon-day Sun ; would not the whole Face of 
 things appear to him Dark and without diftinc- 
 tion, till by repeated efforts he had accuftomed 
 himfelf to bear the redundant blaze ? Or fup- 
 pofe ten thoufand Noon-day Suns fhould now 
 unite theii fplendors, and burft inftantaneoufly 
 upon us who enjoy but one, would not our weak 
 organs be wholly overpowered, and all things 
 around us be loft in darknefs vifible and fenfible ? 
 And yet v/hat are thele compared to the imme- 
 diate breaking in of theprefenceof God's glory, 
 before one fmgle ray of which ten thoufand 
 Noon-day Suns themfelves would hide their di- 
 minifhed heads, and be loft in total obfcurity ? 
 Could mortal eye look at this and live ? Even 
 the burning Seraphims cover themfelves before 
 it, and " with both wings vail their eyes !" 
 
 The v/ife Solomon, on this occafion, having 
 either more prefence of mind than the aftonifh- 
 ed priefts, or rather being the inftrument whom 
 God had chofen to proceed with the remainder 
 of this folemn fervice, cries out — " The Lord 
 hath faid that he would dwell in thick dark- 
 nefs ;" and no man can behold his Glory with- 
 out a Vail. Be not afraid ye Priefts and Mini- 
 fters of God, at what has now happened ! Do 
 you not know, from the book of your own Law, 
 chat the high Prieft durft not approach the 
 Mercy-Seat, without making a Cloud of Incenfc 
 before him, left he ftiould be ftruck blind, or 
 6 lofe 
 
iS6 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 lofe his life with the fplendor of the divine 
 Glory ? Know ye not that at the l| Confecration 
 of the Tabernacle, in like manner as now, the 
 majefty of the divine Glory broke out fo ftrong, 
 beyond what ever it had done before, filling the 
 whole houfe, that '^ Mofes was not able to en- 
 ter into the Tent of the Congregation." Look 
 therefore on this fudden and alarming appear- 
 ance, that drove you from the Altar, as afure 
 token of God's immediate Prefence, overwhelm- 
 ing with Light that cannot be behejd, accepting 
 our folemn Dedication of this Houfe, and ac- 
 knowleging it to be the place where his Glory 
 will dwell for ever ! 
 
 Triumphing in this idea, and raifed almoft 
 into Raptures divine, the pious monarch now 
 turns his fpeech from the Priefts and People im- 
 mediately to Jehovah himfelf, in that fublime 
 
 Apoftrophe of my text. 
 
 "I HAVE furely built thee an Houfe to dwell 
 in, a fettled place for thee to abide in for ever !"— 
 Now do I affuredly know, O thou holy One 
 of Ifrael, that my labours of love to thee are not 
 in vain ! Now am 1 convinced that I enjoy that 
 honor which I have long wilhed for — that fu- 
 preme honor of building thee an Houfe (not a 
 temporary tabernacle, like thofe of former 
 times, in which thou wilt fojourn only for a fea- 
 fon, but a fixed place, an Houfe of ages) in which, 
 I truft, thou wilt abide for ever ! 
 
 II Exod. xl. 3 J. 
 
 Then 
 
^DISCOURSE VII. 187 
 
 Then turning himfelf back to the people, he 
 began to blefs them, and to give Thanks to God, 
 iand to recount before him the many inftances of 
 his kindnefs in the carrying on this work for the 
 reception of his Glory. 
 
 But fuddenly recolle6bing himfelf, and being 
 ftruck with the vanity of thinking that the tre- 
 mendous majefty of Heaven could be confined 
 to time or place, he breaks out into a fecond 
 Apoftrophe more grand than the former fbiil, 
 and exceeded by nothing that is to be found in 
 all the volumes of the world ! 
 
 " But will God indeed dwell on the earth ?" 
 Will HE at whofe footftool ten thoufand worlds 
 hang and are as nothing— will he who walks on 
 the whirlwind's wing, and paffes from one end 
 of creation to the other, fwifter than the light- 
 ning's glance--will he be limited to any particu- 
 lar abiding place ? How vain the thought, O 
 thou Being fuperlatively raifed above all Beings ! 
 Behold ! the whole immenfity of fpace, nay the 
 very " Heaven, and Heaven of Heavens, cannot 
 contain thee ; how much lefs this Houfe that I 
 have builded ?" Yet, though in a literal and lo- 
 cal fenfe, thou wilt not be confined here, we know 
 that thou wilt neverthelefs in a fpecial manner 
 be prefent — " to have refped to the fupplication, 
 and to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer 
 which thy fervant and thy people fhall make to- 
 wards thee in this place." || 
 
 II V. 28, 29. 
 
 2 Co:«'- 
 
i3S DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 CoNviN^cED, therefore, of this, the reft of the 
 chapter and Service dedicatory, is chiefly Sup- 
 plication and Prayer ; twoverfes of which I 
 have alfo taken into my text as a model for us 
 on the prcicnt occafion. 
 
 Having thus laid before you the defign and 
 occafion of the text, with as much brevity as 
 circumftances would admit, I come now to 
 make an application of the whole to the purpofe 
 of this day's folemnity. 
 
 We too, my brethren, have been building a 
 House to the Lord; not a luperb and magni- 
 ficent ONE, fitted to the oftentatious Worihip of 
 tiie Law ; but a House decently neat and ele- 
 gantly plain, II fitted to the Simplicity of that 
 GosPEL-Vv''oRSHiP which muft be performed in 
 ^' Spirit and in Truth." We too are here affem- 
 bled, in the prefence of Almighty God, and in 
 the fight of Men and Angels, to make a folemn 
 Offering of this House to the name of the 
 Lord •, and to fet it apart: to the purpoies of Reli- 
 gion for ever. 
 
 By this work of ours, we pretend not to con- 
 fer any peculiar Sandlity on particular places, or 
 portions of inanimate nature. What we do is 
 only declarative of our own lixt Intention of en- 
 deavouring, through God's Grace, to fandify 
 ourfelves in this place, in the full hopes of meet- 
 
 II The Houfe here fpoken of well deferves the above Cha- 
 railer, being a very elegant Building, executed in the beli 
 Talle. Its Dimcnfions are Ninety-one Foot by Sixty-one. 
 
DISCOURSE VII. i8c^ 
 ing the fpiritual Confolation of his divine pre- 
 fence therein j and entering into a folemn en- 
 gagement, for ourfelves and our pofterity, of 
 keeping it for ever facred to thefe pious ufes, 
 agreeable to the pure Model of that moft excel- 
 lent Church, whereof we are members. 
 
 This labor of our love, however unworthily- 
 performed, and by however mean inllruments, 
 we hope will be accepted in and through the 
 mediation of Chrift Jefus , A fign from Hea- 
 ven to confirm this hope, w^e mull not expcd: \ 
 a Cloud of Gi^ory, declaring the immediate 
 Prefence of God among us, we look not to fee ! 
 Types and Ihadows and the burden of ceremonies 
 are done away. But behold, a greater evidence 
 is here! The fon of God himfelf hath' been 
 among us^ and hath kft in our hands the Gos.- 
 PEL of falvation, the words of eternal truth, de- 
 claring; that " Where two or three are ga- 
 
 thered together in His name, there v/ill he be ia 
 the midft of them." By the eye of fcripture- 
 faith, that fall anchor of tJie Soul, we can fee him, 
 we can feel him vitally prefent with us ! we am 
 enjoy union and communion with him ; and, in 
 our moft holy Places, v/e can behold him feated 
 on another Mercy-Seat than that of the Temple 
 and the Law, and hear him fpeaking in another 
 manner than from within the Vail 1 We can be- 
 hold him feated on the Mercy-Seat of Redeem- 
 ing Love, and hear him fpeaking in the com- 
 fortable overtures of the Gofpel of Peace ! 
 
 These 
 
190 DISCOURSE Vli. 
 
 These interefling Truths being premifed, and 
 having the well-grounded afTurance that " God 
 will indeed dwell on the Earth" — even in the 
 midft of the truly religious Meetings or Socie- 
 ties of his people j it behoves us next to confider 
 what conduft fuch Societies ought more ef- 
 pecially to obferve, in order to expedl lb great 
 a blefling. 
 
 And lirfl:, then, if we, as a religious Society, 
 would hope that God would continue among us 
 in this Place which we have dedicated to his 
 name, we mull be careful to improve ourfelves 
 in " all manner of holy converfation and godli- 
 nefs, not forgetting the Aflembling ourfelves to- 
 gether, as the Manner of fome is." j| 
 
 And here, as this neglefl of " Aflembling to- 
 o-ether," in the place where God's honour more 
 immediately dwells, is an evil of the moll un- 
 rrrateful kind, and which cannot but provoke 
 him above any other, to withdraw his more im- 
 mediate prefence from a people, it may not be 
 amifs, with all candor and aftedlion, to addrefs 
 a few things to thofe whofe " Manner" this is ; 
 althoup-h it mufl be confefled that it is hard even 
 for Charity hericif to imagine any plaufible pre- 
 text for their condudl. 
 
 There is not, I am certain, a perfon among 
 us that will not acknowledge fome fort of Ho- 
 mage to be due to the fupreme Lord of heaven 
 and earth. Even the Deist himfelf will be fond 
 of owning this to be a natural Dictate of eternal 
 Reafon, founded on the immutable relation be- 
 ll Hcb. X 25. 
 
 tween 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 191 
 
 tween the Creature and its Creator. But then 
 he will fay that this Homage is a tribute of the 
 Heart, better to be performed in the retirements 
 of the Clofet, than amidft the avocations of a 
 public Aflembly. And the kindeft thing we 
 can fuggeft is, that this fentiment (it is to be 
 feared) is too much adopted by many men, in 
 other refpe6ls of ftri6l honour, fair morals and 
 ufeful members of fociety ; who, although they 
 profefs to believe in the Religion of Jefus 
 Chrift, and would fcorn the imputation of Deifm, 
 yet ftill continue in the negleft of that public 
 worlhip and thofe facred ordinances which this 
 religion hath enjoined. Inftead of approaching 
 the Courts of the Lord, with their refpeftive fa- 
 milies, on thofe days that are confecrated to his 
 more immediate fervice, they either fequefler 
 themfelves from the reft of mankind in unfocial 
 retirements ; or, if Decency obliges not to this, 
 " one goes to his farm, and another to his mer- 
 chandize.'* 
 
 Now, we v/ill allow fuch perfons, all that they 
 themfelves can afk. We will in Charity fuppofe 
 that they are as regular and fervent in Private 
 devotion as they can poffibly pretend to be. Yet 
 ftill we fay that the negleft of Public worftiip con- 
 tradifts their profeflion of Chriftianity, and is a 
 public breach of duty to God, to Society and to 
 their own Souls. And would to Heaven that 
 what may be offered bn this head might gain 
 their attention j feeing no terms of afperity and 
 
 reproach 
 
192 DISCOURSE VII; 
 
 reproach fliall be ufed, unbecoming the fpirft 
 and temper of that religion, to the pubUc exer- 
 cife of which, we would woo and win them. 
 
 And firft they are intreated to confider that/ 
 from the whole tenor of Scripture, the public 
 obfervance of a Sabbath, in places fet apart for 
 that purpofe, appears to have been God's own 
 appointment, and has the promife, both of this 
 life and that which is to come, annexed to it. 
 Eternal Wifdom gave an early intimation of it, 
 while our firft parents were yet in Paradife, by 
 blefTino- the Seventh day. Our firft parents de- 
 livered it in Tradition to their pofterity, who (as 
 we have feen) had their places of public woriliip,- 
 approved by God's immediate appearance among 
 them ; and at length when thefe Traditions were 
 either darkened or deftroyed, the Lord folemnly 
 republiftied the fame inftitution or ordinance 
 from mount Sinai, in the Law, faying — " re- 
 'member the fabbath day to keep it holy." 
 
 Jesus Christ, who came not to deftroy buc 
 to fulfil the Law, frequented the places of pub- 
 lic worft^ip, and fandified the Sabbath by his 
 example. The very form of prayer, given by 
 him to mankind, at the inftance of his difciples, 
 is a public form. Nay the great defign of his 
 coming into this world and leaving his Gofpel be- 
 hind him, was to accomplifli a plan of Redemp- 
 tion for loft mankind, to plant a Church for 
 himfelf upon earth, and form his difciples into 
 one public body, whereof himfelf is the head. 
 
 But 
 
DISCOURSE VII. loj 
 But how can there be a Churchv where there 
 is no Memberlliip, no Communion, no *' Afiem- 
 bling ourfelves together," agreeable to his ap- 
 pointment ? How can thofe be his Dilciples nov\', 
 who do not imitate his firft Difciples, and join 
 together " in || Dodrine, Fellowfliip, in Break-. 
 ing of Bread, and in Prayers ?" Thefe firft Dif-' 
 ciples certainly knew their mafter's will as well 
 as we do now -, and if one fett of men, who call 
 themfelves Chriftians, may withdraw themfelves 
 from public ordinances, another may do the 
 fame; and, as example is powerful, the time 
 may faft come, when in vain fhall we build 
 Churches — nay, in vain Ihould we open the doors 
 of thofe that are already built ! 
 
 We do moft readily allow the Private worfhip 
 of a man's own heart, its full commendation ; 
 and God forbid that any thing here faid fhould 
 be underftood as derogatory from that worfhip, 
 or tending to fet in oppofition to that which is 
 Public. It is moft fmcerely to be wiflied that no 
 man ever pretended to it, who did not heartily 
 praftife it. All true devotion muft begin in the 
 heart •, but then it muft not end there. God not 
 only calls us to acknowlege him in our own 
 mmds, but openly and avowedly to acknowlege 
 him before men-, that they, feeing our good 
 works, may be ftirred up to give him the greater 
 
 glory. 
 
 Openly do the celestial Choirs pour forth 
 
 II Afts ii. 42. 
 
 O their 
 
194 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 their triumphant Hallelujahs to his adorable 
 jiame ! Openly do they caft their crowns at his 
 feet, faying — " Worthy art thou, O Lord ! to 
 receive glory, and honour, and power!'* 
 
 And fhall Man be filent, or wholly felfifh, in 
 his worlhip ? Man, fo highly favoured ! Man, 
 the Redeemed of God ! Man, made focial in his 
 nature ; endued with voice articulate, and ap- 
 pointed to lead the Chorus of this lower world! 
 Shall he forfake his poft, and negleft thofe pub- 
 lic praifes, v/hich his tongue was framed to ut- 
 ter? Should he do this, the very Brute and 
 even the Inanimate creation, openly and incef- 
 fantly declaring God's glory day and night, 
 would fhame him for his fad defertion ! — And 
 fhame him they do, while he confines himfelf to 
 a worfliip merely felfifli or folitary, hides himfelf 
 from the § world, abfents himfelf from the great 
 Congregation of God's people, and blulhes to ut- 
 ter forth his maker's praifes before heaven and 
 earth ! 
 
 By a Worfhip merely folitary, a man may per- 
 haps fomewhat improve the ftate of his own 
 mind, and ferve himfelf; but, by Public Wor- 
 fhip, 'a man not only ferves himfelf, but, as far 
 as poor duft and aflies can, promotes God's 
 glory alfo, by acknowleging him before the 
 
 § There may have been inftances, where fome of God's Ser- 
 vants have been fufFered to withdraw from the World, to a Life 
 merely folitary. But thefe are rare Cafes, not intended for 
 common Ufe, or common Example ; . nor dp we fpeak to any 
 who pretend to a Life of that Sort, 
 
 whole 
 
DlSCOUR.SE VII. 195 
 
 whole world. The height of religious^ perfeftion 
 is when both forts of Worfhip have their due 
 place ; and however much a man may boaft of 
 the Devotion of the Heart, if he keeps it there, 
 the world will be apt to fufpedt him, and to afk 
 of him a fign for the edification of others. 
 
 Upon the whole then, it appears that a ne- 
 sle(5b of the Public Ordinances of Reliorion, in 
 one profeffing to believe the Gofpel, is a plain 
 contradidlion of that profeflion, and a breach of 
 that duty which we owe to God. And oh ! that 
 'it might never be forgotten by any one who 
 names the Name cf Chrift^ that it is only to thofe 
 who " confefs him before men," that he hath 
 given the moll comfortable promife of " confef- 
 fmg them before his heavenly father," in that 
 awful day of accounts, when he is to fit abfolute 
 judge of their condudt. 
 
 And yet ftill, if fuch be the cafe in refpe6l to 
 thofe who, though they neglefl the Public Wor- 
 fhip of God, neverthelefs pretend to a m^ore Pri- 
 vate and Spiritual Worfhip of him ; what muft 
 it be with fuch as are avowed enemies to both ? 
 Would to God that they would put the matter 
 to their own Souls in their ferious moments ; if, 
 peradventure, they ever leave themfelves leifure 
 to be ferious. 
 
 But, to proceed — we were next to Ihew that 
 
 the neglect of Public Worfhip is alfo a breach 
 
 of Duty to Society. Much of what might be 
 
 offered on this head is anticipated on the for- 
 
 O 2 mer: 
 
196 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 mer; for fo kind hath God been to us, that 
 whatever he hath commanded us to do for his 
 Glory, is likewife for our own Good. Many ar- 
 guments might alfo be drawn from the nature of 
 fociety J our common wants, our common dangers, 
 our common Redemption, and our common de- 
 pendence for happinefs here and hereafter, on 
 the fame Parent-God. But thefe may be 
 pafTed over at prefent j it being generally ac- 
 knowleged that government and fociety cannot 
 be maintained on any other principles than juf- 
 tice, fobriety and obedience. And thefe prin* 
 ciples cannot be maintained, in any tolerable 
 degree, but " for the Lord's fake," and by 
 means of Religion and its divine fan6tions. And 
 Religion cannot be maintained without a due 
 reo-ard to its public ordinances. 
 
 There is fomething as lovely and venerable, 
 as it is truly ancient, in the appointment of a 
 Sabbath, or one^ day in Seven, for " affembing 
 ourfelves together." By this means, people are 
 brought forth and aflbciated in their moil decent 
 attire. They are humanized and polifhed and 
 made better acquainted. They provoke one 
 another, as the apoftle expreffes it, to love and 
 crood works. Nay, as the fame apoftle further 
 teftihes, much greater fruits than thefe may be 
 expefted. For, " if f the whole church be come 
 together in one place, and there come in one that 
 bclieveth not, or one unlearned •, he is convinced 
 + 1 Cor. xiv. 23, Sec. 
 
 Qf 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 197 
 
 (^ dl, he is judged of all ; and fo, falling down 
 on his face, he will worfliip God, and report that 
 God is of a truth" in that place. 
 
 Whence it appears that the neglcft of public 
 worlhip is alfo a breach of duty to Society, and 
 a bar to the reformation and good order of man- 
 kind. It was next to be proved a breach of 
 duty to Qur Own Souls. And here little need be 
 faid. 
 
 Whatever Is a negle(5l of duty to God, 
 whatever obftrufts the good of Society, mufl ne- 
 ceflarily be prejudicial to the Individual. Were 
 men wholly compofed of foul and made entirely 
 for themfelves, a refined felfiih and folitary reli- 
 gion might poITibly fuit them. But, as the mat- 
 ter now is, they ft'ind in need of all focial helps 
 t<;> enflame their ddvotion ; and it is foynd by 
 experience that in public affemblies, when all 
 things are conduced with xiecency and order, a 
 kind of holy fervor is apt to kindle froni -f bo- 
 fom to bofom, rifing to heights which the foli- 
 tary worfhipper cannot eafily reach or conceive. 
 In a word, 'tis to focial and public worlhip, as 
 hath been already hinted, that our blefled Sa- 
 viour hath given many of the Gofpel-promifes. 
 l^or he hath afllired us that if even fo fmall a 
 number as " two ihall agree on earth, as touch- 
 ing any thing that they fhall afk, it fhall be done 
 ^for them of his father who is in heaven." || 
 
 f See fome Arguments on this head in Difcourfe y. j| Mat. 
 x;viij^ 19. 
 
 O 3 These 
 
198 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 These arguments, 'tis to be hoped, may con- 
 vince thofe who negkd or fcorn our Sabbaths 
 and public Meetings, that they are, in Reality, 
 adling contrary to their Duty to God, to Society, 
 and to Themlelves •, and that if it were not for 
 the wife ordinance of a Sabbath, true religion 
 would fcarce be found upon earth. And if Re- 
 ligion were gone, Society could not long fubfifl, 
 or at leaft it could not fubfiil on the principles 
 of Virtue, Freedom and Safety. 
 
 And this leads me to one argument more, 
 which, as it is of a worldly nature, m.ay perhaps 
 be better heard. If we would wifh to live happy 
 and fee good days ; if we would wilh to fee our 
 Children dutiful, and our Families in Subordi- 
 nation round us •, if we would wilh to have our 
 Property fafe, and our perfons free from Vio- 
 lence •, we ought to fupport the credit of Reli- 
 gion, and let forward the Public Worfhip of 
 God, by our whole influence, our example, and. 
 every other means in our power. 
 
 So far in general. As to you, my brethren, 
 to whom thiS Difcourfe is more particularly ad- 
 drefied, it is to be hoped that you will be per- 
 fuaded to a confcientious attendance upon the 
 public Worfhip, the Prayers, the Feftivals and the 
 Sacraments of our Church, not only from the 
 above motives, but from the nobler motives firft 
 mentioned to you, namely as a means of con- 
 tinuing the divine Prefence among you, and ob- 
 taining that Spiritual Confolation and Fellowfhip 
 
 with 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 199 
 
 with God, which, it is to be believed, were your 
 fincere defire in contributing of your fubftance 
 10 the ereding of this Houfe. 
 
 Another thing I muft recommend to you, 
 if you would expe6t God to dwell among you, 
 as a Religious Society. 'Tis Union and Cha- 
 rity with one another. For St. Paul tells the 
 Corinthians, that where Divifions are among a 
 people, they will come together in the Church, 
 *' not for the better, but for the worfe."* It is 
 impoflible, indeed, in this world, while men have 
 their pafTions, their vanities, their interefts, and 
 their ambitions, but fuch offences will come ; 
 and a good man will be apt to cry out—" Is 
 there no balm in Gilead," no fovereign me- 
 thod to prevent or heal thefe painful wounds ? 
 The beft way, indeed, is to praftife all Chriftian 
 Forbearance, and to leave the reft to God's 
 Providence •, ever bearing in mind that the glory 
 of a Church confifts not in the oftentation of 
 numbers, but in the ftridt Union and Fellow- 
 ihip of its members. 
 
 The fam^ Charity, Love and Candor, that 
 
 you extend to one another, let me befeech you, 
 
 in a particular manner, to extend to thofe who 
 
 are appointed to minifter among you. Judge 
 
 of them with impartiality. Bear in mind the 
 
 difficulties of their office. Confider that they 
 
 are men of like infirmities with yourfelves, 
 
 placed by their ftation in a very public point of 
 
 * I Cor. xi 17. 
 
 O 4 view ; 
 
200 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 view ; and thereby what failings they may have 
 are rendered the more confpicuous. 
 
 WnExV you enter God's Houlc, let your 
 minds be impreiTed with a deep lenfe of his 
 nwful prefence, and " keep your fecr with all 
 diligence." Examine carefully into the mo- 
 tives of your appearing there ; whether it be 
 from an idle Curiofity, or to have a m.omentary 
 warmth raifed in you merely by Preaching ; 
 or whether it be, in good earneil, to humble 
 yourfelves before the throne of God, and to join 
 with your fellow Chriftians in the folemn a6ts of 
 Devotion ; " in Supplications, Prayers, Inter- 
 ceflions, and Giving of Thanks for all men," 
 agreeable to the, moil compleat form of our ex- 
 cellent Liturgy ? 
 
 Preaching, my brethren, was originally a 
 wife inftitution, to inftruft the Ignorant, to roufc 
 the Dull, to confirm the Wavering, and to ani- 
 mate All in the difcharge of their duty ; and, as 
 fuch, is ftill retained by our Church as a very 
 neceffary addition to her public fcrvice, and is 
 moreover warranted by the example of our Sa- 
 viour and his Apoft'es. But then, here lies the 
 fault, that many will confider this Preaching 
 as the principal part of the Public Worfhip it- 
 frlf J and no Preaching will be acceptable to 
 them that does not, as it were, hurry them out 
 of riiemfelves, by captivating the Palfions, as if 
 fhat was a nobler and more ufeful work than to 
 
 convince 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 201 
 
 convince the Judgment. Preachers there are, 
 indeed, who can do both in an eminent degree ; 
 and their fuccefs in this refpeft is a blefTing to 
 the focieties to which they belong. But what 
 we complain of is this- -that the excellent Li- 
 turgy of our Church Ihould be no motive, or 
 only a fecondary motive, for frequenting her 
 Service •, and that this wrong tafte of Hearers is 
 apt to lead to a wrong tafte in Preaching, and 
 draws men of warm tempers, fmall abilities, and 
 fond of pleafmg, into extravagances of heat and 
 zeal, which Reafon cannot juftify, and Chris- 
 7'iANiTY requires not at their hand. 
 
 As-the refult, therefore, of what has been faid, 
 let me, in the next place entreat you, as a reli- 
 gious Society, to " hold faft the profeflion of 
 your Faith without wavering," without levity, 
 and without being " blown about by every 
 WindofDodrine." 
 
 I mean not, on this occafion, the leaft reflec- 
 tion againft any of thofe who differ from us in 
 their perfuafion. They have, no doubt, fully 
 examined and convinced themfelves in the Faith 
 they hold ; and the fame indulgence which we 
 freely extend to them, we do but claim for 
 ourfclves. Seeing we alfo, as well as they, have 
 embraced the Faith of a particular Church, we 
 alio muft be fuppofed to have fufficient convic- 
 tion in our own minds for the choice we have 
 made. We muft be allowed to think the faith 
 6 of 
 
202 DISCOURSE VII. 
 
 of that Church the fame that " was once de- 
 livered to the Saints." We muft be allowed to 
 confider her Worlliip as focial in its nature ; 
 plain yet folemn, and keeping the golden mean 
 betwixt thofe idle pegeantries that diftrad the at- 
 tention to things purely fenfible, and thofe illu- 
 five reveries that pretend to refinements which 
 human nature cannot reach. We muft be al- 
 lowed to pay a due regard to her ancient dif- 
 cipline, her venerable order, and her wife confti- 
 tutions, that were planned by men of fuperior 
 eminence, and have ftood the teft of ages. 
 And, laftly, we muft be allowed to look upon 
 thefe things as matters, not lightly, wantonly, 
 or raftily, to be given up. 
 
 I ftiall only detain you while I recommend 
 one thing more to you, as a Religious Society ; 
 and that is, a liberal and beneficentfpint in con- 
 tributing to all works of Charity and Com- 
 mon Concern. And, on this head, it is with 
 pleafure that I confefs myfelf almoft abfolved 
 from the neceflity of faying any thing. I am 
 rather called to congratulate you on the excel- 
 lent fpirit that hath already been Ihewn, than 
 to doubt of its continuance. 
 
 This Houfe hath been almoft wholly built 
 within yourfelves •, by the free, voluntary and 
 chearful contributions of your own members. 
 Some have fpared in their exigence, and fome 
 out of their abundance, and that too with fur- 
 
 prifing 
 
DISCOURSE VII. 203 
 
 prifing liberality. BlelTed are ye " for this loan 
 " that ye have lent unto the Lord *. May God 
 " remember you concerning this, and wipe not 
 " out your good deeds that you have done for 
 *' the Houfe of your God and for the Offices 
 «' thereof." t 
 
 Proceed with the fame liberal and pious 
 Ipirit, in what remains of this good work. Re- 
 member that God hath blefied you with every 
 inftance of profperity, in times of extremeft dan- 
 ger. And furely, when our harvefts have been 
 multiplied, and our cattle and our fields encreaf- 
 ed ;— when we behold our children growing up 
 and profpering round us, and even wanting 
 room in the Houfe of the Lord, then, oh then ' 
 it is one of the nobleft Charities to offer back 
 to God a part of what He has fo liberally be- 
 llowed, and to make a provifion for continuing 
 the Worfhip of His adorable name among our 
 pofterity to the lateft generations ! Whatever we 
 may give this way, according to our befl abili- 
 ties, God will accept as an offering of our Love 
 to Him ; and let us look what we lay out, and 
 it fhall be returned to us " after many days" |j 
 
 I come now to the lall verfes of my text, 
 which were thefe— " The Lord God be with us, 
 " as he was with our fathers. Let him not leave 
 " us nor forfake us— That all the people of the 
 " earth may know, that the Lord is God, and 
 *' there is none elfe."— And the very tenor of 
 ♦ I Sam. ii. 20. f Nehem. xiii. 14. || Ecclef. xi. i. 
 
 thefe 
 
204 P R A Y E R. 
 
 riiefe words, as well as the nature of this occa- 
 fion, calls us to conclude in the mod liumblc 
 and lupplicant manner with — 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 BUT with what language fliall wc addrefs 
 thee, O thou moft holy and exalted Being ! 
 our God and our Fathers God — who inhabiteft 
 eternity, and art the Life and Light of the 
 world \ What Ihall we render unto thee for ten 
 thoufand times ten thoufand mercies, which 
 language would fail us to exprefs, and the whole 
 period of our lives to recount ! Above all, what 
 fhall we render unto thee for the Knowlege of 
 thine everlalling Gofpel, and thofe glorious pri- 
 vileges to which we are called as members of 
 thy Church militant on earth— even to that ex- 
 alted Privilege of Angels — the Privilege of en- 
 joying Union and Communion with thee ! Oh 
 then, that our hearts could now conceive, and 
 our tongues could utter, fuch drains of praife 
 and adoration and thankfgiving to thee, as iVngels, 
 and glorified Spirits, and the Church triumphant, 
 pour forth to thee in Heaven above ! 
 
 It is good for us, O Almighty Father, that 
 thou haft called us to this Knowlege, and liaft 
 vouchfafed us thefe Privileges ! It is good for 
 us that thou didft put it into our minds /o build 
 
 thes 
 
PRAYER. 205 
 
 thee an houfe to dwell in, and haft permitted us 
 to DEDICATE and fct it apart (as we hope) to the 
 glory of thy name for ever ! Yet, inafmnch as 
 we are taught not to put our truft in thefe out- 
 ward marks of Devotion, but that each of us 
 muft prepare for thee an habitation inwardly, 
 and a temple in our Hearts •, we do, therefore, 
 now come to make a nobler and more impor- 
 tant Dedication unto thee! We come, as is 
 our bounden duty, thro' the merits and inter- 
 ceflion of our bleffed Redeemer, to dedicate 
 OURSELVES, our Souls and Bodies, our whole 
 Lives, to thy fervice. And, O thou who art the 
 Hearer of Prayer, " to v>^hom mercies and for- 
 giveneffes belong, tho' we have rebelled againft 
 thee," we moft earneftly pray that our paft of- 
 fences may be blotted out, that we may be walh- 
 ed in the Blood of Chrift, and that the vows and 
 offerings which we now make may be accepted 
 in Him, and rendered effectual to our ever- 
 lafling faivation. 
 
 For this end, O merciful God, let the Grace of 
 thy holy fpirit anift and ftrengthf n us in all our 
 Supplications and Prayers, that we fhall thence- 
 forward offer up to thee in this Place •, and be 
 thou gracioufly pleafed to vouchfafe us thy Pre- 
 fence therein continually. Asthouwerl '-jj'ith our 
 Fathers, O Lord our Gcdyfo be thou with us. As 
 thy mighty power brought them (like the Ifrae- 
 ■ lites of old) thro' the perils of another raging 
 Sea ; as thou didft fupport them in a remote 
 
 Land, 
 
toG PRAYER. 
 
 Land, while it was yet another Wildernefs ; as 
 thou didfl at length give them goodly habita- 
 tions therein, and, in thy divine favour, made 
 choice of them and their children after them, to 
 plant and propagate thy evcrlafting Gofpel to 
 the ends of the earth— as thou wert with them 
 in thefe things, lb be thou with us. Let not our 
 unworthinefs provoke thee to " leave us nor for- 
 fake us j" but let our light fnine continually 
 forth, till all the people of the earth Jhall know — 
 till the Heathen around us know — that the 
 Lord is God, and there is none elfe \ till they 
 know and confefs that the Gods whom they 
 have ferved are no Gods ; that they and their 
 Fathers have inherited Lies and Vanity from 
 the beginning j and that there is none in whom 
 Salvation may be foimd, fave in thee, O Lord 
 moft mighty and moil high ! 
 
 And in order to haften this happy time, vv^hen 
 all the ends of the earth fhall bow down to thy 
 Majefty, and Kings and Princes caft their Crowns 
 before the throne of the Lamb, we pray that 
 thou wouldft give fuccefs to all foundations of 
 lifeful Knowlege, and to the blefled Gospel, 
 wherefoever and by whomfoever it is truly 
 PREACHED. In a particular manner, be plealed 
 to give continual fuccefs to the Preaching 
 thereof in this Houfe, which we have now open- 
 ly and folemnly/^^ apart to that facred purpofe. 
 May all who are called to miniller therein, put 
 off their own Righteouliiefs, nor feek the ap- 
 
 plaufe 
 
PRAYER. 207 
 
 plaule of Men ; but may they be cloathed with. 
 the Humility of Chriil, rightly and duly admi- 
 nifter his Sacraments, explain his Word, and be 
 anxious for nothing fo much as to advance his 
 Glory, and preach him crucified. May this place 
 never be proftituted to the purpofes of Vanity 
 and Ambition, Error or Enthufiafm, Coldnefs 
 or Lukewarmnefs. May it continue the Habi- 
 tation of the " God of Jacob for ever j a Place 
 where Prayer fhall ever be made unto him, 
 and where daily Ihall he be praifed!" May it 
 continue a place where the Service of our 
 Church, the Preaching of the Word, and the 
 Adminiftration of our Sacraments, may be ren- 
 dered efFeftual, thro' the atonement of Chrift, to 
 the Salvation of thoufands ! 
 
 Finally, O Lord, we pray that Love and 
 Union may prevail among all the Members of 
 this Church thro' life j and, at their death, may 
 they be tranflated into the general AfTembly of 
 the Church of the firjl- born that are written in 
 Heaven ; where, being freed from all human 
 frailties, and admitted to the beatific prefence, 
 they may offer up unwearied Hallelujahs to him 
 that fitteth on the Throne, and to the Lamb for 
 ever and ever!* 
 
 * A conclufion was mads by finging the words of the text, 
 as an Anthem. 
 
