unwary, obferver. A cool and confiderate, enquirer foon difcovers that the reprefentation is ideal.

That bigotry is every day decreasing amongst us, must be acknowledged with fingular fatisfaction. But let us feriously ask ourselves, whether this boafted liberality of fentiment be not owing in many to indifference or lukewarmnefs. Does there not reign amongst us a general inattention to the offices of religion? Does not every frivolous excufe keep us from divine worship? If we ought not to confider ourfelves as fent to reform mankind, would it not at least become us to discountenance thofe who endeavour to overturn religion and morality? If freedom of thinking upon fpeculative fubjects be allowed, if falfehood itself be beneficial towards the discovery of truth, yet furely those laws are imperfect, that government is remifs, which have provided no punishment for the avowed and fhameless Advocate of adultery. The dif penfers of juftice have been fufficiently zealous in difcouraging publications which inflame the minds of the people. Why are they unable to discourage thofe which may corrupt the morals? Our dramatick perform

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ances

ances are gradually purifying themselves. Why should the evil exist at all? Why should not root and branch be taken away? The truth is, many glory in their fhame, and many care for none of these things. What wonder is it then, if fome ferious Chriftians, difgufted by fuch indifference, fhould join with men of more zeal, and greater seriousness, who attend more frequently the House of God, and are less addicted to diffipation and pleafure?

We think it an argument of vexatious oppofition to refuse an annual tribute of honour to the Apostles, and an annual remembrance of the great and interesting events of the Gofpel. But does not our practice offer indignity to the fabbath itself? To avoid puritanical feverity, do we not seek pleasure, do we not imitate the practice of the Continent, and render that ordinance the means of corruption, which was intended to be the means of animating our piety and ftrengthening our virtue? The falutary laws enacted for the better obfervation of the Lord's day, are little attended to, and but feldom executed; and they whose time is most in their own power are the most notorious delinquents. Without

any

any reverence for the fervice of the Church, without any compaffion for beast or man, they haften forward to business or recreation, which might be poftponed or omitted, or they are wearied out with the tediousness of the day, which yet is accompanied with no painful, no rigorous feclufion from rational fociety.

We cenfure affected fingularity in language, in apparel, and in the common intercourfe of life. But have we not in conforming to the fashions of this world conformed alfo to it's follies? Have we not loft that fimplicity of life and manners which made many of our ancestors truly refpectable, and many of their defcendants great and opulent? Are not words themselves become empty founds, and often worse than infignificant? Amidst all our complaints of thofe burdens which an unfortunate war hath brought upon us, is our luxury abated, is our abftinence greater? Are not they held in much higher eftimation who contribute to the amusement, than they who promote the good, of their fellow-creatures? Is not our attention directed more to the ornamental than to the ufeful parts of education? Is not academical life itfelf infected

with

with that luxury which has been taught in the days of infancy, and which no sumptuary laws, no liberal difcipline can prevent? The fame complaint exifted in Rome, and by degrees the Empire was deftroyed. Have not our very ftudies a tincture of idleness? For, though the value of no performance ought to be estimated from its largeness, yet true wisdom must often be fought for, as hid treasure, and will not be found upon the furface. To render religion and learning amiable in the fight of all men is an indispensable duty, but he who cleanfes the outfide of the cup and platter only, procures momentary praise, and incurs lafting reprehenfion.

The decay of chriftian piety is imputed by popular declaimers to the negligence of the Clergy. As a general charge this is notorioufly falfe. The inftructions they administer have been admired by Chriftians of all denominations and all countries. Many of their productions have been tranflated into different languages, as replete with edification, and models of compofition. The generality of them difdain to feek for popularity, by relinquishing the path which reafon and good fenfe have pointed out. That they cannot administer

reproof

reproof with fuccefs is owing to the corruption of the age. And, indeed, why does every man carry a monitor in his own breast, if that monitor, aided by general inftructions, be infufficient to guide him in the path of innocence? Can we fuppofe that the notorious finner is free from many warnings, that he has not many painful apprehenfions of the judgments of God? Nor is it fo much the fear of man's displeasure that ftops the mouth of the confcientious minifter, as his defpair of fuccefs.

To deny or to conceal the imperfections of the Clergy would be useless and abfurd. But let them not be viewed with a more cenforious or a more jealous eye than the rest of their fellow chriftians. Their profeffion and their knowledge ftrengthen the common obligation to a life of purity and holiness, but do not exempt them from the infirmities of man. Some of them, who have arrived to affluence and splendour, are enjoying the rewards of former diligence, and acknowledged ingenuity. And with the evils arifing from neglected worth they are not chargeable. The ordinary duties of their profeffion may be performed by men of moderate attainments. But if

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