then NATURE awoke in triumph, and fhewed how deeply fhe had fown the feeds of compaffion in every man's breast, when tyrants, with vices the most at enmity with it, were not able entirely to Foot it out.

-

But this is painting an amiable virtue, and fetting her off, with fhades, which wickedness lends us, when one might fafely truft to the force of her own natural charms, and afk, whether any thing under Heaven in its own nature, is more lovely and engaging? To illu Arate this the more, let us turn our thoughts within ourselves; and for a mo> ment, let any number of us here imagine ourselves at this inftant engaged in. drawing the most perfect and amiable character, fuch, as according to our conceptions of the deity, we should think

moft

most acceptable to him, and most likely to be univerfally admired by all mankind. -I appeal to your own thoughts, whe ther the firft idea which offered itfelf to moft of our imaginations, would not be that of a compaffionate benefactor, ftretching forth his hands to raise up the helpless orphan? whatever other virtues we should give our hero, we should all agree in making him a generous friend, who thought the opportunities of doing good to be the only charm of his profpest rity we should paint him like the pfalmift's river of God overflowing the thirsty parts of the earth, that he might enrich them, carrying plenty and gladnefs along with him. If this was not fufficient, and we were ftill defirous of adding a farther degree of perfection to fo great a character; we fhould endeavour to think of fome one, if human nature could

fur

furnish fuch a pattern, who, if occafion required, was willing to undergo all kinds of affliction, to facrifice himself, to forget his deareft interefts, and even lay down his life for the good of mankind. And here, O merciful SAVIOUR! how would the bright original of thy unbounded goodnefs, break in upon our hearts? Thou who becamest poor, that we might be rich though Lord of all this world, yet badft not where to lay thy head. And though equal in power and glory to the great GOD of NATURE, yet madeft thyself of no repu tation, tcokest upon thee the form of a fervant, fubmitting thyself, without opening thy mouth, to all the indignities which a thanklefs and undifcerning people could offer; and at length, to accomplish our falvation, becamest obedient unto death, fuffering thyfelf, as on

this day*, to be led like a lamb to the

Laughter!

The confideration of this ftupendous inftance of compaffion, in the Son of GOD, is the most unanswerable appeal that can be made to the heart of man, for the reasonablenefs of it in himfelf. -It is the great argument which the apostles ufe in almost all their exhortations to good works. -Beloved, if Chrift fo loved us-the inference is unvoidable; and gives ftrength and beauty to every thing else which can be urged upon the fubject. And therefore I have reserved it for my laft and warmeft appeal, with which I would gladly finifh this difcourfe; that at leaft for their fakes for whom it is preached, we might be left to the full impreffion of fo exalted and

Preached on Good Friday.

fo

fo feafonable a motive. That by reflecting upon the infinite labour of this day's love, in the inftance of CHRIST'S death, we may confider what an immenfe debt we owe each other: and by calling to mind the amiable pattern of his life, in doing good, we might learn in what manner we may best discharge it.

And indeed, of all the methods in which a good mind would be willing to do it, I believe there can be none more beneficial, or comprehenfive in its effects, than that for which we are here met together. The proper education of poor children being the ground-work of almost every other kind of charity, as that which makes every other fubfequent act of it anfwer the pious expectation of the giver.

With