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impression appears to be left on their minds when those holy offices are ended? And even during their continuance; can it be reasonably inferred from the tenor of their outward behaviour, that their hearts are earnestly fixed on Him who standeth in the midst of them? I much fear, were a heathen, who understood not our tongue, to come into one of these our assemblies, he would suspect nothing less, than that we were pouring out our hearts before the Majesty of heaven and earth. What then shall we say, if indeed God is not mocked; but what a man soweth, that also shall he reap?

4. On Sundays, however, say some, it cannot be denied that we have the form of godliness, having sermons preached both morning and afternoon, over and above the morning and evening service. But do we keep the rest of the sabbath-day holy? Is there no needless visiting upon it? No trifling? No impertinence of conversation? Do neither you yourself do any unnecessary work upon it, nor suffer others, over whom you have any power, to break the Laws of God and man herein? If you do, even in this you have nothing whereof to boast. But herein also you are guilty before God.

5. But if we have the form of Godliness on one day in a week, is there not on other days what is quite contrary thereto? Are not the best of our conversing hours spent in foolish talking and jesting, which are not convenient? Nay, perhaps, in wanton talking too, such as modest ears could not bear? Are there not many among us found to eat and drink with the drunken? And if so, what marvel is it that our profaneness should also go up into the heavens, and our oaths and curses into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth?

6. And even as to the hours assigned for study, are they generally spent to any better purpose? Not if they are employed in reading (as is too common) plays, novels, or idle tales, which naturally tend to increase our inbred corruption, and heat the furnace of our unholy desires, seven times hotter than it was before! How little preferable is the laborious idleness of those who spend day after day in

gaming or diversions, vilely casting away that time, the value of which they cannot know, till they are past through it into Eternity!

7. Know ye not then so much as this, you that are called moral men, that all idleness is immorality? That there is no grosser dishonesty than sloth? That every voluntary blockhead is a knave. He defrauds his benefactors, his parents, and the world, and robs both God and his own soul. Yet how many of these are among us! How many lazy drones, as if only, Fruges consumere nati! Born to eat up the produce of the soil. How many whose ignorance is not owing to incapacity, but to mere laziness! How few, (let it not seem immodest that even such an one as I should touch on that tender point,) of the vast number who have it in their power, are truly learned men! Not to speak of the other Eastern Tongues, who is there that can be said to understand Hebrew? Might I not say, or even Greek? A little of Homer, or Xenophon, we may still remember; but how few can readily read or understand so much as a page of Clemens Alexandrinus, Chrysostom, or Ephrem Syrus? And as to Philosophy, (not to mention Mathematics, or the abstruser branches of it,) how few do we find who have laid the foundation, who are masters even of Logic? Who thoroughly understand so much as the rules of syllogizing? The very doctrine of the Moods and Figures? O what is so scarce as learning, save religion!

8. And indeed learning will be seldom found without religion, for temporal views, as experience shows, will very rarely suffice, to carry any one through the labour required to be a thorough scholar. Can it then be dissembled that there is too often a defect in those to whom the care of youth is intrusted? Is that solemn direction sufficiently considered, (Statut. p. 7,) Let the Tutor diligently instruct those scholars committed to his care in strict morality, and especially in the first principles of Religion, and in the Articles of Doctrine.

And do they to whom this important charge is given, labour diligently to lay this good foundation? To fix true VOL. XI.

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principles of religion, in the minds of the youth intrusted with them, by their Lectures? To recommend the practice thereof by the powerful and pleasing influence of their example? To enforce this by frequent private advice, earnestly and strongly inculcated? To observe the progress, and carefully inquire into the behaviour, of every one of them? In a word, to watch over their souls, as they that must give account?

9. Suffer me, since I have begun to speak upon this head, to go a little farther. Is there sufficient care taken that they should know and keep the Statutes which we are all engaged to observe? How then is it that they are so notoriously broken every day? To instance only in a few:

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It is appointed, as to divine offices and preaching, " That ALL shall publicly attend :-Graduates and scholars shall attend punctually, and continue till all be finished, with due reverence from the beginning to the end." P. 181.

