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ftrike you with the greatest force, however you may have defpifed things ferious and facred, in the day of diffipation, and in the fulness of bread. In this hour of reflection you must look upwards to the Creator of Heaven and Earth, for, at this time, you feel yourselves in want of his protection. At this hour, when you are expecting the Inflictions of Juftice, you must reverence that revelation, which brings a Saviour to your view, by whole merits and Interceffion only you can hope for Salvation. No longer, then, indulge yourselves in blafphemies and profane Jefts, no longer ufe your tongue, which was made to blefs the Lord, for the purpofes of deceiving and injuring your neighbour, or in impious converfation; but remember, that the Gofpel expressly informs you, that "by thy words thou fhall be juftified, and by thy words thou fhalt be condemned."*

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And if difcourfes thus offend, what fhall we fay to real acts of Lewdness and debauchery? Some, perhaps, of this audience will acknowledge, that as well as drunkennefs, Intemperance of this nature hath brought them to this place. A defcription from the writings of Solomon will speak all that I would wish to fay upon this head." I beheld among the fimple ones, I difcerned among the Youths, a young man void of Understanding. And behold there met him a woman with the attire of an Harlot, and fubtle of heart. With her much fair fpeech fhe caufed him to yield, with the flattering of her lips fhe forced him. He goeth after her ftraightway, as an Ŏx goeth to the Slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the Stocks till a dart ftrike thro' his liver, as a bird hafteth to the fnare, and knoweth not that it is for his Life" for his life indeed! The

* Pro, vii. 1, &c.

train

train of difmal confequences, attendant on fuch a connection, is too melancholy almoft for reflection. And if any of you, unhappy Sojournors in this houfe of Sorrow! have but too much reason to regret that you have fallen Victims before this fhrine, let tears and prayers endeavour to expiate your offences, looking steadfastly towards him, who is of purer Eyes than to behold Iniquity. Into Heaven nothing that defileth can enter. The fpiritual nature of that kingdom is unfit for thofe, that love Impurity, and rejoice in the Indulgence of licentious Actions. Remember, therefore, before it be too late, that * neither drunkards, nor adulterers, nor fornicators, nor unclean perfons, can have any Inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."†

There is yet another Vice I fhall

mention,

G 3

Hab. i. 13.

+1 Cor. vi. g.

The

mention, which originates in evil communications, corrupts the best manners and deftroys the largest fortunes and the moft generous difpofitions. After having given this Account of its Effects, will it be neceffary to fay, that GAMING is the fault I would condemn ? Gamester, in general, cannot plead in his Excufe, the gratification of fenfual paffions. Coal and collected he pursues his way, nor ftops his career, till he is obliged to do fo by inevitable ruin and deftruction. Then madness and despair fucceed; and his miferable life is ended amidst the Groans of difappointed Ambition, and the pangs of a wounded conscience. Argument is lefs neceffary on this fubject, where fo many fatal Examples offer themselves to our view. What fills our prifons and our Hofpitals? The Shadows of men once gay and thoughtless, whofe Incomes were not equal to their Extravagance, who,

who, endeavouring by unlawful means to enrich themselves, have fallen facrifices to their Idol, and have nothing now to fhew, but Health destroyed by diffipation, and fortunes made bankrupt by their Vices.

By Gaming, how are all the powers of the Soul put into agitation? how does the body tremble? Where is the peace of Chriftianity, the fweet tranquillity of domeftic life? Where is the Enjoyment of the company of a faithful Wife, the fmiles and careffes of a blooming Offspring? All are banifhed from the Gamefter's Soul; and in their place Anger, Revenge, Avarice, and every gloomy, every impetuous paffion fucceed.

Gaming proceeds from an eagerness to poflefs a great deal by a Speedy method. This is a delufion

that

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