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practice these arts of deceit. At this time, that remorfe which muft hitherto have accompanied them, notwithstanding all their Efforts to caft it off, begins to lofe its effect; and their God, who by various means and at different times endeavoured to reclaim them, gives them over to a reprobate mind. Now, the most horrid thoughts fucceed; and it is no wonder that they who have loft the feelings of men, fhould now for the fake of that plunder, which they are determined to poffefs, facrifice the lives of all that oppofe them.

Here the feelings of humanity oblige me to paufe. All other crimes and offences appear fmall, when compared with this. The life of man is precious in the fight of God; and when the Government of the world was finally established, the Legiflator

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Rom. i. 28.

Legiflator faid, "at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man." t I mean not, however, to enlarge upon the enormity of this crime. The heart even of the murderer fhrinks at the Idea. Unnecellary, therefore, is it to condemn by words what Nature prompts us to deteft.

If now my words have made any Impreffions upon your hearts, if you fee clearly that every greater crime hath arifen from the unreftrained Indulgence of fimaller offences, and that licentious companions at first tempted, then encouraged you to continue in fin; let it be your particular care, at this time, to make all the amends your Situation affords, and to feck by repentance the returning favor of your God. However the Adverfary of the world, and Enemy of Souls, may have drawn

↑ Gen. ix. 5.

drawn you forward by a treacherous promife of Success, it is certain that he hath now forfaken you. The confinement of this prifon is a fufficient Evidence, that you must bear your own offences, thofe offences that have placed you in it. Then let it be the beginning of Happiness to you all. Defpife the evil companions of your former days, and be not afhamed to fhew yourfelves the Servants of him, whose service alone is perfect freedom.

That kind of fhame, which pre vents a man from doing good, or changing vicious courfes for the paths of duty and obedience, for fear of encountering the raillery and contempt of the profligate, is unbecoming the character of a man, and highly improper for a profeffor of Christianity. In fhort, we fhould be ashamed of nothing but fin. Yet, ftrange as this conduct is, we often fee men afhamed to be furprized in I 2

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the commiffion of a good action, who are not afhamed of offending God, or reviling his religion. Let not this falfe fhame, then, deprive you of the opportunity of repentance, and of acquiring a knowledge of that Saviour, who, in the end, will be your fureft, fafeft friend. His life was given as an Example for you to follow his death was a ranfom for your Sins. Be not afhamed of fuch a Saviour. If you are, remember the confequence which he himself foretels-" whoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and finful Generation, of him also fhall the Son of man be afhamed, when he cometh in the Glory of his father with the holy angels." *

Let me, then, leave off with the Exhortation with which I begunBe not deceived: evil communications

* Mark viii. 38.

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corrupt good manners.-"Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men; avoid it, pafs not by it, turn from it, and pafs away. Hear, ye children, the Inftruction of a father, and attend to know understanding; for I give you good doctrine, forfake you not my law. For I was my father's Son, tender and only beloved in the Sight of my mother. He taught me alfo, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments and live. My † Son, if Sinners entice thee, confent thou not. If they fay, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without caufe: let us fwallow them up alive as the Grave, and whole as those that go down into the Pit: we fhall find all precious Subftance, we fhall fill our houses with Spoil: caft in thy lot among us, let us all I 3

have

* Prov. iv. 14, 15. † Prov. iv. I—4.

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