flalida ",on, iequ. p.1(41 petko PIJUpVUfJI I.QnWi'; rtgumqltl terres.

A.

S E R Iv1 0 N, nlEACHED AT WINDSBR, OCTOBER. 10. li99.

BEJOll~

His E~cel1ency the-Governor,

l:ieutenant-~overrior and ,COl.ir:t~~

"IJoufe of'Reprerentatives,

or or ...

.,.

. ih WiLLIAM "l'ORSYTH. A. M.

c::: •

WIN' D son, PRINTED FQlI. S. WILLIAMS, PRINTER TO THE STAT~.

~,

theRe'

HOlire

before I_~--;.,----o--~-~----"--- --~,., ~I$LATU u: tlld to rt~ll~ a Cop, ahereof (or ahe Prcli.

EIIl,.d/Jft-~ ]llIITuls ifIk Ctnr(td A.ffatUy.

ATTEST. SAMUEL C. CRAFfS, CLEac.

1LlIBRARY OW 'll rilE

WRMO '][' liilH§WmCA1L §OO1E1l1{

-z, .... 2t~

I ­___ A • __~:~.

ELECTION S~RMON. 2 , ,.;

JOB, III. .,7, .S, .'g. ~lI!IlE THE WICKED CEASE FROM TROUBLIN C, THI!"S

"'l'H~ ~£AR'Y AilE A'T IlEST. TIIERIl TH~ PR150NEK~ "EST TOG1!THEIl~ THE~ HEAll NOT 'J"tu: VO)CE OF THE OPPIlESSOR. THE sMALl. AND TilE GIU!AT IS THEIl.l<,

")11) TH& &IIlVAlIOT l,S Flll:& fllOll. HIS IilA,HEIl.

T HZ ,i"ers and areams whic,b ron aJ.ong the furfw: of our gl., are all equ~1 in their origio4\ ; "bither wecon"tder tbem in themldves, Or in the com· .JQOn cOlufeJ fr4.>ID wheJlce .hey all arifc.. Some .puny i"ouDtain, o,r c;onti!!l1o~s mo~ntain t:lught them a,t fidt to 'flow: but in lh~r courfes alon~ the eanh. th=y fp.otl ~come ditl.j~guilbed by ten tlJo~\~~d atcidenls.~

'SOME rcar~ iflued from their partnr Ipriogs,are rwen.­~d wilh tllowS, and au.gQleme4 by the cominul1 ~ctllion, of numberlefs ai-earns, until at length afrembled together {rom all quarters, In mighty bod ics, tlU..'}' rollover ,the world witb fuperior majefty. 9thus, unaided by thde accidtntal «Iules, ~mit'but of fmal\ increafe, and run a­long in ~be fame bumble channtl. But this nate cf thit,gs, howeyer, is Dot of IOllg dlJratiun. They are all (0 IDUtliually in ODe p14ce. Alter having run their ap­psinted tourfes, afld difplaytd for fome little'time; their difl"e~Jlt fon;es, th~ raU all into tbe Lea, their common re~pJaclc:: t~ere their waters are blended, thtir CO!! I fes Ivft, lind ev.eD their namu unknown: :hus, as lhey were equal in their orjgin~f, they ue agllin equil in their tll~.

THIS is a jult reprefrotation of human life-men as they fland in nature are equal; t~ey are fqtll' when they nrll enter into life, in every lJlalt~rial circu!1llbnce: bu: :IS they advance, this (quality is gradQally dial i nilhed, ";Ind at length, feemill~ly altogether ddhoyed. So~e in the courfe ut their progrds, are augOlen~ed whh birlh" with ~eS', h~nors,ti~~.PI'a~ !~me-£ ~ther~ a~e endo~~d ~itq,

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'Done of :l11lhde acquifitions, but ccncinue ifl their tidl humble obkuri y. Some are happy, are forluoate, live in tbe miJ(l of ~le, of health, of mirth, and jovial plea­fares; other~ arc unh~ppy, unfOl·tu.nale, preOfd wi~b ma­ny (;l'amilie!, bav,e their bealth impaired, and t/Je~r fpi­rb br ken: bm Ileither does this Hate of things con-c.i. nlJe leo" : a few ,ens of this ftencry elapfed, and death n:frorc5 Ihi: tqi.hlirY again, and renders the appeaum:e vf human "ffa ~ e mor,e uniform. •

TRIS vJcw of the event, is truly interrRing to two ppofite fe i of men, tothem who ;rli fufferers by the pre­

fent ineq'Jalily wtiidi preVaiis' in life, the' profpca.r: its abolirk.) u:utt be a favourite' {ubjet( of ~ntemplatiob. It mull be fo in a {liB higher degree, when thefe fuffer­ings are brc..u;;ht upon them by Ibe opprdlive exertions of ~JUmap power, and when tlJey !=onfider it as no~ only deli­

ering them from their trouples by placing them beyond ~he rea h of their oppreffors; but as difarming their ~p­pr frors themfclves of tha.t poWff, \\-bich they to gre;tly :Jbufed, and reducing lhem to a level wito thofe llvee whom they lyrani7.ed. How idiuitely pathetic and beal1­tJfu! is thIs meditatioJl 01 Job in the text, how deeply fcun-. drd ill the crit,iuaI fu:lllJgs of our nature.