 DIS- 
 
[ 209 ] 
 
 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 The GOSPEL-SUMMONS. ' 
 
 Preached in Chrift - Church Philadelphia; 
 January lo, 1762. At the Funeral of the 
 Rev.RoBERT Jenney, L. L.D. Reftor of the 
 faid Church. 
 
 Luke, xvi. 2. 
 
 Give an Account of thy Steward/hip •, for thou may eft 
 be no longer Steward. 
 
 RENDER up your Stewardfliip — give an 
 Account of you r,Condu6l~ thundered forth 
 by fome powerful Superior, that will brook no 
 delay--what a tremendous Summons is this ? 
 
 LIear it ye rich, and ye poor -, ye rulers, and 
 ye fabje^LS •, ye pallors, and ye people ! Whe- 
 ther there be committed to you ten Talents, 
 or one ; whether your Stewardihip be in things 
 fpiritual, or things temporal — hear it and be in- 
 ftru6led ! The lalt Kneil of expiring Time ; the 
 trump of God calling us to his judgment-feat; 
 ought not more deeply to alarm us, than this 
 awful Summons of the Gofpel •, which, though it 
 is daily heard by us, has its Moral but too much 
 daily negledled. 
 
 Various are the methods by which God's 
 P wifdom 
 
no DISCOURSE VIIL 
 
 wifdom thinks fit to call finners to repentance, 
 in the fcriptures. Sometimes in language, foft 
 as the breathings of love divine ; fometimes in 
 notes, fevere as the voice of otfended majefty v 
 ibmetimes by the gentle allurements of promiled 
 rewards ; and fometinies by the awful denuncia- 
 tions of a judgment to come. 
 
 Our blefled Redeemer, in the preceeding 
 chapter, had been Preaching up the moft com- 
 fortable doftrine of his Father'' s fret GracCy ma- 
 tt ifelled in theremifTion of fins, and. his readinefs 
 to receive and embrace returning penitents. The 
 love of God in this, aid his planning from 
 eternity a method of bringing home loji Souls 
 to himfelf, through the all-perfe6l Satisfadlion 
 of a Saviour, are moft beautifully and tenderly 
 fet forth in fundry inftrucElive Parables ; fuch as. 
 a Shepherd's leaving ninety-nine of his Iheep in 
 the v/ildernefs, to look after one loft, and calling; 
 all his neighbours to rejoice with him on finding, 
 it ! Such as a Woman's fearching carefully for 
 a piece of loft treafure, and communicating her 
 joy to all around her on the recovery thereof f 
 And, above all, fuch as that of an indulgent Pa- 
 rent, receiving back to his bofom even a Prodigal. 
 Son that had wafted his fubftance in riot and in- 
 temperance. 
 
 But all thefe foft and winning defcriptionff 
 were loft upoa the hardened Pharifees. Our 
 Saviour, therefore,, addrelTes them in a very dif- 
 fercnt ftrain. He lays before them this Para- 
 ble of the Steward, called fuddenly to account 
 
 before 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 211 
 
 before his Lord and Mafter ; thereby intimating 
 to them, in colours the moft ftriking, that how- 
 ever light they might make of the Gofpel Over- 
 tures in the Bay of Grace^ a time would come, 
 and that fuddenly too as a thief in the night, 
 when they would be called to give a fevere ac- 
 , count of the improvements they had made of 
 fuch fignal bleffings ! 
 
 I HAVE not chofen thefe words, as thinking: 
 that this congregation could be moved by no- 
 thing but arguments of terror ^ nor becaufe 
 there is the leaft fimilitude between the charac- 
 ter of the Steward in the text, and that charac- 
 ter which is the occafion of the prefent mourn- 
 ful folemnity. To argue thus, would be a per- 
 verfion of all Parables, and the defign of ^11 
 Preaching. The Scripture-Parables are gene- 
 rally written for the iiiuftration of fome impor- 
 tant point of Doctrine, or Morals ; and do 
 not require a particular application of every par- 
 ticular circumftance. 
 
 The words which I have read, " give an ac- 
 count of thy Stevvardfliip, for thou mayeil be 
 no longer Steward," are to be taken, as 
 they ftand, in their fingle and irrelative 
 fenfe, being equally applicable to account- 
 able creatures of every degree. And the doc- 
 trine I would infer from them on the prefent oc- 
 cafion is — 
 
 First, That every thing v/e pofiefs in this 
 P 2 world 
 
212 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 world is given us in Truft, and for Improvc- 
 inent. 
 
 Secondly, That there will be a day of final 
 Reckonincr ; and that as the Account flands at 
 the hour of Death, fo will it be produced in the 
 day of Judgment. 
 
 Thirdly, That the only reflections which 
 can give us hope, as accountable creatures, 
 in the hour of death, and the refignation of our 
 Stewardfhip, are to be derived from the gofpel- 
 profpefts and promifes. 
 
 And First, then, it is evident, from the 
 whole tenor of God's holy word, that whatfoever 
 we poffefs in this life is given us in Truft and 
 for Improvement. The unprofitable fervant, 
 who laid up his Pound in a napkin, had a fevere 
 fentence pafTed upon him by his returning lord— - 
 " Take -f from liim the pound, and give it to 
 him that hath ten pounds ;" — to him that hath 
 made a due improvement of what was formerly 
 committed to him. The like fentence was de- 
 nounced againft the fruitlefs Fig-tree — " Cut \\ 
 it down, why cumbreth it the ground ?" 
 
 Many more Scripture-proofs might be ad- 
 duced •, but the point in queftion does not fceni 
 to need them. To a man who lives a life of 
 Reafon and of Virtue, few things are fufficient 
 to fatisfy the calls, nay to anfwer the conve- 
 niencies of life. Could it be agreeable then, to 
 the ordinance of a wife and juft God, for one to 
 t Lube xix. 24. . || xiii. 7. 
 
 5 g^'^'^^P 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 213 
 
 grafp a thoufand times his proportion of the 
 Goods of this world and to hoard them up with- 
 out improvement for the pubhc ? Why fhould 
 different talents be afllgned to different perfons, 
 if they were to be employed folely for their own 
 private ufe ? Why fhould one wallow in wealth ; 
 one be exalted to the fummit of power •, one re- 
 joice in bodily llrength ; one enjoy faculties of 
 mind almoft angelic ; if the feparate poiTelibrs 
 were to ufe thefe feparate gifts only for them- 
 felves, without regard to the community ? 
 
 Through all nature, there is inceflant en- 
 ergy, a6tion and communication of powers. No- 
 thino; leems to exift on its own fingle account. 
 The very Stars, that fpangle the face of night, 
 are bound to their orbits by mutual adion on 
 each other, and on the common center of the 
 fyftem ! 
 
 Why, then, fhould thofe divine gifts and en- 
 dowments, which providence fhowers fo pro- 
 fufely on individuals of the human fyftem, be 
 left without their full ufe ? Why lliould they 
 
 £' be fuffered to ftao-nace, as it were, like waters 
 
 *■ . . 
 
 r emitting only a noifome vapor in the fummer's 
 
 $' drought ? Ought they not rather to flow irri- 
 
 guous, like the refrefhing; Rills, rejoicing the 
 country around ? Moft undoubtedly, my bre- 
 thren, they ought ! And fuch would be the im- 
 provement which we fhould make of every thing 
 committed to us if, inftead of looking upon it 
 S3 peculiarly our ov/n, and fo much added to our 
 P 3 private 
 
 i- 
 
214 Discourse viii. 
 
 private felicity, we would confidcr oiirfclves on- 
 ly as God's Stewards for the fame; and more 
 cfpecially refleift that there will be a day of final 
 reckoning, when we fhall be called to give an 
 account of our Stewardihip, before men and 
 angels, at the bar of omnipotence. And this 
 was the Second topic of my difcourfe. 
 
 Now a Day of Accounts is infeparable from 
 the very notion ot a Stewardlhip ; and tlic facred 
 fcriptures, purfuing the metaphor, have placed 
 this matter beyond ContraJidHon. We are there 
 told that all our a6tions are regiftred in a Book, 
 written with a pen of iron and with the point 
 of a diamond. We are alio told that our om- 
 nipotent judge will open this awful book and 
 proceed againil us by regular procefs — " I || faw 
 a great white throne and Him that fat on it ; 
 from whofe face the earth and the heaven 
 fled away, and there was no place found for them. 
 And I law the Dead, fmall and great, ftand be- 
 fore God ; and the Books were opened and the 
 Dead were judged out of thofe things which 
 were written in the Books, according to their 
 works." — . 
 
 Ah ! then, my Fellow-Chriftians ! how many 
 thoufand thouiand lecrets ihall be laid openbeJore 
 an alTemblcd univerfe } Then, and not till then, 
 fhall we thoroughly fee and underftand the 
 fum and fcope of God's eternal plan, without 
 thofe intricacies wherein it is now iiivolved ! 
 Then fhall the account between virtue and vice 
 be finally Hated and balanced ! Then fhall hypo- 
 
 II Rev. XX. M, 12. 
 
 crify 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 215 
 
 crify be obliged to lay down its mafl<, opprel- 
 fion his rod, dominion his fceptre j and all to 
 appear naked and on a level, at the bar of the 
 Almighty, to give an account of their Steward- 
 fhip, each for himfelf, and none by another ! 
 
 Then fliall it be feen how every one of us 
 has ufed the gifts committed to us in our feveral 
 fpheres. Then fhall it be known for what end 
 Wealth or Power, or great Talents were va- 
 rioufly beftowed. If the former was our por- 
 tion, it will be known, whether we hoarded it 
 up with a mere fordid view of Seif-enjoyment ? 
 Whether we fufi-ered it to draw off our attention 
 from things celeftial, to extinguifh the focial and 
 public affeftions -, and to debafe us into a literal 
 affinity with the beafts that perifh ? or whether, 
 if we did beftow any thing out of our abundance, 
 it was done with a fpirit of oftentation to be 
 feen of men •, or done, in the true Gofpel-fenfe, 
 to feed the hungry and cloath the nake<i, after 
 anfwering all the domeftic Charities of father, 
 fon and brother, and the facred calls of the Com- 
 munity, which includes the whole ? 
 
 Again, if Power and Government fell to 
 our ihare, it will be known — Whether we 
 bartered our favours away for vile gain ? whe- 
 ther we were open to the allurements of 
 vice, the blandilhments of flattery, and the in- 
 toxications of party ? or whether we made ufe 
 of our influence to fupportjufliice, to prote<5t in- 
 nocence, to encourage virtue, and to reward 
 humble merit ? 
 
 P 4 If 
 
2i6 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 If wifdom and great talents were bellowed 
 upon us, it will be known — Whether, with a 
 noble Difintereflednefs of foul, unawed by 
 power and unbribed by wealth, we have fled- 
 faftly exerted thefe divine gifts for the illumina- 
 tion of mankind, for the advancement of God's 
 glory, for the propagation of civil Liberty, and 
 for the fupport of whatever elfe is valuable in 
 fociety ? 
 
 Thex, at length, it lliali be known — from 
 what fecret motives the labors of the reputed 
 Patriot took their rife ? Whether the loud De- 
 claimer infenates and public alTembhes fought his 
 own o-lory or the glory of the pubhc ? Whether his 
 many laboured and popular harangues have flow- 
 ed from partiality to his friends, oppofition to his 
 enemies, or peradventure from both ? Whether 
 they were calculated in good earneft to relumi- 
 nate the dying fpirit of virtue snd freedom •, or 
 to raife himfelf, on the wings of a temporary 
 fame, to the fummit of earthly power ? 
 
 Then too it ihall be known— Whether he that 
 miniitred at the altar, miniilred for himfelf, or 
 for his Lord and Matter ? Whether he was more 
 anxious for the reformation of .mankind, or to 
 appear and fparkle, for a moment, in the pub- 
 lic eye ? Whether the fpirit of the gofpel, enter- 
 ed always into the fpirit of Preaching ? Whether 
 the fierce zeal, often ihewn for particular points, 
 was a zeal according to knowlege ? Whether it 
 hath tended more to inilrud or to dillrad the 
 \'iorld? Whether the divifion-s feparations and 
 
 coii- 
 
DISCOURSE Vm. 217 
 
 contentions among Chriftians, have been made 
 leifurely and upon cool reflexion ? V/hether 
 pride, palTion, refentment and wilful narrownefs 
 of mind, had any fhare in forming them ? 
 
 These things, and ten thoufand more, which 
 it would be impofTible to recount, will be known 
 at that day ; in which there is nothing now hid 
 that Ihall not be made manifefl ! 
 
 Happy the man, then, and thrice happy he, 
 who, anticipating this trem.endous fcene, can 
 give an account of his Stewardfhip to his owncon- 
 fcience ! Happy the man in public life, who fhall 
 be able in that awful day to appeal to his paft 
 condud, and fay-" Whofe j| ox have I taken ? 
 Whom have I defrauded ? Whom have I op- 
 prefled ? Or of whole hand have I received any 
 bribe to blind mine eyes therewith ? Even the 
 Lord (my judge himfelf) iswitnefs this day that 
 ye have not found ought in my hand!" 
 
 Happy too the miniiter of God's woid, who 
 can call his people to witnefs for him in that day, 
 and fay, in thewords of the blefied apoftle Paul — 
 " I f take you to record that I am pure from the 
 blood of all men ; for I have not lliunned to de- 
 clare to you ail the council of God ; and I have 
 kept back nothing that v/as profitable to you ; 
 but have fhewn you and taught you publicly 
 from houfe to houfe ; taking heed to the flock 
 over which the holy Ghoft hath made me over- 
 feer ; feeding the Church of God which he hath 
 purchafed with his ov/n blood." — 
 
 Such being the cafe, tlien, my brethren ; and 
 
 II I Sam yii. 3-5. t Aftsxx. 
 
 fmce 
 
2iS DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 fince as the tree falleth, there it will lie ; fmce as 
 death leaves us, judgment will find us •, what an 
 atvful and important moment muft the moment 
 of our dying be ? It is like entering, through a 
 dark portal, into the great maniion-houfe where 
 we muft render up our Stewardfhip. Having 
 once paiTed the threfhold, there is no way for re- 
 treat left ; no way to alter or amend one jot of 
 our account ; for " there * is neither work nor 
 device in the grave." 
 
 No wonder, then, that to die, fhould be reck- 
 oned a thing exceeding folemn ! A day of ac- 
 counts, and the vaft ocean of eternity before us— 
 Oh ! how the foul Ihudders on the brink, and 
 fain, very fain, would cleave to this evanefcent 
 fpeck of earth, loth to quit her hold, till the God 
 of grace comes with his divine confolations, and 
 cheers the recoiling fpirits ! 
 
 And this leads me, in the third place, to 
 obferve that our only hope in the hour of death, 
 is to be derived from the Gofpel-profpeds and 
 promifes. 
 
 Before the Chriftian Revelation was made 
 known, the Death of the beft of men was only a 
 leap into the Dark •, a wrench from the precindts 
 of day, and a forrowful parting with all that 
 they placed their hopes upon. The Wifdom of 
 the World could even go but a little way in 
 teachino- men how to live, bvitwhen it came to 
 lay down lefTons how to die, it was found to be 
 perfect Foolifhnefs. It gave them no foliJ afiu- 
 
 • Ecckf. ix. 10. 
 
 • ranee 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 219 
 rancc of a future ftate, the remiflion of fins, and 
 a glorious reward for the juit. After all the ar- 
 guments that unafTifted reafon and philofophy 
 could bring, the fears of having the Body laid 
 down in the clay tomb, and the thoughts of 
 dreary Annihilation, flartled and aftonilhed the 
 foul on the one hand. Or, on the other, if 
 there were any more enlightened, who believed, 
 or rather hoped, the Body's Refurreftion, and the 
 Soul's contmuance after death, they were Hill at 
 a lofs how to regain the favour of their offended 
 gods, in Ihort, all was doubt and diftraftion 
 and deipair f among them, at that laft period, 
 v/hen it moft behoves the Soul to be left eafy, 
 tranquil and recollected. 
 
 But how different is the matter under the 
 Gofpel of Chrift? We are there taught that 
 what we faifely call the hour of our Death, is 
 but the hour of our Birth to Life eternal. We 
 tRere learn the true meaning of thefe ancient ex- 
 prefficns — " I * will ranfom them from the power 
 of the grave — I will redeem them from death ; 
 O Death, I will be thy plagues — O Grave, I 
 will be thy defLruclion. — " 
 
 TriE gofpel lifts our eye to immortal fcenes. 
 It fnews us a reconciled God, and Jefus the Medi- 
 ator leated at his right hand. It teaches us a 
 method by which the account of our Steward- 
 
 •J- " The great, th' unbounded profpeft lay before them, 
 
 <* But clouds and darknefs hung upon it — " AoDisoff. 
 * Hofea xiii. 10. 
 
220 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 fhip may be fettled even in this life •, by which 
 our fins may be blotted out of the regiftry of 
 Heaven, even tho' they be written with a pen 
 of iron, and graven with the point of a dia- 
 mond. 
 
 To the Chriftian a light has arifen in dark- 
 nefs j and his profpefts are extended beyond the 
 grave, and ftretched down thro' immeafurable 
 Eternity. Herein is the vaft fuperiority of our 
 Religion above aU others, in that it hath not on- 
 ly taught us how to Live, but likewife how to 
 Die. Our bleffed Saviour, having published Life 
 and Immortality to all fuch as repent, believe and 
 obey his Gofpel, has, in refpecEl to them, taken 
 av/ay the iling and removed the fear of Death. 
 
 Animated with the celeftial views of Futu- 
 rity, the fincere Chriftian, who has feen and felt 
 the vanity of all earthly things i who has medi- 
 tated much upon Time and Eternity, the enjoy- 
 ments of this world and the next •, he who la 
 fuiiy convinced of the truth of God's promifes •, 
 who has with all good confcience endeavoured 
 to do his duty here ; who has fmcerely lamented 
 the errors he may have committed, and em- 
 braced the terms of pardon and falvation offered 
 by God in Chrift, with an awful conviftion of 
 their truth and efficacy — He, I fay, who has 
 done thefe things, can have but little left to do 
 when he comes to Die. 
 
 Such an one, my brethren, will appear in a very 
 fuperior light to the greateft of thofe who have 
 
 died 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 221 
 
 died without thefe advantages. He will be 
 free from their doubts, their diftradlions, and 
 their horrors ; and will enjoy a foul-felt recoi- 
 leflion and truft, which the enemies of religion 
 cannot eafily be made to conceive. When all 
 is forrow and mourning around him, he will be 
 fuperlatively raifed above the general weak- 
 nels. Heaven and glory will begin to open up- 
 on him, and he will be in the midft of his com- 
 forters (to borrow an image from a pious 
 and fublime -f writer) like fome lofty mountain, 
 ferene and bright, retaining the fpiendors of the 
 fetting fun, while damps and {hades have cover- 
 the vales below ! 
 
 I doubt not, every perfon prefent has already 
 anticipated my intended application of this 
 difcourfe. We are here met to perform the 
 laft obfequies to the body of our deceafed Paf- 
 tor — a man venerable in years, and who was a, 
 ftriking pattern of Chriftian refignation, under 
 a long and fevere ilinefs. Thofe who knew 
 him bell in that fituation, know that his chief 
 concern was not for himfelf, but for the diftref- 
 fed and perplexed ftate of his congregations. 
 
 Characters, my brethren, in funeral fer- 
 mons, in thefe days, lie under fome difo-race \ 
 being too often the produftions of men wiUino- 
 to fhew their own eloquence ; or perhaps too 
 compiaifant to the tendernefs of mournful rela- 
 tives. But, without incurring either of thefe 
 
 * Dr. Youn?. 
 
 mpu^ 
 
222 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 imputations, I can \vith truth fay of your de- 
 ceafed minifter, that he was a man of Itrid ho- 
 nefty, one that hated dilTimulation and a lie, ex- 
 emplary in his life and morals, and a moft zea- 
 lous member of the church. 
 
 Thele were fome of his virtues as a Chriftian, 
 and they were ufeful in his generation. Frail- 
 ties he, no doubt, had too, as a man ; but as 
 they were never injurious to others, fo we may 
 well believe that they have long before now 
 found Iheker in the bolbm of divine mercy ; and 
 what mortal fhall feek to draw them from that 
 facred refuge .'' He had full time given him to 
 prepare for his death, and it came at lall, car- 
 neftly wiflicd for by him ; fo that he cannot fo 
 properly be faid to " have been taken away, as 
 to have tarried till God came." 
 
 And now, my brethren, a new fcene opens to 
 you who are members of thefe congregations , 
 or, at leaft, to you who are the reprefentatives 
 thereof. Behold the breathlefs clay of your late 
 pallor placed on the brink of a grave. In a few 
 moments, its yawning jaws will be clofed over 
 him, and thus will the fcene between him and 
 you be for ever Ihut ! 
 
 Think, then, what a weight has fallen upon 
 you ? There is a Stewardihip in your hands, of 
 a peculiar fort, for which you are accountable 
 both to God and man •, and which I forbore to 
 fpeak of till now. 'Tis the ftewardfhip for this 
 church and for this people — a church confpi- 
 6 cuous 
 
DISCOURSE VIII. 223 
 
 cuous in her fituation, and a people daily in- 
 creafing in multitude. Conlider that what you 
 may do, and my plan in this refpeft, is a work 
 which may affed; you and your children, and 
 the caufe of religion, for generations to conic -, 
 and what is once done, is not eafily to be re- 
 called. — Proceed, therefore, we pray you, cooJy, 
 juftly and deliberately, in this great matter. 
 Let neither follicitations, nor prejudices, nor 
 any wrong pafllon, be able to biafs you. 
 
 The Gofpel of Chrift (fays a great * divine) 
 can only be propagated " by the fame means 
 and the fame temper, wherewith our blefled Sa- 
 viour began to propagate it ;" not by noife and 
 bullle, not by vain words and empty founds 9 
 but by a noble fpirit of charity towards the per- 
 fons of men — by ftrength of reafon, clearnefs of 
 argument, and an example of virtue and righte- 
 cufnefs. If men of thefe qualities be encou- 
 raged to minifter among you, then we may 
 hope that the Vine, which God's right-hand 
 has planted in this remote corner of the earth, 
 will " f fend out her boughs unto the fea, and 
 her branches unto the utmoft rivers." The con- 
 trary, we truft, will never happen, through any 
 fault in your Stewardfhip. 
 
 These counfels, I hope, you will take in good 
 part from me, at a time when I am fure I can- 
 not be fufpecled of any interefted views. God 
 knows but this may be my laft opportunity of 
 * Dr. Clarke. f P^alm, Ixxx. 2. 
 
 ever 
 
224 DISCOURSE VIII. 
 
 ever fpeaking to you from this place. — My heart 
 is full on the occafion ; — and had not my notice * 
 been fo veiy fnort, and the time urgent, I 
 fhould have enlarged farther. But I fhall fum 
 all by exhorting you ,to ftand firm in your 
 Faith, and above all, to cultivate that Divine 
 Charity, which is the very perfedion of Chrii- 
 tianity. The other virtues and graces bring us 
 near to God by diftant approaches. But, by this 
 divine virtue of Charity, we are not merely led 
 and drawn unto Him ; but we prefs, as it were, into 
 his prefence by it, and are thereby prepared for 
 his eternal fociety. Our Faith, after death, 
 fliall be fwallowed up in Vifion, and our Hope 
 in Fruition •, but our Charity fhall live for ever, 
 and be a main ingredient in our happinefs 
 thro' the endlefs ages of eternity. 
 
 That every bolom among us may be 
 found glowing with this celellial virtue, at 
 the hour when we are called to give an ac- 
 count of our Stewardfhip, may God of his 
 infinite mercy grant, for the fake of Jefiis 
 Chrift. Amen. 
 
 * The Author had but a day or two to prepare this dif- 
 courfe, and no leifure to revife it before it was firfl publifh- 
 ed } beino- immediately obliged to embark for England. 
 This, it is hoped, will be his apology, if itfliould be found 
 kfs pcrfca than the fubjea requires ; for it cannot now be 
 nuch improved without drawing it too far from its original 
 plan. 
 
 End of the DISCOURSES. 
 
APPENDIX FIRST. 
 
NUMBER I. 
 
 A Letter concerning the Offce and Duty o/* Pro- 
 testant Ministers, efpecially in Times 
 of public Danger and Calamity ; written to 
 a * Clergyman on the Frontiers of FennfyU 
 vajtia, on General Braddock's Defeat -, and 
 firjl pttblijhed in Auguft 1755. 
 
 My dear Sir, 
 
 I HAVE carefully read the fermon that came 
 enclafed to me in yours of the 15th inftant ; 
 and cannot but think the fubjeft well chofen 
 and highly feafonable. The thoughts you have chief- 
 ly dwelt on are truly interefting ; and their frequent 
 intrufion fhews a mind more deeply impreffed with 
 
 • The reverend Mr. Barton. 
 
 a 2 its 
 
4 The Duty of Protejlant Mimjiers 
 
 its fubjefl, than attentive to external niceties and 
 method. But, for this very reafon, perhaps, the 
 fermon may be more generally ufeful to fjch rea- 
 ders as want to have the fame truths fet in various 
 points of view ; fo that I have been very fparing 
 in my propofed alterations of method. Some 
 tranfpofitions "and abridgments I have, however, 
 offered to your confideration, agreeable to the con- 
 fidence you are pleafed to rcpofe in me. 
 
 There is, if we could hit upon it in compofi- 
 tion, a certain incommunicable art of making one 
 part rife gracefully out of another ; which, although 
 it is to hefeen by a critic only, will yet be feh and 
 tafied by all. To pleafe in this refpedl is well 
 worth our warmefl endeavours. We are debtors 
 alike to the vvife and the unwife; the learned Greek 
 and the foolifh Barbarian. None but a few choicer 
 fpirits have fenfe and goodnefs enough, to be cap- 
 tivated by the naked charm of Religion. Vulgar 
 fouls need to be roufed from the lethargy of low 
 defire, and to have their love of God and goodnefs 
 excited and enflamed. Hence, Religion mud be 
 taught, as it were, to breathe and to move before 
 them, in all the grace and majefty of her moft 
 winning arid attradtive form. 
 
 We lliall, therefore, err greatly, if we flatter 
 ourfelves that it will coft us lefs labour to preach 
 or write to the Ignorant, than to the Intelligent. 
 to plcafc and proHt the latter, requires Senfe only. 
 To pleafe and profit the former, requires Senfe and 
 Art both. 
 
 1 AM 
 
in Times of public Danger. 5 
 
 I AM obliged to you for your kind expreflions 
 towards me. An intercourfe of compliment would 
 ill fuit the ferioufnefs of our characters ; and, in 
 regard to any fmall fervices I have been able to do 
 you, I am more than repaid in obferving that I 
 have, in fome meafure, been instrumental in fup- 
 plying our poor back-lcttlers, with a minifter of 
 the blefied Gcfpel ; who, in this day of our vifi- 
 tation, will, to the beft of his abilities, ftem the 
 tide of popular vice and folly, and difdain to ap- 
 pear cold to the caufe of his God, his king, or 
 his proteitant country. 
 
 I KNOW, however, that your appearing warm in 
 thefe grand concerns will even procure oppofition to 
 your miniftry, as well as objections to all fermons 
 of this kind. You will hear it faid — " That a mi- 
 " nifter profefling to be a difciple of the meek and 
 " blefied Jefus, fhould confine himfelf to fubjefts 
 " purely fpiritual and eternal. Vv^hat have the cler- 
 " gy to do with civil and temporal concerns ? And 
 '• as to blowing the trumpet of war, and declaiming 
 " againft popery, a fubject fo long ago exhaufted, 
 *' what purpofe can it ferve but to kindle the flame 
 " of perfecution, and banifh chrlftian charity from 
 " the habitations of men ?'* 
 
 These objections will feem plaufib'e to many, 
 tho' they will not fo much be levelled againft any 
 particular performance, as againft every proteftanc 
 minifter in general, who fhall have the noble re- 
 folution to difcharge the important duties of his 
 office, in the prefent emergency. I fball, therefore, 
 a 3 endeavour 
 
6 ^he Duty of Protejlant Minijlers 
 
 endeavour to ftrip fuch objeflions of their falfe 
 varnidi, and (hew that to admit them in their 
 full force, tends clearly to involve the world in 
 error and flavery. 
 
 It is indeed a melancholy confideration that 
 fuch a talk (hould be neceflary at this day, even 
 under the happy aufpices of Liberty and a reformed 
 Religion. But I know that, in the courfe of your 
 duty here, you will find arguments ftill wanting 
 to combat prejudices of this kind, and even to 
 plead before very partial judges the caufe of a pro- 
 teftant miniftry. And it is our good fortune that 
 fuch arguments may readily be produced, even 
 upon principles of reafon and good policy, if thofe 
 of a higher nature fhould be refufed. 
 
 We may grant that, in the infancy of time, 
 when men lived in a difperfl: ftate, it was pofllble 
 that every one might be Pricft as well as King in 
 his own family. Not being as yet collefled into 
 larcrer focieties, men were not then engaged in that 
 conftant round of adlion, which hath fince been 
 the lot of their fhorc- lived pofterity. Their man- 
 ners were more fimple j the diftindions between 
 right and wrong were lefs perplexed ; and they had 
 leifure to attend not only to the dictates of a heart 
 lefs corrupt, but alfo to thofe pofitive injuncflions, 
 received occafionally from God himfelf, converfing 
 face to face, or handed down from their firft pa- 
 rents, in pure and faithful tradition. 
 
 But altho' in thefe times of fimplicity, as they 
 are defcribed to u?, we may fuppofe every man ca- 
 pable 
 
in Times of fuhlic DdHg&. 7 
 
 pable of difcovering his own duty, and offering up 
 the pure and fpiritual woffhip of his own heartj 
 yet fuch a worlhip was too refined, abftradted 
 and folitary, to laft always. Human affairs foon 
 became more complicated. Societies were necelfa- 
 rily formed ; and this facred intercourfe of individu- 
 als, with the Father of Love, foon began to de- 
 cay. The avocations of life made many forget it; 
 and many more were too much funk in ignorance 
 and indolence, to mark thofe difplays of wifdom, 
 power and goodnefs, which ought to raife it in the 
 breafl. Such perfons could fee the fun fet and 
 rife, and could turn their fight upon the fpacious 
 fky, without adoring the Maker's greatnefs, or ex- 
 toiling his wifdom. They could wander, with un* 
 confcious gaze in the midft of nature, neither liften- 
 ing to her voice, nor joining in her grand chorus 
 to creative goodnefs. 
 
 Now it was eafy to forefee, that this defection of 
 individuals from their Almighty Parent, might not 
 only fpread itfelf into general corruption, but in- 
 volve particular focieties in temporal mifery. It 
 therefore became neceffary to infticute a focial wor- 
 fhip, by which all the members of a community 
 might be affembled, in one folemn act, to give 
 fomc public mark of that homage of heart, which 
 was univerfally agreed to be due to the fupreme 
 head of the focial fyftem. 
 
 From this time, then, a chief ruler, to admini- 
 
 fter law and fuperintend the public weal, was not 
 
 a more falutary inflitution, than the feparate infl:i- 
 
 a 4 tution 
 
8 The Duty of Proteftant Minifters 
 
 tution of an order of men to prefide in thefe folemn 
 a(5ls of devotion, and to form the minds of the 
 people to the knowledge both of law and duty. 
 For adtion follows opinion ; and, in order to aft 
 right, we muft firft learn to think right. 
 
 Thus, the Priefthood feems to reft on the 
 fame foundation with Society itfelf, and takes its 
 rife from the necefTity of human affairs, which re- 
 quires fome inftitution for aflifting the Bufy, rouz- 
 ing the Indolent, and informing All. Without 
 this, every other inftitution for the good of man- ' 
 kind would be found imperfed ; and there never 
 was a fociety of any kind that did not find it ne- 
 cefTary, under fome name or another, to appoint 
 certain perfons, whofe particular bufinefs it might 
 be, to ftudy and explain what was conceived to be 
 the great interefts of that fociety, efpecially to fuch 
 of its members as had lefs opportunity or ability 
 of informing themfelves. 
 
 We fee, then, that the ofEce of fuch an order of 
 men (call them priefts, or by any other name) is 
 important in its original, and noble in its defign ; 
 being nothing lefs than the great defign of making 
 men wife and happy wife in knowing and hap- 
 py in doing what God requires of them. 
 
 But what is it that God requires us to know and 
 to do as the means of happinefs ? Is it not to know 
 and do homage to him as our fupreme good, and 
 to know and do our duty in the feveral relations he 
 hath appointed us to fuftain ? 
 
 Shall 
 
in Times of public Banger. g 
 
 Shall thofe, then, who are called to inftrudt 
 mankind be told after this, that things belonging 
 to civil happinefs fall not within their fphere ? Hath 
 not God himfelf joined the table of fecial duties to 
 that of Religious ones ? Hath he not, in his be- 
 nevolent conftitution of things, made temporal 
 wifdom and happinefs introdu6lory to that which 
 is eternal ? And (hall we perverfely put afunder 
 what God hath fo kindly joined ? Or is it not evi- 
 dently our duty, as Teachers, to explain to others 
 their great interefts, not only as they are creatures 
 of God, but alfo as they are members of a particu- 
 lar Community ? 
 
 The contrary doflrine would foon pave the way 
 to entire wretchednefs. For what nation hath ever 
 preferved a true fenfe of virtue, when the fenfe of 
 liberty was extinft ? Or, in particular, could the 
 proteftant religion be maintained, if the fpiric of 
 proteftant liberty were fufiered to decay ? Are 
 they not fo intimately conneded, that to divide 
 them would be to deftroy both ? 
 
 Indeed, languid and remifs as many of our 
 profeffion are faid to be, yet to them is greatly 
 owing what fenfe of virtue and liberty is ftiil left 
 in this remote part of the globe. Had not they, 
 or fome of them at lead, from time to time, boldly 
 raifed their voice, and v;arned and exhorted their 
 fellow-citizens, mixing temporal with eternal con- 
 cerns, moil certainly popifn error and popifh fla- 
 very (perhaps heathen error and heathen flavery) 
 had long ere now overwhelmed us! Where, then, 
 
 would 
 
to ^he Duty of Protejiant Miniflers 
 
 would have been the blefTings purchafed by our re- 
 formation and glorious revolution ? Or, where 
 would have been that ineftimable liberty of con- 
 fcience, which, as the beft things may be moft rea- 
 dily abufed, 
 
 *' Now views with fcornful, yet with jealous eyes, 
 *' Thofe very arts that caufed itfclf to rife ? 
 
