<tion, and all uncleannefs, or covetoufnefs, let "it not be once named amongst you, as becometh faints: neither filthinefs, nor foolish talking, nor 66 jefting, which are not convenient." And laftly, he gives the Corinthians a moft folemn warning, concerning the extreme danger of an addictedness to thefe, as well as other vices. 1 Cor. vi. 9. "Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor "idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abufers of themselves with mankind,-nor co66 vetous, nor drunkards-fhall inherit the king"dom of God." And, whatever fome modern libertines may plead in favour of what they call gallantry, the apoftle peremptorily fays, Heb. xiii. 4. that "Whoremongers and adulterers, God will "judge." Nor is this doctrine, as some have pretended, peculiar to the apoftles, as if they had made the doctrines of the gospel more rigorous than their mafter; for our Lord himself enumerates fornication along with murders, adulteries, thefts, falfe witnefs, and blafphemies, which come from the heart, and defile the man, Matt. xv. 19. Every other irregularity of paffion, befides the irregular indulgence of the bodily appetites, is alfo exprefsly forbidden in the fcriptures, and a variety of virtues, difpofitions, and habits, which have their feat more properly in the mind, are strongly inculcated upon us, as humility, meekness, contentment and diligence. Admo ་ Admonitions refpecting pride, or too high an opinion of ourselves, and the confequence of it, arrogance with refpect to others, are very frequent both in the Old and New Teftament. To affift us to repress this improper difpofition of mind, which is the fource of so much uneafiness, both to ourselves and others, we are more efpecially reminded, that every advantage of which we can be poffeffed, and which can be the foundation of pride, as birth, riches, power, knowledge, &c. is the gift of God, and therefore should be enjoyed with gratitude, humility, and usefulness. Mofes admonishes the Ifraelites on this fubject. Deut. viii. 12. &c. "When thou haft eaten and ❝art full, and haft built goodly houses, and dwelt "therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks "multiply, and thy filver and thy gold is multi"plied, beware that thou forget not the Lord thy "God, and thy heart be lifted up; and thou fay "in thine heart, My power, and the might of my "hand hath gotten me this wealth." Our Saviour took every opportunity of inculcating this useful leffon on his difciples. He began his fermon on the mount with pronouncing a bless ing upon the << poor in fpirit." Matt. v. 2. He frequently reproved the pride of the Scribes and Pharifees. Matt. xxiii. 2-6. and recommended humility and moderation to his apoftles, upon feveral occafions, and more especially when they dif puted puted among themselves who should be the greatest in his kingdom; and he sets before them his own example in this refpect. Matt. xi. 29. Learn ❝of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find reft unto your fouls." The apostles give many excellent advices on this fubject, as Rom. xii. 3. 66 grace given unto me, "I fay, through the to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more high"ly than he ought to think; but to think foberly, "according as God hath dealt to every man the *measure of faith." The fame apoftle argues this matter more particularly in 1 Cor. iv. 6. &c. "That no one of you be puffed up one against ❝ another. For who maketh thee to differ from "another? and what haft thou that thou didst "not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why "dost thou glory as if thou hadft not received it?" He repeats the fame exhortation, 1 Tim. vi. 17. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that "they be not high-minded, nor truft in uncertain "riches, but in the living God, who giveth us "richly all things to enjoy: that they do good, "that they be rich in good works, ready to distri"bute, willing to communicate; laying up in "ftore for themselves a good foundation against the time to come." The apostle James alfo gives us this general maxim to the fame purpose. James James iv. 6. “God refifteth the proud, but giv"eth grace unto the humble." Hafty and unreasonable refentment is alfo the fubject of frequent caution and advices in the books of fcripture; Solomon fays, Prov. xvi. 32. and xxv. 28. "He that is flow to anger, is bet "ter than the mighty: and he that ruleth his "fpirit, than he that taketh a city. He that hath << no rule over his own fpirit, is like a city that is "broken down, and without walls." David fays, Pf. xxxvii. 8. "Ceafe from anger, and forsake "wrath fret not thyfelf in any wife to do evil.” Our Lord pronounces a bleffing upon the meek, Matt. v. 5. and he reprefents being angry without caufe as a thing of a very criminal nature. The apostle Paul exhorts, Phil. iv. 5. that our " mode"ration," in this refpect, "be known unto all "men, because the Lord is at hand:" and laftly, peaceableness, gentleness, and meekins, are enumerated by St. Paul among the fruits of the fpirit, while hatred, wrath, and Strife, are reckoned among the fruits of the flesh. Gal. v. 20. With respect to the things of this world, and our condition in it, industry, but without anxiety, is every where recommended to us. More efpecially, idleness is often finely expofed, and diligence praised in the book of Proverbs, ch. vi. 6. to the ant, thou fluggard, and be wife.” xviii. 9. "Go confider her ways, "He that is flothful " in his work, is brother to him that is a great "wafter." vi. 9. "How long wilt thou fleep, "O fluggard? when wilt thou awake out of thy "fleep? Yet a little fleep, a little flumber, a little "folding of the hands to fleep. So fhall thy po❝verty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man." The apostle Paul, among other advices to the chriftian converts, exhorts them, Rom. xii. 10. not to be flothful in business; and he himself was an example of induftry, working with his own hands, at his trade of a tentmaker, rather than be burthenfome to the Corinthians, with whom he refided. On the other hand, we are perhaps more frequently cautioned against exceffive anxiety about the things of this life; and mankind in general, perhaps, fuffer more in confequence of it. Envy, which takes its rife from anxiety, is particularly forbidden in the tenth commandment. Solomon fays, Prov. xxviii. 20. that he that maketh hafte "to be rich fhall not be innocent;" and Agur is represented as making this excellent prayer, Prov. "Give me neither poverty nor riches, "feed me with food convenient for me; left I be "full and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? xxx. 8. or left I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.' Our Lord advises his difciples, Luke xii. 15, ❝to take heed and beware of covetoufnefs: for VOL. II. L "that |