W pI L ~ T over(Nhe)m~ }vith mif,-ry and Extreme def­p..ir, he IS reprelented as l<)O~ing fcr~ard to the grave as his I~U rtf u ce·; confidering it as apla.e where the 10 Ig l\ln: cqu:ility of mtnre 1h.1I bl! "'gail! refiore.d, where thc'wickfd (hall ceafe from troubling, where the weary Ilpll n:fi ft om their rvils,wbere the long confin.ed prifoner {hall be let ~t liberty, Olnq where tyra;lny fbJll opprefs DO

more. To tbe oppvfite dafs of Ill!!n aga.in, to thofe who are gOliper~ by tlte preft;o.t i. tquality which privails in life, the prOrpt~ 1I:;o!t appear in a diff"tt:ot Ught, and pro­cl~ce a d;~ ;rent dL..'l UpOl! their h:otimen15.

BUT in this di4.courfe l 1 nlall (odinI'! myfelf ~o the fiitl clals; and conlider Ihe gnv~ ill the llnglc light of a re­lier to to opprdr.~d; ~nd ill d. II'/; this j !hall follov! th~ order of the text, :md oblerllt IUit foliowing method.

J. I SrtALt.. confider the grave.a-s a place w.Js.:re lhe t'icked c-tale from troublirrg.

n. I $1lAtL confider it as a place where the weiry' are at reft.

II I. I SH"ALL confider it as a place where tlie difiinc­lions of life are leveled, where naturereUlmes her rights, and where all men are again replaced in their original e· • qlUlity.

I. I AM to cODfid~r .h·e gfive as:I pl'ace wbere the wicked ce~le_ from troubling. 1 me.1n not at prefent co ad­dlefs the diffiplted and'the gay, unacquainted by their own' experience w;lh tbe troubles ~f lifo,lhey cao know theUI~ only by the informatioa of others; and this inforoulion fhould anyone b:: pifticular e.oQugb to dY~r ie, chey mily' !iften' to or not, as (bey are difpofed.

A- J THE trDublts ot tbe' world are heard at a diflance aQd' affeCt not' heir repofe : they tl'Aly ceafe or concinue witb­out diLftll bing cheir fy (lem, or producing any malerbl ef. {ell upon their fentiments. It if you', my brethren, who like myfelf have been tried and troubled, whom 1 no\... tneao to ~dref!-Come then let m dtE::end ioto'the grave, and view tbe fitent manuona w!Iefe the wicked OI1'~ Iy ,an deJpair.

AND in the firoft place. in viewitllt the realms of tlie tltad, ubfe~ve the profound quiet which reigns there.-":" more ftill than tile Qnr,;fi!ed '-urface of the deep, the faca­of tbis mighty empire is traoqui~' aQd aU is foiltude' ana tilence.

HEO is DO iavaGoD of'prop-crty, or • difptlte about the limit. wbich divides one man's territory frOID another. But every ODe pcffdfes his own Darrow haufe, nor feels II wi(h, nor can make a lIIotioJl lID traDfplant hilDklf into 4hat of another.

b ftrifct then ceafcd 1 is Jilcord no more lean the ...itkcd no lODger trouble l Nv, my ff iends, they can trOuD. 1e no more, like lhem yOor oppnfiors o,all alfo be laid low; like them tbey thall ceafe ftoOl troubling, and you lball be delivlred.-That voice· ... bich founds to dreadful

. 10 your ears, (han fail Dar b~ able to ....ake the faint echo of the tomb. Where y~ wicked if noW your pown l Ye opprdr(illt is )'OU~ n&o ~ifa,~ I CaD you'~afe to infuito-­

t. ~ J ~fe, over wh"\tn fnrrune h2s f!iven you the zdvant2~ i No: but dEath ba'h inu:rt>o{ed, & his fiern orders nmU be compii::d widl ; wh~tbsr you incline or noc, you mull re. Ii~n I our po"'~r 3ml c..fe from feur opp" flrOl>. Of.1I Ih. apne:arancrs wbich this worltJ.txhibiu thlere is none w,"c1i~ :dro:'ds a b'Tge! ft;nu of morlifyio.,g rpec:u1atienf O,an to f~ Olle man preftirning to opprefs ;:nother. In z mind m~re~

Iy pbilof0i!bic.l. it raifesCliriofity; in _.mind (enfible ',nd bonetl, it o<ci.t~s rurprif;); in a rrinde2): bJco(the noble refcntmfnt cf "irrue. it fOUrn indignation. A!k tbaC ma~ who lqDe~z,. tbe bud wroqght labourer. what ril'.bt bl!' h" t<, oppr<fs bit brethren 1 I\nt bim wb3t the uDhippy crea:ure lns done: to forfeit his rlvou'r? O! he wi1l teU }'DU be i, idle 3Dd unwortby of hoour, . Tbis I gnDt .-pay be trite in unit intbnces; l)ut 1 fen jllat it is r:tthe'r '0 e""logy for opprdlion; lh.lurking motioe more com­IDfI'lly is. thai f.w r.. vours ~re done in lhi1 world but (rom felfilh moti~es, ,"rod when your benefallor rcceivesnot tbe.. rflltrn whicb berllpeaed, bt i, difap~ointed.nd cllall;riDed - Thi, i5 f'.(\f benevolence on tftc part ot thl belt:owu, j is.n ab~ohilebarg~;nfor value to be received, iris U,· );'n~ OJ man;t an advamagc, and m3kingyout own term. ""'ill, him j it is a , .. cit compOI{t, but of wbic.:h you have qot fo much a5 <Ii fd'ft'icion of the motive. A dirintlrdfed h"crief:la"r i!l se\>er dif3ppointed. 'I maintaio that fouing gnritudc: 3fide t gbod l·f.i",;es rcwud themfelve!, and if na·J awe is nat forced, every return ..bleb iilin lbe POW" gf It l\ut:ful he.1rt will be ,m3~C