 Pope. 
 
 But further, in favour of the point in queftion, 
 1 might here alfo bring the fanftlon of God himfclf, 
 and plead the example of our blefled Lord and 
 mafter, that great high-prieft and beft preacher of 
 righteoufnefs, who had a tear — yes, a heart- (hed 
 tear — for the civil diftrefs incumbent over the very 
 country that crucified him, and would have led its 
 inhabitants to fhun their temporal as well as their 
 eternal mifery. 
 
 But this I pafs over, as I know you will have 
 to deal with thofe who will be for trying every 
 thing at the bar of what they call impartial Reafon. 
 1 have, therefore, hinted fuch reafons as I think 
 will hold immutably true, in focieties of every 
 kind, even in the moft enlightened, and far more fo 
 in thofe that are circumftanced as we are at prefent. 
 
 We are a people, thrown together from various 
 quarters of the world, differing in all things — 
 language, manners and fentiment. We are bleft 
 with privileges, which to the Wife will prove a 
 San6luary, but to the Foolifti a rock of offence. 
 Liberty never deigns to dwell but with a prudent, 
 a fenfible and manly people. Our general condu<5b, 
 
 I fear. 
 
in' Times of fuhlic Danger. ii 
 
 I fear, will fcarce entitle us to this charader in 
 its proper degree. We are apt either to grovel 
 beneath the true fpirit of freedom ; or, when 
 we aim at fpiric, to be borne, by an unbridled 
 fiercenefs, to the other extreme; not keeping 
 to that rational medium, which is founded on a 
 more enlarged and refined turn of fentiment. 
 Add to all this, that an enterprifing enemy be- 
 hind us is ready to fcize every advantage againfl 
 us. We are continually advancing nearer to one 
 another in our frontier fettlements, and have here 
 no furrounding ocean, or impaflible barrier be- 
 tween us. 
 
 Now, in fuch a fituation, what can ever unite 
 us among ourfelves, or keep us a feparate people 
 from our crafcy foes, but the confcioufnefs of 
 having feparate interefts, both civil and religious? 
 It (hould, therefore, be the conftant endeavour 
 of the clergy, in all their public addrefles, to 
 infpire every bofom with a rational zeal for our 
 holy Proteftant Faith, and an utter averfion to 
 all forts of flavery, efpecially in the prefent 
 emergency. 
 
 How farajufl fenfe of our ineftimable privi- 
 leges, will contribute to exalt the genius of one 
 people above another, is evident from the con- 
 dud: of our brave countrymen, in the colonies 
 to the northward. Their preachers have been 
 long accuftomed to dwell much upon the rights 
 of Britons and of Proteftants. In confequence 
 of this, to their immortal honour, they are now 
 •■ f afting, 
 
1 2 ^he Duty of Protejlant Minljiers 
 
 afting, as one man, like Britons and Proteftants, 
 in detence of thofe rights. 
 
 Among us, on the contrary, where the /^w, 
 who ought to explain thofe noble fubjects, la- 
 bour under many difadvantages, which I need 
 not mention to you, a quite different * temper 
 and fpirit are to be feen. We either think it 
 unlawful to a6t at all in the afTcrtion of thefe 
 facred rights ; or if we afl, it is only with half 
 a heart, as if but half informed with that fu- 
 blime fpirit, which is kindled by the love of 
 Truth and Freedom, and burns in the bofom, 
 like fome pure etherial flame, lighting the foul 
 to deeds of virtue and renown. 
 
 Every endeavour, therefore, to kindle up 
 this all-enlivening flame, and exalt our country's 
 Genius, is truly worthy a Preacher's charafler, 
 notwithftanding ten thoufand fuch frivolous ca- 
 vih as thofe above-mentioned ; every one of 
 which falls of courfe, on the removal of the fun- 
 damental one. For, having already fhewn, that 
 it becomes thofe who are placed as Watchmen 
 on the walls of our holy Zion, to " cry aloud 
 " and fpare not," on the approach of every 
 thing that can " hurt or make us afraid," either 
 
 * This was the (late of things at the time cf writing the 
 above, when fome unhappy difputes and prejudices greatly 
 retarded the pablic fervice of the country. But thefe being 
 at length done away, it muft in juftice be owned that full 
 compenfation hath, in the iflue, been made for this firft de- 
 lay, 
 
 in 
 
 8 
 
in I'imes of puklic Danger i 1 3 
 
 in our civil or religious capacity ; furely no 
 warmth can be unfeafonable at a time when all 
 that we account dear or facred is threatened with 
 one indifcriipinate ruin. 
 
 Those who are in good earned, in the great 
 work of inl1ru(5ting others, will fuit themfelves 
 to feafons and occafions -, and for a Preacher to 
 negledl the prefent opportunity of making im- 
 preffions of holinefs, and diffufing ajufl fenfe of 
 thofe excellent privileges, which are but too little 
 underftood, though fully enjoyed among us, 
 would be the moft unpardonable breach of duty. 
 
 It were, no doubt, fincerely to be wifhed, that 
 the hardi voice of difcord, and the clangor of the 
 trumpet, could be for ever hufhed in the world. 
 And we, in particular, who preach the Kingdom 
 of the Messiah, cannot but prize and even adore 
 Peace, as it is the chief of blefTings, and aufpicious 
 to Religion and all the beft interefls of mankind. 
 But the greater this blelTing is, the more ncceflary 
 it often becomes to aflert it againft thofe who de- 
 light in violence and blood. There is no unmixed 
 felicity in this imperfed: ftate. It was only in 
 Eden and the ftate of Innocence, where the rofe 
 bloomed without its thorn ; and till we are ad- 
 mitted into a kingdom of univerfal righteoufnefs, 
 we muft not look for the blefTings of peace, en- 
 tirely free from the miferies of war. While we 
 have public fins, we muft exped public chaftife- 
 ments. 
 
 With 
 
14 ^he Duty of V rote ji ant Minifiers 
 
 With regard to the laft objeftion, which I faid 
 might probably be levelled againft fuch fermons 
 as yours, I would obferve, that I think the fub- 
 je6t of Popery can never be exhaufted, while the 
 danger of it remains ; and tho' it may be a fub- 
 jeft well underftood by thofe who have been long 
 bleflftd with faithful Proteftant pallors, yet this 
 cannot be the cafe with thofe who have had fo 
 few advantages of this kind as your infant con- 
 gregations. 
 
 Indeed, that you fliould be more than ordina- 
 rily alarmed at this moft finguiar crifis, is not to be 
 wondered at. For, while we fit as yet fafe in our 
 metropolis, your fituation on the frontiers is moft 
 dreadful; and our laft accounts from you are 
 
 truly diftrefTing to humanity The army fent 
 
 to your protedlion, defeated, retreating and leav- 
 ing you defencelefs behind them ! Murderers 
 ftealing thro' midnight darknefs, and polluting 
 the bed of reft * with favage death ! Our poor 
 Back-fettlers, who, after much hardfhip and toil, 
 had juft begun to tafte eafe and comfort, daily 
 forced from their habitations, leaving their un- 
 reaped Harvefts to the fpoiler •, and — what is far 
 
 more fevere leaving, fome a beloved wife, 
 
 fome an affeflionate huftiand, fome a tender pa- 
 rent, a brother or a fon, — leaving them bleeding 
 beneath the unrelenting hand of mercilel's barba- 
 rians ! 
 
 • The inhuman butcheries and outrages of the Indians. 
 
 In 
 
in Times of public Banger. 15 
 
 In fuch a cafe, (hall we be filent to avoid the 
 imputation of too much warmth ? Shall we ex- 
 pofe ourfelves to worfe than perfecution, for fear 
 of ftirring up a perfecution of others ? The reft 
 of the foregoing objedions would only lead us 
 to give up all concern for the civil rights of our 
 fellow citizens; but this goes farther, and, under 
 an extraordinary fhew of benevolence, would in- 
 duce us tamely to yield up our facred Truth and 
 religious rights alfo, for fear of being thought 
 rude and uncharitable to fuch as feek to rob us of 
 them. Surely we may guard againft Jlavijh and 
 erroneous do6lrines, without any breach of our 
 Chriftian charity towards thofe who have unhap- 
 pily embraced fuch dofbrines. And furely we 
 may ftrive to awaken in every protdftanc bofom 
 a due fenfe of our exalted privileges, and a nobie 
 refolution to defend them againft every foreio-n 
 invader, without kindling the flame of perfecu- 
 tion againft any of thofe who have peaceably 
 fheltered themfelves amongft us, upon the Faith 
 of a rational Toleration. 
 
 Most certainly, my Friend, all this may be 
 done; and I think it has been clearly fhewn that 
 all this ought to be done by every minifter, and 
 more efpecially thofe of our national church, 
 which is the great bulwark of the proteftant inte- 
 rt'ft. And, indeed, we who belong to that church, 
 can want no f-irther arguments on this head 
 when we have the example of that great and good 
 
 prelate 
 
i6 ^he Duty of Protejiant Mintfters 
 
 prelate * who now prefides over it. In his civil 
 capacity, I need not mention the noble (land 
 which he made in his diocefe of York, during the 
 late rebellion. It will never be forgotten by 
 Englilhmen. And, in his epifcopal capacity, 
 when that danger was over, if you read his fer- 
 mon preached at Kenfington, on the Faft-day, 
 January 7th, 1747, you will there find him as 
 ftrenuoudy engaged for the prefervation of the 
 public Virtue of his country, as he had been be- 
 fore for the prefervation of its public Liberty ; 
 confidering the one as infeparable from the other, 
 and breathing forth that candid benevolence to 
 his fpecies, together with that tempered zeal for 
 the proteftant religion, and the rights of the Bri- 
 tifli nation, which diftinguifh his charader. 
 
 And here I cannot forbear the tranfcribing a 
 paragraph of a late moft excellent letter, which 
 I had the honour to receive from him by your 
 hands. It is not foreign to the fubjed we are 
 now upon; and I perfuade myfelf that you will 
 make the fame good ufe of it, which, by the help 
 of God, I (hall ftrive to do. 
 
 *« You will, fays he, not only maintain, but 
 " certainly encreafe your credit, by promoting 
 *' the intereft of your country and the honour of 
 " religion ; in which I will venture to call it the 
 *_' golden rule of conduct, to keep ftridtly to the 
 
 • Archbifhop Herring. 
 
 «« fpirit 
 
in Times of public Banker. 17 
 
 " fpirit of Pro^elhntifm, and to preferve the dig- 
 " nicy of our cflablifhment, in the temper of 
 " every reafonable degree of Liberty." 
 
 This is a golden rule indeed ; and while we 
 frame our condudl by it, we need not be awed 
 by the faces of men, but boldly proceed to 
 warn and exhort them in every fpecies of duty. 
 'Tis true, we- have but few temporal advantages, 
 in thefe parts, to fupporc us in fuch a noble caufe, 
 but yet we are not left deftitute of the moft ani- 
 mating motives. W'hilfl: others are propofing, 
 and juftiy propofing, to themfelves the palm of 
 high renown, for bravely fubduing and maintain- 
 ing a rich and fpacious country for the name of 
 Britain and Liberty, we may confider ourfclvcs 
 even in a ftill higher light, as fubduing it to the 
 Name of Christ, and adding it to his everlaft- 
 ing kingdom! Compared to this, the glory of 
 temporal conquers and foundations is but unfub- 
 ftantial air, and ihorc-lived renown ! 
 
 Hence, then, my Friend, were it my lot to be 
 in. your (ituation, at this perilous feafon, me- 
 thinks I fhould confider myfelf as one who had 
 advanced to the very frontiers of thofe places to 
 which the gofpel hath yet reached, and among 
 the firft who had unfolded its everlafting banners 
 in the remotefl parts of the Weft. Recede * I 
 b would 
 
 • The ^ent'eman to whom this was addreffed, as wdl as 
 fome Minirters of other denominations, did a few months af- 
 ttf tUib ii„u it ncctfiar)- to appear ac the headof their peofle, 
 
 and 
 
i8 The Duty of Protejiant Minifters 
 
 would not, nor give back a Tingle inch to the 
 gloomy reign of Heathenifm and Error-, but 
 would ftrive to fubjed ftill more and more to 
 the kingdom of God and his Chrift. To fee 
 the fire and vigour of youth fpenc in fuch a work, 
 is indeed a moft lovely fpedicle, becaufe they 
 are fpent in his fervice who gave us both youth 
 and fire ! And if we exert ourfelves manfully 
 in fuch a caufe, who knows, but at length, 
 through Almighty affiftance, a flame may be 
 kindled which (hall not only exalt every bofom 
 among us to an equality with the foremoft of 
 our neighbours, but (hall alfo burn, and catch 
 and fpread, like a wide conflagration, till it has 
 illuminated the remotefl parts of this immenfe 
 
 continent ! 
 
 I WOULD not, however, be underftood from 
 any thing here faid, to think it expedient for 
 Minifters of the Gofpel to interfere any farther in 
 civil concerns than is jufl: neceffary to fupport 
 that fpirit of Liberty, with which our holy Re- 
 ligion is fo infeparably conneded ; for fuch a 
 condud might engage us in broils, ruffle our 
 tempers, and unfit us for the more folemn 
 part of our duty. Nor do I think we ought to 
 dwell any farther on the errors of others, than 
 juft to enable thofc, with whom we are connec- 
 ted, to fhun them i lefl:, inftead of the fpirit of 
 
 and were fignally inftrumental in preventing fonie of the 
 Frontier-counties from being totally abandoned by their m- 
 habitant:. 
 
 true 
 
in Times of public Danger. 19 
 
 true holinefs, a fpiric of Vain-glory, Self-righteoiif- 
 nefs, and Hypocritical-pride, (hould be promoted. 
 'Tis true, as hath been already faid, that we 
 can never be too much upon our guard againft 
 the growth of a corrupt and flavifh religion 
 among us, but we may be in as much danger^ 
 on the other hand, from Infidelity, a morofe and 
 cenforious fpirit, and a negleil of the pradice 
 of all Religion. Hence, then, tho' on proper 
 occafions, we are to rife with a noble contention 
 of foul, againft Vice and Error ; yet ftill our 
 favourite fubjefts ought to be on the brighter 
 fide of things— to recommend the love of God 
 and our neighbours, together with the pradlice 
 of every focial and divine virtue. 
 
 I WOULD juft obferve farther, tho', in fuch 
 circumftances as the prefent. Sermons from the 
 Prefs may be fometimes both neceiTary and fea- 
 fonable, yet I am far from thinking that this 
 will be our moft effeftual method of ferving Re- 
 ligion, in general. V^'^e fhall be vailly more ufeful 
 in this caufe, by being much among the people 
 committed to our care, and knowing how to ac- 
 commodate our private as well as public inftruc- 
 tions to their various dirpofuions and neceffities. 
 That the Author of every good gift may en- 
 able you to be more and more ufeful in this and 
 every thing elfe that can adorn the chara<5ber of 
 a Preacher of Righteoufnefs, is my fincere v;ifh, 
 as I cannot think myfclf indiifcrent to any thir-g 
 that affc6ls the credit of your minidry. I am,yr. 
 
 PhiladelphiJ, 21II Auguft, 17--. 
 
 b 2 N U M. 
 
NUMBER II. 
 
 ^n earneft Addrefs to the Colonies^ parti- 
 cularly thofe of the Southern Dtjiridf ; on 
 the opening of the Campaign, IJS^- ^^^'^' 
 ten and publijhed at the Defire of Briga- 
 dier -General Forbes, when levying Forces 
 for the Expedition againft Fort Du Quefne, 
 
 . which was afterwards taken by him. 
 
 Brethren and Countrymen, 
 
 I AM now to addrefs you, in the mod fo- 
 ]emn manner, on the prefent pofture of af- 
 fairs, and the duty we owe to his facred ma- 
 jefty, to our holy reh'gion, and to our lateft po- 
 fterity, on this important occafion. As I would 
 be underftood by all, I (ball not affeft a vain pa- 
 rade of words, or pomp of ftile. Brevity and 
 perfpicuity fnall be my principal aim. 
 
 b The 
 
22 Addrefs to the Colonies 
 
 The almighty author of our nature has 
 thought fit to create mm a needy and dependent 
 being, incapable of fubfifting in a folitary ftate 
 with any degree of happinefs. In order to his 
 well-being a mutual interchange of good offices 
 with his fellow- creatures is abfolutely neceflary. 
 
 Hence the origin and foundation of civil fo* 
 cieties, which are nothing elfe but certain bodies 
 of men linked together by common compad or 
 agreement, for the better fecuring themfelves 
 againfl: Want, and defending themfelves againft 
 Danger. In confequence of thiscompadl, every 
 individual is under the moft folemn obligations 
 to contribute what he can, for the general wel- 
 fare and prefervation of the community, whereof 
 he is a part ; and when this is done with zeal, 
 fidelity, and an elevated fenfe of duty, it is deno- 
 minated public Virtue and Love of our Country j 
 than which, human nature boafts of no qualities 
 that are more amiable or more divine. Both 
 reafon and religion inculcate this in the flrongeft 
 terms. A narrow felfifh fpirit is odious to God 
 and Man •, and no community ever fubfifted long 
 where fuch a fpirit difgraced its members. It is 
 fcarce to be conceived how great a difference 
 public virtue makes in the ftate of nations. Ani- 
 mated by it, the fmalleft remain powerful and 
 fafe; while, without it, the moft populous ara 
 phe mofl defpicable gnd weak. 
 
 Tfii 
 
m opening the Campaign^ "^Ib^* 23 
 
 The little ftate of Sparta was an illuftrious 
 proof of this. To acknowlege no lord or ma- 
 fter; to Jive independent and free j to be go- 
 verned by their own laws and cuftoms ; to pre- 
 ferve themfelves from corruption, felfifhnefs and 
 effeminacy; and to be the avengers of juftice 
 and the fcourges of tyranny — were the higheft 
 bleffings which Spartans knew ; and whenever 
 .they were called to exert themfelves on thisfcore, 
 they declined neither toils nor dangers nor fuffer- 
 ings. The blaze of public fpirit then flione il- 
 luftrious from bofom to bofom, till it had effec- 
 tually fubdued and confumed the enemies of their 
 country. Their very women fliared the general 
 contagion ; and whenever the trumpet founded 
 the alarm of war, one fitted out a hufband, and 
 another a fon ; charging them, by all the ties of 
 love and honour and duty, not to difgrace the 
 dignity of the Spartan name, and either to chaf- 
 tize the infolence of their enemies, or perifh in 
 the glorious attempt. 
 
 Seeing then, my countrymen, fuch was the 
 virtue of a Spartan, and even of a Spartan wo- 
 man, what may not be expected from Britons ; 
 who, added to all the advantages which the for- 
 mer enjoyed, have that of the chriftian religion 
 and its everlafting profpeds to animate and in- 
 flame their condudt ? We are, or might be, the 
 happieft and moft: enlightened people in the 
 world i and, by confequence, we ought to be 
 the braveft. 
 
 b 4 Were 
 
24 Addrefs to the Colonies 
 
 Were we to call our eyes over this globe, 
 and to take a view of the condition of our fel- 
 low creatures in other countries ; how fliould we 
 blefs our lot, and how dear would the name of 
 Britons become to us ! 
 
 Not to mention many parts, even of Europe 
 itfelf, where the common people are in a manner 
 the property of their lords, and on a little better 
 footing than their cattle themfelves ; I might 
 carry you through Afia and Africa, to fliew you 
 the deplorable ftate of human nature in .thofe 
 countries, groaning under a race of monfters 
 that difgrace their very fhape, and in a condi- 
 tion fo compleatly miferable, that you have 
 neither feen nor can imagine any thing of the 
 kind. The wild favage, that roams the wilder- 
 nefs, is infinitely happier than they. 
 
 But I fliall not take up your time with thefe 
 eaftern fcenes of fervitude and woe. Thanks 
 be to God ! we are as far removed from the dan- 
 ger of them, as we are from the place of their 
 exiftence. Our apprehenfions are from another 
 quarter. Our ambitious French neighbours are 
 the only people on earth, from whom we have 
 any thing to fear. It may, therefore, be proper 
 to give you a fketch of the fituation we (hould 
 be in, under their government and power. 
 
 And, on this head, I would obferve firft that 
 among them, you would in vain look for that 
 happy equality and fecuriry which you enjoy 
 
 here. 
 
on cpen'mg the Campaign <t 175S. 25 
 
 here. All the property of the fubjedl lies there 
 at the abfolute difpofal of the fovereign ; and the 
 poor labourer has no encouragement to be induf- 
 trious or get before hand in the world, fince he 
 can neither be certain to comfort himfelf there- 
 by, nor thofe with whom he is moft nearly con- 
 nedled. 
 
 You have frequent opportunities of being in- 
 formed of the manner in which the French are 
 forced to hve near ourfclves in Canada. You 
 know on what poor fare all, who can bear arms 
 among them, are obliged to follow their arbi- 
 trary leaders through thefe inhofpitable Ame- 
 rican woods ; feldom enjoying a comfortable 
 meal, unlefs by chance they can feize it from 
 us, which makes them the more eager to dif- 
 poffefs us of thefe happy fettlements, and to 
 reap the fruit of our labours. 
 
 But, added to all their other miferies, the 
 greatell is, that they are not only deprived of 
 freedom of Body, but even of Mind. Inflead 
 of being permitted to pour forth the genuine 
 Worfhip of the Heart, before the great Creator 
 of Heaven and Earth, they are obliged to pay a 
 mock adoration to thofe " who are no Gods !'* 
 Inftead of putting their truft in his mercies, thro* 
 the only Mediator Jefus Chrift, they are taught 
 to put a vain confidence in relicks, and departed 
 fpirits, and thofe who can afford no help. In- 
 flead 
 
ff6 Addrefs to the Colonies 
 
 ftead of following the plain didates of common 
 fenfe and the light of their own underftandings, 
 they muft fubmit to be hood-winked, and to have 
 their confcienccs ridden, by a fet of priefts and 
 jefuits and monks and inquifitors, fvvarming in 
 every corner ! 
 
 But how different is the cafe among us ! we 
 enjoy an unprecarious Property i and every man 
 -Ofiay freely tafte the fruits of his own labours, 
 ** under his Vine and under his Fig-tree, none 
 making him afraid." If God has blefled us with 
 .the good things of this life, we need not fear to 
 make an appearance anfwerable to our condition ; 
 and what we do not fpend ourfelves, the laws 
 will fccure to our children after us. The king, 
 upon his throne, cannot exaft a fingle Farthing 
 of our eftates, but what we have firft freely con- 
 fented to pay by laws of our own making. We 
 cannot be dragged oat, in violation of Juftice 
 and Right, to wade in feas of blood, for fatiat- 
 ing the avarice or ambition of a haughty mo- 
 narch. We need not fear Racks, nor Stripes, 
 nor Bonds, nor Arbitrary Imprisonments, 
 from any authority whatfoever ; or could fuch 
 prevail for a time above Law, yet, while the 
 conHitution remains found, we may be furc the 
 very a£b would foon deftroy itfelf, and terminate 
 at length in the utter ruin of the projedors. 
 
 'Tis our happinefs too that our Minds are as 
 Free as our Bodies, No man can impofe his 
 
 own 
 
on opening the Campaign, 1758. 27 
 
 own Dogmas or notions upon our Confciences. 
 We may worfhip the God of our Fathers, the 
 only living and true God, in that manner which 
 appears mod agreeable to our own underftand- 
 ings, and his revealed Will. The Bible is in 
 our hands ; we are aflifted by an orthodox go- 
 fpel-miniftry ; we may fearch and know the 
 Words of eternal Life ; and, what is equally 
 valuable, we may convey what we know %o 
 our children after us, no man having it in his 
 power to wreft their Education from us. 
 
 This, my dear countrymen, is happinefs in- 
 deed ! and what ftill enhances it, is the confide- 
 ration that we are not only called to enjoy it 
 ourfelves, but perhaps to be the inftruments of 
 diffufing it over this vafl: continent, to the na- 
 tions that fit " in darknefs and the fhadow of 
 " Death.'* 
 
 Surely the thought of this ought to roufe 
 every fpark of virtue in our bofoms. Could an 
 antient Spartao rufh into the field of death, upon 
 the motives mentioned above •, and is there any 
 danger which a Briton ought to decline for the fake 
 of thefe ineftimable privileges? Or fliall a French 
 flave and popifh bigot, at this day, do more for 
 the glory of his tyrannical Lord, than a Free- 
 man and Proteftant for the bell of Kings, and 
 the Father of his people ? 
 
 This land was given to us for propagating 
 Freedom, eftablifhing ufeful Arts, and extend- 
 
2 8 Addrefs to the Colonies 
 
 ing the kingdom of Jcfus. Shall we, then, be 
 falfe to fuch a truft, or pufillanimous in fuch a 
 divine caufe ? We have hewn out habitations 
 for ourfelves in an uncultivated wildernefs ; and 
 fhall v/e fufrer them to fall a prey to the mod 
 faichlefs of enemies ? We have unfurled the 
 MefTiah's banner in the remoteft parts of the 
 earth ; and fhall we fuffer the bloody flag of Per- 
 fecution to ufurp its place ? We have planted 
 the bleffed Gofpel here; and fhall we fuffer 
 Heathen error to return where the glad Tidings 
 of Salvation have once been preached? 
 
 No, countrymen ! I know your fouls difdain 
 the very thought of fuch a condufl; and you 
 would rather fuffer ten thoufand deaths (were fo 
 many poffible) than be guilty of that which 
 would entail infamy on yourfelves, and ruin on 
 your Jareft pofterity. 
 
 Your readinefs fo join in the meafures con- 
 certed for your fafety, and to ftrike a decifive 
 blow agalnft the enemy, miay much determine 
 your future happinefs and fafety as a people ; 
 and I may well truft, when fo much is at ftake, 
 you will not be backward in off^ering your fer- 
 vice for a few months, under a General of hu- 
 manity, experience, and every amiable accom- 
 pliflimtnt. I hope even to hear that our Wo- 
 men will become advocates in fuch a caufe, and" 
 entitle themfclves to all the applaufcs fo long 
 ago paid to the:r Spartan predeceffors J 
 
 J WOULD 
 
en opening the Campaign, 1758. "29 
 
 I WOULD not now wound you, with a difa- 
 greeable recapitulation of our paft mifconducl 
 and fatal indolence, efpecially in thefe Southern 
 colonies. Many a time has it been in our power 
 to crufh out this dangeroi.s war with a fingle 
 tread of our foot, before it blazed up to its 
 
 prefent height But this we fadly neglected ; 
 
 and, perhaps, the all- wife difpofer of events 
 meant to fhew us that, when our affairs were at 
 the worft, he was Mighty to fave. 
 
 Never was the Proteftant Caufe in a more dd- 
 perate fituation, than towards the clofe of laft 
 campaign. The great and heroic King of Pruf- 
 fia flood ready to be fwallowed up of the multi- 
 tude of his enemies. The Britifh Nation was 
 torn to pieces by intefline divifions ; its helm 
 continually fliifting hands; too many bent on 
 fordid views of felf-intereft ; too few regard- 
 ing the public good j Minorca loft ; Hanover 
 over-run ; our fecret expeditions ending in dif- 
 grace ; our forts in America deftroyed ; our 
 people captivated or inhumanly murdered, and 
 our fleets difperfed and Ihattered before the 
 winds 
 
 Yet, even then, when no human eye could 
 look for fafety, the Lord interpofed for the Pro- 
 teftant Religion. In the (hort fpace of two 
 months, the king of Pruflla extricated himfelf 
 out of his difficulties, in a manner that aftonifhed 
 all Europe, and will continue to be the admiration 
 
 3 of 
 
30 Addrefs to the Colonies 
 
 of ages to come! And had we only done our 
 parts in America at that time, the pride of 
 France would have been effedtually humbled, 
 and we fhould probably now have been rejoicing 
 in an honorable peace. 
 
 But as that was not the cafe, the nation, in 
 concert with the king of Pruflia and other Pro- 
 teftant powers, has been obliged to make one 
 grand pufli more for the general caufe in the 
 prefent campaign -, and if that is unfuccefsful, 
 God kno^s what will become of our liberties 
 and properties. This we may lay down as a 
 certain truth, that the expence of the prefent war 
 is far too great to be born long by the powers 
 concerned in it. The Britifh nation is labouring 
 under a heavy load of taxes. Thefe colonies are 
 likewife drained to the utmofl, and finking un- 
 der the burthen, as we all feel. Peace, then, of 
 fome kind or other, mud be a defirable event ; 
 and upon our fuccefs this campaign it may de- 
 pend, whether we Ihall dictate a peace to the 
 French, or they to us. Should the latter be the 
 cafe, (which God forbid!) it would be a fatal 
 peace to us. 
 
 Rise then, my countrymen ! as you value the 
 bleflings you enjoy, and dread the evils that hang 
 over you, rife and fhew yourfelves worthy of the 
 name of Britons ! rife to fecure to your pofterity, 
 peace, freedom, and a pure religion ! rife to cha- 
 ftize a perfidious nation for their breach of trea- 
 ties. 
 
on opening the Campaign^ iJS^' 3' 
 
 ties, their deteftable cruelties, and their horrid 
 murders ! remember the cries of your captivated 
 brethren, your orphan children, your helplefs 
 widows, and thoufands of beggar'd families ! 
 think of Monongahela, Fort-William Henry, 
 and thofe fcenes of favage death, where the mang- 
 led limbs of your fellow citizens lie ftrewed upon 
 the plain ; calling upon you to retrieve the ho- 
 nour of the Britilh name ! 
 
 Thus animated and roufed, and thus putting 
 your confidence, where alone it can be put, let 
 us go forth in humble boldnefs j and the Lord 
 do what feemeth him good ! 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
APPENDIX SECOND, 
 NUMBER I. 
 
 A 
 GENERAL IDEA 
 
 OF THE 
 
 COLLEGE 
 
 O F ^ 
 
 M I R A N I A. 
 
 The Second Edition, corre6bed. 
 
 ^id Leges fine Morihus van^e proficiunt. 
 
 HOR. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 nr'HFi ff'lh'wwgY'DY.is. cf a Seminary of 
 Learning, adapted to the drcumflances 
 of a young colony^ ivas draiim up and ptib- 
 liJJjedy 7iear ten years ago^ at the defire of fome 
 gentlemen of New Tcrk, ivho iverc appointed 
 to receiine propofah relative to the eflciblijhnent 
 of a College /« that province ; and as it 
 contains a pretty exaB reprefentation of ivhat 
 the author is now endeavouring to realize in 
 the feminnry over which he has the honor to 
 prefde in another colony^ he thought that it 
 might he ?io improper introduBion to the fub- 
 fequent account ofthatfeminary. 
 
 IN a performance written info early a pe- 
 riod of life, and defignedly offered as a plan for 
 improvement J the reader will not look for per- 
 fehion. In this edition y however ^fome redun- 
 dancies are reirenchedyajid feme faidts correBedy 
 i7ito which want of experience , hafly publica- 
 lion, and too eajy afjcfit^ had drawn the author 
 
( S9 ) 
 
 A General Idea of the 
 College oiMIRANIA. 
 
 To the Truflees by Law appointed, for re- 
 ceiving Propofals, relating to the Eila- 
 blifliment of a College in New York. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 ^^f^^J?'!? O every one that has the interefl: and 
 ^ T ^ reputation of this province at heart, 
 
 %3^^.sSL P^«i^"J^^^y to you, it muft give a 
 very fenfible fatisfadion to find, at 
 length, the general attention drawn towards the 
 eftabUfhing a public feminary in it, under the 
 patronage of the government, for the inftitution 
 of youth in the Uberal arts andfciences. 
 
 The day appointed for the meeting of the 
 general afiembly now draws near -, when, in 
 confequence of a vote of laft fefTions, this im- 
 portant affair will be the fubject of their dehbe- 
 rations. And, as the plan or idea of the whole 
 inftitution ought, firft of all, to be fixed, that 
 every ftep they take may uniformly tend to the 
 execution of the fame, I thought it my duty to 
 contribute my bcft endeavours to this end, as 
 well on account of what I owe to the public, as 
 to fatisfy the expectations of fome gentlemen 
 c 3 who 
 
40 A General l^ta 
 
 who have, at all times, a right to command 
 
 me. 
 
 While I was ruminating on the conftitu- 
 tions of the feveral collt- ges, which I had either 
 perfbnally vifited, or read of, without being 
 able I hx on nry, which I could wholly recom- 
 mend ab .? ^r^v■^■■■\ tor us at prefent, I chanced 
 to rail into me con.pany of a valuable young • 
 gciideman, named Evander^ who is a perfon , 
 of Icme diftindlion of the province oi Mirania. 
 After fome converfaiion on learned topics, he 
 v/as led to give me an account of a feminary 
 eftaL>ili<lied about twelve years ago in that pro- 
 vince, which I thouglit admirably well fuited to 
 our circumflances, and therefore 1 have offered 
 it to your confideration and improvement. 
 
 Mirania^ Gentlemen, is one of the provinces 
 of tne New World, firll fettled by our country- 
 men, the Englifh, about a century ago. In 
 what degree of latitude it lies is of no import- 
 ance. I am not to write its hiftory, but only 
 to give a general account of its college, and the 
 method of education pradtifed in it ; which, as 
 nearly as I can remember, I fhall do in Evan- 
 der's own words, being fenfible that every de- 
 viation from them would be a defedt. 4.fter a 
 modeft apology, with which I Ihall not trouble 
 you, he began as follows. 
 
 Evan- 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 4; 
 
 Evander's Accotmt of the College 
 ^/MIRANIA. 
 
 IT had been the peculiar happinefs of" my 
 countrymen, ever fince their iirfb lettle- 
 ment, to enjoy an uninterrupted tranquilhty ; 
 at peace with their neiglibours, unrival'd m their 
 trade, and bled in the adminiflration of a fuc- 
 ceffion of mild and juft governors, .who had the 
 real intereft of the province at heart. I hefe fa- 
 vorable circumftances had, from time to time, 
 befides conftant fupplies from the mother- 
 country, invited over vaft numbers of foreign- 
 ers, who, quitting their native land, fought a 
 calm retreat in Mirania i where, under the pro- 
 teflion of wife and equal laws, they might 
 enjoy the rights of confcience, and the fruits 
 of their own labor. 
 
