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fund of eloquence in furnishing Jofeph's brethren with laboured and ftudied harangues; which, however fine they might have been in themselves, would nevertheless have been unnatural, and altogether improper on the occafion. For when fuch a variety of contrary paffions broke in upon them,-what tongue was able to utter their hurried and distracted thoughts?-When remorfe, furprize, fhame, joy and gratitude ftruggled together in their bofoms, how uneloquently would their lips. have performed their duty?-how unfaithfully their tongues have spoken the language of their hearts?-In this cafe, filence was truly eloquent and natural, and tears expreffed what oratory was incapable of.

If ever these persons I have been addreffing myself to, can be perfuaded to follow the advice in the text, of searching the Scriptures, -the work of their falvation will be begun upon its true foundation.-For, firft, they will infenfibly be led to admire the beautiful propriety of their language:- when a favourable opinion is conceived of this, next, they will more closely attend to the goodness of

the moral, and the purity and foundness of the doctrines. The pleasure of reading will ftill be increased, by that near concern which they will find themselves to have in those many important truths, which they will fee fo clearly demonstrated in the Bible, that grand charter of our eternal happiness.-It is the fate of mankind, too often, to seem infenfible of what they may enjoy at the eafieft rate.-What might not our neighbouring Romifh countries, who groan under the yoke of popish impofitions and prieft-craft, what might not thofe poor, mifguided creatures give, for the happiness which we know not how to value,-of being born in a country where a church is established by our laws, and encouraged by our princes; which not only allows the free study of the Scriptures, but even exhorts and invites us to it; a church that is a stranger to the tricks and artifice of having the Bible in an unknown tongue, to give the greater latitude to the defigns of the clergy in impofing their own trumpery, and foifting in whatever may beft ferve to aggrandife themselves, or

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enflave the wretches committed to their trust. -In fhort, our religion was not given us to raise our imaginations with ornaments of words, or ftrokes of eloquence; but to purify our hearts, and lead us into the paths of righteoufnefs. However, not to defend ourselves, -when the attack is principally levelled at this point,―might give occafion to our adverfaries to triumph, and charge us either with negligence or inability.—It is well known how willing the enemies of our religion are to seek occafions against us;-how ready to magnify every mote in our eyes to the bignefs of a beam; -how eager, upon the least default, to infult and cry out,-There, there! fo would we have it :-not, perhaps, that we are so much the fubject of malice and averfion, but that the licentious age feems bent upon bringing christianity into difcredit at any rate; and, rather than mifs the aim, would ftrike through the fides of those that are sent to teach it.Thank God, the truth of our holy religion is established with fuch ftrong evidence, that it reits upon a foundation never to be overthrown, either by the open affaults or cunning

devices of wicked and defigning men.-The part we have to act is to be steady, sober and vigilant; to be ready to every good work; to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffering; to give occafion of offence to no man; that, with well-doing, we may put to filence the ignorance of foolish men.

I fhall clofe all with that excellent collect of our church:

Bleffed Lord, who has caufed all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning,grant that we may in fuch-wife hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digeft them, that, by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the bleffed hope of everlafting life, which thou haft given us in thy Son, our Saviour, Jefus Christ.

Now, to God the Father, etc.

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