BU'T if ,here motive. at>:ll )'011 not. let tnt fuggen OOft -n'ch you mull ftcl. I" a lift fo /110ft as thi., why woulll you oppr.l,? you will nDt loog enjoy tbe plelfu,e) ifYOIt dunk It one of heuint:; the wi,'ow mourn; before you caqf tt'.if his guments from tbe orph.m, betore be is redacect U'l fu.:b u H~te, IS to rCllder your cojoymcI'\t complete. the. d:Jufion filts. You yourfelve:: are low and need that mer': coj which yttU oow'tefure 10 others. ~,! JIJ, aftlllted friend" 'h~ pt[lod of tbeir opprdfion is IbDn, 2nd the mor.viDlen,ly they drive. the more r,rpidly they wtll.p_ p10acli to ,be end of their cO!Jrfe ; tt.ete tbey wiH c..r• •rom troubJi[\g, {b eir in~xonble bearts"will beat no nion. I''ree 3mon~ the de3d. you will enjoy tbat ropofe you ore d.?~iv<d 01 here. ncr ever DlOre be fu:,jea [0 tbeir au­tbcri!y'. For, -4

•

( 'I j ; J ., I' - ~ l. " •

i I. TH& grave is a pll\ce where the we~ry are at relt =-The weary are at rell! How roothi~g is .tbe fer:ti • ment? Tbere is fometbiog in, the ey.pre/hoD whIch .ffeBs tbe heart w"h uncommon {enfations, and prQ­dllces a fpecies of delight, where tranquility is tbe. only ingredient! To be delivered from trouble, to be relieved frOID oppreffion, to be. freed fr.~m. care and paio! fro.In ficknefs JJld diLlrd·, to he down 10 a bed of lecunry, lR

long oblivion of our woes! bow footHing is the fentimenr, bow full of conColation! Tbe ocean may roll its waves, the warrin~ winds may join their fofces,.the tbuhders may lhake tbe {ktes, the lightnings pars fwiftly from cloud 10

cloud; but not the torce c;>t winds. co.mbined, nor tbe found of thunder, nor the rage of many {eas though united,n one pe~l, aod directed to one point, can fhake the firm Security of thB tomb! The dead hear nothing of tbe tU·

mult; conducted to filent manfions, t!ley caimot be awak'; ened by the fi~rcefl tbunders Of die loudelt: clamours.' The unfortunate, the oppre{f~d and brOKen hearted, rdl: here togetber, every I<!rrow is hulhLd and every pang ex., tinguillie<:. Hence in all nations, a fet ,of n;jm~s have a­rifen to convey tbe idea of death, congenial w}tb tbefc: feQtiments. It is called the harbour of relt:, where tbe difirefi'ed manner wearied out by winds aoi:l norms, at length moors his fhatt~red vdfel never more to return to the toffing of the wafieful, ocean. It is called the land of peace, wh~re the friendlefs e¥ile retire beyood die reach of malice aDd envY, and tbe crude!l arrows of misfortune. It is called tbe h~fpitable h'Jufe, where tne weatherbeaten travelie ,faiot with traverfiog pathlefs defarls, finds a we come and ie.cure repofe. aut this bri ngs me to' tbe tbird thing propaJed, wbich was CO cOf.llider the grave as a place wbere the dilliDcl!oos of life are leveled, where foeiet, returns to its firlt: principles, where namre rcrumes her r~gh s and wliere all men are replaced in chetr original equality.

NEXT to the influence of our paffioos, tbe morl of the calamities which man iDflias on man, arHe from the une_ qual though o:ce!fary dlftribut~on 01 property and power.' D.tZzltd with ndies and dllt:lOct'ons, we are lIpt to confide ... ourfelves when weol.>tain polfdfiJn, no'tasmeo appointed to collect aDd pre(ide aver tbe common fiores of provi. d~nce, b~t as undoubted lieirs of e ;lullve advantages au~

B

( s 1 fuperior jll tne very na:ure of tbingS" to the cornrnonmafs­of mal t<illd. l'h~n this, there Unoot be an errer more fat'll either in theory or in fife. This ..aU f,lobe 011

which we {hnd, is inhabited by mi:,:ons of rational crea. tures, who have ~1l aD equal ri'ght to her produCliGns ; bL"'t as it i. impcffible tll~t we cali all puffers, aod as a greater fum total of happintf$ rdults from the prefent arrange. ments, j't ha'tli pre'oifed the policy of prcv:dence !'u put Ihfs 'e:lflh.' with' her it1habitant.s and, produ~ions. under the ~overOliJ:'llt of a few, who manage, under God, for thoe greater good of the wnole. This is the original of all 'property and power, and the final ends which' providence )'l'fopofes to accomplifb tram the preCen t inu)'lality which prevails in I'fe, and cOllfidered in Ihis view, the policy il f>et'levolent as well as profound'. The diftinClion of radts, the luburdination among men, anrlthe rfvcrer,ce for po~(. tr, when confined within their proper limits, and the ends of tbeir inflitUtion, krpt in view) 3l"e all nec~ffary in (arr fyftem; bllt the amazement of a contemplative man

·pfoceeds from th'is, t •. at there lords of the earth, who know tbemftlves to be bm men, and whole hearts are (onfccruently in the fecret, thonld from this cirru'm£lance. t:llte occaflClI t~ become tyrannical; that forgeting th'e ends of Iheir preeminflxe, they lhouJd mifialte pofidJivn