 Thus, about twelve years ago, the Mira- 
 niam faw themfelves a mighty and fiori{hing 
 people, in pofTeffion of an extenfive country, 
 capable of producing all the neceffar'cs and 
 many of the fuperfiuities of lite. They re- 
 fleded that the only method of making thefe 
 natural advantages of lafting u'e to then^felves 
 and pofterity, the only infallible foi. rce of 
 tranquillity, happinefs and glory, was to con- 
 trive and execute a proper fdieme for forming 
 a fuccefilon of fober, virtuous, induftrious 
 
 citi- 
 
42 A General Idea 
 
 citizens, and checking the courfe of growing 
 luxury. They were convinced that, without 
 a previous good education, the befl laws are 
 little better than verba minantia^ and would 
 often be infringed by powerful villainy -, that 
 the map:iftrate can at beft but frighten vice in- 
 to a corner, and that 'tis education alone which 
 can mend and red:ify the heart. 
 
 They faw alfo,that, among the foreigners,who 
 were as numerous as the Englilhthtmfelves, ma- 
 ny diflinftions were forming upon their diffen nt 
 cuftoms, languages and extradions, which, by 
 creating feparate Interefts, might, in tne iffiie, 
 prove fatal to the government. They wifely 
 judged, therefore, that nothing couid fo much 
 contribute to make fuch a mixture of people 
 coalefce and unite in one common intertft, as 
 the common euucation of all the youth at the 
 fame public fchools under the eye of the civil 
 authority. By thefe means, faid they, indif- 
 foluble connexions and friendfhips will be 
 formed, prejudices worn off, and the youth 
 will, in time, either forget their extraction, 
 or, from a more hberal education, and manly 
 turn of thought, learn to contemn thofe idle 
 diftindtions that arife among the vulgar, be- 
 caufe their tatiiers iirft fpoke a difterent lan- 
 guage, or drew air in a different clime. 
 
 With thefe views ititMiranians applied them- 
 itlvts to projedl a plan of education ; every 
 
 per- 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 43 
 
 perfon of genius, learning and experience of- 
 tering his in^partial thoughts en this Tub j eft, 
 whether in a private or public capacity •, as being 
 fenfible that an undertaking of fuch laftino- 
 confequence demanded the united councils, the 
 heads and hearts, of a whole country. 
 
 The objefl they kept always in fight, was 
 the eafieft, fiinplefl, and moft natural method 
 of forming youth to the knovvlege and exer- 
 cife of private and public virtue ; and there- 
 fore they did not fcruple to rejedl fome things 
 commonly taught at colleges, to add others, 
 and lliorten or invert the order of others, as 
 beft fuited their circumftances They often 
 had this feitcnce in their mcuth, which I 
 think, in other Words, I have read in Tillot- 
 soN, That the knowlege of what tends neither 
 dire6lly nor indiredlly to make better men, 
 "and better citizens, is but a knowlege of 
 trifles. It is not learning, but a Ipecious and 
 ingenious fort of idlenefs. 
 
 We muft not then, faid they, bewilder our- 
 felves in the fearch of truth, in the vaft 
 tomes of ancient fchoolmen •, nor in the more 
 refined fpec illations of modern metaphyficians, 
 nor yet in the polemic writings of fubtle 
 cafuifts. Lite would be far too Ihort to at- 
 tain any proficiency in all the difputes and 
 refearches of this kind, which have fo lono- 
 
 o 
 
 puzzled the learned world, and are ftill as 
 
 much 
 
44 -^ General Idea 
 
 much undecided as at firft. Almighty God 
 feems to have fet the knowlege of many- 
 things beyond our prefent reach, on purpofe 
 to confound our pride, and whifper to us con- 
 tinually the degeneracy and imperfection of 
 our nature ; and when we confider fuch things 
 in this light, we make the only wife ufe of 
 them. For, fuppofe we could live long enough 
 to obtain the exaflcft proficiency in all thefe 
 points, v/hat would it contribute to the main 
 defign of making better men and better citizens ? 
 Why, juft nothing at all ! We ought then, 
 continue they, rejeding things fuperfluous 
 and hypothetical, to mount diredly up to fun- 
 damental principles, and endeavour to afcertain 
 the relations in whick we ftand, that we may 
 fuftain, with dignity, the rank affigned us 
 among intellefbual natures, and move in con- 
 cert, with the reft of creation, in accompiifh- 
 ing the great end of all things. 
 
 To fatisfy ourfelves of this, ^.id fumus, ^ 
 quidnam vioiuri gignimur, requires no fuch depth 
 of underftanding, no fuch fubtle reafonings 
 and tedious refearches, as fome would perfuade 
 us. por, befides his revealed will, God has 
 given intimations of his will to us, by appeal- 
 ino- to our fenfes in the conftitution of our na- 
 ture, and the conftitution and harmony of the 
 material univerfe. We have only to reafon 
 by analogy, and corred our reafonings by 
 
 thefe 
 
Of the College of Mlrania. 45 
 
 thefe holy oracles. Then the leaft attention 
 will convince us, that what God chiefly experts 
 of us here, is to love him, and all his crea- 
 tures for his fake -, to view, through the me- 
 dium of benevolence and charity, thofe incon- 
 fiderable differences, Vv^hich, in a ftate of im_ 
 p^rfedion, muft fubfift among free Agents, 
 and which God himfelf, perhaps, views v/ith 
 pleafure •, to do always the grcatefc good in 
 our power, whether to ourfelves or fellow- 
 creatures, of whatever country, fe^Si:, or deno- 
 mination, they may be ; to ad a juft and ho- 
 nefl part in our focial capacity •, and, laftly, 
 as much as poiTible, to repair the ruins of our 
 nature, by imiprovins and enlarsinj:; our fa- 
 culties, and confirming ourfelves in habits of 
 virtue, that thus v/e may, in fome fort, be 
 qualified to be replaced in our original high 
 rank, to which, through the Redeemer's me- 
 rit, we may yet afpire to rife, and be ad- 
 vanced from ftage to llage cf perfeclion and 
 blifs, through all the endlefs periods of cur 
 Being. 
 
 To fay, or even think, our prcfent fpan is 
 too fhort for theie purpofcs, is to cliarge the 
 moft High with injufclce in the conftituticn of 
 things. We have, in reality, not only time 
 enough to obey the diflates of rcafon and reli- 
 gion, by learning and difcharging the duties 
 we owe to God and man, but fufficient leit for 
 
 recrea- 
 
46 A General Idea 
 
 recreation, and innocent amufement; unlefs 
 we will make life too fhort by creating bufinefs 
 for ourfelves, which no way concerns us, and 
 turning our attention to fubjefts which, after 
 all our fearches and refearches, will make us 
 neither wifer nor better than when we firft fet 
 out. 
 
 Hence it appears, continued they, of what 
 lading importance it is, to accuilom youth 
 early to diflingulfli the true from the falfe, by 
 directing their ftudies to fuch things as come 
 more imnjcdiately home to their bufinefs and 
 bofoms. Were men as generally agreed what 
 thefe things are, as they foon would be, if 
 paffion and prejudice were laid afide, then in- 
 deed the bu "inefs of education would be fhort, 
 eafy and pleafant •, and the Mimnians would 
 have found no difficulty in fixing on a proper 
 and unexceptionable plan for this pi'rpofe. But 
 they faw, with concern, that while there were 
 human infirmities, and different opinions to 
 ftruggle with, the beft fcheme they could con- 
 cert, would not be aiike acceptable to all, and 
 would be liable to many exceptions and mif- 
 conftrudions. No matter : that did not deter 
 them from their duty. They had the noble 
 refolution to follow the unbiafied dictates of 
 their own good fenfe, confcious that, though 
 they could not projeft an unexceptionable, far 
 lefs a perfea, plan, they fhould acquit them • 
 
 felves 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 47 
 
 felves to God, and the uncorrupted judgment 
 of pofterity, by rendering it as perfed as they 
 could, and delivering it down in a condition 
 of being improved as often as circumftances 
 might alter, and experience difcover defers 
 in it. 
 
 But it would be needlefs to trouble you with 
 all the difficulties and toils they encountered, 
 before they brought the fcheme to the point 
 of perfeflion aimed at. I Ihall therefore give 
 you an account of the whole, as it now ftands ; 
 in which you will not expedt that I fhould be 
 very particular, as a full detail of every thing 
 worth notice in fuch an inftitution, would fur- 
 nifh matter for a volume. 
 
 With regard to learning, the Miranians di- 
 vide the whole body of people into two grand 
 clafles. The firft confifts of thofe defigned for 
 the learned profeffions i by which they under- 
 ftand divinity, law, phyfic, and the chief offices 
 of the ftate. The fecond clafs confifts of thofe 
 defigned for the mechanic profeffions, and all 
 the remaining people of the country. 
 
 Such a divifion is abfolutely neceflary ; for, 
 if the Ihorteft way of forming youth to a6l in 
 their proper fpheres, as good men and good 
 citizens, ought always to be the objeft of edu- 
 cation, thefe two clafles fhould be educated on 
 a very different plan. The knowlege of the 
 learned languages, as the means of acquiring 
 
 other 
 
48 A General Idea 
 
 other ufeful knowledge, is indifpenfibly necef- 
 fary to the firft clals. To the fecond, the 
 time thus fpent might be otherwife employed» 
 as they never have occafion to make ufe of 
 thofe languages. A lefs extenfive acquaintance 
 with the fciences, except arithmetic and mathe- 
 matics, will alfo ferve their purpofe. 
 
 Any fcheme, then, that either propofes to 
 teach both thefe grand clalTes after the fame 
 manner, or is wholly calculated for one of 
 them, without regarding the other, muft be 
 very defective. And yet fo it is, that public 
 feminaries are almofl univerfally calculated for 
 the firft clafs ; while a collegiate fchool for the 
 inftrudlion of the latter, is rarely to be met v/ith. 
 This clafs of people, by far the mod nume- 
 rous, and alfo the hands and ftrength of every 
 government, are overlooked, and have no- 
 thing but this alternative left them, either to 
 be fatisfied with what fmall portion of the. arts 
 and fciences they can glean at private fchools, 
 or to go through a courfe of learning at col- 
 leges, for which they have neither time nor 
 ufe. 
 
 Thele confiderations gave rife to what is 
 called the Mechanic's School^ or Academy, in this 
 feminary, which is no other way connefbed 
 with what is called the College, (by way of 
 diftindtion) than by being under the infpedlion 
 of the fame Truftees, and the government of 
 
 the 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 49 
 
 the fame Body of Mafters. Moft of the bran- 
 ches of fcknce^ taught in the college, are 
 taught in this fchool ; but then they are taught 
 without languages, and in a n:ore compen- 
 dious manner, as the circumftances and bufi- 
 nefs of the common clafs of people require. 
 This fchool is fo much like the Englifh fchool 
 and academy in * Philadelphia^ that a particu- 
 lar account of it here is needlefs. 
 
 Nine years are fufEcient to compleat the 
 mechanic's education in this fchool ; proportion- 
 able to which are nine forms or claffes. In the 
 three Xo^t^^Englifh is taught grammatically,and 
 as a language, with writing. In the fix higher 
 claffes, Englifh and writing are continued, at 
 the fame time that accompts, mathematics, 
 oratory, chronology, hiftory, the moft plain 
 and ufeful parts of natural and mechanic 
 philofophy, are taught ; to which is added, 
 iomethmg of hufbandry and chymiftry, which, 
 as improved of late, they efteem a very ufeful 
 branch of inftrudlion. 
 
 Thus, at about fifteen years of age, the me- 
 chanic's education is finifhed ; and he combes 
 out well qualified to make a good figure in 
 every profefllon, wherein languages are not re_ 
 quired. The Miranians value themfelves high- 
 ly on the inftitution of this fchool ; and often 
 tell ftrangers, that, as a trading people, it is 
 
 of 
 
 • Firft (ketched out by the ingenious Dr. /•r«W/« of 
 that riace. 
 
^o A General Idea 
 
 of as great importance to them, as the college 
 for breeding men for the learned profeflions -, 
 of which I proceed now to fpeak. But, pre- 
 paratory thereto, I muft give fome account 
 of 
 
 "The LAriN SCHOOL. 
 
 This fchool is divided into five great forms, 
 or clafles, correfponding to the five years 
 the youth continue in it ; which, in a general 
 way, is found to be long enough. Such of the 
 youth as are intended for the learned profef- 
 fions, are moved into this fchool from the third 
 form of the academy, or Englijh fchool men- 
 tioned above, provided they be nine years of 
 age, can write tolerably, and can read and ar- 
 ticulate the Englijh Tongue. The firft four 
 years are wholly given to the Latin tongue, 
 and improving the youth in Englijh and wri- 
 ting at leifure hours. The fifth year, the 
 higheft clafs divides the day between Latin and 
 Greek \ proceeding thro' the Greek Declenfions 
 and Conjugations, St. Luke^s Gofpel, Lucian^^ 
 Dialogues, i^c. Thus, at fourteen years of age> 
 well verfed in the Latin tongue, with lome 
 foundation in the Greeks the youth are entered 
 into 
 
 rhe FIRST CLASS oj the COLLEGE, 
 
 This is called the Greek Clafs -, in which, as 
 in every other clafs, the youth remain one 
 
 year. 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 5 1 
 
 yeaf. In the forenoon they read Tbeocrituf 
 Idyllia, with feme felcd pieces of Hejtod, Ho- 
 mer and Xenophon. In the afternoon they 
 learn arithmetic, vulgar and decimal j mer- 
 chants accompts, fome parts of algebra, and 
 fome of the firft books oi Euclid. 
 
 The SECOND CLASS. 
 The next year is fpent in this clafs; the 
 mafter of which is ftyled Profeffor of Mathema- 
 tics. He carries the youth forward in algebra, 
 teaches the remainder of the firft fix books of 
 Euclid, together with the eleventh and twelfth, 
 and alfo the elements of geometry, aftronomy, 
 chronology, navigation, and other moft ufeful 
 branches of the mathematics. So much of 
 logic and metaphyfics as is ufeful, is joined 
 with mathematics ; but a fmall fpace of time 
 ferves for thefe ftudies, logic in particular, as 
 commonly underftood, being in fome difrepute 
 among them. They, therefore, bend their 
 chief attention this year, to the more advan^ 
 tageous ftudy of mathematics, which, by the 
 bye, they efteem the beft fyftem of logics that 
 can be given to youth. The evolution of ma- 
 thematical truths, through a chain of propofi- 
 tions, contributes more, in one year, fay they, 
 to expand the faculties of the mind, and accuf- 
 tom it, by a juft attention to intricate fubje<5b, 
 to reafon clofely and in train, than a life Ipent in 
 
 d the 
 
52 A General Idea 
 
 the ufual fchool-logic. At proper feafons, when 
 the weather permits, this clafs is exerciied in 
 pradical geometry, in furveying lands and 
 waters -, and in plotting and ornamenting the 
 maps of fuch furveys. There is a weekly ex- 
 crcife for their further improvement in Greek 
 and Latin. 
 
 rhe THIRD CLASS, 
 
 The Matter of this clafs is called Profejfor of 
 Thilofophy. The day is divided between the 
 ttudies of ethics and phyfics. Under the latter, 
 the Miranians comprehend natural hiftory, 
 with mechanic and experimental philofophy i 
 for the illuftration of which, they are provided 
 with a complete apparatus. With regard to 
 ethics, they feem to think that a full yet 
 compendious fyftem, calculated by fome found 
 philofopher for youth at colleges, is a book 
 ftill wanted. They own, that the Englijh ex- 
 cel in detached pieces on all moral fubjedls •, 
 but thefe, fay they, are only lVt—disje5fa 
 membra ethices ; no one author having handled 
 the fubjed of ethics, in all its ramifications> 
 with an immediate view to the ufe of youth. 
 
 In this clafs, at prefent, they read the philo- 
 fophic books of Plato and Cicero, in their ori- 
 ginals, with Locke, Hutchefon, Puffendorff, &c. 
 the profeflbr, taking care to guard the youdi 
 againft every thing in which any of thcfe au- 
 thors are fingular. But they have another 
 
 method 
 
Of the Colltg% of Mirania: '^'^ 
 
 method of improving the youth in ethical know- 
 \^Zt, upon which they lay great ftrefs, and 
 that is by hiftorical fads ; of which I fhall af- 
 terwards fpeak. The private reading of various 
 ethical writers is alfo recommended for the 
 greater improvement of the youth in the ftudies 
 ofthisclafs; the profelTor, from time to time, 
 fatisfying himfelf, by proper queftions, what 
 advantage they reap from fuch reading. I do 
 not mention Keil, Gravefand, Newtm's, Prin- 
 cipia, ^c. becaufe claffical books, and fup- 
 pofed in the ftudy of natural philofophy. 
 The FOURTH CLASS. 
 The Mailer of this clafs is ftyled Profejfor of 
 Rhetoric and Poetry. As it is in this and the 
 following clafs, continued Evander, that my 
 countrymen bring all that has been before 
 taught home to the bufinefs of life, and are 
 more fingular in their method j I muft beg to 
 be fomcthing more particular in the account of 
 it. A great (lock of learning, without know- 
 ing how to make it ufeful in the conduft of life, 
 is of little fignificancy. You may obferve that 
 what has chiefly been aimed at, in the foregoing 
 clafles, is to teach youth to think well, that i^ 
 clofcly and juflly. When this is attained, it is a 
 noble bafis, but would, however, be ufelefs 
 without its fuperftrufture ; without teaching 
 them to call forth and avail themfclves of their 
 thoughts, in writing, fpeaking, aEling and Ivu- 
 
 d 2 
 
 inz 
 
g. A Qtwal Uia 
 
 'ing well. To make youth mafters of the firft 
 two, viz. writing and fpeaking well, nothing 
 contributes fo much as being capable to reliih 
 what has been well written or fpoken by others. 
 Hence, the proper ftudies of this clafs, are 
 Rhetoric and Poetry •, from which arife Cri:i- 
 cifm and Compofition. ^ 
 
 I fhall fpeak firft of Rhetoric, as it is the 
 firft ftudy. The profeflbr begins with giving 
 the ftudents a general notion of the precepts and 
 different kinds of Rhetoric. He then proceeds 
 to make them read "tully's oration for Milo, 
 Icifurely in its original; applying, as they go 
 along, the precepts of oratory, and making 
 them apprehend its plan, feries, delicacy of 
 addrefsi the ftrength and difpofition of the 
 proofs i the juftnefs of the tropes and figures ; 
 the beauty of the imagery and painting; the 
 harmony and fulnefs of the periods ; the pomp 
 and purity of the diftion ; and, in fine, that 
 grandeur of thought, that aftonilhing fublimc. 
 that torrent of eloquence, which, moving, 
 warming, feizing the foul, fweeps all irrefifta- 
 blydown before it. After this, Demojlhenes s 
 harrangue for Cteftphon, which «/y (1 think/ 
 calls the model of perfed eloquence, is read in 
 the original, and explained in the fame manner 
 Thefe two celebrated orations, thus explained 
 and apprehended, a^e judged fufficient to give 
 
 youth a right idea of oratory, and fix its pre- 
 
 * ^ cepts 
 
Of the College of Mirania. ^c^ 
 
 cepts in their mind, which is not to be done {o 
 much by reading many orations, as by ftudy- 
 ing a few thoroughly •, and therefore, only 
 three more orations, one In Greek, one in Latin, 
 and one in Englifli, are read in the fchool 
 through the whole year. Thefe are fucceflive- 
 ly handled thus. In the Evening, the profeflbr 
 prefcribes a certain portion of the oration, and 
 appoints the ftudents to write out their ob- 
 fervations upon its conformity to the laws of 
 rhetoric \ the plan, thoughts, l£c. by way of 
 criticifm. This they bring with them next 
 day, when the part prefcribed is read over, 
 and this criticifm of theirs examined and cor- 
 reded. A new portion as before is prefcribed 
 againft next meeting, till in this manner they 
 have finifhed the whole three orations. 
 
 In the fame manner is poetry ftudied, which 
 is, indeed, rather the fame than a different 
 ftudy ; poetry being nothing eife but the eldelt 
 daughter of eloquence. The arangement of 
 the fable in the one correlponds to the plan and 
 feries of the other. Tropes and figures they 
 have in common ; and where, in the peculiarity 
 of her drefs, and the more frequent ufe of ima- 
 gery, {3c. Poetry affefts to differ, the youth 
 are not unacquainted with it j as they have been 
 made to obferve it in reading the clafTic-poets. 
 The rules, together with the nature and defign 
 of the feveral kinds of poetry, are, in the firft 
 d 3 place. 
 
56 A General Idea 
 
 place, explained ; after which, as in the ftudy 
 of rhetoric, the youth privately write a piece of 
 criticifm upon each, beginning with the lefler 
 kinds, as the ode, elegy and fatyr, proceeding 
 to the drama, paftoral and epopsea. All thefc 
 criticifms are carefully revifed and correfted by 
 the profcffor, which is all , the public bufinels 
 of the clafs. The reading of Arifiotk^ and the 
 beft French and Englilh critics, is allowed, and 
 even re.com nnended, to aflift and dired the 
 judgment of youth in this exercife. 
 
 Here I interrupted Evander^ by telling him, 
 that I thought this ftudy alone, might require 
 half the year. No, replied he. They don't 
 fpend above two months in the ftudy of all the 
 kinds of poetry. This is owing chiefly to the 
 placing the ftudy of poetry after philofophy 
 and rhetoric, which makes it exceeding eafy. 
 It is alfo partly owing to the age of the youth, 
 they being now, at leaft, in their 1 8th year, 
 and capable of greater application ; partly to 
 the delight they take in the ftudy, and partly 
 to their having read moft of the different kinds 
 of poems as clafllc exercifes, which renders the 
 review of them pleafant, in order to apply the 
 rules of criticifm. About a fortnight is enough 
 for all the inferior fpecies. The fame Ipace of 
 time ferves for the drama and paftoral, and, 
 laftly, about a month for the epic poem. 
 
 The 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 57 
 
 The remainder of the year, which is about 
 fix months, is fpent in compofing and deliver- 
 ing orations ; and 'tis no wonder that this ex- 
 ercife Is attended with great fuccefs, when de- 
 deferred to this its proper feafon. Philofophy, 
 rhetoric and poetry, being fufficiently tailed and 
 admired ; the youth cannot but be animated, in 
 their compofitions, to imitate thofe bright mo- 
 dels that gave them fo much pleafure in the 
 reading. The ftudy of poetry, in particular, 
 elevates their thoughts, warms their imagi- 
 nation, leads them to give lively defcriptions, 
 infpires them with ftrength, variety, copioufnefs 
 and harmony of ftyle, and diffufes a delicacy 
 over every thing they compofe. 
 
 In this exercife of compofition, they begin 
 firft with fmaller eflays on proper fubjedts ; 
 thence proceed to frame orations according to 
 the precepts, and on the models, of perfed; elo« 
 quence. Thefe the profeiTor correfts, and care- 
 fully points out where the fubjedl would have re- 
 quired more concifenefs ; where more copiouf- 
 nefs i where the figurative ftyle, and gra- 
 ces of fpeech ; where the plain and fimple ; 
 where they ought to have rifen ; where fallen *, 
 where they have given conceit inftead of wit 1 
 the forced and far-fetched, inftead of the eafy 
 and natural ; bombaft and fwelling, inftead of 
 the fubhme and florid. Thus to correft one 
 oration, and to hear another (that has been cor- 
 refted before) delivered with proper grace and 
 
 aftion* 
 
5? A General Idea 
 
 a(Elion, is all the bufincfs of the clafs at one 
 meeting or diet. Of this the youth have their 
 turns, fo that when the clafs confifts of twenty- 
 boys, each of them compofes and delivers an 
 oration once in * ten days. And as they muft 
 thus all be ptefent at the correding and de- 
 livering two orations each day, they profit as 
 much by the faults or beauties found in the 
 compofitions of their fchool- fellows, as by their 
 own. 
 
 In correcting the compofitions of youth, 
 however, the profeflbr is fenfible, that great 
 judgment and art are required. Always re- 
 membring that they are youth, he is greatly 
 careful not to difcourage them by too much 
 feverity. If ever he feems difpleafed at any 
 thing,it is when he difcovers ftifFnefs,affe6i:ation> 
 and figns of coldnefs and fterility in their pieces ; 
 while, on the other hand, redundancy of thought, 
 and Iprightly fallies of imagination, (hare his 
 diftinguifhed indulgence. Thefe he calls the 
 blooming fhoots of genius ; and, though exube- 
 rant, thinks they are no more to be lopped off at 
 an improper feaibn, or in an unflcilful manner, 
 than the luxuriant growth of a thriving young 
 Xxz^. It is dangerous for any hand, but that 
 
 • When we allow but ten days to compofe an oration» 
 befides attending the duties of the clafs, we muft fup- 
 pofc their pieces fhort. 
 
 of 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 59 
 
 of time, to reduce thefe wholly within their 
 proper bounds. 
 
 I am perfuaded, continued Evander^ that you 
 will think it no objedtion againft the ftudy of 
 rhetoric, that it has often been proftituted to 
 the vileft purpofes. What is there that may 
 not be abufed by had men ? But, in the poflef- 
 fion of a good man, eloquence is the moft glo- 
 rious gift of nature. It makes him the fan- 
 (Sluary of the unfortunate, the proteftor of 
 the weak, the fupport and praile of the good, 
 and the eternal terror and controul of the bad. 
 In a word, we muft often addrefs the paflions, 
 in order to reach the heart. 
 
 It muft be obferved, however, that the ikff- 
 ranians do not propofe to make orators and po- 
 ets of all their youth, by thefe ftudics. They are 
 fenfible, that both the orator and poet muft 
 be born, not made. But, fay they, thofe to 
 whom nature has given a genius for compofi- 
 tion, either in poetry or profe, will be thus put 
 in the method of improving that genius to the 
 greateft advantage-, and thofe who have no 
 fuch genius, will, however, be enabled, by thefe 
 ftudies, to write elegantly, or at leaft correftly, 
 in the epiftolary way, and on the common and 
 moft important concerns in life. 
 
 Unlefs the tafte is thus formed, and youth 
 taught to be found critics on the beauties of 
 thQfe celebrated pieces th^t have challenged 
 
 the 
 
6o A General Idea 
 
 the admiration of all mankind and flood 
 the tell of time; what is the amount of 
 their learning? Nay, without this * tafte, 
 or relilh for the pleafures of imagination; how 
 joylcfs in many inftances is life itfelf ? Nature 
 has given the rudiments of it to every man. 
 But if we compare the man who has perfedly 
 cultivated it, with him who has not, they feem 
 almoft of a different fpecies. To the latter arc 
 entirely loft, the gay^ the tender^ the eaf)\ the 
 natural, the fublime, the marvellous, and all tha 
 namelefs graces of a finifhed piece ! Should fo- 
 litude, fhould want of bufinels, or misfortunes 
 of any kind, force fuch a man to feek relief 
 
 * In fupport of Evander*i fentiments in this paragraph, 
 fuffer me to quote the following beautiful Verfes from 
 Dr. ArmJiron^% Epiftle on Benevolence : 
 
 ** *Tis chiefly Tafte, or blunt, or graft , or flne^ 
 Makes Life infipid, heflialy or divine. 
 Setter he horn luith tafte to little renty 
 Than the dull monarch of a continent. — — 
 Without fine nerves y and bofomjufily nuarnfdy 
 An eye, an eary a fancy to he charmed i 
 Jn vainy majeftic Wren expands the dome ; 
 Blank as pale Stucco, Rubins lines the room ; 
 Loft are the raptures of bold Handel*/ y?ra/« ; 
 Great TuUy ftorms, fvoeet Vvc^Afings in vain, 
 The beauteous forms of nature are effaced', 
 Tcmpe'jyo/? charms y the raging nuatry nvaftey 
 Each great ly-fwildy each fweet romantic fcene^ 
 Unheeded rifesy and almoft unfeen. 
 Tit thefe are joys nuith fame of better clayy 
 T» fttth the toils ifUfis embarrafs'd way.*' — 
 
 from 
 
Of the College ef Mirania. 6\ 
 
 from books, alas ! he finds them " but formal 
 dulnefs, tedious friends ! " He may read-, but 
 he will be as unconfcious of the mafterly and 
 delicate ftrokes of what he reads, as the moun- 
 tain is of the ore lodged in its caverned fide. 
 A flupid fort of admiration is the higheft plea- 
 fure he is capable of receiving ; while, on the 
 contrary, the man who has been taught to take 
 the full guft of the generous pleafures arifing 
 from the contemplation of beauty, ordei\ har- 
 mony, deftgn, fymmetry of parts, and conformity to 
 truth and nature, finds, within himfelf, an in- 
 exhauftible fund of the moll noble and ratio- 
 nal amufement. No m oment of time, I fpeak 
 it feelingly, faid Evander, no moment of time 
 needs hang heavy on his hands. No fituation> 
 no circumftances, f either at home or abroad, 
 neither in youth or old age, in profperity or 
 adverfity, but can be rendered more agreeable, 
 while he can tafte the intelle6tual joys of his 
 darhng fhidies. 
 
 Suppofe, then, that youth fhould reap no o- 
 ther advantage from the ftudies of this clafs, but 
 the power of filling up thofe vacant hours to 
 advantage, which thofe, who want fuch a tafte, 
 
 t Htec Jiudia adoJefcentiam alutii, feneSlutem ohle^ant ; 
 fecundas res ornant, ad-verjis perfugium l^ folatium frt- 
 hent : D elegant domi, non impediunt forii j ptrnollant nO' 
 k'/cum, peregrinantur, rufticantur, 
 Cic. 
 
 ufually 
 
$2 A General Idea 
 
 ufually rpcnd in trifling vifits, cards, hunting; 
 drinking-matches, and other hurtful pleafures, 
 we have reafon to think a few months proper- 
 ly fpent in forming this tafte, a very eflential 
 part of education. But further, the Miraniam 
 fay, that this tafte for polite letters, not only 
 teaches us to write well, and renders life com- 
 fortable to ourfelves, but alfo contributes high- 
 ly to the cement of fociety, and the tranquility 
 of the ftate. They do not hefitatc to affirm, 
 that they think it almoft impoffible for a man, 
 that has a tafte for the imitative arts, and can 
 feel the noble charms of rhetoric, poetry, 
 painting, mufic, fculpture, i^c. to be a boifte- 
 rous fubjedl, an undutiful fon, a rough hufband, 
 an unnatural parent, a cruel mafter, a treache- 
 rous friend, or an unruly and turbulent ir\an. 
 Thefe ftudies enlarge the mind, refine and exalt 
 the underftanding, improve the temper, foften 
 the manners, ferene the pafllons, cherilh reflec- 
 tion, and lead on that charming pcnfivenefs of 
 foul and philofophic melancholy, which, moft 
 of all, difpofe us to love, friendlhip, and every 
 tender emotion. But I will conclude this ar- 
 ticle, with which, as it treated my favorite ftu- 
 dies, I have perhaps tired you. 
 
 ^be FIFTH, or higbeft CLASS. 
 The Principal of the college, whofe name is 
 'Aratus, inftruds this clafs in the ftudy of agricul- 
 ture and hiftory. The knowledge of phy fics, ac- 
 quired 
 
Of the College of Miranla. 6^ 
 
 quired in the third clafs, contributes greatly to 
 make the ftudy of agriculture eafy at this time. 
 In fome previous ledlures Aratus refumes this 
 fubjedl ; and, particularly, gives the youth a 
 good knowlege of the animal ftruftureand anato- 
 my, which is not only of great ufeto teach them' 
 the proper care of their own health and bodies, 
 but highly neceflary by way of analogy to 
 explain the CEConomy and mechanifm of plants, 
 the Itrufture of their veflels, their generation, 
 manner of life and accretion, perlpiration, 
 circulation of fap, i^c. After this he ex- 
 amines, with the youth, the mineral ftrata of 
 the earth ; enquires into the nature of thofe 
 faline and aqueous juices that conftitute the nu- 
 tritious matter or food of vegetables ; and of 
 thofe other folTils, which, being either hetero- 
 geneous to the vegetable fubftance, or too grols 
 to enter the roots of plants, ferve, however, to 
 foften and feparate the concreted parts of the 
 earthy and prepare it for vegetation. The whole 
 is illuftrated by a courfe of chymical and ftati- 
 cal experiments. 
 
 The theory of vegetation once explained, and 
 tolerably underftood ; what remains in the ftu- 
 dy of hulbandry is not very difficult. For, 
 after obtaining a good infight into the vege- 
 table oeconomy, the quality of foils, ^c, by the 
 analyfis of plants and foflils, as above, the youth 
 
 may 
 
54 ^ General Idea 
 
 may be enabled tojudge what cffedl every manure 
 will have on every foil ; what is the proper 
 manner of preparing the ground for the feed ; 
 and what feed or plant fhould be aflTigned each 
 natural earth j in which chiefly confifts the huf- 
 bandman's art. After this foundation is laid, 
 they proceed to read Varro^ Columella, Tully 
 Bradley, &c. afllgning, as they go along, the 
 rationale, for the natural phenomena and rules 
 of tillage, recorded in thefe authors, upon the 
 principles and philofophy of modern natu- 
 ralifls. 
 
 One part of the day is given, through the 
 year, to the ftudy of agriculture, as laid down 
 above. The remainder is afligned to the ftudy 
 of hiftory ; by which, it is plain, I do not 
 mean the reading of hiftory to fatisfy the 
 curiofity for a moment, with the know- 
 lege of fmgle and irrelative fadls; which, 
 it muft be owned, is all that youth generally 
 profit by hiftory, at the age, and according to 
 method, it is commonly handled. In the courfe 
 of the above-mentioned ftudies, and from theif 
 private reading for amufement, the Miranian 
 youth, I need not tell you, muft, by this time, 
 have obtained a pretty full knowlege of the 
 principal events that happened in the world 
 before they were born. The bufinefs of thii 
 dafs is of a far more noble and extenfive na- 
 ture 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 6$ 
 
 ture than this* It is to review thole events in 
 the calm light of philofophy^ when related in 
 their full extent, attended with a dedudion of 
 their immediate and remote caufes and confe- 
 .quences, in order to make them a leflbn of 
 ethics and politics, and an ufeful rule of condu(5t 
 and manners through life. 
 
