early, regular, and temperate; and his life retired, when compared with that of most men, in the same situation in society. He was entirely a stranger to the ordinary pleasures and amusements of the world, nor was he accustomed in any particular to consult his own ease or indulgence; yet his cheerfulness was noticed by all who conversed with him, and he habitually appeared well satisfied and happy. His fear of alienating his time from more important uses, rendered him, on some occasions, apparently too averse to go into almost any company. But where the motive was so good, and the use made of time thus redeemed was so worthy of imitation, surely this may be mentioned to his commendation, rather than as a failing; especially, as it increased only with his advancing years, and evidenced a mind more and more occupied with the thoughts of that blessed world, into which he expected soon to be removed.

His unaffected and deep humility may be considered as another distinguishing feature of his character. His liberality, his useful industry, and his piety, though he was zealous and abundant in them all, appeared not to himself in any degree meritorious: nay, he was convinced, that in every respect he fell short of his bounden duty, and was entirely dependent on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus for the pardon of his sins, and for final acceptance and felicity.-In truth, he estimated his own character and conduct, by comparing them with the straight rule of the divine law, and not with the crooked principles and practices of the world. For he considered himself, and all the race of men, as being naturally in a state of apostacy from God, and exceedingly prone to evil; and he was very earnest in spread ing this opinion, as a fundamental doctrine of the Scriptures.

This sentiment, as far as it was applied to himself, will be admitted to have been a source of hu mility when applied to others, it is sometimes thought to be of a contrary nature; for a conviction of the general depravity of the human race, is frequently imagined to spring either from spiritual pride, or from a harsh and severe disposition.

Now, as the sentiments entertained by our late honoured friend concerning the fallen state of the world around him, undoubtedly made a material part of his character, I shall enter more fully into this circumstance; and the candid reader will then judge how far this his persuasion was consistent with the general benevolence of his character.

The ground on which this and the rest of his religious opinions were founded, was the plain declarations of the Bible: and to that book which he studied day by day, I must refer the reader for a fuller explanation of the subject.-Our late friend, I say, implicitly believed the doctrines of it; and, conscious of his own demerit, all his hopes of salvation were derived from it: he expected "eternal life, as the gift of God through Jesus Christ," according to the revelation of mercy, and the precious promises contained in the Scriptures; and he found that these were matters in which human reason or authority could give him no assurance or satisfaction. If, then, on the one hand, he believed the promises of the Bible, and derived all his consolation from them, how could he disbelieve the threatenings of God contained in the same book, and the repeated declarations of the inspired writers, concerning the degeneracy of men, the wickedness of the world, and the comparative small number of those who are in the way of salvation?

Indeed, that kind of charity which we often hear pleaded for, can only be expected from infidels and

skeptics, who, consistently with their principles, may deny that there is a hell, or that the way is broad and thronged which leads to it. But in proportion as these sentiments prevail, the sinews will be cut of every effort, to bring sinners into that narrow way of repentance, faith, and holiness, in which the word of God requires them to walk. If any, therefore, who would be thought to believe the Bible, soothe their worldly neighbours with unscriptural hopes, or teach them to make light of their danger; it must be owing, (though they may not suspect it,) to no small degree of skepticism mixing with their views of Christianity. And it is difficult to conceive how they can derive any actual hope from the Gospel, who discard all serious fear, and who neither lament nor perceive that state of condemnation, under which, (according to the word of God,) is every one around them; unless he believe in Christ Jesus, be renewed in the spirit of his mind, and lead a sober, righteous, and godly-life; or, at least be striving to enter in at the straight gate of repentance and conversion to God and holiness. It is observable, that the Scriptures seem to know but of two descriptions of men, namely, those who serve God, and those who serve him not. He who is not the servant of God, but serves some other master, or aims at some other end, lies under the condemnation of the Bible, though he be free from disreputable vices: and whether the multitude around us are in good earnest serving God, or whether they are pursuing their own selfish ends, let any man of common observation determine.

It must, therefore, appear to every candid inquirer, that when religious persons entertain, what are called uncharitable opinions of their neighbours, they are in truth compelled to it by the united evidence of facts and Scripture; and not inclined to it VOL. IV.-No. XII. 4 M

by a mere conceit of their own superiority, or any severity of disposition.

These sentiments may often be observed, as in the present instance, to reside in the same breast, with the most tender compassion, the most expanded benevolence, and the most unequivocal tokens of deep humility. It is not then an inconsistency, to think mankind very corrupt and wicked, and yet to abound in compassion and charity toward them. This evidently accords to the judgment and conduct of God himself, as it is every where represented in Scripture: "He commended his love to us, in that when we were sinners," "ungodly, and enemies," "Christ died for us The blessed Saviour was hated for "testifying of the world that the works thereof were evil;" yet "he went about doing good," and at length laid down his life, as "the propitiation for our sins." St. John, the beloved disciple, who was eminent for the greatness of his charity, says, "We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lieth in wickedness :" and St. Paul, with a mixture of sound judgment and genuine charity, says to the Philippians, "There are many of whom I have told you often, and now tell you, even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." These are a few passages, out of vast numbers that might be produced: and it may be added, that the world, (signifying the generality of mankind,) is scarcely ever mentioned in Scripture, without something being added, which implies a condemnation of it.

It is obvious that these sentiments cannot but be unfashionable and unpopular; and must exceedingly deduct from the character of every religious man, in the opinion of the world, how much soever

he lays himself out, in doing good to the bodies and souls of his fellow-creatures.

Numbers indeed are not aware, that they, who believe the Bible, do thus in their judgment condemn the world around them; and they can therefore bear with many true Christians, on account of their philanthropy, having never approached near enough to understand this unpopular subject. It is proper, that such persons should be undeceived, and should know, that every one who believes the word of God, however kind and obliging to them, entertains the most serious apprehensions concerning the state of their souls, and is far more alarmed for them, than they are for themselves. There are also others, who have some sense of religion, and secretly assent to this offensive doctrine; but, joining much with the world, they deem it convenient to disguise their sentiments. Nay, they frequently behave in a manner so inconsistent with a serious conviction of this awful truth, that they are never suspected; they conform to the world, and seem to be a constituent part of it; and who could imagine that they join with the Scripture in condemning it? These are indeed the more popular characters; yet, if their sentiments were fully known, perhaps they would meet with less favour than they who profess their opinions without disguise, and separate from the pleasures and vanities of the world, and from a needless intercourse with it upon that account. The latter are certainly the more honest men, and would probably, if the whole truth were known, be deemed the more honourable characters, the people of the world themselves being judges.

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It is not, however, here meant to be insinuated, that pious persons never form too harsh a judgment concerning their neighbours. A certain precipitaney of temper, and a vehemence about points of doc