'for ri hr, and :1ft :rs if this world with il:S inhabitants, and produtlions, were created for their private :Jdvamage : 111'a miHaklng properlY for power, tbey thould erefllbeln. felves into tdk-ma!1e:-s, and make imperious war upCh the freedom of the fpecifS.""-The advantages of fociety,

'though num rom, make perhaps, but poor amends, whell h'er principles are thuicorrupted, wbt!n the leltith & tyf3nil!:l1 dlfpditions, find themfe'ves pt'otttt'ed by power,

"an'/ when Ih't: original equali1Y of men is forgotten and, djrclaim'Ed. Hence that infolence ()f dfice. the tn:fiefs va· JlIty of brrth, tire mean language of fl'aurry, aed IHe groans of the opprtlftd, which found fro,m all quar\ers of the earth, Let nOll imagine that I mean to confine this abufe to tbat dafs of men \\-hoOi we calt the great j it i~

. the confequence of power of every fize, be tt grc=it or fmall, in high 1;fe or in low. Ie is a general bUt mort;. fvmg remark, that no man or fet vt men. were tver ye endowed with unlimittd privileges, which thry did n(lt wanton with, or a:>Ut'e. This is a gener~1 remark UpOIl

tAe human ~haraCler•• To day we /df:r, to morrow we

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pppreJs. Vain man, bow (oon, and by what P:gh~ acci. den", is bis rearon overturned. He firll by many a v.. e;s. ry fiep, and bl many an anxious prayer to heaven for {ucecfs, purInes fome favorite fcheme of happinefl. What vows docs he DOt make, that if heaven will but favor his undertakings, he will fiill retain a grateful remembrance of the benefit; but he bas no roouer obtained the ends of his pre.eminenr.:e, than forgetting all his prayers anc!. vows of gramude, be prelumptuoufiy ;;fcribes the whole to his pwn merit; boldly arrogates the partial indulgence of beaven to himfelf, as his rtglH. and proceeding trom one Rep of pride, opprdli:>o, aild folly, to another; h:: Ihakes aloft the rod ot p:Hver, make~ himfelf a god in his own imaginatioo, and torgets th~t men ~re 41s fellow-. creatures.

FR.O~J a review of the miferies of hum"n life, as well thole which ;re the conhq\lences of llower among ID'!U_

~ind, as tbof: which are unavoiElable, men of warm fau­Cies, and generous difpofitions, han been led to i ma~ineJ that human .ff.iirs were Dot always in this fituatlon. They have imagined, that a rcene fuch '!S the pr~leut

. exhibits, cculd Ilot come originally trom the hands 'of an all benevolent God. They have imagined:l galen age wherein Oleo lived as they came from the hands of their Creatort free, fearlds, innocent, virtuous & independence

THEN fay tbey, wer.e there no Warlt to deLolate the world, no frauds put in graCtice among brethren. The leeds of :mimo{ity were not yet fowo, nor was tbe foil prepared to receive tbem. No t!ecelt lurked in thll beart, no cloud darkelled the brow; but man met man with erca countenances, tbe confequ::nces at freedom, of mutual .:onfidence and independency; nor had luxury as yet invented ber fatal arts, to enervate the mind or ra::k tbe OOdy with acute difeafes. Men lived fimply, recli­ned at their cafe, benealh Ihady trees, or by the fides of brooks qr flreams; the ficO inhabitants of th:: earth led Jives deV'-9ted to love, to joy, i!nd tQ innocency. And as all the pallions ~ere awned to barmOfly within, the el­emenu without, were ID perfell: concord, wilh thefe de. Jishrful movem::ms. No clo~d had as yet ddormed the face of heaven i 0') n)flll had colleCted over the ilffright. ed mariner, no thJ.lders had b:en heard to roll, the lUll

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roo~e ferenely, the g~1;s blew foftly, the face oftbedee', was calm; there WAS an eter al Ipring, every beart beOit with j;ly. and all 1101 'ure was fiiled with happinefs. Such they 1IDagined, was {be felicity of tbe ~rft fet cif men. ., '..' , .

B9T whilfl we foothe ourfelves by lookio~ back to:l happm Is,' which (if ever it exifiedf is IJOW DO Iflore; it will a~ord us a higher canrolation', 'to look forward to Z flate which really lies before us. Before us lies i peace.' ful empir'e, where'all the miferies Of hfe'are hulhed. Ind­w'here ;U the caules which agitate 'this 'upper world are deOroyed. In th~ grave IiI the difiinCHons of life cealet nature r'efuoie~ ~er rights. Ind all things ar~ brought" • bac~ once morc, to their original level. There' the­wick:::d ceafe from trouoling, 111ere I~e weary reU from their toils: There no pam'JOS diflraCl, lind 00 enemies de. fame, their agoni7.ing p;'in, and ,,:ounding infamy and ruth Ids re eoge are no n,ore; but profound p'eace and c~IQJ pafI\onsand, fe~ur\:y, whicl.J ~~im,noveab.l,e. '

THOS, My Brethren, I have exbibited to your view, COl' of tbe moR inter~mng fubjelt,; which can occupy th~ mind ot man. In whatev.er light we view this awful fubjetl. it. prefcms u5'witb ;;i folem~ fcene.·· , .

