upon Religious Subjects. 377 k. There are offices of humanity to the SERM. worft of men, from which nothing can dif- XIV. charge us ; not even their own greateft their enmity againft ourfelves, nor their im- piety againft God. But it is an ill-judged charity, however well meant, to lay before force very profligate finners, whofe notorious wickednefs and obftinacy proclaim to every obferver, that the fear of God is not before their eyes ; I fay, to lay before them fuch folemn ferious counfels of piety, as the leaft .confederation might fatisfy us, will in all probability be the occafion of their contra± - ing greater guilt. Another reafon why religious inftrulions and admonitions íhould not be propòfed pro - mifcuoufly to all men, is, that it may be at- tended with the bad confequences of ill treat- ment to ourfelves from force perfons of rough and paffionate tempers. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, left they turn again and rend you. Common fenfe, and the principles of felf-prefervation planted in every human heart teach us to avoid fufferings, efpecially from the hands of our fellow-creatures, with whom the focial affe &ions of our nature in- cline us to cultivate peace ; and it is a great 4rticle in the enjoyment of life. And though indeed
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