160 tterome.tTtox OF MAN Its. should not effectually reduce the transgressor, yet it it Often found of necessary and happy use for the welfare ofa whole com-- inunity, by deterring others from the same crimes. 3. They complain that you are " partial, and have a res-' pest of persons. Some you prosecute without mercy, and you indulge an escape to others who are equally criminal." Answer them that you pursue vice impartially, wheresoever you find it, and that you follow those methods that may most effectually re- claimmankind. Tell them that you make no distinctionbetween transgressòrs of high 'or low degree.; you put no difference be tween the guilty, whether they belong to your ownparty and pro- fession, or to another. Assure them that in this case you are unwillingtoknow a friend or a brother, even asthe sons of Levi, when they girded on their swords in the camp ofIsrael, andcone- crated themselves that day to the Lord, every man upon his compa- nion, laii neighbour, his brother,, and his son;, Ex. xxxii. 20, 27, 29. But the apostle Jude. seems to direct you to make a diffe- rence in other respects with compassion and fear, treating those more severely that are mockers and sensualists walking after their ownungodly lusts; Jude 18'; 19, 22. The very design of the work of reformation seems to require that a distinction be made between young and old offenders, between the bashful and the impudent, the trembling transgressor and the obstinate wretch, that has no sense of guilt or shame : Some may be reclaimed for ever, by one admonition or reproof, others must be sharply chastised to make them feel conviction. Yet it needs divine pru- dence to practise these directions aright; and sometimes you must be forced to make no distinction at all where nature and 'virtue seem to desire one, lest the enemy should take occasion to revile your conduct. May the God of wisdom and counsel be ever near you, and direct you to pursue your glorious designs by the most successful and unreproachable methods ! 4. You are charged with tempting others to sin that you may accuse them. But this slanderis so malicious, and so incon- sistent with your design, that your enemiescan persuade but few to believe it. The standing rules of. your societies bear witness against it, and your constant practice refutes the lie. It is easy to 'accuse in general, and fling impudent falsehoods in gross upon the fairest reputation; but you have made frequent and bold ap- peals to your reproachers, and none of them have been able to fasten the charge by any particular proof upon any of the mem- bers of your societies. Affronts and railings you must sometimes expect to meet with ; blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and speak all manner of evil against you falsely, for the sake of Christ and his carne; rejoice and be exceeding glad; Mat. v: 11. Bind the re-
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