It is appointed, "That scholars of every rank, shall abstain from all kinds of play where money is contended for; such as cards, dice, and bowls, nor shall they be present at public games of this nature." P. 157.

It is appointed, "That all (the sons of noblemen excepted) shall accustom themselves to black or dark coloured clothing; and that they shall keep at the utmost distance from pomp and extravagance." P. 157.

It is appointed, "That scholars of every rank shall abstain from alehouses, inns, taverns, and from every place within the city where wine, or any other kind of liquor is ordinarily sold." P. 164.

10. It will be objected, perhaps, "That these are but little things." Nay, but perjury is not a little thing: nor consequently the wilful breach of any rule, which we have solemnly sworn to observe. Surely those who speak thus have forgotten those words, Thou shalt pledge thy faith to observe all the statutes of this University. So help thee God, and the holy inspired Gospels of Christ!" P. 229.

11. But is this oath sufficiently considered by those who take it? Or any of those prescribed by public authority?

Is not this solemn act of religion, the calling God to record on our souls, commonly treated as a slight thing? In particular by those who swear by the living God, That neither intreaties nor reward: neither hatred nor friendship: neither hope nor fear, induce them to give a testimony to any unworthy person? P. 88. And by those who swear, I know this person to be meet and fit in morals and knowledge for that high degree to which he is presented ?P. 114.

12. Yet one thing more. We have all testified before God, "That all and every the Articles of our Church, as also the book of Common Prayer, and the Ordaining of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, are agreeable to the Word of God." And in so doing we have likewise testified, “That both the first and the second book of Homilies, doth contain godly and wholesome doctrine." But upon what evidence have many of us declared this? Have we not affirmed the thing we know not? If so, however true they may happen to be, we are found false witnesses before God. Have the greater part of us ever used any means to know whether these things are so or not? Have we ever for one hour, seriously considered the Articles to which we have subscribed? If not, how shamefully do we elude the design of the very Compilers who compiled them, "To remove difference of opinion, and to establish unanimity in the true Religion?"

13. Have we half of us read over the book of CommonPrayer, and of ordaining Bishops, Priests, and Deacons ? If not, what is it we have so solemnly confirmed? In plain terms, we cannot tell. And as to the two Books of Homilies, it is well if a tenth part of those who have subscribed to them, I will not say, had considered them before they did this, but if they have even read them over to this day! Alas, my brethren! How shall we reconcile these things even to common honesty, to plain heathen morality? So far as those who do them, nay, and perhaps defend them too, from having even the form of Christian Godliness!

14. But waving all these things, where is the Power? Who are the living witnesses of this? Who among us (let

God witness with our hearts) experimentally knows the force of inward holiness? Who feels in himself the workings of the Spirit of Christ, drawing up his mind to high and heavenly things? Who can witness,—“ The thoughts of my heart God hath cleansed by the inspiration of his Holy Spirit?" Who knoweth that "Peace of God which passeth all understanding?" Who is he that "rejoiceth with joy unspeakable and full of glory?" Whose "affections are set on things above, not on things of the earth?" Whose "life is hid with Christ in God?" Who can say, "I am crucified with Christ: yet I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life that I now live in the body, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me?" In whose heart is the "love of God shed abroad, by the Holy Ghost which is given unto him."

15. Is not almost the very notion of this religion lost? Is there not a gross overflowing ignorance of it? Nay, is it not utterly despised? Is it not wholly set at nought and trodden underfoot? Were any one to witness these things before God, would he not be accounted a madman, an enthusiast? Am not I unto you a Barbarian who speak thus? My brethren, my heart bleeds for you. O that you would at length take knowledge, and understand that these are the words of truth and soberness! O that you knew, at least, in this your day, the things that make for your peace!

16. I have been a messenger of heavy tidings this day. But the love of Christ constraineth me; and to me it was the less grievous, because for you it was safe. I desire not to accuse the children of my people. Therefore neither do I speak thus in the ears of them that sit on the wall: but to you I endeavour to speak the truth in love, as a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. And I can now call you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

17. May the God of all Grace, who is long-suffering, of

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