 It rs dangerous to fend raw and unpradis'd 
 virtue abroad into a world, where right and 
 wrong are too often confounded ; and nothing 
 can obviate this danger, but the giving youth 
 a previous acquaintance with the world, and 
 making them behold virtue and vice, with all 
 their confequences, painted in genuine colours 
 by the hiftorian. Numerous are the evils that 
 arife in fociety when youth are fent into it, ef- 
 pecially in any high ftation, without this know- 
 lege. In fuch cafe, neither logics, mathema- 
 tics, phyfics, rhetoric, nor all the branches of 
 fpeculative knowlege they are capable of at- 
 taining, can diredt their conduct, nor prevent 
 their falling a prey to defigning men. Thefe 
 fciences, however, if we do not flop at them* 
 are highly ufeful, and render the lludies of this 
 clafs pleafant and profitable. As the ftudy 
 of agriculture was made eafy, by a previous 
 knowlege in natural philofophy; fo is the 
 previous knowlege of the fundamental prin- 
 ciples of ethics, a fine introdudion to the phi- 
 lofophical ftudy of hiftory. This fubjed Jra- 
 
 tus 
 
6^ A General Idea 
 
 tus rcfumes before entring upon hiftory. He 
 confiders man, in the folitary ftate of nature, 
 furrounded with wants and dangers, and no- 
 thing fecure to any of the fpecies, but what can 
 either be acquired or maintained by force. From 
 thence he takes occafion to fhew the neceflity 
 mankind lay under of entring into focicty, 
 and voluntarily refigning fome fhare of their 
 natural freedom and property, to fecure the reft. 
 Then he explains the different forms of go- 
 vernment, with the advantages and inconve- 
 niencies in the adminiftration of each. 
 
 This being premifed, the youth enter upon 
 the ftudy of the Grecian hiftory in the fol- 
 lowing manner. Aratus prefcribes a portion 
 of it, which, againft next day, they muft read 
 in their chambers, and abridge the fubftance of 
 it into writing, about twice or thrice as large as 
 a copious argument of any chapter. This 
 fixes the fadts deeply in their minds, teaches 
 them, moreover, to exprefs themfelves in a fhort 
 and nervous manner, as occafion may require it ; 
 and, when the whole is finifhed, ferves as a re- 
 capitulation of the hiftory, to which they may 
 always have recourfe through life, and bring 
 the fads frefh i«nto their memory. Thefc fum- 
 Diaries are revifed in the clafs by the Principal, 
 who is careful to make them apprehend the 
 blameable and praife- worthy, in the conftitution 
 of the feveralftates > and, in the familiar way of 
 
 dia- 
 
Of the Cclkge of Mirania. 6^ 
 
 ciilogue, to make them give their opinion up- 
 on the fafts mentioned, the manners and cuf* 
 toms of the people, (^c. drawing proper moral 
 inferences from the whole. In this manner a 
 portion is abridged, and defcanted upon, every 
 day, till they have gone over the hiflory of the 
 fiourifhing ages of Greece •, which they perform 
 in about the fpace of a month. The hiftory 
 of Rome (Mr. Hooke's judicious colleftion of 
 it) is ftudied, in the next place, down to the 
 days of Augultus. This requires about two 
 months more. 
 
 All between this period and the beginnino- of 
 the fixteenth century is paft over, the remainder 
 of the year being fpent in the ftudy of modern 
 hiftory ; from fome good introduftion to which, 
 they firft take a general view of the principal 
 ftates and kingdoms in Europe, that now di- 
 vide that power among them, upon which de- 
 pends the whole fyftem of police operating at 
 prefent. After that, they defcend to fludy the 
 hiftory of England, from the beginning of the 
 faid century, in the fame manner that they 
 had before ftudied the hiftory of Greece and 
 Rome; the Principal taking care, as they go 
 along, to note the rife, interefts, dependencies, 
 and conftitutions of the feveral nations and 
 ftates, whofe hiftories are interwoven with that 
 of England. They conclude the whole, with a 
 view of our colonies in this hemifphere ; their 
 c ftate, 
 
^8 A General Idea 
 
 ftate, produce, interefts, governxTient, &c ; 
 taking fome notice as they go along, of the 
 French and Spanifh fettlements that we are 
 chiefly concerned with in trade. Every Sun^ 
 day night, about an hour is fpent in the ftudy 
 of the bible hi (lory. 
 
 Though this is but a fmall part of the hiftory 
 of mankind, yet it is as much as can conve- 
 niently be brought, and much more than ge- 
 nerally is brought, into a fcheme of public 
 education. The youth are thus fent into the 
 world well acquainted with the hiftory of thofe 
 nations they are likely to be moft concerned 
 with in life ; and alfo with the hiftory of Greece 
 and Rome, which may be juftly called the 
 hiftory of heroifm, virtue and patriotifm. This 
 is enough to prepare them for fociety, and 
 put them in a method of ftudying the hiftory 
 of any other nations they think proper, in a 
 philofophical manner, whenever their inclina- 
 tion and leifure fliall prompt them to it. 
 
 This, continued Evander, is a fketch of the 
 ftudies of the feveral clafles j which I could 
 with pleafure, in this account, purfue through 
 all their different ramifications. But as this is 
 inconfiftent with my defigned brevity, I have 
 only mentioned the general heads of fcience, 
 wholly negledting fuch branches as are either 
 included in, or neceflary to, the knowlege of 
 thofe I have mentioned. 
 
 In 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 69 
 
 In the fecond clafs, you will obferve I have 
 faid nothing of plain trigonometry, becaufe it is 
 fuppofed in the ftudy of geometry. Neither 
 have I mentioned perfpedivejbecaufe conneded 
 with the beautiful fciences of optics ; nor even 
 Optics themfelves, nor fpherical trigonometry, 
 as they are all fuppoled in the general ftudy of 
 aftronomy. In like manner, I have not men- 
 tioned dialing, becaufe after being taught aftro- 
 nomy, and the ufe of the globes, the whole 
 theory of dialing is learned in a few hours ; and 
 thus of all the other claftes, which I take notice 
 of exprefsly, that you may not judge the ftudies 
 of any one clafs difproportioned to the reft, 
 without taking into the account all their 
 branches, prsecognita, and the like. 
 
 Here I told Evander, that I was iwWy fatis^ 
 fied that the ftudies of the clafles were very well 
 proportioned, as they become ftill more exten- 
 five the farther the youth advance in years ; but 
 that I thought the ftudies of every clafs were 
 more than they could probably become fuf- 
 ficiently acquainted with in the time allotted 
 to them. 
 
 He replied, that if the Miranlan youth did 
 not attend the duties of the college longer than 
 the ordinary terms, my obfervation would be 
 Juft. But vacations and holy days in this col- 
 lege don't exceed two months. Belides, con- 
 tinued he, my countrymen don't propofe any 
 
 « 2 thing 
 
iea 
 
 JO A General tde 
 
 thing more than to give the youth a genera! 
 knowlege of thefe ftudies. This is all that cdn 
 be done at college. For as bent of genius will 
 not carry all the youth of a clafs the fame 
 lengths in every ftudy •, that fcheme of educa- 
 tion is fufficiently perfed, by which all the ftu- 
 dents may become ordinary proficients in all 
 the ftudies i and are put in a method of excel- 
 ling^ in thofe particular branches to which nature 
 has given them a genius. The * age of the 
 youth contributes highly to aid the execution 
 of fuch a fcheme -, and I can affiire you, from 
 experience, that by attending even eight or 
 nine months in the year, all that is narrated 
 above may be done by youth of ordinary ge- 
 nius, without making it any burden to them. 
 
 You will, no doubt, take notice that the num- 
 ber of mafters are fewer than ordinary by this 
 fcheme •, and the ceconomy different from that 
 of moft colleges,, which have a diftin<5t profef- 
 for for every branch of fcience, as a profeflbr 
 of anatomy, botany, chymiftry, civil law, &c- 
 fo that the ftudents muft attend a great many dif- 
 ferent mafters and ftudies at different hours. But 
 thouo-h my countrymen could afford falaries for 
 fuch a number of profeffors, they do not feem 
 difpofed to this method i for they think it a 
 
 • They muft be at leaft iiv their 14th year when entered 
 into thefe claffcs, and in their 19th when they leave 
 them, as may be gathered from wkat is faid above. 
 
 great 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 7 1 
 
 great difad vantage to youth to be concerned 
 with too many maflers and ftudies at the fame 
 time. They judge it a much better method, 
 that fuch branches of fcience as are related to 
 one another, fhould be wholly finifhed under 
 one and the fame mafter, before the youth pro- 
 ceed farther ; and that the whole ftudies or 
 branches of fcience, fliould be ranged in their 
 natural order -, that thofe of each lower clafs 
 may be an introdudion to the clafs above it, 
 and the youth thus raifed by a chain of eafy 
 fteps to the fummit of their education. Hence 
 aProfelTorferves, by the above fcheme, for all 
 the branches of knowlege that can be acquired 
 in one year ; which makes the number of cJafles 
 and mailers equal to the number of years, and 
 renders the whole plan fimple and regular. 
 
 That the ftudies laid down for the five fore- 
 going clafles, are ranged in their natural order 
 will beft appear to thofe who are beft acquainted' 
 with the nature and objea of them. With re- 
 gard to the three lower clafTes, there can be no 
 objedion of this kind, as mathematics go be- 
 fore philofophy in every feminary j and are fo 
 neceflary to it, that the beft writers advife the 
 ftudy of mathematics, fuppofe we fliould propofe 
 no other advantage by them than to ftrengthen 
 the reafoning faculty, and prepare the mind for 
 the ftudy of philofophy, by accuftoming it to 
 S 3 think, 
 
jr4 A General Idea 
 
 think clofely, and to call forth thofe thoughts 
 
 in a clear and regular manner. 
 
 That rhetoric, criticifm and compofitionj 
 fhould be placed after philofophy, feems decided 
 alfo by the authority of the greatefl orators and 
 poets. Scribendi re£ie^ fapere eft Cs? principium 
 i^ fons^ fays Horace i and Tully blames the 
 orators of his time for neglefting the fludy of 
 philofophy and polite literature. Nemo videre- 
 tur exquifitius quant vulgus hominum Jiuduijfe lite-^ 
 ris, quibus fons perfe5l<£ eloquent i a: contineiur; ne- 
 mo qui philofophiam compkxus ejjet, matrem om- 
 Tihim bene fa^lorum^ heneque diolorum. Quin- 
 tilian every way is of the fame opinion. And 
 Pliny advifcs in exprefs terms ; — Mores pri- 
 tnum, mox eloquentiam difcat, (Puer) qu<e mate 
 Jine jnoribus difcitur. 
 
 But, without any authorities, the thing is felf- 
 evident ; it being idle to think of writii^ or 
 compofing philofophically till we are philofo 
 phers, or till we have acquired a tafte for 
 polite letters. And as to fpeaking, no man 
 but he who can diftinguilh philofophically be- 
 tween right and wrong, and who is poflefled 
 of the moral virtues, can have long fuccefs in 
 this way, becaufe no man can move others, 
 unlefs it appears that he himfclf is moved with 
 what he fays. A bad man may, to give his 
 words force, affed to be moved when he rea- 
 fons of virtue ; but when ever his charafler is 
 
 fully 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 7 J 
 
 fully detefted, all his moft artful pretences this 
 way will, in the iffue, only fo much the more 
 hurt his own caufe. 
 
 Here I aiked Evander, why rhetoric was ^o 
 commonly placed before philofophy, if the lat- 
 ter was fo neceffary to it ? He anfwered, that 
 as far as he could learn, the difference between 
 the method of his countrymen, and that of the 
 beft modeled colleges, was not material. 'Tis 
 true, faid he, thefe colleges begin the ftudy of 
 rhetoric in the lower clafTes, but they continue 
 it through the higher ones. Thus the firft 
 year, perhaps, the youth learn no m.ore than 
 the figures of fpeech and the precepts or rules 
 of oratory. The knowlege of logic and gram- 
 mar is enough for this purpofe. Compofition, 
 criticifm, and that part of rhetoric to which 
 philofophy and polite letters are neceflary, fall 
 of courfe after the fludy of philofophy, iSc. in 
 the generality of feminaries, which is the fame 
 thing upon the whole j only that my country- 
 men, as hath been obfervcd, think it befl 
 for them, never to engage youth in more 
 than one or two fludies till they are fully 
 mailers of them ; and to keep their plan 
 as fimple as pofTible, that they may fland 
 in need of no more profefTors and tutors 
 than their circumflances enable them to em, 
 ploy-, which are the fole confiderations that 
 ■would ever make them depart in the leall from 
 
 the 
 
74- A General Idea 
 
 the pra6blce of nations more learned than them- 
 
 felves. 
 
 I prefume, I need offer no reafons for placing 
 the ftudics of agriculture, hiftory and politics 
 in the higheft clafs. As thefe ftudies feldorn 
 enter much into the fcheme of education, but are 
 left for every man's private reading after his edu- 
 cation at the univerfity is finifhed, it is plain 
 that they fhould be lafl, if they are at all 
 brought into fuch a fcheme. They are in- 
 deed the ftudies of men, and require a ripe 
 judgment. But befides this, all the former 
 ftudies, as I have obferved already, are necelTary 
 and fubfervient to them. Even the knowlege 
 of rhetoric itfelf is of great ufe in reading a well- 
 wrote hiftory, as many of the chief beauties 
 thereof would otherwife be loft and untafted. 
 And if this was not the cafe, yet ftill, methinks, 
 hiftory and agriculture ftiould be placed laft, 
 3n order to fend youth abroad into the world, 
 warm (if I may fo exprefs it) from thofe ftudies 
 which their own interefts and the fervice of 
 their country will generally require them chiefly 
 to cultivate. 
 
 The next thing to be fpoken of is the public 
 exercifes of thefe clafles \ for the Miranians are 
 fully convinced of the great advantages of 
 bringing youth early to fpeak in public, and 
 therefore have fet all the Saturdays of the year 
 lyholly apart for this Purpofe. 
 
 Upo^ 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 75 
 
 Upon thefe days, the mafters, fcholars, and 
 ttS many of the citizens as pleafe to attend, be- 
 ing aflembled in the chapel after morning 
 prayers; one of the ftudents in the firfb or 
 Greek clafs appears as refpondent with an op- 
 ponent or interrogator from the third clafs. 
 The latter pitches upon any Greek author, 
 which the refpondent has read during the courfe 
 of the year in his clafs, and prefcribes a pafTage 
 in it to be rendered into Englilh extempore. 
 This the refpondent does, pointing out the 
 author's beauties, clearing up his obfcurities 
 and difficulties, and giving an account of the 
 cafe, tenfe, mood, derivation, conftrudlion, ^c. 
 of every word. The opponent takes care to 
 fet him right where he errs ; and gives him an 
 opportunity, by proper interrogations, to dif- 
 play his fkill and improvements to the beft ad- 
 vantage. The mafter of that clafs to which 
 the opponent belongs, fuperintends thefe exer- 
 eifes, and may interfere with his affiftance if 
 there fliould be occafion. But this feidom 
 happens. 
 
 After thefe, one of the 2d clals appears as 
 refpondent, with an opponent from the 4th, 
 who endeavors to impugn a thefis given out 
 and defended by the other. Then he changes 
 the fubjedl and interrogates him concerninor his 
 ikill in fuch branches of the mathematics as he 
 (^he relpondent) has learned in his clafs. 
 
y6 A General Idea 
 
 In the next place, a refpondent appears frotn 
 the third clafs with an opponent from the 5th. 
 The method of exercife the fame as above. 
 The fubjed ethics and phyfics. 
 
 Befides bearing a Part, as interrogators, in 
 the foregoing exerqj^es, the 4th and 5th clafles 
 have an exercife of declamation peculiar to 
 themfelves. Firft one of the youth in the clafs 
 of rhetoric delivers a fpeech with proper ^race 
 and aftion on any philofophical fubjed:, or on 
 die nature, rules and advantages of eloquence 
 and poetry, which are the lludies of the prefent 
 year. 
 
 Laftly, one of the 5th or higheft clafs de- 
 livers an oration, framed according to the exaft 
 rules of rhetoric, upon any civil topic that is, 
 or may be, difputed with regard to the intereft 
 of their country. And Ibch harrangues I have 
 often known to be of very public fervice, not 
 only when delivered, but when thought worthy 
 of beino- publifhed. Sometimes too their fub- 
 jed is the ufefulnefs of hiftory and agriculture ; 
 the pleafures of retirement, or any moral to- 
 pic. Thus when there are not above twenty 
 boys in each clafs, every boy in the three lower 
 clafles appears in public twice a year, and thofe 
 of the two higher clafTes four times. There 
 are exercifes of the fame kind in the higher 
 clafles of the academy and mechanic's fchooL 
 
 And, 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 77 
 
 And, in the latin fcliool, there are quarterly 
 examinations, and proper rev/ards diftributed 
 to excite emulation. 
 
 There is one thing peculiar to the Miranians 
 in thefe exercifes, which I had almoft forgot to 
 mention •, viz. that they are moll commonly 
 in the Englifli tongue. No people are more 
 careful than they to teach youth to tranflate 
 Latin readily, as may appear in the courfe of 
 the foregoing ftudies, where every author 
 is read in the original : But, when this is at- 
 tained, they aim at nothing more. They are 
 fenfible, that there is a great difference between 
 being able to explain a clafTic author extempore, 
 and being able to v;rite with as much purity as 
 that author. Almoft any perfon may attain to 
 the firft \ but only a few have attained to the 
 perfection of writing pure claflic Latin, un- 
 mixed with barbarifms and foreign idioms, 
 fince it became a dead language. 
 
 They don't however deny, but learned men, 
 to render their works more univerfally ufeful, 
 may write in the Latin tongue, though they 
 cannot write with claffic elegance and purity. 
 But they greatly condemn the praftice of neg- 
 leding the mother-tongue, and embarrafling 4 
 young ftudent, by obliging him to fpeak or 
 €ompofe in a dead language. While he is 
 hunting after words to convey his ideas, he 
 js continually on the rack s one half of his fen- 
 
 timentSj 
 
yS A General Idea 
 
 timents, one half of the fprightly failles of fancy 
 which would otherwife Ihine through his com- 
 pofitions, muft efcape his memory before he can 
 find language to exprefs them. The confciouf- 
 nefs of fpeaking improperly, often barbaroufly, 
 muft damp his ardor, and reftrain him from 
 delivering himfelf with that becoming eafe and 
 confidence, that grace of voice and aftion, that 
 propriety and harmony, which he could not 
 fail of, by applying that time and pains to 
 compofition in the Englifli tongue, which 
 is often without fuccefs given to the Latin. 
 Befides, my countrymen feem to think it in 
 fome fort difhonourable to declaim only in a 
 foreign tongue, before an Engiilh audience. In 
 particular, my friend, continued Evander, very 
 gaily, to fpeak in Latin, we think, would be 
 an affront to our ladies, who often honor us 
 with their prefence on thofe occafions. Yet 
 ftill, to fhew that it is not for want of ability 
 to fpeak in Latin that this method is in general 
 difcontinued, there are always fome Latin ora- 
 tions and difputations at the anniverfary com- 
 mencements, and on other private occafions. 
 There are likewife mafters in the colleo-e 
 for teaching the French, Italian, Spanifh and 
 German tongues, at private hours; and a 
 fencing mafter, who, befides the ufc of the 
 fword, teaches the military exercife. There 
 
 is, 
 
Of the College of Mirania; ^^9 
 
 is, laflly, a dancing-mafter, whom I fliould 
 have mentioned firft j as this art is learned by 
 the boys when very young, viz. in the loweft 
 clafles of the latin and mechanic's fchool- 
 None of the youth, however, are obliged, by 
 the ftatutes of the college, to attehd thele 
 mailers ; and if they do attend them, it mult 
 be before they are entered into the fourth or 
 rhetorical clafs, becaule they will not fuffer anv 
 thing to interfere with the duties of the two 
 higher clafles ; which, as you will remember, 
 confift chiefly in reading and writing in private. 
 
 The ftudents in thele two clalTes are elleem- 
 ed men ; and it is reckoned fliameful for them 
 to be ignorant of dancing, fencing, and mo- 
 dern languages till that time. None of thele 
 matters are included in the inftitution, in any 
 other thing, but that the governors or truftees, 
 upon any complaint that their characters are 
 bad, and their example dangerous, may de- 
 prive them of the benefit of teaching the 
 youth ; — a punilhment great enough. For, tho* 
 they have no falaries from the public, yet as 
 each of them has generally thrice the number 
 of boys that are in any of the clalTes, their in- 
 come is nothing inferior to the income of the 
 mailers that are upon the ellablifliment. And 
 the college alfo gives fuch of them, as be- 
 have well, a handfom gratuity yearly ; as a 
 tefl:imony of their being willing to encourage 
 ( the 
 
8o A General Idea 
 
 the acquifition of all polite arts, and manly 
 
 cifes among the youth. 
 
 Here Evander paufed, as if in expeftation of 
 feme remarks from me upon the excellency of 
 the inflitution he had given me an account of. 
 I told him, that as far as he had yet proceed- 
 ed, I gready approved of it: But that I 
 thought the fludy of religion, v/ithout which 
 no fcheme of education could be of advantage 
 to the State, or private perfons, did not fuffi- 
 ciendy enter into his account j and that if the 
 Miranians did nothing more this way than he 
 bad fpoken of^ I judged their fcheme deficient 
 in the moft interefling Article. 
 
 He refumed, that my obfervation was juftj 
 and that it was for this very reajfon he had left 
 the account of their method of inculcating reli- 
 gion and morals to a feparate article ; as well, 
 becaufe of their importance, as becaufe they 
 are the chief obje6b of the 0-udies of every clafs, 
 and confequently could not be brought into the 
 account of any particular one. 
 
 My countrymen, proceeded he, are fully 
 perfuaded that thofe, who a^e entrufled with 
 the education of youth, can do more lading 
 icrvice to the intereits of religion and virtue, 
 at a tirne when the heart is ful'ceptible of every 
 imprelTion, than all the good men, armed with 
 all the power of a country, can do; if, for 
 want of education, the heart is fuffered to be- 
 come 
 
of the College of Miranla. 8t 
 
 tome callous, as it were, and obftinate in the 
 habits of vice. They were therefore extremely 
 careful to look for fomething ftill better than 
 learning in all the mafters they chofe into this 
 feminary, admitting none but men of irre- 
 proachable charaflers ; men whofe lives Ihould 
 be a daily comment on their precepts, and their 
 genuine goodnefs of heart a conilant pledge 
 for the morals of the youth committed to their 
 care ; men indefatigable in the difcharge of 
 their duty, from a confcioufnefs of the weighty 
 truft repofed in them, and an unfeigned zeal 
 for the prefent and future interefts of theif 
 pupils; men, in a word, formed to command 
 love and reverence, and, from their fweetnels 
 of temper, difpofed to drew the path to fci- 
 ence with rofes. They prudently forcfaw, that 
 upon their meeting with men of this chara(5ler 
 at firft, not only depended the reputation of 
 the College, but, in a great meafure, the mo- 
 rals and genius of their country to the lateft 
 
 generations. 
 
 Such men it was their happinefs to meet 
 with ; and it will prove a pleafing Ipeculation 
 to take a more particular view of the method 
 of inculcating virtue^ which is pradlifed by 
 them, and may be pradlifed hy every good 
 mafter, in the courfe of thefe fludies. Some 
 may be ready to imagine that they beflow a 
 great deal of labor this way ; but, on the con- 
 trary 
 
Sz A General Idea 
 
 trary, though religion and goodnefs be a fiib* 
 jed always in their eye, it is not always in their 
 mouth. They know well enough that youth 
 are apt to give but a cool attention to whatever 
 has the appearance of fet ledures, and formal 
 difcourfes on morality ; while a word dropt, as 
 it were cafually, by a fkilful matter, in a 
 proper feafon, fhall ftrike To much the deeper 
 as it was not expected, and make an impreflion 
 perhaps never to be erafed. 
 
 His great Bufinefs then, who would train 
 ■ up youth to the love of religion, feems to con, 
 fift, in the firft place, in getting the entire pof- 
 fefllon of their hearts, in keeping a watchful 
 eye over them, in preventing the approach of 
 every thing that is of a noxious quality, in 
 making all around them breathe innocence, 
 purity and truth ; and, laftly, while the heart 
 is in this found ftate, in watching the proper 
 opportunities of dropping into it the feeds of 
 goodnefs, which will not fail to bring forth an 
 hundred-fold-, provided he adds to the whole 
 his own example, and feems fully perfuaded 
 of the truths he would imprefs upon them, ne- 
 ver mentioning religion and virtue, but with 
 the utmoft devotion and fervor of foul. 
 
 Opportunities of this kind will never be 
 wanting to the mafter, who has himfelf a good 
 heart. I (hall take notice of a few of them ; 
 and though every claffic author may be made 
 
 to 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 8^ 
 
 to furnini them, I fliall confine myfelf to the 
 live learned clafTes laft mentioned, becaufe I 
 would be brief. I fhall take care to afcribe no- 
 thing more to the fcholar than I myfelf have ' 
 felt, nor can I afcribe half fo much to the 
 mafter, as I have known the good Aratus to 
 put in pradice ; for under him 1 had the hap- 
 pinefs to pafs through thefe five clafTes, being 
 one of the youth with whom he opened the 
 college, and which he could not open higher 
 than the firfl: or Greek-Clafs aforefaid. 
 
 Now, in this clafs, the reading of Homer 
 under fuch a mafter, was like travelling throuo-h 
 fome delightful country, richly variegated 
 with every thing that could pleaic the fancy or 
 exalt the genius. Numerous were the oppor- 
 tunities which the good man took, from the 
 writings even of this heathen author, to prefs 
 home upon us refpeft for kings, magiftrates, 
 parents, and all fuperiors. Beautifully would 
 he mark for us the Decorum and Hcnejimn of 
 life, painted in the characters, and every thing 
 ignoble and unworthy expofed. Often would 
 he dwell with rapture on the poet's noble images 
 of ancient hofpitality, generofity, benevolence, 
 juftice, honor, piety, integrity, friendlhip, 
 fidelity, fincerity, intrepidity, patience, re- 
 iignation, and the like. At the fame time, 
 while he taught us to gather the rofes of fuch 
 an author, he not only made us fhun the 
 
 f thorns •, 
 
84- A General Idea 
 
 thorns % but, as bees from poifonous herbs ex- 
 trad healing liquids, he taught us even to reap 
 advantages from thofe ablurdities, which were 
 more the fault of the age than of the poet. 
 Such are the monftrous fidions about the na- 
 ture of the Gods, their jars, thefts, robberies, 
 rapes, incefts, drunkennefs and the like \ from 
 which Aratus would take occafion to teach us 
 the juft value of thofe lacred volumes, which 
 have refcued us from fuch fuperftition and 
 blindnefs. 
 
 In the fccond clafs, what frefh opportunities 
 did he find of leading us from wonder to won- 
 der, and bringing the Deity as it were before 
 our eyes, in the ftudy of his ftupendous works ! 
 How were our mmds dilated aiid exalted when 
 he led us to confider the heavenly bodies, and 
 put them in competition with what we ufually 
 called great! Even the terraqueous globe on 
 which we dwell, with all its kingdoms and 
 boafled grandeur, feemed in our eye but a point 
 in the folar-fyflem ! The folar-fyllem itfelf 
 dwindled into a narrow fpot, when compared 
 with the numerous fyflems of thofe ftars that 
 in a clear night flud the Cerulean ! All thefe 
 fyflems apain were loft in the vaft expanfe when 
 coMpared wiui that infinity of fyftems, which 
 philofophy's purer view can defcry beyond the 
 
 reach of all optics. 
 
 Thus 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 85 
 
 Thus, having raifed us from fyftem to 
 Tyftem, beyond all definite fpace, till he per- 
 ceived us loft in the imagination, and, as it 
 were, labouring under the weight of our own 
 conceptions ; the good Aratus, knowing his 
 opportunity and exulting in his fuccefs, would 
 turn his addrefs immediately to U3 in words 
 like thefe. 
 
 " My dear youths ! I think it not flrange that 
 " fuch fpeculations fhould fill your minds with 
 " wonder and amazement. Yet be afiTured, 
 *• (if we may ufe the inadequate language of 
 *' men) that fo far are we from having even in 
 ''thought reached the limits, that we are ftill 
 " but on the frontiers, of the Creator's king- 
 ly' dom. How much, then, ought we to be 
 " aftonifhed at our own littknefs, and his gran- 
 " dm, whofe * hand framed all thofe clufters of 
 " fyftems, kindled all xkitix funs and feeds their 
 " immenfe fires from age • to age ? How 
 "daring is it for us, the atom-lords of 
 " this atom-world, to exalt ourfelves againft 
 " the great Sovereign of fuch an incomprehen- 
 ** fible domain ! How ridiculous to ftrut about 
 " in pride, and boaft that all thefe fyftems 
 
 • Whofe arm almighty put thefe wheeling globes 
 In motion, and wound up the vaft machine ! 
 Who rounded id his palm thofe fpacious orbs ; 
 Who bowl'd them flaming thro' the vaft profound. 
 And fet the bofom of old night on £re Dx. Toung, 
 
 were 
 
B6 A Gentral laen 
 
 were made for us !— Certain I am, that very 
 different fenfations mufl: now aftuate your 
 bv)foms. Doiibt'efs, you have already, in 
 your own imaginations, peopled all thefs 
 ' various fyftems with ten thoufand various or- 
 '' ders of beings rifing rank above rank in the 
 ' fcale of intelligence. Nay, if I deceive 
 ' myfelf not, your very fouls are now ardently 
 ' affefting that period when, fhaking off this 
 ' cumbrous vehicle of fiefli, you Ihall foar per- 
 ' haps throu<>h the wide realms of nature, fee 
 ' all tJi' g> as they are, and be indulged in a 
 ' correfpon.'ence with all thoie fyftems, and 
 
 * all their inhabitants.— Such affeftions as thefe, 
 ' my dear youths, are from above-,— they are 
 ' divineh !;;fpired ;— O check them not I They 
 ' fpeak tViQ v/arth and immortality of your 
 ' Souls ! If a God, that does nothing in vain, 
 ' has endowed you with defires {o incommen- 
 ' furate to all terreilrial obje6ls, and a capacity 
 ' of foaring fo far beyond them ; if he has 
 
 * given you fuch a reftlefs curiofity of prying 
 ' farther and farther into the boundlefs fcheme 
 ' of nature i be affured that this curiofity will 
 ^ not be fruftrated. There are in relerve for 
 ' ycu future periods of exiftence, when all 
 ' thefe noble defires will be fully fatisfied, and 
 
 fuperior difplays be eternally opened upon you, 
 i^s your powers are for ever enlarging." 
 
 But 
 
Of the College of Mi rani a. %) 
 
 But it was not alone, by afcending in the 
 fcale of nature, that our amiable Tutor taught 
 us to admire the Creator's goodnefs. We were 
 forced to acknowledge him ftill greater, if pof- 
 fible, in the fmalleft than in the greateft things, 
 when in the third class we defcended in the 
 ftudy of nature towards its other extreme. 
 
 To fpeak only of that fingle branch of phy^. 
 fics called rmcrograpby, how did it furprile us to 
 difcover living creatures, thoufands of which 
 would be imperceptible to the unafilfted fenfe, 
 fwarming by legions in each leaf and grain ; 
 animating our choiceft viands, mantling our 
 pureft hquors, and crouding even the tranipa- 
 rent atmofphere '' But when we were convinced 
 that thefe animalcules are fo far from being the 
 
 CD 
 
 laft degree of fmallnefs, that there are others 
 as much fmaller than them as they are fmaller 
 than us, we were then as much loft in the di- 
 vifibility of matter, as formerly in its multi- 
 plicity. As in the one cafe, we could con- 
 ceive no end of the magnitude and addition of 
 heavenly bodies, fo in the other we could con- 
 ceive no end of divifion and fmallnefs. On 
 either fide of us, the gradation exceeds all our 
 conceptions •, and, aftonifhed at ourfelves, we 
 now faw man in a different light. He that but 
 
 O 
 
 a little before ftemed only an atom of an atom 
 
 world, almoft imperceptible in the bofom of 
 
 the univerfe, feemed now diftended Lito a world, 
 
 f 3 even 
 
^S A General Idea 
 
 even into an univerfe, when compared but with 
 the laft degree of perceptible /»z^//«^y}. Taking 
 the view, therefore, on both fides, we were na- 
 turally led to afTign him his proper place as the 
 — nexus utriufque mundi. 
 
 But, to proceed. How greatly was our 
 aftonifhment increafed, when v;e were convinced 
 that the minuted of thefe animals fs formed with 
 as exa(5l proportion, nicety and defign as man 
 himfelf ! That they have their diltinxSt joints, 
 limbs and veflels, all difpofed in number, 
 weight and meafure ; and that- 
 Each within this little bulk contains. 
 An heart to drive the torrent thro* its veins ; 
 Mufcles to move its limbs aright j a brain. 
 And nerves difpofed for pleafure and for pain • 
 Eyes to diftinguilh ; fenfe, whereby to know 
 What's good or bad, is, or is not, its foe! — 
 They too are pain*d with love — addrefs the/^/r. 
 And, with their rivals, wage deftruflive war. 
 
 Universe, 
 
 Such ipeculations, conduced by the pious 
 
 and fervent Aratus, did not fail to imprefs us 
 
 with grand and elevated conceptions of the 
 
 Deity ! 
 
 " Think, my dear youdis (he would fay to 
 us) " Oh! think how wonderful, how incom- 
 '* prehenfible mud that God be, whofe works 
 
 " are- 
 
Of the College of Mirania., 89 
 
 «' are fo amazingly various ! Who performed 
 " all thefe minute operations, who rrade the 
 " fmall heart, and poured the exceedingly fub- 
 " tile liquids into thefmaV, veffels, of thefe dimi- 
 " nudve animalcules-— all with the very farr.e 
 " right hand, wherewith he roundtJ thofe im- 
 " menfe orbs, and launched forth all thofe 
 " fyftems of worlds through immeafura^' ^oace, 
 " whofe magnitude and numbers fo lately con- 
 *' founded us 1" 
 
 Forgive me, my Friend, faid Evander, if in 
 this part of my narrative, I Ihould feem tedious, 
 or difcover any unbecoming raptures. The 
 time fpent in thefe ftudies was the happieft pe- 
 riod of my life i a- period which I can never 
 refle^t'upon, without having before me the idea 
 of the good Aratus^ pouring forth important 
 truths to us, and leading us imperceptibly from 
 the vifible to the invifible things of God. 
 