WHOEVER left the precir.fls of mortality without can­ing a- wilhhil look' on wl,lar' he bad left behind,' and a trembling eye on the dreidful fcene Ixlore bim? Ho\'; aft: fring mult it be to diflilive at once, ~II: the conneClions of life. and to p3rt with a\l that is de:C.i" , below the'fun ~ How mortifying to think of that fair ~orm, 'and thefe ae,; live limbs, in which we perhaps. too much boaned, be. coming pale and ghafily, and flifi~lling II! e theclay. and ready (0 moulder into dull; but' how much mo,e dread.' ful !till is it, for a foul rouled to a coufcioulnefs cf ~uHtt during every momerlt of ils p~1l fxillence,' to burtt iDtO' the regions of eternity. there to appear before an awful judg~, and to rec;eh'e fentellce accordfng to the deeds cone in lhe body j a lentence in-exalt proportion to the degrees of iiS gUilt. . .

J CO~E now to the fourth tb;ng propored, which was, 'co draw fame ufeCut reB aiOIlS ftOOl what haa been. {aid. And, "

( fJ

,. You who 2fe linking uhder the burde'!. of fur­ferlng and opp'elIion, be ",,,,[orred: the day d your _""trance dn.weth nig:h; the morning of your f.lvJtlon "hlch you 3re fa ordevdy loliciting, Thore is only ono ~bing chat can ~ifappoint your bopes, and that is, vice. ;md irreligion; a gloriou~ redemption IWaifS you be.. yond the gnve; renaer not yourlefves un~orlhy of it. All your ;l1l.lllons and fiery trials which Ire but for ~ Iooment, will work ODt for yOD an high degree of relici. ty through an the ages of eternity.

AGAIN, you who enjoy the lDolbln. of profp.rilY, be DOt intoxicated; yarD is tbat pre~emiDence on whic~ your aaui iJ foundfd i time is fact carrying yoq to the end of your enjoymentl, aoj notbiI:;g can ava;\ you but religioo aDd virtue. In ycur life, your health, your co--'forrs, your conoedioos, tbe principles of ddtrD£l:ion work; you are {landing up.on a precipice, and tbe groun4 is f.. fi flipping from"beneath your jeet; your own life :s ~lfo fleeting.and tnnficory j every thought, every word. every ..aioO'or your lives, is ;tfroded wltb eternal canre­c;Jueoces; it is either filling up the meafure of your hap~. ners at milery; do not 'ben luff.. the fhadowy Icen.· here below, to rob you of your l..preme felicity.

AG~I N, thirdly, Let us learn from the whole of whit has been bid, not to value ourfelves by cur fitu3tions in life. Thele firuations are fJecdrJrY; and it is nect:n.~ry that (ome fhould fillrhem. It would I.em that God hath varied ou!" circumClances, that we might haye aD oppor_ tunity of atling a part ill different "tuations; [0 be fiav_ ilb In adverlity i, improper, to be infolent io profperi. tv i. rhliculou.. The oDly thing that we ought to be (olic:itous about, is our cODdua. This will rurvive ",nen diOiuaions of every otber ua.~~re are done aW3Y, when we ou, fdve. !hall depart, acd wben all".ture lball'liuk ig OM commoo dcfolation. .

IV. THE tranquility which death affords to the mind of a good m,an, orite. from the joyful hope, which Chri!t Jelus, by hIS death and r.forrellioD, ba'h opeoed upbe. yond dea'h and the grave. '

• ACCORDING to ,he words of an excellent po<;t, U Hope {pring. eternal in tbe bumID brcaQ, ' ~' Man Jic!~r ill bue alway. iQ be bIeR,1I

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It is hope wbch m.kn u, foce difficul'iCl, WffGle "'ilh rnisfocunes, and rif~ unconquered from calamities, ~'hlch

would otherwife cculh ua to tbe duft, and mike UI cry out in the del~ir of our hearu, it is better for III to die tban to Iiv:-.. The f~me principle whic.h Iccornpaoiee us in every ciifiref.fnl Icene of life, ;Iod even preYCDtl U, hom thro.·iog ......ay Jife itfclf, I$an int91erabte burden, urries our views into f furure fiate, and difppfn us irre. lill.bly to look for lbat h'pplDef. lbere, which we hav. labored aftct here in vain.

T~E b.ppioef. which we pur foe in lhis !hate, i. deceit. ful and fug.cious, it glille.. before u, like a f.lfe fire, which embarr_ff~l the ~:nighttd traveller. In vain we double our fpeed and rtach after whu is not. The vain delation !till mocks our tOil, and eludes our grafp. At length, havin~ fuffidently fported with our credulity, it \'3Ililhes at once~ and Ir.• ves us a prey to perplexity and defp.ir. .

NOT fa lh. h.ppiner, of. future n.te. Like a Iigbt hung out on a Uormy COilft, to dircfl the dillrdft,d mari. nn. we lIeer to it tbro' millions of furrcu~!ding wives. ]'1 vain the tempell berets us, and uight bUs with all it~ f~IJdesJ we keep it Heady in our eye through the gloom, and braves the oppaJirioll of the elements; fccure that if

e can but reach the defired haven. we fln.1I ~nd a {belter from the fiorm .. and an agreeable and fafe felreat from t~H~ perih of a d,filflrou, vOYlge. Thiti is tbe point, tl!y brethren. which we ougllt to have always in our eye. Thi, will keep us neady and Uniform., amidlt all the flue. 'patiom of this pref:nt ltfe ; and it will at lellgth land UI in that h.ppy country, where h.rmony, love .nd jO)/ Ih.1I ever reign.

To encourage you Rill fUIMr to pcrrevere in one u­nifurrn (ourft' ef rcli~ion and vinue. J Ihall exhibit HI y~or view, fame IUlUre. <of lbe le.ding charaaer~ of your nation.

