104 Introduction, &c. [Part 1. SECTION XVIII. Virtue and happiness equally attainable by the rich and the poor. 1. THE man to whom God has given riches, and blessed with a mind to employ them ǎright, is peculiarly favoured, and highly distinguished. He looks on his wealth with pleaş'ūre, because it affords him the means to do good. He protects the poor that are injured; he suffers not the mighty to oppress the weak. 2. He seeks out objects of compassion; he inquires into their wânts; he relieves them with judgment, and without ostentation. He assists and rewards merit; he encourages ingenuity, and liberally promotes every useful design. He carries on great works; his country is enriched, and the labourer is employed; he forms new schemes, and the arts receive improvement. 3. He considers the superfluities of his table, as belonging to the poor of his neighbourhood: and he defrauds them not. The benevolence of his mind is not checked by his fortune; he rejoices there'fōre in riches, and his joy is blameless. 4. The virtuous poor man also may rejoice; for he has many reasons. He sits down to his morsel in peace; his table is not crowded with flatterers and devourers. He is not embarrassed with a train of dependants, nor teased with the clamours of solicitation. Debarred from the dainties of the rich, he escapes' also their diseases. 5. The bread that he eats, is it not sweet to his taste? The water he drinks, is it not pleasant to his thirst? Yea, far more delicious than the richest draughts* of the lux-u'rioùs. His labour preserves his health, and procures him a repose, to which the downy bed of sloth is a stranger. 6. He limits his desires with humility; and the calm of contentment is sweeter to his soul, than all the acquisitions of wealth and gran'deur.t-Let not the rich, there'fore, preşume' on his riches; nor the poor in his poverty, yield to despondence; for the providence of God dispenses happiness to them both. ECONOMY OF HUMAN LIFE. SECTION XIX. The character of Christ. 1. WHOEVER Considers, with attention, the character of our bles'sed Lord, as it may be collected from the various incidents and actions of his life, (for there are no laboured descriptions of it, no encomiums upon it, by his own disciples,) will soon discover that it was, in every respect, the most excellent that ever was made known to mankind. 2. If we only say of him, what even Pi'lăte said of him, and what his bitterest enemies cannot and do not deny, that we can find no fault in him, and that the whole tenour of his life was blameless, this is more than can be said of any other person that ever came into the world. 3. But this is going a very little way indeed, in the excellence of his character. He was not only free from every failing, but he põşşess'ed and practised every imaginable virtue. To'wards his heavenly Father he expressed the most ardent love, the most fervent, yet rational* devotion; and displayed in his whole conduct, the most absolute reş-ig-na'tión to his will, and obedience to his commands'. 4. His manners were gentle, mild, condescending, and gracious: his heàrt overflowed with kindness, compassion, and tenderness to the whole human race. The great employment of his life, was to do good to the bodies and souls of men. In this, all his thoughts, and all his time were constantly and almost incessantly occupied. 5. He went about', dispensing his blessings to all ǎround' him, in a thousand different ways; healing diseases, relieving infirmities, correcting errours, removing prejudices, promoting piety, justice, charity, peace, and harmony; and crowding into the narrow cóm'páss of his ministry, more acts of mercy and compassion, than the longest life of the most benevolent man upon earth ever yet produced. 6. Over his own passions he had the most complete command'; and though his patience was continually put to the severest trials, yet he was never overcome, never betrayed into any intemperance or excess, in word or deed; "never once spake unadvisedly with his lips." 7. He endured the cruelest insults from his enemies, with the utmost composure, meckness, patience, and reş-ig-nā'tión ; displayed astonishing fortitude under a most painful and ig+ kyind'něs. * răsh'un-ăl, 106 Introduction, &c. [Part 1. nominious death; and, to crown all, in the very midst of his torments on the cross, implored forgiveness for his murderers, in that divine'ly charitable prayer, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." 8. Nor was his wisdom inferiour to his virtues. The doctrines he taught were the most sublime, and the most important, that were ever before delivered to mankind; and every way worthy of that God, from whom he professed to derive them, and whose Son he declared himself to be. 9. His precepts inculcated the purest and most perfect morality; his discourses were full of dignity and wisdom, yet intelligible and clear; his parables conveyed instruction in the most pleasing, familiar, and impressive manner; and his ǎn'swers to the many insidious questions that were put to him, showed uncommon quickness of conception, soundness of judgment, and presence of mind; completely baffled all the artifices and malice of his enemies; and enabled him to elude all the snares that were laid for him. 10. From this short and imperfect sketch of our Saviour's* character, it is evident that he was, beyond comparison, the wisest and the most vir'tuous person that ever appeared in the world. BIEL BY, BISHOP OF LONDON. * Save'yurs. PART II. PIECES IN POETRY. CHAPTER I. SE-LECT SENTENCES AND parʼagraphS. SECTION I. Improvement of time. DEFER not till to-morrow to be wise; Moral culture.* If good we plant not, vice will fill the place; Indulge the true ambition to excel In that best art,-the art of living well. Life a state of trial. For genuine happiness we need not roam; Humility. Be hum'ble; learn thyself to scan: Know, pride was never made for man. Contentment is happiness. Could wealth our happiness augment? What can she give beyond content? Virtue altogether lovely Virtue is amiable, mild, serene ; Without, all beauty; and all peace within.` *kul'tshure. † năre. Self-Pàr-ti-ăl'i-ty. The faults of our neighbours with freedom we blame, But tax not ourselves tho' we prac'tise the same. Candour and forgiveness. -How noble 'tis to own a fault! How gen'rous and divine to forgive it! Troubles from ourselves. 'Tis to ourselves, indeed, we chiefly owe The multitude of poignant griefs we feel. Resignation. Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou liv'st, Live well; how long or short, permit' to Heav'n. SECTION II. Integrity. THE man of pure and simple heart, Best use of riches. 'Tis thus, that on the choice of friends Christ'ian morality. As Christians, to forget the wrongs we feel; Hope in affliction. |