 It is impofTible to exprefs what a foundation 
 in piety may be made, on fuch occafions, by a 
 good and fervent man, whofe perfon and cha- 
 rafler we love, and whom we fufpeft of no 
 defign upon us but our own welfare ; and he 
 who fails to make a due improvement of fuch 
 opportunities of inftilling goodnefs into youth, 
 doth indeed negledt one of the moft elTential 
 defigns of education. He negle<fl:s to form that 
 relifli for the devout contemplation of God's 
 "works, which is not only capable to give us 
 
 joy 
 
po A General Idea 
 
 and fatisfadion in all conditions of life ; but 
 will, no doubt, conftitute a part of our plea- 
 fure, and be the fubjeft of our contemplation 
 and wonder, for ever and ever ! On the con- 
 trary, he who embraces fuch opportunities, 
 with judgment and difcretion, will have no 
 reafon to complain that youth are unfufceptible 
 of ferious impreffions ; or that true philofopby is 
 unfriendly to religion. Perhaps, it may be true 
 of philofophy, as the poet beautifully exprefle^ 
 it from Bacoff, — 
 
 " That (hallow draughts intoxicate the brain ; 
 " But drinking largely fobers us again." 
 
 So far in refpeft to the third class. As 
 to the FOURTH, I have already hinted how far 
 the ftudies of Rhetoric, Poetry, and what is 
 commonly called the Belles Lettres, tend to 
 foften the heart, and ferene the temper. I pafs 
 on, therefore, to the fifth, or highell clafs. 
 
 And here, what need I fpeak of jigriculture j 
 which is only a capital part of natural know- 
 ledge reduced to pra6bice ? Indeed Tully * and 
 Columella -f have exprefsly honoured this ftudy 
 
 • yenio nunc ad voluptates .4gricolarum, quibus ego incre- 
 dibiliter deleter ; qua nee ulla impediuntur feneSlute, iff 
 mihi ad fapientis 'vitam proxime accedere 'videntur. 
 
 f Res rufiica, Jtne dubitationCy proxima iif qiwji con- 
 Janguinea /apientiiC eji, 
 
 with 
 
Of the College of Mlranla. 91 
 
 with the name of Wifdom and the Ufe of a wife 
 man •,— a ftudy that hath given that happinefs 
 to the moft renowned names in flory, which 
 the world could not give, and afforded them 
 folid pleafures in their declining years,after being 
 cloyed with all that mankind call great! In- 
 deed, it would be endlefs to enumerate all the 
 opportunities which Aratus here found of im^ 
 proving our religious fentiments. He could 
 not explain the theory of vegetation, without 
 exhibiting whole worlds of wonders. He 
 Could not examine the flrudure of the mofl 
 indifferent plant, without making us perceive 
 in it the fame wifdom and defign that appear 
 in the flrtifture of the mofl perfedt animal. 
 He could not examine the fofTil and mineral 
 kingdoms, without pointing out to us the fame 
 agreement, fitnefs and defign in the difpofition 
 of things, even amid the dark recefles and fe- 
 cret bowels of the earth, as on her beautiful 
 furface. And her beautiful furface he could 
 not furvey without filling our hearts with won- 
 der, love and gratitude. 
 
 In this clafs, having now arrived to the laft 
 ftage of our fludies, and jufl entering into 
 manhood, Aratus treated us more as his bo- 
 fom-friends and companions, than as his pupils 
 or fcholars -, and often, when the feafon per- 
 mitted, would lead us to the adjoining fields, 
 
 to 
 
p2 A General Idea 
 
 to make the proper remarks on the different 
 
 plants, trees, ^c. 
 
 Early, one morning, he appointed us to meet 
 him in the public garden, where, being con- 
 vened, he told us, that the plant which he pro- 
 pofed to {hew us was not there, but that it 
 grew wild near the top of a mountain at about 
 a mile and a half diftance to the northward of 
 Mirania. To this place, therefore, he invited 
 us to walk, exprefling his hopes that he might 
 be able to furnifh amufement for us, fufFicient 
 to compenfate the toil. Having reached the 
 fummit, and found what he was in fearch of, 
 he feated himfelf beneath the fhade of an an- 
 cient oak, and began his remarks on the curio- 
 fity of the plant he had mentioned to us. 
 
 The morning was ferene, and the profpeft 
 around us enchanting. The city lay open to 
 the view, and the fun wasjuft darting his firft 
 beams to gild its various tuj-rets and fpires. 
 Two mighty rivers, v/hofe fources are among 
 nations and regions yet unexplored, embracing 
 each other before us, rolled their united flood 
 in filent majefty to the main. On either bank 
 Taft woods and forefts, planted by nature's own 
 hand, time immemorial, waved their graceful 
 Verdure to every gale •, while, between thefe 
 woods, at different diftances, vales and favan- 
 nahs, opening interminable, gave a beautiful 
 diverfity to the fcene — Here gentle brooks me- 
 
 andring 
 
Of the College of Mifania; 93 
 
 andring along their peebly channels, to pour 
 their tributary urns into thefe larger rivers; and 
 there a rich profufion of hillocks, tufted with 
 various trees, among which groups of tame 
 animals fed in mingled peace and happinefs 
 with their wild brothers of the woods, as yet 
 undifturbed by the barbarous huntfman's toils. 
 The whole rural profpedt was clofed by vaft 
 mountains, piled into the clouds, whofe enor- 
 mous height even ake the beholder's eye, and 
 charm the foul with dehghtful grandeur. 
 
 Turning to this landfcape, and dropping the 
 fmall plant that he held in his hand, " Look 
 ** round you, my dear friends ! look round 
 " you, faid Aratus! Who can confine his 
 ** his attention to a fingle produdlion of na- 
 ** ture, when fuch immenfe fcenes lie before 
 ** him ? How infeparably connefted are haufy 
 " and utility, magnificence and frugality, in all 
 *' the works of God ! Thefe inequalities and 
 *' varieties, on the furface of the earth, not on- 
 " ly ferve to form thofe profpefts, which now 
 *' enchant us,but alfo to frudtify and enrich the 
 " foil ! Thefe hillocks and lefTcr vallies form 
 " rivulets, and drain off the iupervacaneous 
 " moifture. Thefe rivulets form rivers; and 
 *' thefe rivers fupply the expence of evapora- 
 ** tions from the ocean. Thefe evaporations 
 "form magazines of dews and rains; an:5, 
 ** laftly, thefe magazines of dews and rains are 
 
 " condenled 
 
<P4 -^ General Idea 
 
 •" condenfcd, and brought down upon the earth, 
 " by the help of the high mountains. Thus 
 " the globe is ever fupplied with frelh recruits 
 " of moifture, and faline juices. And thus, 
 " though all things differ, all agree to promote 
 ** the fame wife ends. Order walks hand in 
 *' hand with variety. The mountains but 
 " ftand the lofty minifters of the vales. Unlefs 
 " they thus reared their gelid crefts into the 
 " iky, to arreft and condcnfe the fiuduating va- 
 " pors, the hotter countries would probably 
 " be left deftitute of rain, and the whole moi- 
 '* llure of the globe might, by degrees, eva- 
 " vagate towards the colder regions, and be 
 *' at length congealed round the poles ; not to 
 " mention that the mountains alfo produce 
 *' many curious minerals and vegetables of fo- 
 *' vereign ufe, which are not to be found elfe- 
 " where. Such, for inftance, is this plant, 
 *' which we afcended hither in fearch of, and 
 *' which I fhall afterwards give you a further 
 *' account of. But let us, in the mean while, 
 *' return homewards, to avoid the encreafmg 
 ** heat of the day." 
 
 Aratus having finilhed, and taken a few of 
 the plants with him, which he might readily 
 have procured with lefs labor to himfelf, we 
 were at no lofs to guefs what had been his 
 principal motive in leading us to this delightful 
 place. 
 
 But 
 
Of the College of Miranla. 95 
 
 But you will excufe this digrefTicn, if you 
 fliould efteem it fuch. The lafl ftudy to be 
 fpoken of is History, which, as Aratus ma- 
 naged it, is nothing elfe but religion and phi- 
 lofophy taught by examples. 
 
 When the mirror of ages was held up to us, 
 and all the celebrated names of antiquity made 
 ro pafs in bright review before us ; when we 
 beheld the glorious efFe6ls of virtue, with the' 
 train of private and pubhc miiferies, which have 
 always been the confequence of vicej when 
 we faw the public villain branded with eternal 
 infamy, and delivered down as a malefador to 
 all pOiterity, while the patriot's name is em- 
 balmed, and rendered for ever illaftrious, by 
 the concurring plaudits of the world ^ could we, 
 do you think, forbear, in our own imagina- 
 tions and refolutions, to enlift ourfelves for life, 
 under the banner of virtue ? Could we forbear 
 to glow with a generous defire of earning the 
 fair efteem of good men, and partaking fome 
 fhare of fame v^^ith thofe venerable worthies' 
 we read of? Or couli we once think of com- 
 mitdng a bafe and dilhoneft a<5tion, without 
 Ihrinking from it with horror, at the apprehen- 
 fion of the lading reproaches of mankind ? 
 
 The ftudy of hiftory, and a view of the 
 greatnefs, illuftnous atchievementa and manners 
 of other nations, may, in fome degree, fupply 
 ;he place of travelling, and make youth Ihake 
 
 off 
 
g6 A General Idea 
 
 off that narrownefs of mind, which is apt to 
 fuoil-r'jte the cuftoms, manners and anions of 
 the fiT-ail fpot wherem they were born, as the 
 ftandard of right and wrong, the model of eve- 
 ry thing great and good It begets in them a 
 more noble and generous turn of thought, ex- 
 tends their v^ews, and teaches them, as citizens 
 of the world, to do impartial juftice to the vir- 
 tues of every people and nation. 
 
 Indeed there is fome danger, that hiftory, 
 with all its advantages, fliould go too far in 
 this refpedt, and beget a love of falfe magni- 
 ficence and external fhew. The paiaality of 
 hiftorians to their own great men, the pom- 
 pous accounts of vi{5tories and triumphs, with 
 the colorings often employed to heighten ac- 
 tions that have little or no intrinfic greatnefs, 
 are apt to dazzle the eyes of unwary readers. 
 But here it was, that Aratus, ever watchful and 
 fagacious, took particular care to make the 
 proper diftinflions, and to cultivate in us the 
 tafte of folid glory. 
 
 He would afk us, whether, in our own pri- 
 vate judgment, Timoleon, when he dechned 
 all the dignities offered him by a grateful 
 people, and retired to praftife in filence the 
 virtues of a private life, only faving to himfelf 
 the pleafure of feeing thoufands happy by his 
 means, did not appear as venerably great, as 
 when he came at the head of an army, refolv- 
 
 ed 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 97 
 
 cd either to die, or refcue that people from 
 flavery and oppreflion ? Whether Curius, when 
 he rejefled the vaft fums offered him by the 
 Samnite ambafladors, though they found him 
 fo poor as to be cooking his own fupper, did 
 not (hew as much magnanimity, as when in 
 the front of dieadful war he conquered where- 
 ever he came ? Whether Fabius hath not been 
 as much applauded for faving from deftruflion 
 his rival and adver{ary,Mz«aa«j,who had endea- 
 voured to fupplant him in the efteem of the 
 people, as for defeating the great Hannibal, 
 and faving": the Republic ? Wheel er Cincinna- 
 tus deferved more praifes for his criumph over 
 the ^qui, or his immediate abdication of the 
 diftatorfhip (when lie could be of no farther 
 public fervice) and flealing away from the ac- 
 clamations of his fellow-citizens, to manure his 
 little farm, and cheer his lovely Racilia, to 
 whom in his abfence he had committed the 
 care of it ? Whether he might not appear as 
 great, when feated on an humble turf he de- 
 cided a difference among his neighbour-pea- 
 fants, and reftored peace to a poor family, as 
 when feated on the high tribunal of Rome, 
 and veiled with uncontroulable authority, he 
 gave law and peace to half the world ? 
 
 Thefe renowned worthies (Aratus would ob- 
 ferve) when they conquered nations, faved their 
 country and triumphed over its enemies, did 
 
 that 
 
98 A General Idea 
 
 that which was great indeed ! Neverthelefs 
 many others have equalled them in this. But 
 when they conquered themfelves ; when they 
 laved their bittereft enemies ; when they tri- 
 umphed over poverty, and would not ftoop to 
 gather gold, diadems and kingdoms, for their 
 own private>molument j— they did that in which 
 they have had but few equals. 
 
 By contrails like thefe, and queflions fre- 
 quently afked, I have known Aratus labor to 
 form and improve our notions of true greatnefs. 
 By laying before us thofe bright examples of 
 public virtue, who managed the treafures and 
 iilled the mofl eminent pods of their country 
 with unllillied integrity, who conquered the 
 mofl opulent kingdoms without adding a 
 iingle drachma to their private fortune j and, 
 whenever their country's fervice did not require 
 their immediate prefence, defcended volunta- 
 rily from the command of mankind to manure 
 a few private acres,and trace the divine wifdcm 
 in the v/orks of nature-,-— I fay by laying fuch 
 bright examples as thefe before us, he led us 
 
 naturally to this conclufion That nothing 
 
 can be honourable but integrity and the appro- 
 bation of good men j nothing fhameful but 
 vice and communion with the bad ; nothing 
 neceflary but our duty •, nothing great and 
 comfortable but the confcicntious difcharge of 
 it J and that true glory does not confift in 
 
 breathing 
 
Of the College of Mirank.' 99 
 
 breathing the fiery fpirit of war, and thirdkig 
 eagerly after dominion ; but in delighting to 
 fee the world happy and unalarmed, in fer* 
 vently flriving to promote this happinefs, in 
 cultivating the arts of peace, encouraging 
 agriculture and manufa6lures, educating chil- 
 dren aright as the rifing hopes of the ftate, and 
 ferving God in tranquiUty of mind and purity 
 of heart. Hiftory Ihews that none but thoie 
 who acted thus, have either been happy in 
 their life, or efteemed after their death. 
 
 I fnall only mention one advantage mors 
 propofed from this philofophical review of the 
 hiftory of mankind; namely, that to behold 
 the dreadful eftedls of tyranny and religious 
 impofture in other countries, and the number- 
 lefs fcenes of great and real diftrefs to be me£ 
 with in their hiftory, not only teaches the youth 
 to kl a juft value on the Britifli conftitution, 
 and that glorious plan of civil and religious li* 
 berty which it fecures to us, but alfo tends 
 more to humanize the breaft and to purge and 
 regulate the affections, than all the imaginary 
 diftrefs of the beft conduced Drama* 
 
 In this concluding leflure, Aratus, ever fer- 
 vent, feemed animated with more than ordinary 
 warmth. After a thorough furvey of that fer- 
 vitude and wretchednefs under which the far 
 greater part of the human fpecies groans, — 
 '* Turn we, my dear friends (he would fay) turn 
 g " we 
 
100 .A General Idea 
 
 " we from thefe unhappy regions, that pfe- 
 *' fent nothing to the view but fcenes of the 
 ** moft comphcated mifery, and whofe hiftory 
 *' is little elfe but the hiftory of human vio- 
 " Jence and human wickednefs, however dif- 
 " guifed by names and fanftified by cuftom ! 
 ** Let us caft our eyes homewards, on more 
 "joyous profpeds i— a Land of Liberty, life 
 " and property fecure ; a people bufy to im- 
 '* prove their unprecarious fortune ; cities 
 '* teeming with wealth ; commerce extended as 
 ** far as winds blow and waters roll-, every gale 
 *' and tide wafting riches into port, and bear- 
 *' ing forth the fruits of induftry in fair ex- 
 «' change ; arts and letters fiourilhing ; reli- 
 *' gion pure and uncorrupted ; the loweft fons 
 *' of labor glad ; the very earth delighting to re- 
 " ward their toils, and the fun fhedding on it his 
 " choiceft beams— while above all, a King who 
 *' is the commoR father of his people (and as 
 " fuch reigning in their hearts) is feen watching 
 " over this happy conftitution even with a 
 " patriot's zeal ; and ufing every generous ef- 
 ** fort to refcue the wretched of other climes 
 *' from flavery, and to place them alfo in 
 " the lap of Freedom to enjoy the fame un- 
 " fpeakable happinefs ! O nomen duke liber^ 
 " tatis ! O jus eximium nofira civitatis ! Oh ! 
 ** how delightful the name of liberty ! How 
 
 " tran- 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
Of the College of Mirania. ^ loi 
 *' tranfcendent the prerogatives ofthe community 
 " to which we belong ! Happy you, my dear 
 " friends! and thrice happy, who are now going 
 *' to be enrolled aftive members of that very 
 *' fociety, in which, above all thofe you have 
 " read of in the volumes ofjlcry^you would have 
 " chofen to live and to die, if the choice had 
 ** been now left to you ! Oh then ! let notTiing 
 " ever deter you from a6ling a part worthy of 
 ** theknowlege you have received,and worthy of 
 ** the ineltimable privileges you are now called 
 *' to enjoy ! If there be any thing on earth that 
 " deferves your attention, and is fuited to the 
 " native greatnefs of the human mind, it muft 
 ** be— To afTert the caufe of religion and truth; 
 " to fupport the fundamental rights and liber- 
 «' ties of mankind •, and to ftrive for a confli- 
 ** tution like this— a government by kncnvn 
 *' laws, not by the arbitrary decifions of frail 
 '* impalTioned Men !" 
 
 Thus have I given you a brief fketch of the 
 method of teaching the fciences and inculcating 
 natural religion and virtue in this feminary. 
 There is only one thing wanting to compleat the 
 whole; namely, the fludy of revealed religion. 
 And for this purpofethe Sunday evenings are fet 
 apart thro' the year, when a ledure is read in all the 
 higher clafies on the fundamental principles of our 
 COMMON CHRISTIANITY j this being all that my 
 g 2 country- 
 
10^ A General Tdsa. 
 
 countrymen can mix with their public plan of 
 Education, as well on account of the various relii 
 gious perfuafions fubfifting among them, as the 
 various profeffions for which the youth ara 
 defigned. As for thofe who are intended 
 for the facred office of the miniftry, private 
 opportunities are given them for ftudying their 
 own particular fyftems of Theology under fuch 
 gfthe mafters as are of their own perfuafion. 
 For though the Principal is a clergyman 
 of the eftablifhed religion, which was thought 
 but a reafonable compl.ment to the conllitution 
 of the country, it was neverthelefs found exp&» 
 dient to leave the other offices open to men of 
 any other proteftant denomination. And it is 
 a truly edifying fight to behold, in this inftance, 
 to what an amiable height the divine virtues of 
 Charity and Forbearance may be carried, upon 
 the Chriflian principles, by men bleft with an 
 enlarged and liberal turn of mind ! 
 
 And now, my friend, continued Evander, by 
 this time I hope yo j are fully fatisfied, that the 
 iludy of Religion, both r itural and revealedj 
 enters fufticiendy into the plan of this feminary. 
 For iiirelv, when fuch care, as is abovemenr 
 tioned, is taken through the week, to em- 
 brace every opportunity of laying a foundation 
 of natural religion and goodnefs, the great 
 truths of Chriftianity cannot fail of a favour^* 
 ^ble /eception on the Sundays, whether they 
 
 come 
 
Of the College of Mirania. 103 
 
 come from the mafters in the evening clafles, 
 or from the pulpit in the time of divine 
 fervice. 
 
 Ealy and delightful muft the tafk of the 
 Clergy be when, by the regulations of fociety, 
 the whole inftruftors of youth go thus hand in 
 hand with them in advancing theintereftsofvir" 
 tue and piety ! Happy, continued Evander, (his 
 face brightening with a laudable fondnefs for 
 his country) happy are the people that are in 
 fuch a cafe ! What can we figure to ourfelves 
 more noble than the whole wifdcm of a com- 
 munity, thus ufing every human effort to train 
 up and fecure to the ftate a fuccefTion of good 
 citizens to the latefl generations ? What can we' 
 conceive more lovely than the youth of a coun- 
 try thus coUcfted into one great fchool of virtue, 
 and ftriving, in the fight of the public, with a 
 noble emulation to excel each other in every 
 thing that does honour to their nature ? Can, 
 any thing be more praife-worthy than to con- 
 trive and execute proper means for exciting and 
 encouraging this noble conteft among youth? 
 Confidered in this light, well might Tully call 
 Education a divine work ! Well might Plato 
 call it a godlike one ! 
 
 Here Evander concluded his account of this 
 feminary •, and how far it may be imitated or 
 improved by you, Gentlemen, in this Province, 
 is entirely fubmitted to your wifdom. 
 
 POST- 
 
( 104 ) 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 So far, on a careful review, the author 
 thought the foregoing Idea worthy of be- 
 ing preferved in this colle<5tion ; as well for the 
 reafons already given, as becaufe it contains fen- 
 timents on Education, which, *tis hoped, may be 
 of ufe in other young fettlements where the like 
 defigns may be fet on foot. There were fome other 
 Papers attending it, which related to the plan 
 of the buildings at New York, the choice of 
 fimation, the method of raifing money and carry- 
 ing the whole into fpeedy ex;ecution there, with 
 other matters merely occafional, thrown to- 
 gether indeed haflily, and of no ufe now, as 
 the defign of them hath long fince been an- 
 fwered. A very laudable and promifmg femi- 
 nary was opened about fix months afterwards 
 in that province, on a plan fomewhat different 
 from what is propofed above, and nearer the 
 model of our illuftrious Englilh yniverfities, 
 without taking the inferior and preparator)'- 
 fchools into the defign. Neverthelefs, fome- 
 thing of this kind is ftill intended to be added, 
 when convenience will allow, in order to adapt it 
 more fully to the circumftances * of the country. 
 
 • In the mother country, where there are fo many noble 
 foundations for grammar learning, and fo many private 
 academical inftitutions to raife youth for the univerfities, 
 there is no occafion for fuch preparatory fchools in then^. 
 Btft the cafe is very different in the Colonies. 
 
 In 
 
POSTSCRIPT. 105 
 
 In a neighbouring colony, however, there is i 
 feminary (namely, the College and Acade- 
 my OF Philadelphia, which I am now going 
 to give an account of) that approaches very 
 nearly to the foregoing Idea, as hath been be- 
 fore hinted. At the time of fi-aming and pub- 
 lifhing this Idea, the author had only read the 
 printed account of that feminary, fo far as it 
 had then advanced, but had never vifited it ; 
 nor was it till a year afterwards that he under- 
 took the care of it. Being then in its infancy, 
 and but of four years ftaading, it confilled only 
 of the inferiorfchools, properly called the Jcademy, 
 Thefe were an excellent foundation to proceed 
 Upon ; and, as fuch, arc mentioned above, 
 p. 49. The remainder, which compofes the 
 chief part of the foregoing Idea, was the fuper- 
 ftrudlure to be added ; and as the doing of this 
 was to require time, the author exhibited his 
 imaginary feminary at twelve years {landing, that 
 he might have an opportunity of reprefenting it 
 com pleat. 
 
 Now twelve years happens at this time to be 
 jufl the age of the Philadelphia-Seminary ; and 
 as it hath fallen to the author's fhare to 
 prefide over it during the laft eight years, 
 when the fuperftru6lure of the fciences and the 
 collegiate part were to be engrafted on the for- 
 mer foundation, the reader may fee from the 
 
 follow-' 
 
166 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 following account, how far the real feminary, 
 as it now Hands, corrcfponds to the ideal one. 
 
 The chief difference, it is prefumed, will 
 be found in the time allotted to the fciences and 
 higher branches of literature ; the mod material 
 parts of what is propofed to be done in five 
 years in the ideal plan, being reduced to three 
 years in the other. But this was matter of ne- 
 ceflity, not choice. In the prefent great de- 
 mand for young men of education in our colo- 
 nies, and the ready fettlement to be obtained 
 for them in all the ways of genteel employment, 
 it was not found poflible to retain them at col- 
 lege for the full term propofed -, more efpecially 
 while the expence is To confiderable, and to be 
 wholly borne by themfelves. But when this 
 demand fhall be fomewhat abated j when the 
 expence can be reduced, by fome proper exhi- 
 bitions or provifion to aid thofe of confined 
 circuiiiftances as in other colleges,and by bring- 
 ing the youth into a collegiate manner of living 
 (which will be when the buildings nowonfootare 
 finifhed) it is hoped the term of years may then ba 
 lengthened. In the mean while, it is the duty 
 of thofe concerned, by diligence and every 
 other means in their power, to bring as much 
 as poflible into the time allotted ; and this will ap- 
 pear, from the following account, to be their 
 
 earned endeavour. 
 
 NUMBER II. 
 
NUMBER II. 
 
 Jiccount of the College ^ Academy and Charitable 
 School of Philadelphia, in Fennfylvania, 
 
 N the Year 1 749, a few private Gentlemen 
 of Fennfylvania, obferving the vaft acceflion 
 of people to that place, from different parts of 
 the world, became ferioufly impreffed with a 
 view of the inconveniencies likely to arife from 
 their being deftitute of the neceffary means of 
 Inftrudion. As fundry circumftances rendered 
 it improbable that any thing could be fpeedily 
 done among them, in a public way, for the ad- 
 vancement of Knowlege, and at the fame time 
 but very few of fo great a multitude could af- 
 ford the expence of educating their children in 
 diftant places, they faw with concern that their 
 country was not only in danger of wanting a 
 fucccffion of iit perfons for the public ftations of 
 life, but even of degenerating into the greateft 
 Ignorance. 
 
 h To 
 
jo8 A count of the College 
 
 To prevent thefe dreadful evils, they pub- 
 lifhed propofals for erecfling the Englifh, Latin, 
 and Mathematical Schools of this inftitution, 
 under the name of an * Academy •, which was 
 conficlered as a very proper foundation, on which 
 to raifi^ fomething farther, at a future period, if 
 they (hould be fucctfstul fo far. And in order 
 to carry this defign into execution, twenty-four 
 perfons joined themlelves together as Trus- 
 tees, agreeing never to exceed that number. 
 
 The fcheme being made public, with the 
 names of the gentlemen concerned in it, all was 
 fo well approved of, that in a very fliort time 
 the fubfcription for carrying it on, amounted to 
 Eight Hundred Pounds per annum, for five 
 years; a very ftrong proof of the public fpi- 
 rit and generofity of the inhabitants of that 
 place ! 
 
 Int the beginning of January 1750, the three 
 fchools above mentioned were opened, namely the 
 Latin, the Mathematical and EngliQi School. 
 For it had always been confidered as a very 
 kading part of the defign, to have a good fchooi 
 
 * Many gentlemen of the firll rank in the province gave 
 their countenance to this defign, as foon as it was mentioned 
 to them, and afterwards became Truilccs for it ; but thofc 
 on whom the chief care of digeft.ns and preparing matters 
 
 relied, were Thomas Kopkinfon, Tench Francis, Rich-, 
 
 ard Peters, and Benjamin Franklin, Efqrs ; by the latter of 
 whom the original propofals were drawn up and publifhcd. 
 
 ia 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. 109 
 
 in the mother tongue, and to have a perfon of 
 abiHcies entrufled with the care of it. 
 
 Oratory, and the correft Speaking and 
 Writing of Englifh, are branches of education 
 too much neglec1:ed, as is often vifibie in the 
 public performances of fome very learned men. 
 But, in the circumftances of this province, fuch 
 a negled would have been ftill more inexcufable 
 than in any other part of the Briti/h dominions. 
 For being made up of fo great a mixture of 
 people, from almoft all corners of the world, 
 necefTarily fpeaking a variety of languages and 
 dialecl:s, the true pronounciation and writing of 
 our own language might foon be loft, without 
 fuch a previous care to preferve them in the rif- 
 ing generation. 
 
 At the opening of the above fchools, which 
 were intended to be preparatory to the higher 
 parts of learning, a fuitable fermon was preach- 
 ed, by Mr. Peters, provincial fecretary, from 
 ^i. John viii. 32. " And ye /hall know the 
 Truth, and the Truth (hall make you Free." 
 
 This reverend and worthy gentleman (who, 
 amid all the labours of his public ftation, as well 
 as the many private labours in which his benevo- 
 lence continually engages him, has ftill made it 
 his care to devote fome part of his time to Claf- 
 fical Learning, and the ftudy of Diviniry, to 
 which he was originally bred) took occaJion, 
 from thefe words of our blefTed Saviour, to flievT 
 the intimate connexion between Truth and Free- 
 ^ ^2 dom, 
 
1 1 o Accciint of the College 
 
 dom, between Knowlege of every kind, and the 
 prefervation of Civil and Religious Liberty. 
 
 The inftitution, thus begun, continued daily 
 to flourilh -, and at length the Truftees applied 
 for a charter of incorporation, which they ob- 
 tained in July 1753, from the honourable Pro- 
 prietors -, who, at different times, have contri- 
 buted in lands and money, to the amount of 
 Three Thousand Pounds Sterling, for 
 carrying on the defign — a very noble and even 
 princely benefa6lion, truly v/orthy of perfons fo 
 clofely concerned in the eflential interefts of the 
 country ! 
 
 Things having proceeded thus far, it was 
 foon found that many of the youth, having gone 
 thro' their courfe of Grammar Learning, would 
 be defirous of proceeding to Philofophy and 
 the Sciences -, and this being reprefented to the 
 Truftees, they began to think of enlarging their 
 plan, as theyhad promifed at the beginning. They 
 were very fenfible that the knowlege of Words, 
 without making them fubfervient to the know- 
 lege of Things, could never be confidered as the 
 bufincfs of education. To lay a foundation in 
 the Languages, was very ncceffary as a firft ftep, 
 but v/ithout the fuperftrudlure of the Sciences 
 would be but of little ufe for the condu(5l of 
 life. 
 
 In confidcration of this, they determined to 
 complete the remainder of their plan, and ap- 
 plied for an Addition to their charter, by which 
 
 a 
 
 i 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. iii 
 
 a power of conferring degrees and appointing 
 ProfcfTors in the various branches of the Arts and 
 Sciences, v/as granted to them. By this means, 
 3 College was added to, and ingrafted upon 
 their former Academy, a joint government agreed 
 upon for both -, the ftyle of the Truftees changed 
 to that of — *' Truftees of the College, Academy 
 and Charitable School of Philadelphia, in Penn- 
 fylvania i" and the Profeflbrs conftituted under 
 them into one body or Faculty, by the name 
 of " The Provofl: *, Vice Provoft and Pro- 
 felTors, of the College and Academy of Phila- 
 delphia." This charter bears Date May 14th 
 
 ^755- 
 
 Having given a fhort account of the rife of 
 this inftitution, I proceed now to give a view 
 of the different Branches thereof, as they are 
 at prefent •, and fliall begin at the loweft, which 
 confifts of two Charity Schools. In one of them 
 forty girls are taught Reading, Writing, Sew- 
 ing, Sec. In the other, eighty Boys are taught 
 Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic, in order to 
 fit them for the various forts of bufinefs and me- 
 chanic Arts. 
 
 The Second branch is properly an Englidi 
 Academy, and confifts of two parts •, an Eng- 
 lifh and Writing fchool, and a fchool for the 
 
 * It was about a year before the obtaining this additional 
 charter, viz. May 2i;th, 1754, that the author was fettled as 
 Head of this feminaiy. 
 
 h 3 Pradical 
 
ri2 J c count of the College 
 
 Praaical branches of the Mathematics, Drawing, 
 ^c. In the Former, bcfides Writing, the Pupils 
 are taught the Mother-tongue Grammatically, to- 
 gether with a correft and juft pronounciation. 
 For attaining this, a fmall roftrum is ere(5led in 
 one end of the fchool, and the youth are frequent- 
 ly exercifed in reading aloud from ir, or in deliver- 
 ingjhort orations-, while the Profeflbr of Englifh 
 and Oratory ftands by to corred whatever may 
 be amifs, either in their Speech or Gethire, 
 
 Besides this roftrum, which is in their pri- 
 vate fchool, there is alfo a large ftage or oratory 
 erefted in the College-hall, where 'the Speakers 
 appear on all public occafion?, before as many 
 of the inhabitants as pleafe to attend. 
 
 This part of the inftitution is of fingular be- 
 nefit. It corre<5ts unbecoming banifulnefs, &c. 
 gives the youth prefence of mind, habituates 
 them to appearing in public, and has been the 
 means of producing many excellent young Ora- 
 tors, that have occafionally entertained large au- 
 diences * i and it is hoped will foon become an 
 
 honour 
 
 * A number of the ftudents and fcholars, with very juil ap- 
 plaufe, performed the Mafque of Alfred by way of Oratorial 
 Exercife, before the Earl of Louden and the Governors of 
 the feveral colonies, who met at Philadelphia in the begin- 
 nipg of the year 1757. 
 
 The choice of this performance w^s owing to the great fi- 
 mllarity of c'rcun.lbnces in the diftrcfs of England ui^dcr the 
 Tanifli Jnvafion, and that of ihe Colonies at this time under 
 the ravages and iacurfjons of the Indians. The whole was 
 
 applied 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. 1 1 3 
 
 honour and an ornament to their country, in the 
 various ftations to which they may be called. 
 This attention to public fpeaking, which is be- 
 gun here with the very rudiments of the mo- 
 ther-tongue, is continued down to the end ; and 
 efpecially in the philofophy fchools, where the 
 youth frequently deliver exercifes of their own 
 compofition, at commencements, examinations, 
 and other public occafions. 
 
 applied in an occafional prologue and epilogue: and at any 
 time a fufHci^nt number of fpeakers may be found to perform 
 any piece of ttiis kind, in a manner tliat would not be difagree- 
 able to perfons of the beft tafie and judgment. Mr. Sheridan, 
 it is to be prefumed, never heard of the conftiturion of this 
 feminary, when he aflced the following queftion in his intro- 
 du£lory Difccurfe to Lectures on Elocution, &:c. 
 
 " To inftruCl our youth, fays he, in the Arts of Reading 
 " and Writing, there are many feminaries every where elta- 
 *' bliihed, throughout this realm ; but who, in thefe coun- 
 " tries, ever heard of a mailer for the improvement of Art:-. 
 *' culation, for teaching the due proportion of founds and 
 '• quantity of fyllables in the E-^glifh language, and for 
 " pointing out to his pupils, by precept and example, the 
 " right ufe of accents, emphafcs, and tones, when they re^d 
 " aloud, or fpcak in public ?" 
 