A"D the fir/I confpicnou, cbar.aer which I ought to rremioo J is one whu (bods high on the record. of fame, and 1 .~ pcrfo.ded 111gb .Ifo, in 'he .If.a'ons and ef. tee", of every f'.ood m.n. Vke an he.lthy pl.nt, \x/ide fum. nUlrit:oUS Ilrc.:n, h' grew up Glen Iy, aod perll.p!

( 13 j tiripetceiveil by the tulgar eye. However unobferveJ b}" others, he was fit and full of fap $ the rough wiods of advedity only made him firike the deepe'r root; and 011. tbough the winters blafls often withered his leaves, yet tbe general [pring made him "'~ell and rife. From norms be was a fhelter, and from h~at a fiude. To tbe birds o'f the :flr he ,ffJrded a fecare and fafe retreat; aod every living thing rejoiced under his proteClion. The little hills rejoiced OD every fide, and the mounra.itts were refrefhed with his fhade. The Lion and t be Wolf. foothed "ilh his fragrance, laid a/ide their fiercenefs. Under. his chequered fhade, herbs, trees, pl~ nu, fruirs l and Bawers witb pleafant fmiles, reared their joyful beads. His bead towered to the {kies, and his leaves rip­ped the rilver dews•

.. Talia fz:la fai. disen1nt cariae Parcz : e. Can deam fobolu, magnam jovi. incrementa!!l• •• A~gredere, OillagllOl, aderil jlm lempo•• bODore. J .. Temfq!le, traan.que mari., call1lmque profunduuij .. Afpice, eonnxo nutDtem pcodere lDoodum. I' Afpice, venluro, leteDtar u'l odlni., f:rclo • •, 0 I lDibi tam lODge llI,neal pan bhilln vi·ee. tc Spiritlll ct quautum fat trit lUI dicere faaa ..

THI sis tbe m:an, G'fltltlemtn, who was at the h'efm of your afflirs i who fieadily condulted the vdl'et of fiare ~midfi the £lorms and temptfis of tedious war. Alchougll the was mucb tofted on the furfa'ce of the w;fieful ocean. yet by his care and diligence, o,e was at length cpnducted Jnto afafe harbour. That reft, which (ch. ough the pro. vidence of God) you now enjoy, is in a great meafure owing to his ftrenuous efforts. He was your Joihua. who, although Jordan wa.s overRowing his banks, open­ed up a life pa8age for your people. Tell me, you who know. whither his prudence. his fortitUde, hi! jufiice. o~ his temperance, were the moll confpicuous ftatures of his cbuatler ~ WhiHt thefe virtues Inone in his life iod converfuion, they were conlhotly b'rightened by a graceful piety and an ardent devotion.

SIIAI.L ( mention in the lecoml place, or fhall I com~ pare, or rather eq.\Jal with him, the great man, cn whom yOtl have noW conferred the ruolt burdenfume toils, and the hightifi office of aate. Like hi 10, he has grow n old amongll you, and has e,;erted all his powers in hli COUlh

tries len'ice.

• • • I 1 ~ ill LsT : he one was fleering the velfel df Rate, t~

< ther .was thar,ing her comle; whilfi tbe orie. brought liberty to yo.ur country, th~ other was provldin~ a fate tecepti.oo for !Jer continuance. The ODe was the molt, aClive hand ,fot preferving your count ry from a. foreig jDv~fion, the .other ius' prelerved her from a aillbolical icheme of creign iDrrigue~ _The one was ~ bl fling to you in ,tillie, at war; tbe. other is a bldIing in time of peaoe'. The one has no~ laid aCide the b.un.len of pub. lie -roi! ~~n_d is enjo'yillg a c~lm~ a delicious, & Cafe r~treat ; the othe;: IS fiillltooping ur.d~r the care..s of an (xteoCive governmen~. In both, prridence, jul1:ice,. te~peraDct., :ilad fqrtltud:l, feem to reign.. Your time wpuld fail. mc but to Imntioll m~uy ot.hers, who a~e highly deferringof the gratitude of their country. May tlteir dlta(hle.b names ltiH li\'e in th'e hearts 2'od liv~s of their .children; their frielld~, l\lld hi the hearts of the '1ateft 'Po~erity.

THE E is only o'ne ,e)lar;u:ler I.Iibich i fhall .;eg Je~ve to memion ; and that is 0' one who ~ been gr,:ildually drawn into roOy ~jew, by tbe excellent feotitpenls \('bicb flow in his Ipeeches and proclam:il'tions, by' the glo iog

armth of atftCtion, expreffed by his fricn'ds and conm. U~DtS, -and the high cor-o'miums of thole who d ff_r from

him in political femimeocs. Thefe rays incre.a{ed and brigh,en d lhe r:earer I approached the luminous ob­ject. "Bl ffi d be the L rd tby God, who delighteth ll'l thee, to fet thee as the head of this people, becaole the t.ord b;lth not cdr off this people, therefore made be'tbee ruler, to d junlce and J~dgment."

1 WI LJ. no ufe fhtteriog titles,-No. N~tiv'e excel. lency lIeed~ DQt the foreign ~}d of ornament. but is wbell unauorned, adorned the matt. One of the highelt hu. m.m chara:lers given :n tbe [cripmres, is comprehended' in three words: "Enoch waiked with God." Year fiat ion, Yl:ur character, your perfon, your abilities, caU foudly for the highelt gratitUde lInJ praife to bc.aveD~. Yc)u live 10 the hearts of all thofe who know YOIl'; culti. v te Irue reli'Jion lind you /halllive aHo in tne hearta of l.1. ten poftedty, and lhine as the llrn in tbe kingl:lom of youe fathel ; mJny children will be bO'm UAto God by your infl.'lence, and will thine ai ftars to adorn you in tbe re.. gions above. .

