particularly distinguished as amiable; and SERMON where he will most comfortably enjoy the XV. fruits of his happy disposition.

HAVING now explained the precept in the text, and shown what is included in living peaceably with all men, I come next to suggest some considerations for recommending this peaceable disposition.

LET us recollect, in the first place, as a bond of union and peace, the natural relation which subsists among us all as men, sprung from one Father, connected by one common nature, and by fellowship in the same common necessities and wants; connected as Christians closer still, by acknowledgment of the same Lord, and participation of the same Divine hopes. Ought lesser differences altogether to divide and estrange those from one another, whom such antient and sacred bonds unite? In all other cases the remembrance of kindred, or brotherhood, of a common parent, and common family, tends to soften the harsher feelings, and often has influence, when feuds arise, to melt and overcome the heart. Why

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SERMON Why should not a remembrance of the XV same kind have some effect with respect

to the great brotherhood of mankind?

How unnatural and shocking is it, if, on occasion of some angry expression or trifling affront, to which sudden passion or mistaken report has given rise, a man shall deliberately go forth with the barbarous purpose of plunging his sword into his brother's breast? What a reproach to reason and humanity, that a ridiculous idea of honour, derived from times of Gothick grossness and ignorance, should stain the annals of modern life with so many tragical scenes of horror!

Let the sentiment of our natural connection with each other as men, dispose us the more to peace, from a reflection on our common failings, and the mutual allowances which those failings oblige us to make. A sense of equity should here arise, to prompt forbearance and forgiveness. Were there any man who could say that he had never, in the course of his life, suffered himself to be transported by passion, or given just ground of offence to any one, such a man might have some plea for impatience, when he received from others unreasonable

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reasonable treatment. But if no such per- SERMON fectly unexceptionable characters are to be found, how unjust is it not to give to others those allowances which we, in our turn, must claim from them? - To our own failings, we are always blind. Our pride and selfconceit render us quarrelsome and contentious, by nourishing a weak and childish sensibility to every fancied point of our own honour or interest, while they shut up all regard to the honour or interest of our brethren. From the high region of imaginary self-estimation, let us descend to our own just and proper level. Let us calmly reflect on the place we hold in society, and on the justice that is due to others. From such reflections we will learn to be more humble in our claims, and more moderate in our pretensions; and many of the causes of animosity and contention will die away.

LET us consider, in the next place, how trifling and inconsiderable, for the most part, the causes are of contention and discord among mankind, and how much they deserve to be overlooked by the wise and

SERMON the good.

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When we view the eagerness with which contests are agitated in society, and look to the bitterness and wrath they so oft occasion, one would think that all were at stake, and that there could be no life, no happiness on earth, unless to him who was victorious in the contest. And yet, in how few instances has there been any just ground for this mighty ferment of spirits? You have been slighted, perhaps, by a superiour; you have been ungratefully treated by a friend; a rival has over-reached you by fraud, or overcome you by more powerful interest. Amidst the bustle of life, amidst the interfering and crossing of various pursuits and interests, are not such incidents to be expected by every one? Ought you not to have been prepared for encountering them without passion or violence, as evils belonging to the common lot of humanity? As light bodies are shaken and torn by every breath of wind, while those that are solid resist the blast; so it is only the little and mean mind that loses possession of itself on every trifling provocation; while a great and firm spirit keeps its place, and rests on a

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basis of its own, unshaken by the common SERMON disturbances of life. Of what small moment to your real happiness, are many of those injuries which draw forth your resentment? They may affect in some degree your worldly interests ; but can they affect your true honour as a man? Can they deprive you of peace of conscience, of the satisfaction of having acted a right part, of the pleasing sense of being esteemed by men, and the hope of being rewarded by God, for your generosity and forgiveness? In the moments of eager contention all is magnified and distorted in its appearance. A false light is thrown on every object. Nothing appears to be what it really is. But let the hour of violence pass over; let the course of time bring forward recollection and calmness, and you will wonder at your former violence. Objects which once were so formidable, will then have disappeared. A new scene has taken place; and the grounds of former contention will seem as dreams of the night, which have passed away. - Act then now the part of a man, by anticipating that period of coolness, which time will certainly bring.

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