XI. which men evince their folly and their de- SERM. pravity, and effect their own ruin, furnish fo many motives for cultivating those virtues which alone can guard against these fatal confequences. Whenever we conceive a diflike to any perfon, with whom we have never been at variance, it is always founded on the proof or the fufpicion of his want of integrity; and this conftantly forms the fubject of every ferious accufation. Whenever we hold up a person to ridicule or to contempt, the cenfure uniformly refts on fome egregious defect of understanding. Every man, however deficient he may be in either, endeavours to avert from himself the imputation of wanting them, and to obtain and preferve the confidence and refpect of thofe with whom he affociates, which can never belong to acknowledged folly, or to manifeft corruption of heart. Can there be a ftroger proof of the inestimable value of the contrary qualities, and, consequently, of the obligation to cultivate them with the utmost affiduity? For, notwithstanding the deplorable defect of them in the world, they U are SER M. are not only reverenced, whenever they apIX. pear with evidence and luftre, but are alfo the fureft means of advancing our exter nal intereft. If you must push your way through life, can you fucceed without a character for integrity, and the acquifition of those branches of knowledge which belong to your peculiar profeffion, and that prudence and difcretion which are requisite in every department of fociety? If you are poffeffed of fortune, can you enjoy or preserve it, without the inclination or the difcernment to make the proper application of it, or the fagacity to provide means for its improvement and fecurity? Through wisdom is an house built, and by understanding it is established. To what a variety of deceptions are we daily expofed, of which, unless poffeffed of a competent portion of penetration, we must become the dupes, and pay our folly with detriment, as well as with dif grace! A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and bideth himself; but the fimple pass on, and are punished †. Are Prov. xxiv. 3. + Ib. xxii. 3. XI. Are honour and power your objects, SERM. which you may lawfully pursue, if they are held in fubordination to religion and duty, can you expect to attain either of thefe, while you are deftitute of every quality that can excite admiration or command respect? With what confidence can you afpire at any station of moment, while you are notoriously unable to discharge its duties ; or if, by intereft mifapplied, you be raised to some exalted fituation, will not your ignorance or incapacity render you more confpicuously contemptible? Indeed, no object can be more ridiculous, than a perfon placed in fome diftinguished office, without the qualifications neceffary for filling it with benefit to fociety, and with honour to himself. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so is honour not seemly for a fool*. On the other hand, even the most penurious circumftances, or the moft obfcure station will not fo completely deprefs the man of worth and abilities, as to withhold from him all respect and influence. By thofe, U 2 *Pov, xxvi. 1. SERM. those who know him, he will be efteemed XI. and confulted on dubious points, and every inftance, which proves his integrity and wisdom, will pave the way to their more extensive estimation. How many examples do history and daily experience afford of perfons rising, by these united qualities, to the most exalted fituations, and, like the fun, afcending from the uncertain dawn, to the full effulgence of their perfect day!* Of this truth, the ftory of Jofeph is, itself, a fufficient illuftration. It cannot be denied that these qualities of mind, not only give to their poffeffors a decided fuperiority over those in the fame external circumftances, who are deftitute of them, but procure to them a respect and influence in life much greater than others, of more abundant fortune and higher station, can obtain, without these better talents. For, corrupt as the world is, and juft as the complaint, that merit is neglected, or deprived of its rewards, may be, never has honefty been generally defpifed, or wisdom completely disregarded. It may be fafely afferted that abilities, join * Prov. iv. 18. ed XI. ed with integrity, when they are of the fu- SER M. perior kind, will, fooner or later, attract attention, and burst through the cloud which has, for a time, obfcured them. Without these qualities, neither power, nor wealth, nor extraction, nor high intereft, will screen from contempt, or ward off that ridicule which delights to aim its fhafts at exalted and presumptuous folly. This great truth it is of signal importance rightly to apprehend, because one principal temptation to neglect the culture of the heart and of the understanding is the foolish opinion that it may be difpenfed with, provided money or powerful friends can be fecured. It is a vulgar error, and a very vulgar one indeed, that knowledge and good conduct may be neceffary for those who have their fortune to make; but by thofe, who have already made it, or found it made to their hands, no attention need be paid to intellectual or moral and religious improve ment. This notion, however, can never be entertained by any perfon acquainted in the smallest degree with human life. Did U 3 you 1 |