70 :M H01J. L~tutt"ant Gf)"J~r"or, and Cou7icil, and Houte of ReprtJmtativu,

, 1 woULD alf9 b~g I~~ve to p,rrten~ refpeaful addreff. c; IDd cordi,al congr;ltulatiOl1s, on tbis ple..6~lg occaGon. In proportion to your eleva~ion, you are drawing the eye,s ~f the world upon YIJU. " What might have paffed uncb· ferved in a p,rivate fitu'aiion, will he -deeply ferutinized in you, who are called ,to act i~ a pUblic capacity•. Con. fider that the interefls of the 'late, their virtuesj arid I heir vices, will be yery mu'ch influenced by your atbons and beh:lviour. Nay, your influence will perhaps flow to 1:1. tell pofleritV.. •The ene,mies of your government, your religion; and your ha~pinefs, have been ot late increafing in aU coul')triej. In fehool!, in colleges, 31'!d in femin • ries of learning, they have been endeavourin~ to infiau­at~ themfelves and to fubverr every neady principle of human life. Would you with them to infpire lite and vigor into yollt infaot flate; would you with her to be rendered a bleffio~ in tile micift of the earth; begin then in your fevcral departments, to cuhivate true rejigiofl. L-:t it not be the vain faflt of emhnfiafis or the mafk, of hypocrites tei decei tie :md betray. No. Let it be that tteady mllculine piety. which atluates the wh l~ foul, 'nd Ibines out in the lIfe: and converf:aiol1. Let your fan!ilie~', your connetlions', yoO'r confiitu::nts, all bear wit­ner.. to your devotion, your juffice, yeur charily. your humility, your _cllodor and truth. Tru\ling, in G'1Q a. 100:, :;:nd ill Jelas. Chr,lt the Icrety of loft mart; lteady to abound in every clirlaian grace and Vtrtu~. This is the life of tbe foul, this is the life of fcx:iety; and his iPill faye your country from ruin.

I SHALL DOW conclude this difcourfe, with N ADDRESS TO THZ WHOr...E n-ODY OF THe

l>l!.OPLE. MY BRETHREN,

You profefs -yourfe!ves to be the fouTee of power: tfut all pow:r is cleri;;ed from the tree and volunlary foff;Ages of the people. See then that this founta'n be pure; clhe:-wife, all the Ureams which ifrl1e from it will be tainted with the corruptions which lffuc from the lour,e. If 1 were an enemy to your government :m

C

( i6 j to your felicity, I would encomage you in keeping rei:: gico ffOOl your boufes,. from your fchools, and from your churches; 1 would adv.ile fpecuJators to Urike in wilh tbe le;d;ng vice6 of the youth, and /bow them how they may all: the madman m9re genteelly. I would t11­

courage youth 10 ddpife thefe un wildly and c1umfy crea. lures, whom ther call Priefis, ots only :I!J iOlerrnptioo

, and hindrance in the pleafures of life. I would advlje them to rejell: with d~fda,in, the fordid parfimony of their pareors, as unbecoming Iheir rank and nation. 1 would encourage I.hem to turn their minds to ex~eroaJ pcrr.p alld Iliow, clod glitter in the firO: ranki "f fociety. 1 ,WOUld advife them to firain every uerve 10 ou\{hme their companions, thol1gh at the expenee of their parrots, their friends, their hOlleO" their ve~<!city, and every thing vircuous and facred. I would fay,rl'joice, 0 young maa in thy yo . h; let thy heart cheer thee in the day s of tby YOUth; walk In Ihe ways d thy heart, a:. ~ in the light of thine eyes; eat, dr ink, arid be merry. I would ad. viCe the leaders of the people to fiep before them' into the fcenes of vice, where tlley may Ihrow away their virtue, their religion, and their fonune at once. But wh t faye. the wi/dom of Solomon? "Know thcu, that for alllhtle things, Go WIll bring thee into judgment." There thcu mull give .liD acocune of the det:ds done in the body, whither they be goed or bad.

GOD, My Brethren, has given you a l:lrge ~nd f,ij.1­cious country; a COU! try of mcun:ai os and valiies, of hills ;md dales, of rivers, woods, and ~Iai(\s; a CGUlllry loudly calling for the indufiry of the hL!fbmdma:J; a country teeming with natUral wealth, producillg in a· bundaoce, all the Gmole ne-,tffaries ()f life; a C ulHry where the pious man may worfhip God withont fear, and feall: abundantly upon the fruits of his inoufiry. What temptation then Cdo there be to tranfgrefs Ihe bounds of virtue? W ha t need offpeculatioo, of ehe_ting, of deceit, and accumulating wealth upon the ruin of our fellow. reatures ~ In proportion lO [hef;: hIgh natural 2c4vant..

ges which ou e jvy,.f ch is t!1e :Iggravation of all theta crimei which prevdil among you. I could eaGly trace thefe crimes to their fource, and (hew you how tht' £J1lr.d is wa.·ped by c:arly habir, by the deceit which appears ill 'he llves of parents, aad thcl~ wt:h whom we aioe ae­

( u ) qu inted in our. jr;fancy; from the too ardent defire of' pomp and thaw. :md from the ove,~ wings of vice il1 0,: ther couomes finding a refervoir in tbis.

