But I must not even yet conclude, till I have in one Word more reminded you all, who are here affembled, that without continual Help this excellent Undertaking cannot be fupported; and that almost every one is capable of ; giving it Help, more or lefs, in fome Way or another. They who have the Burthen of conducting it as Trustees, all afford it the Affiftance of their Purfes, as well as their Pains and Advice. And I hope fuch of you, as are proper, will be ready, when Occafion fhall require, to share in the fame Trust. For nothing is more abfolutely neceffary to such a Charity, than a conftant Succeffion of wife, and good, and reputable Managers. But if you cannot ferve it this Way, ferve it however in the much easier Way, of a cheerful Liberality. Its being a good Thing evil spoken of obliges You, who are convinced it is unjustly fo spoken of, both to patronize it more earnestly, and contribute to it more bountifully. The trueft Objects of Compaffion upon Earth, are young Perfons left, uninftructed and unreftrained, to the Dangers of a corrupted Nature and a vicious World. And fuch, without the timely Interpofition of a Chriftian Spirit, would thefe have been, whofe Appearance now, not only gives your Eyes the Pleasure of a beautiful and affecting Spectacle, but your Hearts the Joy of beholding at once, fo many Thoufands of young Candidates for Usefulness in this World, and endless Felicity in the next, as perhaps no Nation under the Sun befides hath

ever seen together. Let us comfort ourselves in the Prospect, and oppofe it to the very gloomy ones, that we have around us. Amongst the Poor our Religion firft had its Rise : and there at least it may yet maintain its Ground, till it shall again take Root downward, and bear Fruit upward*, amongst other Ranks of Men. We are following the original Plan of the Divine Wisdom, in making Provifion for revealing thofe Things to Babes, which the Wife and Prudent in their own Eyes have bid from themselves. And may God, out of the Mouths of thefe Babes and Sucklings, ordain and perfect Praise to his holy Name, and Strength to the Kingdom of his ever-blessed Son!

* Ifai. xxxvii. 31. Matth. xxi. 16.

+ Matth. xi. 25.

Pfal. viii. 2.

SER

SERMON VIII.

Preached in the Parish-Church of St. James, Westminster, March 11, 1749-50, on Occafion of the Earthquake, March 8.

PSALM ii. II.

Serve the Lord with Fear: and rejoice unto him with Reverence.

TH

HE Paffion of Fear is an extremely neceffary one for all Creatures, whofe Good or Evil depends on their Behaviour: for it prompts them inftantly to avoid whatever would harm them: and accordingly God hath given it a strong and deep Root in human Nature. But as our Frame is disordered throughout, we are liable, in this Respect, as well as many more, now to exceed, now to be deficient and fearing too little, on fome Occafions, is the Caufe of our fearing, on others, much more, than elfe we fhould need. Religion, if we permit it, will regulate all our inward Feelings to our prefent and eternal Advantage and is particularly ferviceable, not only in exciting, but directing, and moderating This. Without Religion, there may be end

lefs

lefs Alarms. Were not the World governed by infinite Justice and Goodness; every Perfon, that would, might, in Multitudes of Cafes, do any Hurt to others with Impunity: and all Mischief of all Kinds befall us, however innocent, fingly or jointly, through the whole Course of Life, unalleviated by a Profpect of Recompenfe after Death. Nay indeed, as nothing hinders, but that, if it were poffible for us to exift without God here, it might be poffible hereafter too: there could be no Certainty, that Death itself would end our Sufferings, or even would not increase them. But the Knowledge of a gracious and wife Providence entirely fecures us, if we believe it as we ought, not only against all Imaginations of inexorable Fate and blind Chance, but all real Detriment from the worst Efforts of Men or Devils. For if God be for us, who can be against us? It is very true, Religion banishes these Objects of Apprehenfion by subftituting in their Room another, unspeakably more formidable than them all. I say unto you, my Friends, be not afraid of them that kill the Body; and after that, have no more, that they can do. But I will forewarn you, whom you shall fear. Fear Him, which after he hath killed, bath Power to caft into Hell: yea, I fay unto you, Fear Him. And did not Reafon afford us Hope; and Scripture, Affurance, of his accepting and rewarding us, on most equitable Terms: our Condition under the Divine + Luke xii. 4, 5.

Rom. viii. 31.

Govern

Government would be furrounded with incom

parably greater Terrors, than any other poffibly could. But fince we know the Means of obtaining his Favour, in this Life and the next: if we will but use them confcientiously, the Awe, which we cannot but feel, of an Almighty Arm, will be fweetly mixed with faithful Truft and thankful Love: and those Things, which give others the most grievous Disturbance, will not need to give Us the leaft. Fear ye not their Fear, neither be afraid: but fanctify the Lord of Hofts, and let Him be your Fear, and let Him be your Dread: and He fhall be a Sanctuary*. First therefore learn to ferve the Lord with Fear: and then you will be intitled to rejoice unto him with Reverence.

The Word of God, far from encouraging groundless and fuperftitious Horrors, cautions against them ftrongly. In all Ages and Nations, Men have been terrified with Eclipfes of the Sun and Moon: in many, with Conjunctions, Oppofitions and Afpects of the Stars, and other celeftial Appearances: Things altogether harmless. Therefore fuch Frights the Prophet exprefly condemns. Thus faith the Lord: Learn not the Way of the Heathen, and be not difmayed at the Signs of Heaven, because the Heathen are difmayed at them: for the Cuftoms of the People are vain. But whatsoever Things are real Inftruments of our † Jer. x. 2, 3.

* If. viii. 12, 13, 14.