lafting punishment; but the Righteous into life eternal."

In this moft folemn defcription of the most folemn event, we fee, convincingly, that all actions are not indifferent, vain, or unprofitable. That only those will end in Vanity," and caufe "Vexation of Spirit," which proceed from wrong Principles, and are directed to wrong Objects. And these will caufe Vexation moft horrible; Vexation that will exprefs its bitterness by "weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth."

To avoid this Vexation, let us carefully avoid those Actions of which it will be the inevitable Confequence. Let us forbear to form too fond an attachment to the uncertain Poffeffions of this world, and not be too anxious and impatient to attain them. Neither let us fall into the opposite extreme,-into the guilt of Sloth and Inaction.-In doing nothing we may equally do wrong. We may "come short of the Glory of God" by one Conduct as well as the other, and be caft out as unprofitable Servants.

Let us not, therefore, "ftand all the day idle," under the idea that if we laG 3

bour

bour, we labour for "meat that profiteth not," for Vanity, Disappointment, and Vexation of Spirit.-Let not our

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Folly thus pervert our way, and cause our heart to fret against the Lord :' but let us work the Work of Him that made us, while it is day; that is, let us work out our Salvation" by doing all the good we can; by persevering steadily in the way of Righteousness and true Holiness. Let us always abound in the Work of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift; and our labour, moft affuredly, will not be in vain. He will reward us here with the approbation of our own minds, and most abundantly hereafter with " an eternal Weight of Glory."

PRAYER.

GOD who haft taught us in thy holy Word, the great importance of Life, and the true value of human Actions; infpire us all with fuch a defire of pleafing thee, and with fuch a Concern for our immortal Souls, that we may do whatever is profitable, and refrain from whatever is hurtful, to our Salvation that at the folemn day of Retribution, we may be invited to the joys of thy heavenly kingdom, by our bleffed Reedeemer and Judge, Jefus Chrift our Lord.

Amen.

SERMON

SERMON VII.

Preached on leaving the Curacy of Oldfwinford, Worcestershire, on Sunday March 30th, 1788.

PHILLIPPIANS iv. 8.

Finally, Brethren, whatfoever things are true, whatsoever things are honeft, whatsoever things are juft, whatsoever things are pure, whatfoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praife, think on thefe things.

As

S the difcourfe on which I am now entering will probably be the last I fhall deliver in this place, I have made choice of a text remarkable for containing much good Advice in few words. Its comprehenfiveness can only be ex

1

ceeded by the beautiful affemblage of virtues it inculcates. So few are the requifites neceffary to constitute a Chriftian befides what are here enumerated; fo few the other qualifications mentioned in Scripture as the means of obtaining the favour of our Redeemer and Judge, that this fingle paffage may not improperly be called AN EPITOME OF THE

GOSPEL.

Were I feparately to expatiate on every virtue recommended to our confideration, I fhould indulge in too fpacious a field. But this is not my intention. And, in fome refpects, I hope it is unneceffary: fince most of the Chriftian Graces which the Apostle here difplays in one point of view, have, during my Ministry among you, been occafionally topics of difcourfe. This is intended (and I pray God my intentions be not fruftrated!)---this, the laft, perhaps, I fhall ever addrefs to you, is meant to imprefs more forcibly upon your minds, fome of those leading duties and principles of Christianity which have, at different times, been inculcated

and

and explained.--" Wherefore, I beseech you to hear me patiently."

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Respecting the Duties of Christianity, various and important as they are, they may briefly be comprehended in this faying,-Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyfelf." Like the Sun, from whence leffer Planets derive their light, CHARITY irradiates every other virtue.---In its fublimeft fignification, it implies a pious veneration for the SUPREME BEING :-in its general fenfe---a lively compaffion for our diftreffed fellow creatures.---As the fureft proof of our poffeffing the first of these affections is demonftrable from the latter,-to the interefts of Humanity permit me, at prefent, to direct your attention.

There are Inftitutions established in this very populous Neighbourhood which it is the duty, as well as the interest, of the Neighbourhood to fupport. I mean the Inftitutions called SUNDAY SCHOOLS, and FEMALE SOCIETIES. Thefe are "things honeft, juft, pure, lovely, and of good report:" therefore, as you reverence Virtue," or would merit 66 Praife,"