 Now the Profeflbr of Englifh and Oratory mentioned 
 above, is exa£l!y fuch a Mailer of Articulation as this, and 
 has been employed in ttie College and Academy of Philadel. 
 phia from its firll foundation. And if the many advantage", 
 that have arifen from this part of the plan, were fufficiently 
 known, they would furnifh one very convincing argument in 
 favour of the point, whichMr. Sheridan i^ fo worthily llriv- 
 ing to accomplifh, in behalf of the langii?^ge and elocution 
 of his country. 
 
 h 4 The 
 
114- Account of the College 
 
 The Third and highefl: branch of the inftitu- 
 tion is the College, in which the learned lan- 
 guages and the fciences are taught, as in other Col- 
 leges and Univerfities, tho' on a plan fomevvhat 
 different. It confiils of the Latin and Greek 
 fchools, and three Philofophy fchools. An ac- 
 count of the whole follows. 
 
 Latin and Greek Schools. 
 
 ill Form or Stage. Grammar. Vocabulary, 
 Sentential Pueriles. Cordery. /Efop. Erafmus. 
 
 N. B. The youth to be exad in declining and 
 conjugating; and to begin to write exercif- 
 es, for the better underftanding of Syntax. 
 Writing, Reading and Speaking of Englifli 
 to be continued likewife, if neceflary. 
 
 2d Stage. SelecljE e veteri Tcftamento. Se- 
 leflas e profanis Authoribus. Eutropius. Nepos. 
 Metamorphofis. Latin Exercifes and Writing 
 continued. 
 
 3d Stage. Metamorphofis continued. Virgil 
 with Profody. Cccfar's Comment. Salluft. Greek 
 Grammar. Greek Teftamenr. Elements of Geo- 
 graphy and Chronology. Exercifes and Writing 
 continued. 
 
 4th Stage, Horace. Terence. Virgil re- 
 viewed. . Livy. Lucian. Xenqphon or Homer 
 
 begun. 
 
 N.B. This 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia, 115 
 
 N. B. This year the youth are to make 
 Themes •, write letters -, give defcriptions 
 and charadlers; and to turn Latin into 
 Englilh, with great regard to punduation 
 and choice of words. Some Enghfh and 
 Latin orations are to be delivered, with 
 proper grace both of elocution and gefture. 
 Arithmetic begun. 
 
 'O' 
 
 Some of the youth, it is found, go thro' thefe 
 llages in three years, but moft require four, and 
 many five years ; efpecially if they begin under 
 nine or ten years of age. The mafters muft ex- 
 ercife their beft difcretion in this refpe<5t. 
 
 Those who can acquit themfclves to fatisfac^ 
 tioH in the books laid down for the fourth (lage, 
 after pubhc examination, proceed to the ftudy of 
 the fciences, and are admitted into the Phiiofo- 
 phy Schools, by tlie name of Frefhmen or No- 
 viciates, with the privilege of being diftinguilliea 
 with an under-graduate's gown. The method 
 of ftudy profecuted in thefe fchouls for the term 
 .of three years, follows ; and the portion of read- 
 ing allotted for each month is particularly dif- 
 jtinguilhed. 
 
 y I E w 
 
1 1 6 Account of the College 
 
 VIEW of the PHILOSOPHY -SCHOOLS. 
 
 FORENOON. 
 
 INSTRUMENTAL PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 FIRST YEAR. 
 
 Freshmen May 15. 
 
 Firft Term. 
 
 Three Months. 
 
 Second Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 January 
 Third Term. 
 Four Months. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 SECOND YEAR 
 
 Juniors. May 15. 
 
 Firft Term. 
 
 Three Months. 
 
 Second Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 January 
 Third Term. 
 Four Months. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 THIRD YEAR. 
 Seniors. May 15 
 
 Firft Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 Second Term. 
 Thiee Months. 
 
 January, 
 Third Term. 
 Four Months. 
 
 LECTURE I. • 
 
 Lat. 8t Engl. Exercifes continued. 
 
 The iame. 
 
 Logic with Metaphyfics. 
 
 N. B. At Jeifure hours Dif- 
 putatioh begun. 
 
 LECTURE II. 
 
 Common Arithmetic revieweu. 
 Decimal Arithmetic. 
 
 Algebra. 
 
 Fraftions and Extraft. Roots. 
 Equations, fimple & quadratic, 
 Euclid, firft fix Books. 
 
 Euclid a fecond Time. 
 Logarithmical Arithmetic. 
 
 Logic, &c. reviewed. 
 Surveying and Dialling. 
 
 Navigation. 
 
 Conic Seftlons. 
 Fluxions. 
 
 UORAh PHILOS. begun. 
 
 Viz. Compend. of Ethics. 
 
 N. B. Difputation continued, 
 
 Ethics continued. 
 Natural and civil Law. 
 
 Introduction to Civil Hiftory. 
 
 to Laws and Government 
 
 — — to Trade and Commerce. 
 
 Plain & Spherical Trigonometry, 
 
 Euclid, nth Book. 
 
 • iith Ditto. 
 
 Architeiflure, w ith Fortificat. 
 
 NAT. PHILOSOPHY begun. 
 
 V iz. General Propcrt. of Body, 
 ■ — Mechanic Powers 
 
 »' — Kydroftatics, 
 
 -■ ■ — Pneumatics. 
 
 N. B. Declamation and pub- 
 lic Speaking continued. 
 
 Light and Colours. 
 
 Optics, &:c. 
 
 Peri'pedtive. 
 
 Review of the Whole. 
 Examinat, for Degree of B, A 
 
 Aftroncmy. 
 Nat. Hifl. ci Vegetables. 
 — or Animals, 
 
 Chemiftry. • 
 
 Of FcHils. 
 
 Of .Agriculture. 
 
 N. B. Tliio' all the Years 
 the French Language may be ftu- 
 died at leifuie Hours. 
 
 fIRST 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. 
 
 117 
 
 FIRST YEAR. 
 
 pRisHMEN.May 15, 
 
 Firrt Term. 
 
 Thrse Munths. 
 
 Second Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 January. 
 Third Term. 
 Four Months. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 SECOND YEAR. 
 
 Juniors. May i^, 
 
 Fiift Term. 
 
 Thiec Months. 
 
 Second Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 January 
 Third Term. 
 
 Four Mon;hs. 
 
 Remarks. 
 
 THIRD YEAR. 
 Seniors. May 15 
 
 Firft Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 Second Term. 
 Three Months. 
 
 January, 
 Third Term. 
 Four Months. 
 
 AFTERNOON. 
 
 Claffical and Rhetorical Studies. 
 
 LECTURE iri. 
 
 Homer's ILad. 
 
 Juvenal. 
 
 PiJiJjr. 
 
 Cicero, felecfl Parts. 
 
 Livy re fumed. 
 
 Thucyd.iics, or 
 Euripidts. 
 Wells's Dionylius. 
 
 N. B. Some Afternoons to be- 
 fpared for Declamation this Year. 
 
 litroducllon to Rhetoric. 
 Lor.giniis, critically. 
 
 Horace's Art of Poet y, critically, 
 Arlftot. Poet. &■;. critically. 
 Q^intilian, fciedl Parts. 
 
 COMPOSITION been 
 
 Cicero pro Milonc. 
 
 Demoftheoespro Ctf-fiphon. 
 
 N. B. During the Application 
 of the Pv.ules of thefe famous O- 
 rations, Imiti^tions of them are 
 to be attempted on the Model.- 
 of perfect Eloquence. 
 
 Epicieti Enchiridion. 
 Cuero de Officii-;. 
 Tafculan Quapit, 
 Mexorabilia Jienoph. Greek. 
 
 Patavii Rationar. Temporum. 
 PI no de I.egibus. 
 Crotius de Juie, B. & P. 
 
 Afternoons of this -^d Term, 
 for Compofition and Declima 
 lion on Moral and Phvficsl Sub- 
 i'-cls, — Pfliloibphy Ach held. 
 
 PRIVATE HOURS. 
 
 3ooj'cs rccommcjided for improv- 
 ing the Youth in the variou? 
 Branches. 
 
 operators, Ramblers, &c. foi 
 'he improven-ent of Style, and 
 Knowiege of Lifi. 
 
 Barrovv's Leftures. Pardie's 
 Geometiy. M^icl^urin's Alge« 
 '>ra. Ward's Mithemacics, Keil's 
 frifOnometry. 
 
 V/atts's Logic, and Stipplement. 
 Locke on human Underftanding. 
 Hulchefon's Metarhyfics, Vare- 
 lius's Geography. 
 
 Watts's Onto'ogy and EfTays. 
 '\.:ng de Orig Mali, with Law's 
 Motes. Johiifon's Elem. Philof. 
 
 Voflius. Boiui. Pere Bohours. 
 Oryden's Elfays and Prefaces 
 Spence on Pope's OdyfTcy. 
 Trapp's Prxlcift. Poet. Diony- 
 ius Halicarn. Demetrius Pha- 
 lereus, StraJa^ Prolufiones. 
 
 Patoun's Navigation, Grego- 
 
 's Geometry — •)n Fortification. 
 Simfon's Conic Scftions. Mac- 
 ■aurin's and Emsrfon's Fluxions. 
 Pailadio by Ware. 
 
 HdiTi.im's Leif>ures. Grave- 
 fa nae. Cote's Hydrofcatics. Defa- 
 ■uliers. Mufchenbroek. Keii's 
 Introduiflion. Mar'in's Philo 
 iot'hy. Sir Ifaac Newton's Phi 
 'ofophy. Macl :urin"s View of 
 3iao. Rohauk per Clarke. 
 
 Puttendorf by BarBeyrac. 
 I!umbe;!a;-,d de Leg, Sidney 
 ■■Jarriugron. Seneca. Hutchefon's 
 .Vorks. Locke on Government. 
 'looker's Polity. 
 
 Scali;;er de E.iiendatione Tem- 
 -lorum. Prccepfor. Le Clerc's 
 Jompcnd. of Hiftorv -Gre- 
 gory's Aftroi'-imy. — Fortefcue on 
 Laws. N. Eicon's Difcotirfts. 
 Vly Lord Bacon's Works. Lock; 
 •n Cojn. Davonan. Gee'.s Com- 
 i^eni. Ray. D.;rham. Spedaclt- 
 'e la Njt'ire. Kelicijus Phi 
 
 lof'pher Holy Bible, to 
 
 :>e rea t daily from tht Begin- 
 ing, .ind now to fupply the Dc- 
 Uciencies of the Whole. 
 
 CO N- 
 
1 1 8 Account of the College 
 
 CONCERNING ihe foregoing plan, it is 
 to be remarked that life icfelf being too 
 Ihort to attain a perfc(5l acquaintance with the 
 whole circle of the Sciences, nothing can be pro- 
 pofed by any fcheme of Collegiate- Education, but 
 to lay fuch a general foundation in all the bran- 
 ches of literature, as may enable the youth to 
 perfed: themfelves in thofe particular parts, to 
 which their bufinefs, or genius, may afterwards 
 lead them j and fcarce any thing has more ob- 
 ftru6ted the advancement of found learning, than 
 a vain imagination, that a few years, fpent at 
 college, can render youth fuch abfolute Mafters 
 of Science, as to abfolve them from all future 
 ftudy. 
 
 Those concerned in the management of this 
 Seminary, as far as their influence extends, 
 ■would wi(h to propagate a contrary doctrine \ 
 and tho* they flatter themfelves that, by a due 
 execution of the foregoing plan, they fhall en- 
 rich their country with many minds, that are 
 liberally accomplilhed, and fend out none that 
 may juftly be denominated barren, or unim- 
 proved; yet they hope, that the youth commit- 
 ted to their care, will neither at college, nor 
 afterwards, reft fatisfied with fuch a general 
 knowlege, as is to be acquired from the public 
 ledures and exercifes. They rather truft that 
 thofe, whofe tafte is once formed for the acquifi- 
 
 tion 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. 1 1 9 
 
 tion of folid Wifdom, will think it their duty 
 and moft rational fatisfaftion, to accomplifh 
 themfelves Hill farther, by manly perfeverance in 
 private fludy and meditation. 
 
 To dired them in this refpedl, the laft co- 
 lumn contains a choice of approved writers in 
 the various branches of literature, which will be 
 eafily underflood when once a foundation is laid 
 in the books to be ufed as ciafllcs, under the fe- 
 veral ledures. For thefe books will hot be found 
 in this laft column, which is only meant as a 
 private library, to be confulted occafionally in 
 the leflures, for the illuftration of any particular 
 part; and to be read afterwards, for compleac- 
 ing the whole. 
 
 In the difpofition of the parts of this fcheme, 
 a principal regard has been paid to the con- 
 nexion and fubferviency of the Sciences, as well 
 as to the gradual openings of young minds. 
 Thofe parts are placed firft, which are fuited to 
 flrengthen the inventive faculties and are inftru- 
 mental to what follows. Thofe are placed laft, 
 which require riper judgmenr, and are more im- 
 mediaj^Iy conae(5led with the main bufmefs of 
 life. 
 
 In the mean time, it is propofed that they 
 fhall never drop their acquaintance with the claf- 
 Jic Sages. They are every day called to con- 
 verfe with fome one of the ancients, who, at the 
 fame time that he charms with all rhe beauties 
 of language, is generally illuftrating that parti- 
 cular 
 
I20 AceounT of the College 
 
 cular branch of philofophy or fcience, to which 
 the other hours of the day are devoted. Thus, 
 by continually drawing fomething from the moft 
 admired mafters of fentiment and expreffion, the 
 tafle of youth will be gradually formed, to jufl: 
 Criticifm, and mafterly Compofition. 
 
 For this reafon, Compofition, in the ftri6l 
 Meaning of the term, cannot well be begun ac 
 an earlier period than is propofed in the plan. 
 The knowlege of Mathematics is not more ne- 
 cefTary, as an introdudion to natural philoroph)^, 
 than an acquaintance with the beft ancient and 
 modern writers, efpecially the Critics, is to juft 
 Compofition ; and, befides this, the topics or 
 materials are to be fupplied, in a good meafure, 
 from Moral and Natural * Philofophy. 
 
 Thus, it is hoped, the ftudent may be led 
 thro' a fcale of eafy afcent, till finally rendered 
 capable of Thinking, Writing and Acting well y 
 which are the grand objeds of a liberal educa- 
 tion. At the end of every term, fome time 
 
 is allowed for recreation, or bringing up flower 
 Geniufes. 
 
 No doubt, thofc who compare this plan with 
 what is laid down in the preceeding eflay, will 
 think thf term of three years too fcanty a period 
 for the execution of every thing here propofed. 
 And it muft be acknowledged that a longer pe- 
 
 * Sec Difcourfe vij and alfo the foregoing number of this 
 Appendix. 
 
 8 riod 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. 121 
 
 riod would be necefiary. But circumftances mud 
 always be regarded in the execution of every 
 plan ; and the reafon of confining the execution 
 ot" this to the term of three years hath been 
 mentioned in the poftfcript to the former num- 
 ber. 
 
 The Whole in one VIEW. 
 
 Schools, Mafters. 
 
 r Three Philofophy Schools. The Provoft and Vice-provoft, 
 
 -,,, It- j<^ ioui C The Profeflbr of Languages, -i 
 
 College, -l Latin and Greek Schools. S t ►„ „ i,/ ■.• n , 
 
 ) t Tutors, a Wnting-mafler,&c. 
 
 {.Students and Scholars in this Part about — — . — joo 
 r The Profeflbr ot" Englifh and 
 
 rEnglini School. < Oratory, with one Afliftant 
 
 Acade- \ ' and a Writing-maft,;r. 
 
 my. J School for praiflical Branches of ("The Profeflbr of Mathema- 
 
 I Mathematics. (_ tics. 
 
 *■ Scholars in this Part about — — — — — — go 
 
 _,, . r- School for Charity Bovs. One Mafter and one Afliftajit. 
 
 « K " 1 S School for Char.tv Girls, One Miftrefs. 
 
 ^*^'^°°'^- C Scholars in this P^rt — — — --—_._- 120 
 
 In all, 310 
 
 The chief Mafters are- 
 
 William Smith, D. D. Provoft of the Semi- 
 nary, and Profeflbr of Natural Philofophy ; 
 Francis Alifon, D. D. Vice-Provoff, and Pro- 
 feflbr of Moral PhTlofophy ; Ebenezer Kinner- 
 fley, M. A. Profeflbr of Oratory •, John Beve- 
 ridge, M. A. Profeflbr of Languages; Hugh 
 Williamfon, M. A. Profeflbr of Mathematics. 
 
 The prefent Truftees are 
 
 Richard Peters, Efq-, Prefident of the Board, by 
 annual Ele(5tion. 
 
 The 
 
tiz Account cf the College 
 
 The Honourable James Hamilton, Efq-, Lieute- 
 nant Governor of the Province. 
 
 The Hon. William Allen, Efq; Chief-Juftice. 
 
 William Coleman, Efq; Third Judge of the Su- 
 preme Court. 
 
 Alexander Stedman, Efqj Firfl Judge of the 
 Common Pleas. 
 
 Edward Shippen, Efq; Judge of the Admiralty. 
 
 Benjamin Chew, Efq; Attorney-General. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin, Efq; L. L. D."] 
 
 Jofeph Turner, "1 
 
 William Plumfted, { 
 
 Abraham Taylor, VEfqrs; 
 
 William Cox, 
 
 Thomas Willing, 
 
 f Thomas Cadwaladcr,' 
 iThomas Bond, 
 SPhineas Bond, 
 ^William Shippen, 
 
 Drs. 
 
 Aldermen of 
 
 >the City of 
 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 iPhyficians. 
 
 1 
 
 >Gentlemen. 
 
 rjohn Inglis, 
 
 Thomas Leech, 
 
 MefTrs. -< Thomas White, 
 
 Samuel M'Call, j 
 
 ^Philip Syng, J 
 
 The Reverend Mr. Jacob Duche, one of the 
 
 Minifters of Chrifl-Church. 
 One Seat vacant. 
 
 Thus we fee that this inditution is placed on 
 a molt enlarged bottom, being one great Collec- 
 tion 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia, 123 
 
 tlon of Schools, under a general gov.ernment ; 
 in which all the branches and fpecies of educatioa 
 are carried on that can be cojnceived necelTary for 
 any community, whether in the learned Prof ejp.ons, 
 in Merchandife, in the mechanic Jrts, or inferior 
 callings. It may, therefore, be proper now to 
 give a fliorc Iketch of the methods, by which 
 difcipline and good order are preferred, among 
 fuch a variety of fchools, ftudents, and fcholars. 
 
 The chief power is, by Charter, lodged in 
 twenty- four Truftees, who muft all be refident 
 not only within the province, but within five 
 miles of the City. All matters of higher im- 
 port are to be decided by their council and di- 
 reflion ; and all laws are either to be made by 
 them, or receive a final fandtion from them. No 
 ftudent can receive the honours and ordinary de- 
 grees of the college, without a previous exami- 
 nation in their prefence, and a Mandate under 
 their privy- feal and the hands of a majority of 
 them. Nor can even an honorary Degree be 
 conferred without a like Mandate, under the faid 
 privy-feal and the hands of at leafl: two thirds of 
 the whole body; which regulations mufl always 
 be a means of preventing a proftitution of thofe 
 degrees and honours to the Illiterate and Unde- 
 ferving, which Ihould be the re\v:ird of real 
 Learning and Worth. 
 
 In order to do their duty as truftees more ef- 
 fectually, they fet apart the fecond Tuefday of 
 every monrii, fof\ vifiting and examining the 
 i fchools. 
 
124 Account of the College 
 
 fchools, converfing and advifing with the mafier?,- 
 encouraging the ftudents according to their feveral 
 degrees of merit, and making fuch regulations 
 as may be thought neceflary. All the fchools 
 have their turns of thefe vifitations 5 which are 
 truly calculated to keep up the fpirit of the infti- 
 tution, and promote diligence, emulation and 
 good behaviour among the fcholars. 
 
 Besides thefe ftated meetings, their prefident, 
 ■who is chofen annually, has a power of calling 
 other meetings on any particular occafion. 
 
 Under thefe truftees, the principal maftersarc 
 conf^ituted into a Faculty, or common body,- 
 with all the powers necelTary for the ordinary 
 government of the fchools and good education of 
 the youth. They are to meet, in Faculty, at 
 lead once in every two weeks, and at fuch other 
 times as the Provoft, or fenior member prefent, 
 Ihall think fit to call them, or any two members 
 defire him fo to do. At thefe meetings they are 
 to enquire into the date of the fchools, and fee 
 that the feveral parts of education be regularly 
 carried on, and the laws of the inftitution duly 
 executed and obferved. Thty have alfo power 
 to enadl temporary Rules and Ordinances, to be 
 in force as Laws, till the firft cnfuing meeting, 
 of the Truflees ; before whom they are then tO' 
 be laid,, in oifder to be altered, amended or con- 
 firmed, or left probationary for a longer period^ 
 or wholly laid afide, as they (hall think fie. 
 
 By 
 
and Academy of Philadelphia. ii^ 
 
 By this method, alJ Laws either do, 6r mayj 
 take their rife from mafters, who being daily 
 prefent in the inftitution know bed what regula- 
 tions and orders may be wanted. At the fame 
 time, as thefe regulations are to receive their laft 
 iandion from the Truftees and Vifitorsi who' 
 are men of experience, influence arid probity, 
 and have children of their own to educate, we 
 tnay be certain that nothing can obtain the force 
 of a ftanding Law, but what is found falutary 
 and good upon trial. 
 
 By the prefent fules, the faculty of mafters 
 meets every Thuffday noon, and all the fchooH 
 are affembled before them that they may exa:mine 
 the weekly roll, and call delinquents to account. 
 As many of the youth are too big for corporal pu- 
 hifhment, there are fmalt Fines by the laws irgfce- 
 able to the nature of the offence, and the cuf- 
 tom of other colleges. Whatever money is thus 
 raifed fronfi the flothful and refradlory in Fines,,; 
 is appropriated in Rewards to the diligent and 
 obedient ; fo that any youth, who has once bctn 
 a delinquent, may have an opportunity of getting 
 back, by future care, what he forfeited by for- 
 mer negledl. 
 
 These llewards and Punifliments are both 
 adminiftred in the moft public manner -, and, iri 
 fliort, the whole difcipline is fo feafonable and 
 juft, that any youth who might defire to break 
 th'ro' Ch6 rules of this inftitirCiori in Ms younger 
 i 2 year^,- 
 
126 Account of the College 
 
 years, can hardly be expefted to fubmic to the 
 rules of civil Society itfelf when grown up. 
 
 As to the plan of education, great care has 
 been taken to comprehend every ufeful branch 
 in it, without being burdenfome, or launching 
 into thofe that are unneceffary. 
 
 The principal mafters are men who have fe- 
 verally given fpecimens of their fkill, in thofe 
 particular parts of literature which they profcfs. 
 Nor is it any objection, but rather an advan- 
 tage, particularly to the youth intended for bu- 
 finefs and public life, that the building is within 
 the city. By good rules and good example, 
 the Morals of youth may be as eafily preferved, 
 in a great and well-policed city, as in a fmall 
 village i if we can fuppofe any place to continue 
 fmall where fuch a feminary is once founded. 
 .When I fpeak fo, I would be underftood to mean, 
 when the youth all lodge in the houfes of their 
 parents, or in lodgings within the walls of the 
 college i a proper number of which are now 
 creating, at a very confiderable expence. 
 
 In this inftitution, there is a good Apparatus 
 for experiments in Natural Philofophy, done in 
 England by the bed hands, and brouj,ht over 
 from thence, in different parcels. There is alio, 
 in the experiment room, an Eledlrical Apparatus, 
 chiefly the invention of one of the * Profeflbrs, 
 
 • Mr. Kinnerfley. 
 
 and 
 
and Academy of Philadelphid. 127 
 
 and perhaps the completed of the kind, now in 
 the world. 
 
 This is a faithful, tho' brief, account of the 
 whole feminary j and what a blefling muft it 
 prove to the continent of America in general, as 
 well, as to the province in which it is founded ? 
 What advantages may not the youth reap, amid 
 fo many opportunities of improvement, and fo 
 many incitements toinduftry •, where the mafters 
 tranfacft every thing by joint advice ; where all 
 polTible regard to religion and morality is kept 
 up, and the whole open to the vifitation and fre- 
 quent infpe<5lion of a number of gentlemen of 
 rank and charader? 
 
 May there never be wanting a fucceffion of 
 fuch gentlemen to take the truft and care of it j 
 and may it continue, to the lateft times, a fhin- 
 ing light to the world around it and an honour 
 to the province, as long as any memorial of vir- 
 tue and letters fhall remain among mankind ! 
 
 
 WMrm 
 
 it? N U M. 
 
NUMBER III. 
 
 ^ Charge delivered to the Graduates at 
 the fir ft Anniverfary Commencement in the 
 College of Philadelphia. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 O U now appear as Candidates for the fird 
 honours of this inftitution. The free 
 fpirit that it breathes permits us not to bind you 
 to us by the ordinary ties of oaths and promifes, 
 Inftead thereof, we would rely on thofe prin- 
 ciples of virtue and goodnefs which we have en- 
 deavoured to cultivate. Suffer me, therefore, 
 ere you go, to fum up all our former labours for 
 you, in this place, by one laft and parting 
 charge. 
 
 Surely— -to live is a ferious thing! And you 
 
 are now about to flep into life, and embark 
 
 in all its bufy fcencs. It is fit, then, that you 
 
 (liould make a paufe — a folemnpaufe — at its por- 
 
 i 4 tal, 
 
130 A Charge to the fir ft Graduates 
 
 ta], and confider well what is expe6ted from 
 you, and how you are prepared to perform it. 
 
 On the one hand, you will have all the dan- 
 gers and indifcretions of youth to grapple with, 
 at your firft fetting out in the world. Raw and 
 linexpericnced in its ways, you will be apt to 
 confider yourfclves as fet loofe from the reins of 
 djfcip'ine, and to look abroad in it with con- 
 fcious rapture, and the moft buoyant hopes. 
 The fullncfs of blood, the ftrength of pafiion, 
 the conllant call of pleafure, and the harlot-form 
 of vice, will be apt to bear down that fober wif- 
 dom and cool refledion, which are your bcft 
 guard. At every glance, elyfian fcenes and 
 fairy profpefts will open before you; feemingly 
 io variegat.d with beauty, and llored Vv'ith plea- 
 fure, that the choice will perplex you. But 
 alas 1 thefe lead not all to the bowers of joy ! 
 many will only feduce- you from the path of 
 virtue, by falfe appearances of happinefs, and 
 draw you on, through meads of unreal blifs, to 
 the fool's paradifej a deceitful region, which 
 proves at laft to be but the valley of the fhadow 
 of death, where fnakes lurk under the grafs 
 
 And, mid the rofes, fierce repentance rears 
 Her horrid crefi -* 
 
 On the other hand, you will find the world 
 inclined to make but fmall allowances for the 
 
 • Thomfon. 
 
 flips 
 
in tke College of Philadelphia. ^^ 3 ^ . 
 flips of youth. Much — very much — will be ex- 
 pelled from you. Your fuperior opportunities 
 of knowlege, the many fpecimens of genius you 
 have already exhibited, will give your friends 
 and country a right to expedl every thing from 
 you that is excellent or praife-worthy. 
 
 Oh ! then, let no part of your future con- 
 du£l difgrace the leflTons you have received, or 
 difappoint the hopes you have fo juftly raifed ! 
 Confider yourfelves, from this day, as dillin- 
 guifhed above the vulgar, and called upon to act 
 a more important part in life ! ftrive to (hine 
 forth in every fpecies of moralexcellence, and 
 to fupport the charader and dignity of beings 
 formed for endlefs duration ! The Chriftian world 
 Hands much in need of inflexible patterns of in- 
 tegrity and public virtue •, and no part of it more 
 fo than the land you inhabit. 
 
 Remember that fuperior talents demand a 
 fuperior exercife of every good quality •, and that, 
 where they produce not this falutary effe6l, it 
 were far better for the world to be for ever with- 
 out them. Unlefs your education is ^c&n con- 
 fpicuous in your lives, alas! what will be its fig- 
 nificancy to you, or to us ? Will it not be deem- 
 ed rather to have been a vain art cf furnifliing 
 the head, than a true difcipline of the heart and 
 manners ? 
 
 If, then, you regard the credit of this inllitu- 
 cion, which will travail in concern for you, till 
 
 you 
 
132 A Charge' to the firjt Graduates 
 
 you are formed into ufcful men ; if you regard 
 your own credit, and the credit of the many fuc- 
 ceeding fetts of youth, who may be fired to glo- 
 ry by your example ; let your condud in the 
 world be fuch, at leaft, as to deferve the ap- 
 plaufe of the vvifer and better part of it. Re- 
 member you are the firft.who have received the 
 honours of this feminary. You have been judg- 
 ed doubly deferving of them. O! think, then, 
 what pain it would give us, (hould we be difap- 
 pointed in you, our firft and mod hopeful fons! 
 "What a reproach v/ould it be to have it faid that, 
 under us, you had obtained all forts of learning, 
 and yet had not obtained Wifdom— — — efpeciaily 
 that Wifdom, which has for its beginning the 
 Fear of God, and for its end evcrlafting felicity ! 
 
 But we have every reafon to exped far better 
 things of you. And, in that expedation, I 
 ihall be^ leave to propofe a few rules, which, 
 J)eing well obferved, will contribute greatly to 
 your fuccefs in life. They fhail be confined tQ 
 two heads. 
 
 ifl. How to live with Yourfelves, and your 
 pod, 
 
 2dly, How to live with the World. 
 
 Perhaps this may be deemed a very necdlefs 
 work at this time. But my heart yc^arhs to^ 
 v.ards you. 1 cannot cafily part with you. And 
 though I fliould only repeat what you have of- 
 ten heard in the courfe of our ledures in this 
 place; yet, being laid together in one fliorc 
 
 view. 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. 133 
 
 view, and delivered before fuch a number of 
 witneffes, 'tis probable the imprefliOn may be 
 fo much the deeper. And, that it may be fo, I 
 fhall not amufe you with high drawn cha- 
 radlers and vifionary precepts -, the creatures of 
 fancy's brain, worked up beyond the life. Such 
 may allure the eye, but they will not fway the 
 praftice. They may induce defpair, but they 
 will not quicken induftry. I fhall, therefore, 
 confine myfelf to the living Virtues, as they are 
 nvithin the ordinary reach of humanity, whea 
 affifted by divine grace and goodnefs. For 'tis 
 they alone that can influence the condu(5l, and 
 (excite to imitation. 
 
 First, then, in Living with Yourfelves and 
 your God, let it be your primary and immediate 
 care, to get the dominion of your own paffions, 
 and to bring every movement of the foul under 
 fubjeftion to Confcience, Rcafon and Religion j 
 thofe three lovely guides, fet over the human 
 conduft. Let your wjlhes be moderate, follici- 
 tous about nothing fo much as the friendrtiip. 
 of your God, and the prefervation of your vir- 
 tue and good name ! 
 
 Accustom yourfelves to an early induftry in 
 bufinefs, and a wife reflexion upon human life. 
 Beware of idlenefs, and the pernicious influence: 
 pf bad habits, poffefs yourfelves of jufl; and 
 plevated notions of the divine chara(5ter and ad- 
 l^iniftration, and of the end and dignity of your 
 
 own 
 
134 ^ Charge to the fir ft Graduates 
 
 own immortal nature. Oh ! confecrate to your 
 God the firft and bed of your days ! When you 
 enjoy health of body, ftrength of mind, and 
 vigour of fpirits, then is the heart a noble facri- 
 fice, and bed worthy of being prefented to the 
 great Creator of heaven and earth ! 
 
 But, alas ! when the prime of our years have 
 been devoted to the ways of pleafure and folly, 
 with what confidence can we offer to our God 
 the dregs of vice and iniquity ; an old age 
 broken with infirmity, and groaning under the 
 load of mifc:ry ? Tho' heaven be ail merciful, 
 and even this lad offering not to be neglected ; 
 yet, to a generous mind, there is fomething pe- 
 culiarly painful in the thought. And certainly, 
 ^ when the foul is fitted for pleafure, then aifo it 
 is fitted to be lifted up, in manly devotion, to 
 its adorable Maker ! 
 
 That your fouls may be the more difpofed 
 , to this exalted intercourfe, continue to adorn 
 them with every divine grace and excellence. 
 As far as your circumdances will permit, con- 
 tinue thro' life the votaries of Wifdom -, and 
 never drop your acquaintance with thofe Scien- 
 ces into which you have been initiated here. 
 But, in the profecution of them, weigh well the 
 ftrength of the human undcrdanding. Keep 
 to fubjedts within its reach, and rather to thofe 
 which are ufcful than curious. In your enqui- 
 ries, never fufi'er yourfelves to be drawn from 
 the main point, or lod in a multitude of parti- 
 culars. 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. 135 
 
 ciilars. Always keep firft: principles in view ; 
 life is fhort ; we can go but little farther, and 
 that little will then only be of ufe, when clearly 
 deduced from them. 
 
 For this reafon, beware, above all things, of 
 valuing yourfelves much on any temporary ac- 
 quifitions, or falling into the error of thofe who 
 think they fliew the depth of their wifdom, by 
 difregarding that fublime fyftem, brought down 
 from heaven by the Son of God. Poor is the 
 extent of human fcience at bed ; and thofe who 
 know the moft, know but juft enough to con- 
 vince them of their own ignorance. Vain, then, 
 muft they be who would be thought wife for 
 defpifing the dictates of eternal wifdom, and 
 would build up the pride of knowlege upon 
 their ignorance of things of the moft lading 
 confequence. 
 
 In my Difcourfe before you this day, I fhewed 
 that fuch empty fmacterers could have but fmall 
 pretenfions to common wifdom, much Icfs to 
 the exalted name of Philofophy. The true vo- 
 taries of this divine fcience will ever difclaim 
 them -, and I am perfuaded you will heartily join 
 in the fuffrage. 
 
 Tho' we honor human Reafon, and think hu- 
 man Virtue the glory of our nature, yet your 
 education here will teach you to fix your hopes 
 on a far more folid foundation. Ic v/ill convince 
 you that reafon, when unenlightened, may be 
 tallacious j and conCquently that virtue, by ic 
 . 8 alone 
 
i^S A Charge to the f.rji Graduates 
 
 alone direfled, will be devious. There are miftsi 
 diffufed before the temple of happinefs, which 
 are only to be penetrated by the purer eye of 
 Religion. 
 
