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SERM.
VIII.

Even that fex, whofe task is not to mingle in the labours of public and active business, have their own part affigned them to act. In the quiet of domeftic shade, there are a variety of virtues to be exercised, and of important duties to be discharged. Much depends on them for the maintenance of private oeconomy and order, for the education of the young, and for the relief and comfort of those whofe functions engage them in the toils of the world. Even where no fuch female duties occur to be performed, the care of preparing for future usefulness, and of attaining fuch accomplishments as procure juft efteem, is laudable. In fuch duties and cares, how far better is time employed, than in that fearch into private concerns, that circulation of rumours, thofe difcuffions of the conduct, and defcants on the character of others, which engrofs converfation fo much, and which end, for the most part, in feverity of cenfure! In whatever condition we are placed, to act always in character fhould be our conftant

VIII.

conftant rule. He who acts in charac- SER M. ter is above contempt, though his ftation be low. He who acts out of character is defpicable, though his ftation be ever fo high. What is that to thee, what this man or that man does? Think of what thou oughteft to do thyfelf; of what is fuitable to thy character and place; of what the world has a title to expect from thee. Every excurfion of vain curiofity about others, is a fubtraction from that time and thought which was due to ourfelves and due to God. Having gifts, fays the Apoftle Paul, differing according to the grace that is given us, whether miniftry let us wait on our miniftring; or be that teacheth on teaching; or be that exhorteth, on exhortation. He that giveth, let him do it with fimplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that fheweth mercy, with cheerfulness*.

In the great circle of human affairs there is room for every one to be busy and

*Rom. xii. 6,-9.

SERM,
VIII.

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and well employed in his own province, without encroaching upon that of others. It is the province of fuperiors to direct; of inferiors, to obey; of the learned to be inftructive; of the ignorant, to be docile; of the old to be communicative; of the young to be adviseable and diligent. Art thou poor? Show thyself active and induftrious, peaceable and contented. Art thou wealthy? Show thyself bencficent and charitable, condescending and humane. If thou liveft much in the world, it is thy duty to make the light of a good example fhine confpicuously before others. If thou livest private and retired, it is thy business to improve thine own mind, and to add, if thou canst do no more, one faithful subject to the Meffiah's kingdom. There is indeed no man fo fequeftered from active life, but within his own narrow fphere he may find fome opportunities of doing good; of cultivating friendship, promoting peace, and discharging many of these leffer offices of humanity and kindness, which are within the reach of every one,

and

and which we all owe to one another. SER M. VILL In all the various relations which fubfift among us in life, as hufband and wife, mafter and fervants, parents and children, relations and friends, rulers and fubjects, innumerable duties stand ready to be performed; innumerable calls to virtuous activity present themfelves on every hand, fufficient to fill with advantage and honour the whole time of man.

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THERE is, in particular, one great and comprehenfive object of attention, which, in the text, is placed in direct oppofition to that idle curiofity reprehended by our Lord; that is, to follow Chrift. Follow thou me, What this man or that man does; how he employs his time; what use he makes of his talents; how he fucceeds in the world; are matters, concerning which the information we receive can never be of great importance to us; often, is of no importance at all. But how our Saviour behaved while he was on

earth,

VIII.

SER M. earth, or how, in our fituation, he would have behaved, are matters of the highest moment to every Chriftian.

The commandment given in the text, to follow him, includes, both obfervance of his words, and imitation of his example. The words of Chrift contain, as we all know, the ftanding rule of our life. His example exhibits the great model on which our conduct ought to be formed; and it is to this that the precept here delivered directly refers. -Examples have great influence on all. But by all human examples, we are in danger of being occafionally misled. We are ever obliged to be on our guard, left the admiration of what is estimable, betray us into a refemblance of what is blemished and faulty. For the most perfect human characters, in the midst of their brightnefs and beauty, are always marked with fome of those dark fpots which ftain the nature of man. But our Lord poffeffed all the virtues of the greatest and beft men, without partaking any of their defects. In him, all

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