VIII.

of others rising into notice and distinction ? SERMON Does he hear their praises with unwilling ear? Does he feel an inclination to depreciate what he dares not openly blame? When obliged to commend, does his cold and aukward approbation insinuate his belief of some unknown defects in the applauded character? From such symptoms as these he may infer that the disease of envy is forming; that the poison is beginning to spread its infection over his heart.

THE causes that nourish envy are principally two; and two which, very frequently, operate in conjunction; these are, pride and indolence.. The connexion of pride with envy, is obvious and direct. The high value which the proud set on their own merit, the unreasonable claims which they form on the world, and the injustice which they suppose to be done to them by any preference given to others, are perpetual sources, first of discontent, and next of envy. When indolence is joined to pride, the disease of the mind becomes more inveterate and incurable. Pride leads men to

VIII.

SERMON SO base and so criminal, as envy. Create in me, O God, a clean heart; and renew a right spirit within me. Search me, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way lead me in the way everlasting*.

*Ps. li. 10. cxxxix. 23, 24.

in me,

and

SERMON IX,

On IDLENESS.

IT

MATTHEW, XX. 6.

-Why stand ye here all the day idle?

IX.

T is an observation which naturally oc- SERMON curs, and has been often made, that all the representations of the Christian life in Scripture are taken from active scenes; from carrying on a warfare, running a race, striving to enter in at a strait gate; and, as in this context, labouring in a vineyard. Hence the conclusion plainly follows, that various active duties are required of the Christian; and that sloth and indolence are inconsistent with his hope of heaven.

But it has been sometimes supposed, that industry, as far as it is matter of duty, reVOL. III. M gards

IX.

SERMON gards our spiritual concerns and employments only and that one might be very busy as a Christian, who was very idle as a man. Hence, among some denominations of Christians, am opinion has prevailed, that the perfection of religion was to be found in those monastic retreats where every active function of civil life was totally excluded, and the whole time of men filled up with exercises of devotion. They who hold such opinions proceed on the supposition, that religion has little or no concern with the ordinary affairs of the world; that its duties stand apart by themselves, and mingle not in the intercourse which men have with one another. The perfect Christian -was imagined to live a sort of angelic life, sequestered from the business or pleasures of this contemptible state. The gospel, -on the contrary, represents the religion of Christ, as intended for the benefit of human society. It assumes men as engaged in the Ibusiness of active life; and directs its exhortations, accordingly, to all ranks and stations; to the magistrate and the subject, to the master and the servant, to the rich and the poor, to them that buy and them

that sell, them that use and them that abuse SERMON Some duties, indeed, require

the world. Some duties, privacy and retreat. But the most important must be performed in the midst of the world, where we are commanded to shine as lights, and by our good works to glorify our Father which is in heaven. This world, as the context represents it, is God's vineyard, where each of us has a task assigned him to perform. In every station, and at every period of life, labour is required. At the third, the sixth, or the eleventh hour, we are commanded to work, if we would not incur, from the great Lord of the vineyard, this reproof, Why stand ye bere call the day idle?We may, I confess, be busy about many things, and yet be found negligent of the One thing needful. We may be very active, and, withal, very ill employed. But though a person may be sindustrious without being religious, I must at the same time admonish you that no man can be idle without being sinful. This I -shall endeavour to shew in the sequel of the discourse; wherein I purpose to reprovena lvice which is too common among all ranks Superiors admonish their infe

of men.

IX.