ness, however odious or contemptible; in one word, the natural parent of the traitor and the slave.

1

But, above all, we shall most effectually declare our love for our country by a steady and uniform practice of every social virtue, and by displaying in our lives and conversations all that greatness of soul and goodness of heart, which constitute the character of the true Christian : for then we may hope, that as we have long been、 the happiest nation under heaven, so this our happiness may be still more and more improved and secured to us; that the sword of the Lord may at last rest and be still, and that our eyes may once more behold the blessing of peace; that God, out of great mercy to us, will prolong the days of our most gracious Sovereign to their utmost extent, in order that all the blessed fruits, which may reasonably be expected from such an illustrious patron and example of virtue and piety, may take effect, and be fully established among us. Finally, that we may always be a chosen people to the Lord, and may always have the Lord for our God.

SER

And there was a certain beggar, named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.

T

HAT virtue should be rewarded and vice punished, is certainly no less agreeable to the feelings of nature than it is to the dictates of reason. One cannot help, therefore, expressing a secret complacency and approbation in the picture which is here exhibited to our view; one cannot help rejoicing to see this poor caitiff relieved from the miseries of distressed mortality, and rewarded with the joys of heaven in Abraham's bosom.

We are not, however, to imagine that these joys were the reward of his poverty, but rather

of

of his virtue and integrity. For as the rich man in the parable was not doomed to hell because he was rich, but because he was wicked; so neither was the poor man carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom because he was poor, but because he was good and virtuous; because he bore his poverty with patience and resignation to God's will.

A

1

Indeed, in general, we should form very wrong estimates of things, were we to judge of the dispositions of mens hearts by the difference of their conditions in life. For as religion is not inconsistent with riches, so neither is it always found in a state of poverty. Corruption steals into all conditions of life, and infects the low as well as the high. The same destructive passions too appear under different forms, and possess the hearts of the poor as well as the rich. A man may be saved or lost in all conditions, for all have their temptations; and happy is he only who knows how to avoid them, and has the resolution to do his duty in whatsoever sate of life it has pleased God to place him.

I shall, therefore, take occasion from the character here given of Lazarus, to point out what are the proper qualifications of that virtuous poverty which intitle a man to the favour of God,

and

and to be rewarded with everlasting happiness in Abraham's bosom.

And 1st, We are certainly to exclude from the number of the virtuous poor, those who have brought poverty upon themselves by their vices or indiscretion.

It is the fashion of the present age for every one to appear at least to the full extent of his circumstances. The wise frugality of our ar cestors is lost and derided. Our men of business are transformed into men of pleasure, and endeavour to rival, or even outdo, patrician extravagance in dress, equipage, gaming, luxury, and other worse vices. And hence arise those fatal blows which are so frequently and so heavily felt in the commercial world. Hence arise those deplorable failures, which entail beggary not only upon themselves and their children, but too often upon many innocent families, who have unhap pily been connected with such unthinking prodigals. And shall we call this a virtuous poverty, which arises from such sources? No, rather it is a poverty which carries with it blacker guilt than that of the open robber or midnight felon. Let such men therefore be assured that it must cost them many a penitential tear before they

VOL. II.

F

can

can be entitled either to the character or reward of the poor but virtuous Lazarus.

2dly, We are only to reckon those among the number of the deserving poor who are really in want, and are also incapable of relieving their distresses themselves. For it is a secret, I presume, to no one, that there are many infamous impostures, who only counterfeit poverty, and cover themselves with rags and sores, the better to extort relief from well-disposed Christians. There are others too who are indeed in real want, but who are so through choice: they love idle ness better than work, and rather chuse to beg, than to procure an honest living by the labour of their hands. These are they that snatch the bread of charity out of the mouths of the industrious poor: these are they that swarm in our streets, that besiege the gates of the rich, and weary every passenger with their cries for relief; which if denied, they immediately exclaim against the coldness of charity, and the barbarity of the world. I would not willingly be thought to plead against charity in any shape, and therefore I will not too severely condemn those, who, through a well-meant zeal, relieve such objects as these. But I cannot help saying, that, in my judgment, they would shew themselves much wiser men, and better friends

to