PART tI. SERMON VIII. 113 regions of peace and concord ? Howwill your souls endure the madness and contention, the envy and spite of wicked angels ? You that delighted on earth in the works of peace, what will ye do when your tender dispositions shall be hourly ruffled, by the uproar and confusion of those dark regions? and instead of the society of God and blessed spirits, ye shall be eternally vexed with the perverse'tempers of your fellow sinners, the sons ofdarkness ? O that I, could speak in melting language, or in the language of effectual terror, that I might by any means awaken your souls to jealousy and timely fear ! That so many natural excellencies, as God has distributed amongst you, might, not be wasted in sin, abused to dishonour, and aggravate your ever- lasting misery. [This sermon may be divided here.] 2. My next exhortation shall be addressed to those youths who have been trained up in all the arts of civility, and have acquired a courteousandbecoming carriage. There is something lovely in such an appearance, and it commands the love even of the rude and uncivil. It so nearly 414eresembles the sweetness of natural temper, and imitates good humour so much to the life, that it often passes upon company instead of nature, and attains many valuable endsin human society. But where both these are happily joined, how shining is that character, and universally beloved? We are pleased and charmed with your conversation, whosemanners arepolished, and whose language is refined from the rude and vulgar ways of speech. You know how to speak civil things, without flattery, upon all occasions ; to instruct, without assuming a superior air, and to reprovewithout a frown, or forbidding countenance. You have learned whento speak and when to be silent, and to perform every actof life with its proper graces; and can ye be content with all this good breeding to be thrust down to hell ? Is it not pity that you should be taught to pay all your honours to men, and practise none to the livingGod ? Have younot read those duties in connexion ; 1 Pet. ii. 17. Ho- nour all men, love the brotherhood, 'fear God, and honour the king. And whywill you divide what Go has joined, and give everyone their due, besides God your Maker ? how dare you treat the creatures with decency and ceremony, and treat God the Crea- tor with neglect ; salute all men with their proper titles of distinction, and not learn how to address God in prayer ? pay due visits to all your acquaintance, and yet scarce ever make a visit to the 'mercy-seat, or bow your knees before the Majesty of' Heaven. I pity thosewho have all the arts of complaisance in perfection, and practise civility in every form ; but are very little acquainted VOL. I. I
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