fented to us by the author of a doc

trine fo fit to elevate the heart of a focial being? That ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven; for he maketh his fun to rife on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjuft.-The being then that is truly focial, diffuses his benefits around in imitation of Providencehe does good to all; and, if he acts on general principles, the exceptions to these principles are ftill benefits, and even the greateft benefits. By a judicious diftribution of the good things which he holds from Providence, he knows in what proportion he is to diftribute them, according to the merits of the objects; he gradually rifes to the fummit of perfection, because he obeys a perfect mafter-Be ye perfect.- -A doctrine which forbids even the idea of revenge, will undoutbedly enjoin reconciliation alfo, and the forgiveness of perfonal injuries. The truly

expreffions in this admirable difcourfe, were addressed more directly to the difciples than to the people at large. But who is ignorant that the doctrine of Chrift requires the fame happy difpofitions in all who profess it

focial being is too elevated to be inacceffible to reconciliation and pardon. If thou bringeft thy gift to the altar, and there remembereft that thy brother bath ought against thee, leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. The God of peace, who is the God of univerfal fociety, requires peaceful facrificers.-On the altarit would profane the altar.-Before the altarit will remain there but a moment. How often must I forgive my brother? Seven times? was the question of the difciple, whose foul was not yet arrived at a state of perfection; -Till feventy-times feven, was the answer given by HIM who is always exercising forgiveness, because there is always fomething for him to forgive.--A doctrine which breathes nothing but charity, will undoubtedly make toleration one of the first laws of a focial being; for it would be contrary to the nature of the thing itself were a focial being intolerant. Carnal-minded men would dispose of the fire from heaven; they would fay-Lord, wilt thou that we command

command fire to come down from heaven and confume them?-What is the answer of the friend of mankind, to this fanatic, this inhuman request? Ye know not what manner of Spirit ye are of. The Son of Man is not come to deftroy men's lives, but to fave them. What! shall men who call themselves the disciples of this good master, fhall they perfecute their fellow-creatures? because they have the misfortune of not affigning to the fame words the fame ideas which they do, are they to employ fire and fword?-But I will pursue the subject no further. Light begins to break in upon us, and will foon, it is to be hoped, entirely disperse the darkness that formerly overwhelmed us.

A religion from heaven ought to enlighten man, and fhew him what are real goods. Man is a being endowed with a variety of fenfes and affections-his defires, his heart, must have their objects. But what objects fhould fuch a doctrine prefent to a being whofe existence on earth is but for a fhort time, and whofe future manfion is heaven? That being whofe immortal foul carries its

hopes

hopes far beyond time, and extends them even to eternity itself, fhould he fet his mind on objects which time destroys? Should a being, endowed with such discernment, mistake the changeable colours in the drops of dew for the luftre of the ruby? Lay not up to yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and ruft doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor ruft doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and fleal; for where your treafure is, there will your heart be alfo. He who is happy enough to have formed fuch a treafure, will feel the truth of this affertion. His heart is entirely given up to it. That man is already feated in heavenly places-be hungers and thirfts after righteousness, and he shall be filled.

CHAP.

CHA P. II.

CONTINUATION OF THE SAME SUBJECT.

F a divine religion enjoined a particular kind of worship, that worship would have fome relation to the nature of an intelligent creature, and would be no less adapted to the excellence of a moral being, than to the majesty and fpirituality of the Being of beings.-Learn what these words mean-I will have mercy, and not facrificeMERCY-the thing fignified, and not the fign.-The bour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers fhall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth; for the Father feeketh fuch to worship him.-God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and in truth- -In fpirit-in truthThese two words comprehend every thing, and cannot be explained away: but they may

be