ambitious; if the thoughts of men are avaricious, their characters will be avaricious. The heart is determined by the thoughts; as is their thoughts, so is their character; the thoughts form the passions, the passions form the actions, the actions form the man. The thoughts are marked with an infinity of views and complexions, but it depends upon ourselves what thoughts we choose. The government of the thoughts is the government of the inward regions. A prince may possess the largest dominions, and yet be the victim of his thoughts.

SUPREME LOVE TO GOD.

October, 1800.

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."

WE may remark the influence these sentiments have in supporting the mind under the decays of nature and sickness. There is then frequently a diminution of strength and energy; a general lassitude spreads over the whole frame; the mind is employed in counting the lingering minutes, and chiding the slow pace of time; once to die, and after death the judgment. Revelation rivets these sentiments upon the mind; all these clouds are scattered when the sentiment of the Psalmist can be adopted; it will calm the mind; it will have a twofold influence; it reconciles the man to leave

this world, and brightens the prospect of futurity. We may remark farther the admirable manner, the supreme love of God-Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee, is adapted to every season of life;— To youth, on account of your forwardness to presume; your excess and impetuosity it will restrain; it will give a right direction to all your pursuits; it will guard your bodies from shameful vices and diseases, and preserve your mind from remorse. The love of God takes away the relish of sin; your afflictions will work together for good: thus your youth will be lively, holy, and innocent; and at last you will be conducted to the right hand of God.

ON INFIDELITY.

June 7, 1801.

Lord, to whom should we go? for thou hast the words of eternal life."

LET us seriously consider where else we can find any balm for the wounded and distressed conscience; where can we find peace but in Jesus Christ? what other way hath been opened to the Father?—No man cometh to the Father but by me. Do you wish to live beyond the grave? cleave to Christianity. Would you go to those infidel philosophers, who have desecrated heaven to make way for their impious speculations? There is nothing

in their nomenclature, nothing in their jargon, that can express eternal life; they have read, or heard of a millennium, and they have fancied a general diffusion of knowledge, science, and virtue, a thousand years hence; they have heard of the spirits of just men made perfect, and they have dreamt of the perfectibility of man in the present world. Will ye also go away, who have made some sacrifices for religion? What joy can you substitute instead of the gospel? Have they obtained any greater elevation in knowledge and virtue? Are they better fathers? better husbands? better members of society? Lord, to whom should we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.*

A PERORATION ON MEETNESS FOR HEAVEN.

Now it becomes us to see if we possess this preparation in any degree; for this is the end of all our ministry, the end of all the revelations from God, to prepare a people for himself. This was the earnest desire of good men in every age. Abraham sought a better country, even a heavenly. Moses forsook the pleasures of Egypt for the recompence of reward; and if you have none of this, the gospel is heard in vain. There is eternal life, but

In order to understand this bold language, it must be remembered, that it was delivered at a time when the principles of the Illuminati of Germany were disseminated here, and when Godwin's "Political Justice" was much talked about.

How neces

we have no part or lot in the matter. sary, my brethren, is it to begin to seek this as those who are about to take their departure, and to emigrate to another country! We are about to exchange worlds; the ocean of eternity is nearly in view: you have seen persons embark and leave the shores of mortality; you have heard the tolling bell; the change is passed; the decree is gone forth-He that is filthy, let him be filthy still: he that is holy, let him be holy still. And has the Scripture taken so much pains to tell us of this inheritance of the saints in light, and made such mighty preparations, and you remain stupid and insensible like those in the time of Noah, till the flood came and swallowed them up? How foolish and infatuated thus to judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life! Ask yourselves, Are you ready? For you know not what hour the Son of man cometh. I hope there are some of us prepared; see that you are advancing, trim your lamps, quicken your pace; a few more pains, and he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry. Kindle a diviner ardour; remember that—absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord. Cherish wider prospects; think less of this world; lament its losses less bitterly; set your affections on things above; pray that God would direct you, and enable you to hold out to the end. O that each of us were more intent upon this preparation! He hath promised us all that a God can bestow, and a creature can wish: let us forget the things that are behind, and reach to those that are before, for the prize is

eternal life. This was the conduct of the apostles; and are you wiser than they? They said, Lord, to whom should we go? It was this that enabled them to meet death, not only with calmness and composure, but in the midst of the most terrific forms; and what was it but this-Lord, to whom should we go but unto thee? for thou hast the words of eternal life. God grant that this may be the case with us all!

ON LYING.

February 14, 1802.

"Lie not one to another, brethren, seeing ye have put off the old man with his lusts."

IMPLYING that every species of lying is a breach of our mutual social contract. If we consider what speech is, it will appear that there is in society a silent compact; that the words we speak are appropriated to particular purposes; that they shall signify such and such things, and no other; therefore, if men were to allow themselves in the breach of truth, the whole use and design of speech would cease, which, in fact, is the great cement of society. All lying is poisoning the springs of the comforts of life at their very source.

M