There is still one way more, in which a Christian, though in the lowest station, may be the falt of the earth; and that is by fetting a good example.

Now, though a good example in low people, does not spread fo wide, as when it is adorned with wealth and power, yet ftill it will have its effect. There is fomething fo pleasing in a good example, that it draws respect even from the wicked. When people fee others living as they ought to live, who have had no more opportunities than themselves have had, it makes them (if any thing can make them) ashamed. It holds a glass before them, and by fhewing them what they ought to be, must make them, in fome degree, think meanly of what they are. Contempt of themselves may draw on reformation. It will at least be some restraint on wickednefs. I have heard of a little knot of cottages, the inhabitants of which were amongst the most regular and orderly in the whole parish. This regularity of behaviour was faid to be owing chiefly to an excellent man, a day-labourer who had long lived among them, and whose example, like a good book, was always open before them. From it they learned, that industry and frugality turned poverty into plenty-that contentment, rather than

large

that fre

large poffeffions, produced happiness quenting the ale-houfe was dishonesty to their families and that the fear of God turned every thing into a bleffing-All this they learned chiefly from an amiable example, which brought inftruction closer to the heart, than any language could have done.

a good example.

but what

Thus, my brethren, we may, in our Saviour's language, be the falt of the earth-by throwing in, as we have opportunity, a little advice-by discouraging wickedness--by never joining in diverfions with bad people and by fetting, on all occafions, Now in all this there is nothing, every one of you, more or less, are enabled to do. For, as our bleffed Saviour knew what was in man, you cannot fuppofe he would give you any advice, which you were not able to follow. There is one place, however, where there can be no pretence for not following this advice and that is in your families at home. Parents may at least instruct their children, and masters their fervants they may difcourage wickedness among them, and fet them a good example: and

if every one, who has a family, would only do this, it would greatly contribute to purify the world from that mass of corruption with which

Our

our Saviour's advice fuppofes it to be overspread.

Since then, my brethren, we are all, high and low, in fome degree, qualified to affsist in lessening this mass of corruption, by being the falt of the earth, let us not be backward in doing what we can. If any of you fhould fee your neighbour's fences injured, and his corn laid open to trefpaffing cattle, he would be ready, I doubt not, to give him imme diate information; or, perhaps, if he could eafily do it, would see the fence made up himself.This would only be good neighbourhood. Turn it into religion. What infinitely greater service would you do your neighbour, and at the expence of less trouble to yourself, by endeavouring as earnestly to keep fin from trefpaffing on his foul, as cattle from his field?

Hereafter, my brethren, when all the bleffed meet in a state of happiness, what joy will it be to every one, who can fee among them, any whom he has been instrumental in having faved from destruction. With what pleasure he may apply to himself

VOL. III.

I

himself what the holy apostle fays, He who converteth a finner from the evil of his ways, fhall fave a foul from death, and shall hide a multitude of fins.

SERMON XI.

Preached in the Time of

great Dearth.

ISAIAH, XXVI. 9.

WHEN THY JUDGMENTS ARE ABROAD IN THE

WORLD, THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

OD's judgments, my brethren, are now abroad

GOD

in the world. In many parts the calamities of war and peftilence are feverely felt. God's judgments are feverely felt also among ourselves. The critical state of our public affairs is a heavy judgment. The distress of the poor in this time of dearth, comes ftill nearer home. Let me then take up the prophet's words, and exhort you all, from the melancholy fymptoms of the times, to learn righteousness. Let me first address you in general; and, fecondly, the rich, and poor in particular. The admonition belongs to all.