SERM. ing either a wife or a fafe course by XI- going along with the multitude, that he who implicitly follows them may be justly presumed to be in the path of error and of danger. For in every age the multitude have enquired fuperficially, have judged rafhly, and acted inconfiderately. Concurrence with general practice, neither affords juftification of conduct, nor promises impunity in what is evil. The Righteous Lord of all will never fuffer his laws to be fubjected to the capricious fancies of his creatures. Tranfgreffors will neither be screened by their numbers, nor escape by being hidden in a crowd. In times, therefore, when corruption is prevalent, when vice under any of its modes is fashionable, we are particularly called upon to fhow that we have within us a good, which we can oppofe to this evil; to show that we have fixed principles of our own, which we will surrender to no man, but upon which we will act, and will stand by them to the last. It ought to be no part of our character, that we feek to diftinguish XI. distinguish ourselves by affected aufte- SER M. rity, and a marked Sngularity in frivolous and infignificant matters. Our diftinction must reft upon a fteady adherence to rational religion and the uncontrovertible rules of virtue, when the multitude around us, whether the high or the low, are deviating into licentious and criminal conduct. Depend upon it you may, that even that multitude, though they may attempt to turn you into ridicule, honour you at the bottom of their hearts. They will be compelled to acknowledge, or at least to feel, whether they acknowledge it or not, that your unfhaken firmnefs in what you efteem to be honourable and worthy, muft proceed from fome principle within, of a higher nature than that from which they act. At any rate, by thus maintaining, in every fituation, the cause of religion and truth, and thereby overcoming evil with your good, you shall obtain honour from the great Judge of the earth, and your reward fhall be great in Heaven. THUS, SERM, THUS, in feveral important inftances, I have shown how the exhortation in the text is to be complied with, and in what manner our good should overcome evil; overcoming injuries by generous forgiveness; overcoming misfortunes by patience and refignation; overcoming the temptations of evil examples by steady adherence to confcience and duty. In many of these cafes, the conflict we are called to maintain may be arduous and difficult; inclined, as we too often are, by the bent of our nature to the evil fide. But, if we with and defire to do well, let us not be difcouraged, nor defpair of victory. Weak in ourselves, we have ground to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.For the principle of good, feeble though it may be at prefent in human nature, is never left unbefriended by God. It is a principle derived from Heaven, and partakes of heayenly efficacy. If it once take root in the foul, it will be made to arise and grow from fmall beginnings into gradual maturity, under his protection and XI. influence from whom its origin came. SE RM. Our * Haiah, xl. 29. + Ifaiah, xl. 31. SERMON XII. On a life of Diffipation and Pleasure, XII. PROVERBS, xiv. 13. Even in laughter the heart is forrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. SERM. PAINS and forrows occur fo frequently in human life, that it is not furprifing that the multitude of men should eagerly court fcenes of pleasure and joy. It is natural to feek relief from our cares, by whatever promises to substitute hours of gladness in the place of anxiety and trouble. But we have much reason to beware, left a rash and unwary pursuit of pleasure defeat its end, left the attempt to carry plea fure |