BUT I have no pleafure in wounding your feelings. • !hall leave thefe topics to yoU\' own meditation, and ex· hurt Y(lO to Jay afide all guile, all bypocrify, and evil (peaking, and as new born ~bC's to defire the »oeer milk ot the wo'rd; th~t you may grow thereby.

W O~LD yOIl- My Bretbre:l, trace all tbefe fireams of vice tu t heir ~ urces, and fincerely repent of your fins; would you adopt the re/ulution of Zaccheus, tbe publi. can," he~ mercy to the poor, and 'If you have taken any thing from any mao by falfe accuiation, reflore it to

• im f(lur fold," you would be the happie~ people upon carrh. But do nor think tbat yoo can become religious ~hiifl you retaip tpe gains of difbooefiy. No: Do not (leeeive your vourfelves i fooner can the rivers and {Ire IDS rj:afcer,(J the lofty mountains fooner can tbe E­r iheopian change bis Ikin, or the Leopard his fpots, tban you canen}oy true communion with ~o~, whil~ you pol­lu,e your hands, by balding of bribes. "Cleanfe y.out' hands, ye finners, and purifY your hearts ye double m.wd. ed; then draw uigh unto- God and he will draw nigh \l·~tO you." Let tbat grace and trutb which !hone in yo r Saviour, a, its native fouree, al(o adorn your charaBers. Thus your :;ffdtions will be expanded, and will dJffufe themfdves without rdlraiot, upon all around you. ThH mutUal truft, wbich i~ tbe bafis of all other focial enjoyments, will be more and more firengthened. Yo~ will become a bleffing to yourfelves. a ble~Jing to youI' parents, a bleffing to your childr=n, a blefiiog to yom,' Hate. a bldTiog to your country. You will be bletred in your b:lfket, bleffed in your (tore, bldfed in your life. ble[e~ in your death, a.ud blefied througb all the ages of eternity.

A~ I am a firanger, and without political views or in­terelt at {la~(', I hope you willliflen to me with an un. prejudiced eaf. .

FLY from al eOlln la~rc rants, and freaks of en thuG. aIm; I::t your rna. ne ; Le fimple and plai .... ; let finceri. ty and truth lhine m.- r,.. in y ur actions than iQ you~

and tlJe that you are

Religion does not arId

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words; let the poot, the m:aimed, t~e lame. blird the 01 pli:ao and the f.ttherlefs, feel Chrlfl's Reprelentarives UpOD earth. confitt 'iii "bowing clown the head as a bulrulh, fpre:adiug f3ckclothllud afhes U11der 'u~." No, it cOllfiih in "Io'ollng 'tbe bands of wjcltf'dnf~s, in uodoing the heavy 'burdens. in letting tlle opprtffed go !ree, ;nd in brukmg every yoke. -It is to deal thy, bre:ad ·0 the hungry, and that thou bring the poor who are cat! out to tH... houle'; when thou feeU the nllked~ tli:at thou' ("vet them. ~nd that thou hide not" tby felt from thiuc owri fj;'fb. If thefe aBiotJs flow from true chri!li:an prind.: pIes' Ie tnen thaI/- thy light break 'forth' as the morning, a'nJ thine health fball fpring fortb fpeedily; and thy righttoufnefs fhall go before thee; the' glory ~f the Lord fball be thy rearward,'" Do not, my Brethren, think

. that by thele exhort'atiol'ls 1'defpife the doth-ines of grace; Db, God forbid; but I would not carry that doCtrme a· bove' what is written; the gnce of God is as necdrary :15 the 'AI'armlng lun, and the genial' in'fluences of (pring are to the fwelling year ~ but remember that it acb; u irllperceptibly, as thefe latent illfluences. ,,'

. - l,. .

• THltSK loofe thoughts! have tl:Jro~n toget~cr. pray_ Ing tbat tbe God ofheaveo may render tbem dlelhial io pro~ucjng fame uniformity in religlous opiDions.

'. . . . , I SHALL now conclude the who'le of this tedious dire

courfe, With ('mrearing you to give a vigorous fuppcrr to lylinifters, Magifirates, and ~uJ(rs. l!:ftabliUi ~hem aD' ruch a permanent balis, as to ren~er their fevenl depart': ments rcfpf~abl.~, and obj~lils fo.r t~e'hig~eft .abllities to e'lter into tbem. Thus Church and Rate, will go ban~' in hand, in pourin,g felicity upon t~e whc.le body of the peopte•.

KlEP thi'S text ah:ays io your view; and if it have a cue idl.uence upon your concilla, it will ch~ck 3:11 the WI d failles of y'outb, the wild ambition, and po'mp, and fpleador of middfe age; it will n;ld~ the irOD hand of opprdfion, it will envig rate the fpirits of old age, it will make you rmile in d..ath, and rejoice through all the ages of ~ternjry "F r 1 know, bys Job, th;;t my reo ~~m~~ !!~~~hJ & !hat he ~~~l flan~ ~~ !~e !~!ler day up0l!

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rhe f.rtb: 'Dd thot tho' through my fidoworms denro\, this body, ye, in my fleth th.1I J fee God, whom J /lull lee for mylelf, :md mine ey~s thall behold, and not anotner.u CC ~ow the' God of peace that brougbt as;~io from the M.d our Lord Jelus, 'hot greot lohepherd 01 'he theep, lhrou~b the bloed of tbe everl;fiing covenant, make yOll perfect in rvery good work, to do his will, WOI king in you thot which is well pl..rmg in hIS fight, through Jelu! (;brill, TD wbDlIl be glory for ever ond ever.~~•

A lYI E N!

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