 Hence, then, you will be difpofed to feek a 
 fublimer wifdom than any that is to be attained 
 by mere human efforts, confined to the works of 
 nature alone, thofe fainter exhibitions of the 
 Deity ! You will fee the neceflity of ftudying 
 his charadter, as exhibited in his holy oracles. 
 There you will receive fuch augufh impreflions 
 of him, as will corred your philofophy, humble 
 the pride of reafon^ and lay you proftrate at his 
 feet. You will be taught to renounce your own' 
 wifdom, however excellent; and your own righ- 
 teoufnefs, however diftinguifhed. You will be 
 made to rejoice in the name of Chriftians, and 
 triumph in the glorious relation you bear to Jefus, 
 as fhedding the brighteft luftre round the human 
 charadler. And confequently you will love id 
 inculcate his holy religion, as a fcheme of wif- 
 dom falutary to mankind, unfolding their be-ft 
 interefts, training them up for eternity, and con- 
 ducing them to the fuprerrte felicity and per- 
 fedion of their nature I 
 
 Thrice happy you, when fey Divine Grace 
 you rtiall have obtained this dominion over your- 
 fclves, and thro' the Redeemer's merits are thus 
 united to the fupreme Good ; every wifli refigri* 
 ed, and every pafTion raifed to the throne of 
 your father and your God ! then,- and not tilf 
 
 thcny 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. i^j 
 
 then, you will have truly learned to Live with 
 Yourfelves, and with Him that made you ; till, 
 after the clofe of your pilgrimage here, you are 
 finally admitted to live and rejoice with him for 
 ever! 
 
 I AM now, in the second place, to offer you 
 a few plain direftions, how to Live with the 
 "World. And on this fubje<5l I fliall be but brief. 
 For, being once initiated into the true enjoyment 
 of your own nature, and a<ftuated by a deep 
 fenfe of God's univerfal prefence, all your other 
 actions will be duly influenced thereby. 
 
 With regard to Benevolence, that great law 
 of Chrift, and fruitful fource of all focial virtue, 
 why fhould I recommend it to you ? If you truly 
 love God, you mufl neceffarily love all his crea- 
 tures for his fake, and difdain a narrow unfeeling 
 heart, coiled up within its own fcanty orb. Your 
 Charity will be of the moft exalted and fervent 
 kind ; extending itfelf beyond the vulgar attacK- 
 iiients of family and friends, embracing the 
 whole human fpecies, and ready to facrifice every 
 temporal confideration to their good. 
 
 Actuated by fuch liberal fentiments as thefe, 
 you will alv/ays be ready to do good and com- 
 municate freely your fuperior knowlege. Your 
 council and your affiftance, your hand and your 
 
 heart- will never be refufed, when demanded 
 
 for the benefit of others, and in a virtuous caufe, 
 
 Qt rather, you will never lee them be demanded, 
 
 6 but 
 
138 A Charge to the fir ft Graduates 
 
 but freely prevent the readieft wifh. Modeft 
 merit will be the obje6t of your peculiar regard ; 
 and you will always rejoice when you can pro- 
 duce it to public view, in an amiable and advan- 
 tageous point of light. 
 
 Believe me, my dear youths, you can acquire 
 no authority lb lading, no influence fo beneficial, 
 as by convincing the world that you have fupe- 
 rior talents, joined to inflexible virtue, and un- 
 confined benevolence. Compared to fuch a foun- 
 dation as this, the proud ftruflures of vulgar 
 ambition are but rottennefs, " and their bafe 
 built on ftubble." A confidence placed as above, 
 will give you a kind of dominion in the hearts of 
 others, which you will, no doubt, exert for the 
 noblc'ft purpofes ; fuch as reconciling diflerences, 
 enforcing religion, fupporting juftice, infpiring 
 public virtue, and the like. 
 
 To this Benevolence of temper, you are to 
 add Prudence, and a flrid regard to the grace 
 of charader and proprieties of life. If you 
 would be very ufeful in the world, beware of 
 mixing too indifcriminately in it, or becoming 
 too cheap in the vulgar eye. But, when you are 
 in it, be aff^able to all, familiar with few, cau- 
 tious in contrading friendfliips, ftedfaft in pre- 
 ferving them, and entering into none without 
 the cleared virtue for their foundation and end. 
 
 Maintain fuch dignity of condud, as may 
 check the petulance of vice, and fuffer none to 
 contemn you j yet ftiew fuch modedy of tem- 
 per. 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. 139 
 
 per, as may encourage virtue, and induce all to 
 love you. Preferve a chcarfulnefs of counte- 
 nance, never afFedting to appear better than you 
 are ; and then every good a«5bion will have its 
 full weight. 'Tis difhonouring God, and dif- 
 couraging goodnefs, to place virtue in a down- 
 caft look, or in things external. The chriftian 
 life, far from being gloomy and fevere, was 
 meant to exalt the nature of man, and fhew 
 him in his belt perfedion — happy and joyful ! 
 
 When you mix in company, you will often 
 have occafion to be difgufted with the froth and 
 levity — 'tis well if not the vice — of the ge- 
 neral run of converfation. Strive, therefore, as 
 often as you can, to give it a chafte and inftruc- 
 tive turn ; regarding always the propriety of 
 time and place. And if, on any occafion, an 
 ingenuous honefty of nature, and an abhorrence 
 of vice and diflimulation, fhould oblige you to 
 bear your tedimony againfl: what you hear ; 
 let it be evident to all that you are offended, not 
 at the perfons but at the things. Great delicacy 
 is requifite in fuch cafes ; and you mufl: blame 
 without anger, in order to remove the offence, 
 and not to wound the offender. 
 
 'Tis true, fometimes an anim.ating convicftion 
 of a juft caufe, an undifguifed love of divine 
 truth, and a confcioufnefs of fuperior know- 
 lege, will, in the bsft of men, on fuch occafions, 
 produce a fceming warmth of expreffion, and 
 k keen- 
 
T 40 A Charge to the firji Graduates 
 
 keennefs of expoftulation •, efpecially when heated 
 by oppofition. But if, from the general tenor 
 of your condu6t, you have convinced the world 
 of the goodnefs of your heart, fuch ftarts of 
 pafTion will be forgiven by your friends, or con- 
 fidered only as the fire from the flint ; " which, 
 " being fmitten, emits its hafty fpark, and is 
 " flraightv^ray cool again.'* 
 
 It will be your wifdom-, however, to prefefvc 
 the ferenity of your temper -, to avoid little dif- 
 putcs-, and to raife yourfelves above the world, 
 as much as pofTible. There are really but few 
 things in it, for which a wife man would chufe 
 to exchange his peace of mind ; and thofe petty 
 diftinftions, that fo much agitate the general run 
 of mankind, are far from being among the 
 number. 
 
 But fome things there are, neverthelefs, 
 which will demand your moft vigilant attention-, 
 and fome occafions, when to be filent or confent- 
 ing would be a criminal rcfignation of every 
 pretenfion to Virtue or Manhood. 
 
 Should your Country call, or fhould you 
 perceive the relllefs tools of faflion at work in 
 their dark cabals, and plotting againft the facred 
 intereds of Liberty -, fhould you fee the corr.-p- 
 tors or corrupted impofing upon the public with 
 fpccious names, undermining the civil and re- 
 ligious principles of their country, and gradually 
 paving the way to certain Slavery, by fpreading 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. 141 
 
 dtftrudive Notions of Government — then, Oh ! 
 then, be nobly rouzed ! Be all eye, and ear, and 
 heart, and voice, and hand, in a caufe fo glo- 
 rious ! " Cry aloud, and fpare not,'* fearlefs of 
 danger, undaanted by oppofition, and little re- 
 gardful of the frowns of power, or the machi- 
 nations of villainy. Let the world know that 
 Liberty is your unconquerable delight, and thac 
 you are fvVorn foes to every fpecies of Bondage^ ' 
 cither of body or of mind ! 
 
 These are fubjedls for which you need not 
 be a(hamed to facrifice your eafe and every othe* 
 
 private advantage For certainly, if there be 
 
 aught upon Earth fuited to the native greatnefs 
 of the human mind, and worthy of contention-, 
 
 it muft be To afler: the caufe of Religion 
 
 and Truth ; to fupport the fundamental Rights 
 and Liberties of mankind ; and to ftrive for the 
 Conftitution of our country, and a Govern- 
 ment by Known Laws, not by the Arbitrary 
 Decifions of frail impaffioned Men. 
 
 If, in adhering to thefe points, \i fhould be 
 your lot, as alas ! it has been the lot of others, 
 to be borne down by ignorance, to be re- 
 proached by calumny, and afperfed by falfnood^ 
 let not thefe things difcourage you — 
 All Human Virtue, to its lateft breath. 
 Finds Envy never CGnquer*d but by death. 
 The great Alcides, every labor paft, 
 l5ad ftill this monfter to lubdue at lafb.* 
 
 • Pope. 
 
 k 2 While 
 
142 A Charge to the firfi Gradual Js 
 
 While you are confcious of no felf reproach, 
 and are fupported by your own integrity, let no 
 eartlily pov^er awe you from following the un- 
 biaffed didates of your own heart. Magnani- 
 moufly afTert your private judgment where you 
 know it to be right, and fcorn a fervile truck- 
 ling to the names or opinions of others, how- 
 ever digniiied. With a manly and intrepid fpi- 
 rit, with a fervent and enlightened zeal, perfe- 
 vere to the lafl: in the caufe of your God, your 
 King and your Country. And, tho' the prefent 
 age fhould be blind to your virtue, or refufe you 
 juftice, let it not furprize you ■ 
 
 The funs of glory pleafe not till they fet ;* 
 
 and the fucceeding age v/ill make ample amend* 
 to your character, at a time when the names of 
 thofe who have oppofed you will be forgotten, 
 or remembered only to their lafting difhonour. 
 
 Nevertheless, though you mud not expefb 
 to efcape envy, or to receive the full applaufe 
 of your virtue in your own day ; yet there will 
 always be fome among the better few ready to 
 do you juftice, and to judge more candidly. 
 Perhaps, it may be your lot to be fingularly 
 favoured by your friends, in this refpect. But 
 be not too much elevated thereby. The real 
 good Man, as he will never be more undaunted 
 than when moft reviled and oppofed in his great 
 
 • Pope. 
 
 career 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. 143 
 
 career of juftice, fo he will never be more 
 humble than when mod courted and applauded. 
 
 The two great rocks of life, efpecially to 
 Youth, are Profperity and Adverfity. If fuch 
 meet with any degree either of Succefs or Dif- 
 ficulty in the world, before they have learned 
 great felf-denial, they are apt, in the one cafe, 
 to be blown up by an overweening conceit of 
 their own importance ; and, in the other, to be 
 borne down by a timid diftruft of their own abi- 
 lities. Both difpoficions are equally prejudicial 
 to virtue — the former fo far as it tends not to 
 excite emulation, and infpire to worthy actions ; 
 and the latter fo far as it checks the native ar- 
 dor of the foul, and ties it down to inglorious 
 purfuits. But the fame means will corredt both, 
 A larger commerce with the world, and a fre- 
 quent viewing ourfelves through a more impar- 
 tial medium, compared to others of equal or 
 greater merit, will bring down the one, and raife 
 the other, to its jufl: and proper ftandard. What 
 was pride before, will then be converted into a 
 fenfe of honour, and proper dignity of fpiritj 
 and what was timidity or felf diftruft, will be 
 turned into manly caution, and prudent fore* 
 fight. 
 
 Time will not permit me to add more, Hap- 
 py Ihall you be, if, by attending to fuch max- 
 ims as thefe, you can pafs your days, tho' not 
 with the higheft approbation of others, at leaft 
 v;ith full fatisfadlion to yourfelves ! Happy, if 
 k 3 in 
 
144 A Charge to the fir ft Graduates 
 
 in the eve of life, when health and years and 
 other joys decline, you can look back with 
 confclous joy upon the unremitting tenor of an 
 upright condu6l ; framed and uniformly fup- 
 
 ported to the laft on thefe noble principles 
 
 Religion without Hypocrify, Generpfity without 
 Oftentation, Juftice tempered with Goodnefs, and 
 Paci'ioiifm with every Domeftic virtue ! 
 
 Ardently praying that this may be your 
 lot, I fliall take leave of you in the words of 
 old PoUonius to his Ton 
 
 The friends you have, and their adoption try'd. 
 Grapple them to your foul with hooks of fteel. 
 But do not dull your palm with entertainment 
 Ofeachnew-h^tch'd unfledg'd comrade. Bev/are 
 
 Of entrance to a quarrel 
 
 Give every man your ear, but few your voice. 
 Take each man's cenfure,but rcfcrve your judg- 
 ment. 
 This above all — to your ownfelves be true. 
 And it mud follovv, as the night the d^y. 
 You cannot then be falfe to any man.* 
 
 These things I have fketched for you as the 
 out lines of your duty. I pretend not to go 
 farther. It is not my prefent bufinefs to offer a 
 psrfcd: plan for the condud: of life. Indeed my 
 experience in it has been too fmall for fuch ah 
 tirduous work. And I hope to be judged rather 
 
 * Shakc''peare. 
 
 by 
 
in the College of Philadelphia. 145 
 
 by what I have faid, than by what could not 
 properly be faid, on fuch an occafion. 
 
 . As for the reft, I fliall commit you to the beft 
 of mafters. Be fure, in all things, to learn of 
 Chrift. In following him you cannot err. And 
 to do fo will be your intereft, and your greateft 
 glory, at a time when human wifdom Ihall fail, 
 and of the things that now are. Virtue — immortal 
 Virtue — fhall be the great and chief furvivor 1 
 
 Farewel ! my BlefTing feafon thefe things in 
 
 you. 
 
 Sijakcfpeare. 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 f^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 k 4 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
APPENDIX III. 
 
 A Philosophical Meditation, and 
 Religious Address to the Supreme 
 Being *. 
 
 Preparatory Address. 
 
 ETERNAL Source of Life, Light and 
 ^ Love ; that permitteft thy reafonabic 
 creatures to open their fouls to Thy divine influ- 
 ence by prayer ! compofe my thoughts, raife 
 my affections, and grant that I may approach 
 Thy awful prefence, with a humble fenfe of my 
 own indigence, and with worthy apprehenfions 
 
 of 
 
 • Thls^iece was firft coTipored for the ufe of young Stu- 
 dents in Philofophy, and publiflied in London 17C4, at the 
 end of a book of Ethics, written by the Rev. Dr. Samuel 
 Johnfon, prefident of the college of i\'ew York; and the de- 
 fign of it was explained a? follows 
 
 " The author having been entrufted wiih the publication 
 of thefe Ethics was of opinion, that a Meditation and Ad- 
 drefs on this mode', which might be a ftimmary recapitula- 
 tion of the work, and alfo contain Petitions /or the divine aid 
 in difchargir.g the duties difcovered and laid down in it, 
 would be of great.iife to the ycung ftudent. 
 
 *' Hence 
 
148 -^ Philofophical Meditaiion, 
 
 of Thy all-fufficiency. As thou haft given me 
 the means of knowing, in Ibme degree, the 
 relations which I fuftain, and hall alfo given me- 
 reafon to deduce from thence my various du- 
 ties j permit me to fly to Thine almighty grace 
 and aid, to enable me to put thefe duties in 
 pra^Hce : For, wichout this, I know hov/ infuf- 
 ficient 1 am, by my own natural ftrength, to do 
 any thing that is truly acceptable to Thee. 
 
 ^he fpeculative Part of Chrijlian Philofophy. 
 
 I. In the courfe of my refearches, what firft 
 
 1 Truths °^ ^^^ appears to me is — that Thou 
 
 with refpea art from everlafting to everlafting, 
 
 to God. completely happy in Thyfelf, perfect 
 
 in Goodnefs, Power and Wiidom. 
 
 " Hence this Compofition confiUs of the fame parts with 
 the trcatife i eft If, viz. 
 
 " Firft, Speculative and Religious truths relating to GoJ, 
 which make the Addrefs and Acknowlegement of him ; and 
 truths relating to ourfelves, which make the Confedion. 
 
 " Secondly, The Pratflical duties that rcfu't from thefe 
 truths, which are Moral, Divine and Social. Petitions for 
 grace to difcharge thefe aright make the Petitory parts. 
 
 " The author, hf wever, does not offer this as a complete 
 fi rm. For Interceflion, Thankfj^iving, and fome other parts 
 of Pra)er, could no otherwife make a p;irt on this plan, than 
 by petitioning for the regular difcharge of them, confiJered 
 as duties." 
 
 Having explained the firft intention of this piece, the au- 
 thor is now willing to preferve ic in a colleftion of his own ; 
 hoping that the fame candor, which he will ftand in need of 
 for the other parts of the prefcnt work, will fuffice for this. 
 
 Thy 
 
and Addrefs to the Supreme Being. 149 
 
 Thy Goodnefs fpoke creation into birth, with 
 no other view but to communicate to finite 
 natures, from that unbounded ocean that flows 
 for ever undiminifhed round Thy throne, the 
 greateft pofiible fum of Happinefs that fuch na- 
 tures can pofiibly Ihare ! Thy power governs 
 Thy univerfal family of heaven and earth as beft 
 fuits tlie ends of their various natures, and Thy 
 gracious defigns towards them ! And Thy Wif- 
 dom fo conduds the eternal fcheme, that, how- 
 ever it may now appear to Thy (hort-fighted 
 creatures, it will at laft unfold itfelf in a perfect: 
 confident whole, whofe invariable objedl has all 
 along been the greateft good of Thy whole fa- 
 mily -, and thus open a new fcene to make them 
 for ever happy in the contemplation of fuch 
 boundlefs love and perfeflion. 
 
 Thou haft portioned out thy gifts and favours 
 )n various degrees among thy creatures. To * me 
 Thou haft given the noble Faculties of reafon 
 and upderftanding. " Thou haft made me but a 
 little lower than the Angels, and crowned me with 
 glory, honour and immortality." Thou tookeft 
 ine from the womb, and haft tenderly preferved 
 and provided for me to this very moment. Thy 
 pnwearied patjence has born with all my failings, 
 
 9 Me, in the firft perfon, is here put for the human fpeci??. 
 
 and 
 
150 A Philofophical Aleditation^ 
 
 and Thy overflowing love has even loaded mc 
 
 with undeferved favours and advantages 
 
 But what language can fpeak Thee as Thou 
 art ? Thy goodnefs towards me rifes far above 
 all expreflion, far above all thought. When I 
 had flrayed from Thee and was funk in ignorance, 
 thou thyfelf vouchfafed to fpeak to me, rifing 
 up early and fpeaking. Thou did ft alfo fend 
 thy fervants the prophets, rlfing up early and 
 fending them. Laft of all thou fenteft the Son 
 of Thy bofom with his holy apoftles to fave me 
 from merited deftru6tion •, to rcftore my ruined 
 nature; to inftruft me in my duty, and guide 
 me to endlefs reft. " How precious are thy 
 thoughts unto me, O my God ! How great is 
 the fum of them ! if I ftiould count them, they 
 are more in number than the fand !'* 
 
 2. All this, O heavenly Father, I know Thou 
 
 art; and all this I know Thou haft 
 
 2. Truths (jone for me ! But when I enquire, in 
 wnh refpedt , , \ 1 r ^c j 
 
 toman, the next place, what 1 myltlr am, and 
 
 what I have done in return ; alas ! my 
 
 confcience tells me that I have not always confi- 
 
 dered and acknowleged Thee as being what Thou 
 
 art. I have often counterworked Thy gracious 
 
 purpofes towards me, and finned againft Thy 
 
 holy and equitable laws. Forgetting my high 
 
 preheminence of birth, I have often perverfely 
 
 abufed, or ungratefully negledled the proper ufe 
 
 of. 
 
and Addrefs to the Supreme Being, i^i 
 of, thofe noble powers with which Thou haft 
 crowned my nature. " My iniquities have taken 
 hold of me fo that I cannot look up. They are 
 more in number than the hairs of my jiead ; 
 therefore my heart faileth me.** Yet ftill, when 
 I refleft on Thy paternal love, my hope is in 
 Thy mercy, through the Redeemer, *' That Thou 
 wilt hide thy face from my fins, and blot out 
 all my tranfgreflions.*' 
 
 In this facred hope, I humbly proftrate myfelf 
 before Thee, fincerely confefling my repeated 
 trcfpafles, earneftly imploring Thy forgivenefs of 
 them, and ftedfaftly purpofing, as far as in me 
 lies, to amend my future conduft— - 
 
 Look down then, O Thou Firft and Beft of 
 Beings ! From eternal fplendors and glories un- 
 utterable, look down with companion on a fin- 
 ful, but penitent, creature humbled in duft \ 
 For thy dear fon Jefus Chrift's fake, favc me 
 from the confequences of mine iniquities. Par- 
 don what is paft, and vouchfafe me the aid of 
 Thy holy fpirit to lead me thro' all future trials 
 in the fteady cxercile of thofe virtues. Moral, 
 Divine and Social, which in the courfe of my re- 
 fearches, affifted by Thy Spirit and Revealed will, 
 I have difcovered to be my Duties, towards My- 
 felf, towards Thee, and towards my Fellow- 
 Creatures. 
 
 Th 
 
152 A Phikfopdicd Meditation, 
 
 The Praolical Part ofChriJiian PhilofopJjy. 
 
 I. With regard to Myfelf, may I, for the fu- 
 
 r p ^-jJqjjj ture, praclife the great virtue of Tcm- 
 
 for'the prac- perance, and preferve my body chafte, 
 
 ticc of pri- JJ3 j[^e temple of the Holy Ghoft. 
 
 Duties, re- ^^Y ^ difcipline my Paflions and rc- 
 
 fpeftingonc's gulate my Affedions aright, that fo I 
 
 may never be fubjeded to inordinate 
 
 defines and violent commotions of Soul i but pafs 
 
 my time in Tranquillity, Sobriety, Frugality 
 
 and Induftry. 
 
 But may I always remember that my care is to 
 reach beyond my body to my better part. Hencey 
 may 1 flrive, above all things, to improve the 
 divine faculties of Reafon and Underftanding ? 
 employing them, according to Thy defign, as 
 the means of fearching and knowing the truth, 
 and conducing myfelf towards my true happi- 
 nefs. And whatever acquifition^ of knowlege I 
 may through Thy aid attain, may I never be 
 puffed up •, but refer all to Thee, and in all my 
 refearches be felf-diffident, from a fenfe of the 
 extreme fcantinefs of the higheft human At- 
 tainments. 
 
 Yet, O my God! while In thepurfuit of true 
 knowlege, \ abftain from finful pride, on the one' 
 hand ; may I alfo, on the other, abftain from i 
 narrow defpondent undervaluing of thofc powers 
 which thou haft given me,- even in their prefenc 
 
 rmpairecf 
 
and Addrefs to the Supreme Being. 15^ 
 impaired ftate. For though they are not the 
 higheft in the fcale of being, neither are they the 
 lowed: ; but are, indeed, noble when confidered 
 in their proper place, and with regard to their 
 proper end. There is fomething grand and au- 
 guftevenin the prefent fallen ftate of human na- 
 ture, which fpeaks its Almighty Author ; and 
 ihofe muft grovel beneath their native deflination, 
 without exerting their ftrength, or afpiring at 
 any thing that is generous, elevated or greatly 
 good, who have not a juft fenfe of this grandeur 
 —May I have a jufi fenfe of it, and reverence 
 my nature ! May I confider myfelf as Thy 
 image, and drive to aft up to my dignity in the 
 humble imitation of thy divine perfcdions. 
 
 To difpofe me to do this, may 1 look deeply 
 into myfelf, and frequently employ my thoughts 
 at home. May 1 attentively liften to the ftill 
 voice of a well-informed confcience, which is thy 
 vicegerent within me. What it warns me noc 
 to do, may I ever feduloudy fly from, however 
 dear ; and what it dictates to be done, may I 
 ever refolutely atchieve, however hard I 
 
 2. With regard to Thee, O my God I may I 
 make it the chief aim of my life to ^ p • 
 difcharge the Duties of Piety and tionsVor the 
 grateful Praife. May I always ac- P''»'-'^'ce of 
 knowlege Thee to be, what Thou Duties.^'';e! 
 art, the fovereign objeft of all Love ; ^pe<^t'ng God. 
 for furdy there is nothing chat can fatisfy the 
 ® humafl 
 
154 ^ Pbllofeph'cal Meditation, 
 
 human foul but Thee. When I ftray from the 
 love of Thee, I find within ipyfelf a frightful 
 void, and nought of folid happinefs to fill it up. 
 Ail my powers are dillipaced with falfe hopes and 
 fdlfe fears ; nor can 1 funport the lingering tor- 
 ment of fociety with myfclf. But when I return 
 to Thee, fighing and thirfting after Thy divine 
 fellowfhip, my foul is abundantly fatisfied, and 
 filled with inborn tranquillity and Joy in the 
 Holy Ghoft, Nought can difturb its peace, 
 tvhile it feels Thy prefence, exults in Thy fa- 
 vour, and, in all things, quietly refigns to Thee, 
 who art infinitely Vv^ife to contrive, Good to in- 
 cline Thee, and Powerful to execute what is bed 
 for me in the whole 
 
 O, THEN ! may I always love and obey T'hce, 
 without the leaft murmuring or diftruft ; and 
 confider whatever befals me now, as meant to 
 difcipline and prepare me for future happinefs. 
 May I bear every, thing with Contentment, 
 Fortitude and Equanimity •, neither too much 
 dated or dejedted at any thing which this fcene 
 can give or take av/ay, fince I am not qualified 
 to judge of the tendency of things in the 
 whole. 
 
 Give me a lively faith in thy promifes, and 
 fave me from all irreligion and profanation of 
 iliy holy name *, for thou art the all- feeing Go- 
 vernor and tremendous Judge of the world, and 
 wilt not hold them guiltlefs who profane or ne- 
 gled: the awful reverence of thy glorious attri- 
 8- butes — 
 
and Addrefs to the Supreme Being. 155 
 
 butfs — May I never neglccl it, and nevtr forget 
 tht worfhip and grateful praifes which are due to 
 Thee, both in private and public j tor I can ne- 
 ver be without a prompter ! 
 
 All thy works, with unceafing voice, echo 
 forth thy wondrous praifes. The fplcndid fun, 
 with the unnumbered orbs of heaven, thro' the 
 pathlcfs void, repeat their unwearied circuits, 
 that, to the uttermoft bounds of the univerfe^ 
 they may proclaim Thee the fource of jufteil 
 order and unabating harmony. This earth rolls 
 round the various feafons of the year, that, in all 
 her changes and appearances, Ihe may fpealc 
 Thee the original of all beauty ; and every other 
 creature that lives thereon feems to rejoice in 
 its ftate and be happy, that it may pronounce 
 Thee the parent of all wifdom and goodnefs ! 
 
 Shall I then, who am favoured above chem 
 - all with reafon and voice articulate, mar the 
 grand Chorus? Shall I be the only pec-vilh 
 llring in the tuneful inftrument ? — Oh no! — • 
 fave me. Thou Sovereign Power! Thou Uni- 
 verfal Good ! fave me from fuch a perverfe un- 
 grateful condud. Let not Me, Mc alone, who 
 am here fo highly endowed, wander as if deaf, 
 bhnd and dumb, in the midfl: of Thy applaud- 
 ing works ; but may I walk forth with the 
 morning fun and under the evening fKy, while 
 my feeling foul attends, and my confentmj.^ hcarc 
 beats unifon, to the voice of nature j for the 
 1 fume 
 
156 A Pbilofaphical Meditation, 
 
 fame is Thy voice founding aloud in the ears of 
 the wife. 
 
 Thus may I go on my way through life, cor- 
 refponding with the general harmony, and praif- 
 ing Thee for all things — for myreafonable being, 
 for my prcfcrvation j and above all for the lighc 
 of thy gofpel, and my redemption through Chrift 
 Jefus. This is that allonilhing plan by which 
 thou haft reconciled Juftice with Mercy •, and 
 while all fuperior beings, inhabiting wide thro* 
 nature, make every fphere vocal in praifes to 
 1 hee for it, let not Me, for whom the won- 
 derful work was wrought, be the only reafon- 
 able creature that is filent about it, and that per- 
 ceives nothing grand or auguft in i:. Sooner let 
 me forget to breathe, than forget to extol Thee 
 for it. May I mingle in frequent worfliip with . 
 the hofts of Heaven, and fwdl their univerfal 
 anthem, adoring its depth, adoring its fublimity, 
 adoring its riches' Cfcen may my raptured heart 
 break forth to thee in ftrains like thefe 
 
 •* Bless Jehovah, O my foul, and all that is 
 within me blels his holy name ! Blefs Jehovah, 
 O my loul, and forget not all his benefits ; who 
 forgives all thine iniquities, and heals all thine 
 infirmities; who redeems thy lile from defiruc- 
 tion, and crowns thee with loving kindnefs and 
 tender mercies. For ever blefs Jehovah, O my 
 foul-, His name is excellent in ail the Earth; 
 His glory is far above the Heavens." He, only 
 
 ilc. 
 
and Addrefs to the Supreme Being. j^y 
 He, is worthy to be celebrated with eternal 
 praifes! 
 
 3. With regard to others, teach me an.un- 
 , p »v^ bounded Love and Benignity of heart. 
 
 3. retitions o / 
 
 fortheprac- Save me from that meaneft of all 
 tice of the ^- ^ r^if^fj^ unfeeling foul, coikd 
 Social Du- D ' 
 
 ties, refped- up within its own narrow orb. May 
 ing others, j confider myfelf as related to that 
 univerfal republic of being, whofe common pa- 
 rent thou art -, and, in a particular manner, feel 
 for all my own fpecies ; weeping the lovely tear 
 of fympathy with thofe that weep-, and mingling 
 the generous joys of congratulation with thofe 
 that joy. 
 
 May I confider each individual in this world 
 as having his infirmities and wants ; and let this 
 difpofe me tenderly to be^r with all, and be ever 
 ready to alleviate the burdens of my fellow-ex- 
 iles, in o.ur common journey to the land of pro- 
 mife. May it be ever prefent in my thoughts, 
 how many more deferving than me mourn 
 around in " deep retired diftrefs," and drink 
 the bitter draught of mifery, while I abound and 
 am glad ; and may this confjderation induce 
 me to do good and communicate to the utmofl 
 of my power, left in the day of final retribu- 
 tion they fliould be comforted, while I am 
 doomed to forrow in my turn. 
 
 But, when I have done all in my power to 
 
 fdkve others, let me not think that I have ac- 
 
 1 2 quitted 
 
158 A Philofophical Meditation^ 
 
 quitted myfelf of all my duty towards them. 
 May I alio affift them with my advice, and in- 
 tercede for them in my prayers, that thou 
 wouldl]: grant them refignation and patience, 
 till, confiflent with the-juft purpofes of thy 
 moral government, thou (halt be pleafed to puc 
 an end to their trembles. 
 
 May it be the chief triumph of my foul to 
 fee the world holy as well as happy ; and efpe- 
 cially to fee the Society, to which I more imme- 
 di.itely belong, a holy and harpy one ; eftablifn- 
 ed upon the everlalling foundation of Truth, 
 Righteoufnefs and Feac;-. For this cauf^, hav- 
 ing firft warmed my ov/n heart with thy love, 
 and fatistied myfclt of thy eternal goodnefs, as 
 I now have done, may my benevolence prompt 
 me to lead as many ot my fellow creatures, as 
 I can, to the famt temper ; ftriving to make 
 Thee more adored, and them more in love with 
 one another. But may no miiguidcd zeal, or 
 difference of fcntiment, induce me to the lead 
 breach of Charity, much lefs to the Perfecution 
 of others -, efpecially thofe who profefs the fame 
 genera! Faith, and with whom 1 fhould live as 
 with brethren, heirs of the fame common Salva- 
 tion. 
 
 In general, fave me, O my God, from all 
 Violence, Cruelty, Hard-heartednefs, Slander, 
 Covetoufnefs, Deceit, Infidelity, Moiofenefs, 
 Pifobediencc, and every Unfocial Dilpofition. 
 
 7 May 
 
ei-:d Addrcfs to the Sufreme Being. 159 
 
 M^y the fovereign Love of Juftice, my Coun- 
 try and Mankind, regulate all my Social Con- 
 ducft, and infpire me with all noble f^ntimcnts 
 and heroic virtues. Let me give every man his 
 Due, and do to him, as I wifh to be done to by 
 others. To my Lnferiors, let me be condefcend- 
 jng, affable and kind ; to my Equals, refpedfol, 
 mild and engaging; to my Superiors, fubmif- 
 five, dutiful and obedient; to my Enemies, for- 
 bearing, placable and forgiving ; to my Friends, 
 affedtionate, fincere and faithful ; and, in a word, 
 to All Mankind, humane, jufl: and amiably 
 courteous, from that inward fvveetnefs and be- 
 nignity of foul, which are the Elder-born of 
 Charity. 
 
 The CONCLUSION. 
 
 And now, my God ! grant for Chrift's fake, 
 that I at leaft may fpend my time in the faith- 
 ful difcharge of all thefe my duties, and what- 
 ever elfe may be fo. And having thus done all 
 the Good in my power, throughout the whole 
 courfe of my continuance in this world ; having 
 endeavoured to improve my betier part in all 
 virtuous habits and ufeful knowlcge in this life, 
 to capacitate myfeif tor happinefs in the nex^ 
 may I calmly and decently take my Departure 
 from this prefent ftage ; nor let me, when I have 
 
 endea- 
 
i6o A Philofophical Meditation, ^c. 
 
 endeavoured to aft up to my charadter in every 
 former fcene, flag under the laft. 
 
 Let me rather, O God ! confront the king 
 of terrors with Chriftian refolution, in the hopes 
 of being placed with the righteous at Thy Son's 
 right-hand, in that terrible day, when He fhall 
 come in all His glory to judge the world ; and 
 in the hopes of returning with him thro' the 
 gates of the New Jerufalem, amidfb the fhouts 
 and congratulations of all the hods of heaven, 
 -with them to celebrate the praifes of the God- 
 head in that endlefs (late of unmixed joy, which 
 is to be the confummation of virtue and hap- 
 pinefs ! 
 
 That this may be my blefled date, 1 beg 
 thro' the merits and mediation of the fame Jefus 
 Chrift, who has tauglit me to fum up my im- 
 perfevfl Petitions, by faying j 
 
 Our Father, ^c. 
 
DATE DUE 
 
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