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SERMON

Preached on Occafion of a

Charity-School at Bombay,

BEFORE THE HONOURABLE

CHARLES BOONE, Efq;

Prefident and Governor of Bombay, &c. &c. Council.

BY

RICHARD COBBE, M. A;

Chaplain to the Honourable East India Company.

JAMES V. 19, 20.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he that converteth the finner from the error of bis way, fhall fave a foul from death, and fhall bide a multitude of fins,

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ANY and various are the duties in holy fcripture, whereby GoD's true Religion is preserved, and whereby he would

have his Name to be glorified; amongst which there is none more acceptable to him, or more profitable to us, than acts of piety, charity and mercy. And as the foul of man is the chief thing to be regarded, as being the more noble and honourable part; fo the doing good to the fouls of men is without doubt the greatest charity, and most acceptable service.

No man was ever yet born for himself, but every one obliged in his refpective vocation to promote what he can the good of the fociety wherein Providence hath placed him; that he not only believe aright, but be careful alfo to maintain good works, always remembring the end of his creation, the fetting forward the common as well as his own falvation. And if, of all other finners, those we are affured will be most severely punished, who not only prefume to corrupt themselves but maliciously endeavour to deprave others; then by parity of reafon may like

wife

wife be inferred, that of all GoD's true and faithful fervants, those will be exalted to the highest degree of glory, who fhall be most induftrious in the inftruction and converfion of others; that fhall lay the foundation of GOD's true Religion, or any ways contribute towards the promoting of it.

In confirmation of which, we need look no further than this remarkable place of St James here before us; Brethren, fays he, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he that converteth the finner from the error of bis way, fball fave a foul from death, and shall bide a multitude of fins.

These words, according to Dr Hammond's interpretation, carry with them a double encouragement to the duty here enjoined; for fuch is the excellency of this most extensive duty, the converting a foul from the error of his way, that they bring not only an advantage to the perfon converted, fuch as the faving of his foul from death, but a privilege also to him that makes the convert, fuch as the hiding the multitude of bis fins; which, upon his fincere repentance, will effectually be brought to pafs, through the merits and fatisfaction of our Saviour Chrift. And if the converfion of one finner from the error of his way be thus effectual and prevalent towards pardon and falvation, how much more available will be the converfion of feveral, and the turning of many to righteousness?

In confideration of thefe glorious privileges, I beg leave upon this occafion to lay before you, my Brethren, a very deferving object of our Christian Charity, the fetting up, and maintaining a Charity-School in this place, in order to the

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teaching poor children to read, and instructing them in the principles of the Chriftian Religion.

And for a fuccefsful recommendation of this fo very excellent an undertaking, I need only appeal to the great fuccefs, and the wonderful improvements it has of late met with in our own country, and elsewhere, to the unspeakable joy and fatisfaction of all good men; the univerfal approbation of which good work, together with the fignal bleffings that attend it, are a fufficient demonftration of its use and excellency; a work of that truly Christian piety, that it cannot want for any motive of encouragement, when it fo evidently carries its own reward along with it.

Now whereas the pious education of poor children in Christianity is the most effectual means we can take with any for their falvation; fo is it much more fo with these Gentiles round about us: by seasoning them betimes in the principles of Religion, and removing the opinions and prejudices of their forefathers, by opening their eyes, and fhewing them their errors, by turning them from darknefs unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God.

And as the means are thus effectual towards promoting this great end, fo are the encouragements here annexed the most glorious and beneficial. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know that be that converteth the finner from the error of his way, fball fave a foul from death, and fhall bide a multitude of fins.

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That we may therefore confider our duty on this behalf, and be the better encouraged to fet forward and promote this commendable good work, I fhall from the words just now read to you endeavour to fhew,..

I. How

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