and do what in that case you would wish should

be done unto you.

let

Before I finish this address to the poor, me exhort them, from the precepts and example of CHRIST, to pay a dutiful and constant obedience to the laws of their country. No man who looks into his Bible can doubt that this is the duty of every Christian; and in this happy land the poor are particularly bound to fulfil it, as there is perhaps no country in the world where they are so well protected by the laws. In this country, and at this time, it may truly be said, that the King is the Father of his people, and that the rich are in most instances the guardians and protectors of the poor. *Times of distress

and scarcity may be sent by Providence for the punishment of a sinful nation: but let not any man, who knows that the LORD is King, murmur at his dispensations. Riot and rebellion must increase the evil, how great soever it may be; while patient submission to the will of God, and charitable assistance afforded to each other, will lessen the distress to all. In such times, we know that what can be done, by the wisdom of our laws, and by that, humanity which is the * Published during the scarcity of 1800.

翼

glory of our country, will not be wanting. If these are not sufficient to remove the distress, we must trust in GoD, and patiently wait his time. Calamities, which appear the most alarming, are often removed by the gracious providence of GOD, when we least expect it; and when human wisdom fails, still it often happens that GOD shews us a way to escape. In Him then let the poor man trust, and if all that he can do be not sufficient for the support of his family, let him remember the words of David," I have been young and now am old, and yet saw I never the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread."* The man, who after having done his utmost to gain an honest livelihood, casts all his care on GOD, and places his helpless wife and children under his protection, that man need not fear either for them or for himself. His gracious GOD will relieve his distress, or will call him to receive the reward of his patience and submission in a happier world. Let every man gratefully acknowledge the blessings of good laws. Let him never forget the duty and loyalty which he owes to a good King. Let him faithfully obey those laws, and renounce all dishonest gains.

* Psalm xxxvii. 25.

When the country is prosperous and happy, let him eat the fruits of honest labour with a grateful and cheerful heart. When GOD is pleased to send distress, let him support his share of it with patience, and do every thing in his power to lessen the distresses of others; and if it be the will of God that this great and severe trial should continue, still let us all say with the prophet, and let us say it from our hearts, " Although the figtree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the field shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls; yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the GOD of my salvation.”* Him be glory now and for ever. Amen.

Hab. iii. 15.

To

SERMON XIII.

ACTS X. 38,

Who went about doing good.

HE enemies, as well as the disciples, of

THE

our blessed Saviour, have in every age borne witness to the benevolence of his character, and have owned that charity is the glory of that religion which he taught, That he went about doing good; that the wonders of his power were displayed in shewing mercy and pity; that he lived to instruct, to assist, and to relieve, those whom he died to save; these are truths which are confessed by all who believe the scriptures. He was sent to heal the broken in heart; none ever applied to him for relief in vain, He shed tears at the tomb of Lazarus. He had compassion on the unhappy widow who had lost her only son,

He felt for all who were in affliction. Even those who had least reason to expect it, shared his pity. He wept over that ungrateful city in which his sacred blood was to be shed; the last miracle before his death was performed to heal one of the soldiers who were sent to take him; and he prayed for his murderers while he hung bleeding on the cross. His parables, as well as his miracles, every where abound in proofs of this exalted virtue. His Sermon on the Mount contains the noblest lessons of humanity. This virtue was displayed in every part of his life, and he recommended it in his last charge to his disciples, "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."* The effect of these instructions was for some time so remarkable amongst the disciples of our LORD, that it led the heathens to say, "See how these Christians love one another."

Alas! my brethren, were those heathens to take a view of many countries where this divine religion has been for ages established, would they now have reason to say, See how these Christians love one another? Yet if such be the true spirit of the Gospel, can those pretend to be the dis