we make on others, if they are not directed to this useful purpose, are in truth of no consequence or importance. And yet, if we were to judge from the practice of the world, one would think that the only end and design of knowledge, was, to enable us to make shrewd and severe reflections on the conduct of other men. God knows there is room enough, and too much, for censure in the lives of the most apparently upright men. But let me ask you, and it is a question which I press upon your hearts, let me ask, if there be any wisdom, if there be any virtue, if there be any honour, if there be any profit, in being ready upon all occasions to mention, to ridicule, or to reprobate, the misconduct even of such an apparently upright character? Let those, whom we thus censure, be as guilty as we please-it will be no excuse for us, if, notwithstanding this, we ourselves are guilty of follies and crimes. Whatever becomes of them, howsoever they are dealt with, whatever they suffer, or whatever they deserve, there can be no question but we are all accountable for ourselves. We are not to answer at the throne of God for any sins or misdeeds of theirs. We shall have enough to do to justify our own actions and to excuse

our own conduct, at that awful tribunal. Little shall we be concerned about the fate of others, any farther than a charitable disposition may incline us to wish well to the whole race of men. In the meantime, whatever hardships and severities we escape, that are inflicted upon our Christian brethren, we should first make it matter of praise and thanksgiving that we are rescued and delivered, by God's gracious providence, from the multitude of disasters, afflictions, and calamities, that are sent among the sons of men. Here we see the virtuous and the brave cut off from their friends, their relatives, and their country: their blood stains other lands: their bodies are entombed in foreign graves: they have fought a good fight: they are remembered and registered in the annals of earthly glory. The widows' heart is cut in twain: the children mourn: the faithful friend weeps, and a grateful country embalms their memory. Now those, personally exempted from a knowledge of such misfortunes, feel these things only by association of ideas: but their hearts, I trust, will always be susceptible, and their gratitude to heaven will always flow, not only for exemption from danger, but for the obli

gations to those who have braved and surmounted them. In short, let us always bless God that, under the covering of his wings, and through his protection, we need not be afraid for any terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; for the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor for the destruction that walketh at noon day.

Such will be the feelings, and something like these will be the sentiments, of a faithful disciple of our Saviour: and, in truth, what upon earth is there which more exalts a human character, or better entitles him to the approbation of his Creator? We may talk of dignity, and grandeur, and hospitality, and cheerfulness; but what can be put in competition with a human intellect, which knows its insignificancy in respect to God, and which urges to the performance of all charitable duties in respect to man?

He, therefore, unquestionably is among the happiest of mortals, who cultivates in his own bosom the seeds of humility, benevolence, and love: who scatters, with a liberal hand, what a gracious Providence hath enabled him to scatter; who keeps under his passions, and, if I may so say, organizes his reflec

tions according to the dictates of gospel truths. These teach him peace and good will towards men; and these too tell him, that if he strenuously labours in such a calling, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

SERMON XVIII.

Deuteronomy xi. 26, 27, and part of 28th verse.

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day.

THE Book of Deuteronomy, from which these words are taken, derives its name from its containing the statutes and ordinances of God delivered the second time to the people of Israel. The word, which is purely greek, signifies the second law. And why, you may ask, was the law of God delivered twice? Was it from the obscurity of the first promulgation, or from the difficulty of putting it in practice when understood? It was from neither of these causes; but solely from the obstinacy

* Preached at St. Mary's, May 23, 1824.