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known. It is not unufual now for notorious finners to enjoy, undisturbed, the fatire they fometimes incur by their crimes: for individuals will ftill reproach them on that account.No, it is not only a "sport to them to do mischief," but to be cenfured when they have done it. They pride themselves on facing the graver part of the world down, and laughing with perfect eafe at thofe things, as frolics and trifles, which, to speak in their language, none but vulgar or narrow fpirits condemn. as vices and enormities. Let bribery, for example, or venality, or gaming, or adultery, or profanenefs, or filial impiety, or bafe ingratitude, or ruining of innocence, or betraying under truft, let any of these be held up to just infamy: it matters not: the turpitude ftrikes but few in a fenfible manner: a few may loudly condemn: but those against whom the sentence is pointed, comfort themselves with reflecting, that the moft are no longer fhocked at fuch things, however they may not approve of them;

and that if one has riches, or rank, or ability, or expectations, or what fometimes fupplies the want of them all, a proper ftock of effrontery, he may do what he pleases, and not doubt of still meeting with marks of respect in abundance.

As to a life of luxury and diffipation, of effeminacy and infignificance; the neglect of bufinefs, of ftudy, of improvement; a habit of licentious, or cenforious converfation; a disrespect to authority, to age, to experience, and a contemptuous rejection of wife and pious advice-these are all become fo common as to excite, in our days of easy forbearance, and philofophic coolness, very little disapprobation, except from quarters where it is confidered as mere profeffional talk, for which the men are paid, and which can only pass with the ignorant or the illiberal.

If here and there a moral writer among the laity steps forth to inftruct the world,

what does he effect? Suppofe that to the wideft knowledge of men, and the truest judgement of things, with a ftrict regard for religion and goodness, he joins the fineft tafte, the greateft vigour of expreffion, and the utmost brilliancy of imagination; ftill it matters not: perhaps he is read, perhaps applauded by many: but then he is forgotten by moft. In the mean time, the productions of the wanton or infipid novellift, the unfeeling fceptic, the filly witling, or the gay licentious man of fafhion, are devoured with infatiable avidity, and unceafing delight.

God be thanked, however, many of you, my young friends, have yet escaped the contagion. The minifters of fin and infidelity have not yet had power over you. Thofe are ftill your favourite authors, who have confecrated genius, learning, wit, and eloquence, to the fervice of truth and morality. The ftated advocates for both may ftill, as you conceive, be fincere

in their office, though they are enabled to live by it, and are therefore with you ftill objects of respectful attention, so long as their doctrines are not manifeftly contradicted by their lives: when unhappily they are, you have yet the sense to distinguish between the former and the latter, and alfo the candour not to conclude, that thofe are falfe because thefe are unworthy: while you abhor the laft, you continue to venerate the firft. Perhaps indeed you venerate them fo much, and retain fo ftrong a tincture of native modefty, that you cannot without furprise and disgust reflect on many fcenes, characters, and complications of iniquity, as they meet your eyes or ears in the different walks of life. Nor can you yet behold with unconcern those modes of behaviour, which, though apparently less criminal and pernicious, are notwithstanding far from being harmless or innocent, and frequently prove the forerunners of great, if not the greateft, guilt and mifery. How fuch numbers can

feem to throw off all regard for the esteem of the fober and the difcerning, you are unable to comprehend; and yet more, how so many can, often at the expence of health and fortune, or even at the hazard of life itself, court the plaudit of libertines, of knaves, and of fools, not merely in preference to the fuffrage of the best men and the wifeft judges, but with affected fcorn, and open abuse of them-this fills you with amazement. For your parts, you reckon the approbation of such among the sweetest pleasures, and highest honours, the heart can enjoy.

Thefe, my dear youths, are very promifing symptoms. And yet-fhall I tell you? all these have been frequently found at your agreeable age, and, after encouraging the fairest hopes, have only produced the greater difappointment. Such young perfons, relying on themselves, and ignorant of the world, ventured among temptations to which they were unequal.

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