where the beauties of holiness are expressly named, and "whatsoever things are venerable, lovely, "and of good report," are, as mentioned in a former discourse, recommended in so many words. But, yet, on the other hand, considering the passions, disorders, and debility of beings, situated as we are; to trust the cause of righteousness and truth to the sole strength of such argumentswhat is it, but hazarding the most valuable inte rests in the world on a bottom utterly unequal to so precious a freight?

A few select spirits, more liberal and elevated than usual, may, in their progress towards perfection derive some extraordinary assistances from these sublimer speculations; at least when under very difficult or delicate circumstances of temptation, But what, think ye, would become even of them much more, what would become of the far great er part, when immediately under such circumstances, did not religion step in to their aid with her more forcible and striking sanctions, founded on their hopes and fears for futurity, as these are connected with a sense of the Almighty's inspection, and a faith in the illustrious facts of revela tion? How little in general were the philosophers of antiquity themselves influenced by the system in question, with whatever pomp they professed, or with whatever eloquence they displayed it. Some of them, it is true, were men of great virtues, as well as great conceptions; while the rest were striking examples, how much easier it is to talk than to act well, and that to reform the world there is wanted a diviner power than reason alone,

With regard to the case now before us, it may be observed that those young persons, who have had the misfortune to be in a great measure left to

the common notices of nature, go astray much more frequently, than others on whom the principles of Piety have been early and judiciously impressed.

When I say judiciously impressed, I mean to insinuate, that many hopeful children have been lost through the imprudent efforts of their wellmeaning, but ill-informed parents, to make them good by severe confinement and constant admonition. Those children alone will be truly good, and are likely to continue so, who are at once enamoured of their duty, awed by their Maker, and devoted to the securing of that "life and immortality which are brought to light through the gospel."

Here I cannot help recollecting a most memorable instance, wherein a much celebrated youth was guarded against the indulgence of appetite by the power of religion. I speak of Joseph, when tempted by the wife of Potiphar. Consider the complicated snare that was laid for his innocence; probably the blandishments of beauty; certainly the repeated, pressing, and passionate solicitations of an artful woman, of his mistress, who, if she pleased, could easily procure his farther advancement; the opportunities of privacy; the prospect of close concealment; his time of life; his plentiful condition; those warm affections, that strong sensibility, which the sequel of his story shows to have been natural to him; the extreme danger manifestly attending his refusal, I mean all the mischiefs to be dreaded from the resentment and violence of a proud but fond female resisted, disappointed, enraged, who would not fail, however falsely, to represent the unbounded confidence of a generous master abused; and, finally, those mischiefs falling at one blow upon a dependent and a stranger, whose

prosperity in that family had no doubt rendered him the object of envy to some, and whose protestations in his own favour would never be believed by others to the disadvantage of a woman of her rank and fortune. Such was the snare. And what was it'that enabled our amiable hero to conquer it? The history will inform you. "He refused, and "said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master "wotteth not what is with me in the house, and " he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. "There is none greater in this house than I; nei"ther hath he kept back any thing from me but "thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I "do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Excellent young man! From a crime, to which so many allurements concurred to incite him, he starts back with horror; so strongly are his natural feelings of gratitude and probity seconded by a reverence for the Omniscient; "How then can I do "this great wickedness and sin against God?" -No, my sisters, there is not in the world such a preservative from vice as the fear of God. Temptations, by which human resolutions alone have been frequently foiled, are often overcome by the same resolutions when enforced by religious faith.

From these remarks you will plainly perceive, that what we wish for you is not a victory over your passions hardly gained, and at the expense of your tranquillity; but a sacred self-possession, a certain diviner control of your own wills, that shall distinguish you in the sight of him who "de"sireth truth in the inward parts.' A sentiment this, that seems conformable to the best conceptions of nature; since we find the power which according to the pagan creed represented both wisdom and

fortitude, was supposed to be of your sex. On the same principle does the wisest of men speak so often of the former in the feminine gender. Thus at least did ancient genius treat the women with respect. It is particularly observable that of republican states, where that genius commonly appeared most eminent, the sage legislators prescribed to females a peculiar gravity and simplicity of manners; so different were their ideas of what was becoming from those of modern times!

But I added farther that, from the study of inward purity as well as outward decorum, even that purity which the gospel so strongly enforces, you will reap the mighty satisfaction of the divine approbation amidst the censures of the uncharitable, and the divine protection against the machinations of the ungodly. Hard enough, it must be owned, is the case of women, as to the general reflexions made on their deportment. If they behave with reserve, they are pronounced prudish; if with frankness, bold; if with that just temperament of both which is the proper medium, capricious and uncertain. What shall they do? What can they do, but hold the middle way, with that attention to the rules of caution on one side, and of affability on the other, which times, places, and persons seem to require; "committing their cause to him "that judgeth righteously," and trusting for their safety to him that never forsakes the virtuous?

Such a respect for human judgment, as avoids giving occasion of censure, is undoubtedly right in every individual of society; of your sex especially, whose reputation is of so nice a contexture. But while for this purpose a christian woman pursues, as nearly as she can, the path of prudence ;

what internal serenity does she enjoy, by following at the same time the direction of principle, that highest and happiest guide of life! To say the truth, there may be situations, wherein the latter appears to be left the sole guide, so impossible is it for the former to find a way through the labyrinth. In this case you can have but one reasonable care; which is, to do what conscience charges as your duty. In every case, that must be your principal care. In making it so, there will be this great advantage amongst many others, that you will every day grow less anxious about any thing else. The ease of mind, the gaiety of heart resulting from such a conduct, are not to be expressed.

If the world should approve, it is well. The approbation of the best people, at least, will give you a real pleasure; and the best people are naturally candid. If the world should condemn, and even the candid few, which is by no means impossible, should be led by misrepresentation, or by mistake, to join in the sentence; still however you will have the comfort of not having deserved it. And from this inferior tribunal you will also have the felicity of appealing to that which is supreme and infallible, with the humble assurance of being justified there through the powerful interposition of an advocate, whom no passion or misrepresentation can bias. At the same time too you will have the consolation to hope, that sooner or later, he in whom you trust "will bring forth your righteousness as the light, ❝and your judgment as the noon-day. Seldom or never, I think, does a persevering virtue fail of breaking out with fresh beauty, and augmented lustre, from those clouds with which calumny may have obscured it; even as the vernal sun by pursuing