I have confidered thefe painful revolutions in Characters, to be, not fo much the fault of individuals, as that of human nature, placed in circumstances of temptation, ftrengthened with opportunity. This City is famed for Commerce, to which, under Providence, it owes it's profperity. Men profeffing godliness, are not forbidden, by reafon or religion, to avail themselves of lawful occafions, which favour their fecular interests. Many perfons, whofe beginnings were fmall, have greatly increased. This acceffion of fortune is a furnace, in which the nature of their profeffion is tried; and, in the fiery trial, we are not to expect the faith of all will be found to praife, and honour, and glory.

The following Sermon was preached fome time ago, and is now printed, not because it has any claims, in point of compofition; but to counteract the ill effects of increafing wealth, and to ftir up to the duties binding on a fuperior condition. These reasons may recommend it to a candid perufal, or be it's excufe.

Among

Among those who profefs a regard to the unfecular Kingdom of CHRIST, we find, too frequently, the firft proofs of fuccefs in bufinefs, are made public, by expenfive fafhionable dress, houfe, furniture, equipage, and frequent paying and receiving visits.

Minifters who are anxious to win fouls, and edify believers, would be much encouraged, could they fee the large rewards of honest industry, enjoyed by masters of families, attended with a growing conformity to men like Cornelius, in almfgiving and devotion; and the females imitating Dorcas; instead of wasting their hours in unimproving circles.

A view of the dangers of unhallowed Profperity, may fupprefs the spirit of enterprize (to which the prefent conduct of trade, and ftock-gambling invite) by which many are afpiring to gilded mifery. A feasonable admonition, may prevent their infringing on the property of others, and preferve from infamy their own characters; and, above all, fave from reproach the profeffion of our

comman

common falvation, which a worldly spirit has brought upon it, especially when indulged by thofe, who profefs it, in its most rigid forms,

That thefe good purposes may be answered, by this Mite, caft into the Treasury of public instruction, is the fincere prayer of

THE AUTHOR.

Highbury Place,

20th January, 1789,

A

SERM O N, &c.

AND IN MY

PSALM Xxx. 6.

PROSPERITY, I SAID, I SHALL

NEVER BE MOVED.

HIS Pfalm was probably compofed by David, on his re-visiting the fanctuary, after a joyful recovery from fome dangerous illness. Having expreffed his gratitude to God, for the event, he, in verfes 6, 7, defcribes his former profperity, fucceeded by affliction: "And, in my Profperity, I faid, I fhall never be moved

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"LORD, by thy favour, thou haft made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didft "hide thy face, and I was troubled."

On reading our Text, we are made acquainted with one of the principal fnares of Profperity; that is, Security. " I said, I "shall never be moved." He had enjoyed health; but it was followed by fickness. The ftrong man must not glory in his strength. The frame of our bodies, the accidents to which they are exposed without, and the diseases they are liable to within, may convince us, that the most robuft in conftitution" are grafs," which may not only wither, but die in an hour.

Mental advantages are uncertain also. We have heard of fome, who have had a diftinguished rank among the wife, being reduced to idiotism, in the prime of life, and dying without knowledge.

Age frequently impairs vigour of mind. It is faid, that the great NEWTON, in the dvanced period of his life, was unable to

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