Majesty to thrust the players out of the City, and to pull down all the playhouses within their liberties;" which accordingly was effected. And the reasons by which the citizens were induced to present their petition were ;-that such places were traps for young gentlemen and others; that many inconveniences and great damage would ensue upon the longsuffering of the same, not only to particular persons, but to the whole city; and that it would also be a great disparagement to the governors, and a dishonour to the government of their City, if they should any longer continue.

It now appears somewhat unusual for a Clergyman to preach against such amusements; and many persons are disposed to think that he is venturing out of his proper line of duty, and meddling with things which belong not to him; and some are ready to suspect that he holds new and peculiar opinions;-and that he has taken up some overstrict, and severe, and impracticable notions respecting religion; and that it is all to be ascribed to eccentricity, or enthusiasm. my dear Brethren, religion is just the same thing now which it ever was;-its nature and requirements are the same;—the tone and spirit of the Bible are not changed. Plays and play-houses are also essentially the same in their character, and tendency, and influence, and effects. Whatever alteration may have taken place, is in the

But,

state of public opinion and feeling upon this subject. Godly jealousy and godly fear have yielded to indifference; and to that falsely so called-liberality of thinking, which, if God, in his mercy, turn not away from us the evils which we have most righteously deserved, is too well calculated to prepare the way for the overflowings of ungodliness and infidelity ;—the most dreadful scourge with which any country can be visited and punished.

In bringing forward the subject of Theatrical Amusements this morning, I would address myself more especially to those who are beginning to pay thoughtful attention to the state of their souls;—whose minds are in some measure impressed with the importance of the things which concern their peace and salvation ;-whose desires are turning towards what God has promised ;who have an honest wish to be enlightened, and to become true disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus. I earnestly invite the serious attention of all such persons. I affectionately call you to a candid and strict inquiry into this matter.

It will be my object to shew you that the Theatre is forbidden ground; and that you cannot attend its Amusements without sin and danger.

On former occasions, I have taken different views of this subject; in order to shew, that in whatever light the entertainments of the Stage may be considered, they are plainly contrary to

the word of God, and injurious to the cause of morality and religion. The approaching Confirmation has suggested to me the course which I am about to take at this time; which is,-to compare the amusements of the Theatre with our baptismal engagements, and to point out their irreconcilable contrariety; and to shew that as members of the visible Church of Christ, and as persons who profess and call themselves Christians, we are bound by the strongest obligations to renounce these sinful vanities.

The passage which I have selected for my text on this occasion, is applicable to a large variety of cases and circumstances. "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it; for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee." The vow may have been made in thoughtless ignorance; or by the influence of example or persuasion; or through the force of custom. It may have been made by express promise; or implied in a general profession. Years may have rolled away since the engagement was first formed; and the sacred transaction may have been altogether forgotten. You may have neglected your covenant with God, till the sense of obligation has been wholly lost.-None of these things, however, diminish the responsibility under which those persons nave placed themselves, who have vowed a vow unto the Lord their God;-"the Lord thy God will surely re

quire it."-And if "they slack to pay it," notwithstanding all these things, the Lord will not hold them guiltless; they shall bear their iniquity; "it would be sin in thee." However made, and however forgotten, their engagement stands recorded in the book of God's remembrance; and before his bar, at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, must we answer, if we have been unfaithful to our engagements and unmindful of

our vows.

Now, in the course of this address, I hope to make it plainly appear that the vows of God are upon you;-and that Theatrical Amusements are directly opposed to every part of these vows; and if these two points shall be clearly made out,then, controversy is at end with respect to all those who are sincerely and seriously inquiring after truth and duty;-the unlawfulness of Stageentertainments must be unanswerably established.

I proceed then to set before you the first part of my argument, and to shew that the vows of God are upon you.-You have vowed a vow unto the Lord your God.

I may take it for granted, that this congregation consists generally of persons born within the pale of the Established Church;—who were received into her communion at their baptism;-and who have been brought up in her faith and forms.

Now, if words have any meaning, there cannot be any difficulty in proving that the vows of God are upon you. You were received into the congregation of Christ's flock, under the express stipulation of " renouncing the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so as not to follow, nor be led by them;"-and further, "of believing all the articles of the Christian faith; and of obediently keeping God's holy will and commandments, and walking in the same all the days of your life." At your baptism indeed, this "solemn vow, promise, and profession," was made by others in your name, until you should come of age to take it upon yourselves; but so soon as you were able to understand what had been done for you, in your stead; then, it was your part to acknowledge, or to renounce your baptismal covenant. By retaining your Christian profession, and your Christian name, you virtually recognise and appropriate the act of your sureties; and you say, “I abide by the banner under which I was enlisted;-I avow myself Christ's faithful soldier and servant." And have And have you not done this again and again, in express terms? In your Catechism you were taught what your godfathers and godmothers had promised for you at your baptism. Now, when you have been asked, "Dost thou not think that thou art bound to believe and to do as