By this means it happens that of all the failings to which we are most subject, this is what we are least inclined to apply to ourselves; other crimes are too obvious to be mistaken; this comes to us disguised under so many different appearances, that we are hardly ever honest enough to take it to ourselves. Nothing more strongly shews the particular deceitfulness of this sin, in which the passions are so much concerned. In the examination of other vices, the object of censure is immediately known to himself; a man cannot be ignorant of his own guilt; thus, for instance, when our discourse is directed against profane swear ing, against adultery, against murder, the blasphemer knows himself to be the man, the adulterer avows his guilt, the murderer shrinks at his conviction; so on with respect to most other crimes; how little soever he may be influenced by

what he hears, he cannot fail of saying within himself, "I am the man." But in the various cases of injustice to others, a man will find some plea to excuse himself from applying the matter to his own feelings, and even when the injustice of his actions is too glaring to admit of a doubt, he will still endea your to palliate it by a thousand flattering

turns.

What resource then shall we find against a sin that so artfully insinuates itself into our minds, and deceives our understandings? "Let us keep a good conscience, "and take heed to the thing that is "right;" let us pray to that Being to whom all hearts are open, to keep us from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over us; to cleanse us from our secret faults. May his providential care for ever watch over us, in

spire our thoughts and direct our actions, till he has prepared us to enjoy, in all purity and perfection, those rewards which he has promised to those who love him and keep his commandments.

SERMON IX.

ON THE NINTH COMMANDMENT.

EXODUS, CHAP. XX. VER. 16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy Neighbour.

THIS commandment, like the foregoing, bears a much more extensive signification than appears at first sight, and nearly affects all ranks of men; though according to the common acceptation of it, it seems to be directed only against a few particular transgressors. To bear witness, usually expresses the public testimony that

given in a court of law, or before those