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^^^RA?^'^'' 




I 57/ 
SERMONS ,f T I 



\ i? -■ I 



TO 



YOUNG WdMEN. 



TWO yOLUMEB EN ONE. 



V 



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BY JAMES FORDYCE^ D. 13.) , O / 



♦ 



t 



THIRD AMERICAN 
FROM TUB TWELFTH LONDON EDITION. 



« 



PUBLISHED BT M. CARET) PHILADELPHIA : AND 

I. RILEY, NEW-YORK. 



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1809. 



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1i 



PREFACE. 



1 HE corruption of the age is a complaint with 
many men who contribute to increase it. In like 
manner, the inattention of the people is a complaint 
with many preachers who are themselves to blame. 
AVluH discourse naturally produces a lisdess au- 
dience ; there being few hearers who will attend to 
tVj3t by which their hearts are not engaged, or their 
ima^^iations entertained. To entertain the ima- 
gination principally, were a poor, and indeed a vi- 
tious a'3n in a preacher. To engage the heart, with 
a view t<>_^end it, should be his grand ambition. 
Any farther than as it may prove some way or 
other subservient to that, entertainment should never 
be admitted into a Sermon. There, to say the truth^ 
we seldom meet with too much of the latter. 
Would to God we often met there with more of 
the former ! 

The author of the following Discourses was 
prompted to publish them, from an unfeigned regard 
for the Female Sex ; from a fervent zeal for the best 
interests of society, on which he believes their dis- 
positions and deportment will- ever have a mighty 
influence ; and, lastly, from a secret desire long felt 
of trying whether that style of preaching, which to 
him appears, upon the whole, adapted to an audi- 
tory above the vulgar rank, might succeed on a 
subject of this nature ; nothing in the kind, that he 
knows of, having been endeavoured before, in any 
language. The attempt was as difficult as it was 



,.. "v.y V / 



IV ' PREFACE. 

new, and this very difficulty was probably the cause 
of its having been hitherto declined. He relied 
however on the candour of the public for every 
proper allowance, more especially respecting some 
singularities in the mode of composition, upon 
which he would not have ventured but for the 
uncommonness of the occasion. Nor has he been 
disappointed. But the public has not shown can- 
dour only : it has even exercised indulgence ; per- 
sons of both sexes, of various denominations, and 
of different tastes, having joined in expressing the 
most generous approbation. 

1'heir very favourable opinion, so far beyond fiis 
expectation, affords him peculiar pleasure, as . it 
raises his hopes, that what is here suggested /^..<^, 
by the blessing of Heaven, which he humbly imt^res, 
contribute to the improvement of the most agreeable 
part of the creation, and by consequence^^h to their 
own felicity, and that of millions widiwnom they 
are now, or may be hereafter, connected. In this 
case, it will add to his happiness to reflect, that he 
has rendered the plain voice of truth acceptable 
amongst those who are daily tempted by the siren* 
song of flattery. 

The preacher is willing to hope, that women of 
most conditions, and at all ages, may meet with 
some useful counsels, or some salutary hint, should 
curiosity incite them to look into these discourses* 
Should any of those young persons in genteel life^ 
to whom they are chiefly addressed, deeni the re- 
prehensions they contain too severe, or too indis- 
criminate ; he can only say, that as all are dictated 
by friendship no less than by conviction, so he 
wishes it to be understood, that many were occa- 
sioned by a particular observation of those charac- 
ters and manners which are esteemed fashionable 
amongst the young and the gay of thia metropolis* 



PREFACE. V 

In the country (a denomination which, as matterft' 
arc commonly conducted, he can by no means al- 
low to the neig^hourhood of London) the contagion 
of vice and folly, it may be presumed, is not so 
epidemical* In short, he is persuaded, that women 
of worth and sense are to be found every where, 
but most frequently in the calm of retreat, and amidst 
the coolness of recollection. 



9 S^ 



u 




CONTENTS 

OF THE 

FIRST VOLUME. 



' ' ^ SERMON I. 

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FEMALE SEX, 
ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER PART. 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9, 10. 

l-wiU — that ipomen atlom themsehes in modest apparel, vnth ahame" 
jfaceehiesa and sobriety ; not -with broidered kair, or gold, or 
pearls, o*" costly arrays hut {yohich becometh women projessing 
godliness) -with Good Works. \ 

SERMON II. 

ON MODESTY OF APPAREL. 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 
inrilU^that -women adorn themselves in Modest •Apparel S9 

SERMON fTI. 

ON FEMALE RESERVE. 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 

IvnU^that women adorn themselves with Shame/acedness^ 43 



• •• 



Vm CONTENTS. 

SERMON IV. 

ON FEMALE VIRTUE, 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 
I-wilU^that women adorn themsehvea rtdth Sobriety. $9 

SERMON V. 

OH TEMALE VIRTUE, FRIENDSHIP, ANB 
CONVERSATION. 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 
/ •will'^that -ttfomen adorn themselves with Sobriety. ^ 

COL. iv. 6. ^ 

Let your Speech be atways with Grace, seasoned with Sali. M 

SERMON VI. 

ON FEMALE VIRTUE, WITH DOMESTIC AND 
ELEGa'NT ACCOMPLISHMENlfll^JC 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 
IwiU^-that women adorn themselves with Sobriety, 

PROv. xxxi. 10. 31. 

fFhocunfinda Virttioiis Woman? For her price is far abot» 
rubies.'^Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her Works 
prmse her in the gates. 104 

SERMON VII. 

ON FEMALE VIRTUE, WITH INTELLECTUAL 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 

1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 

I will — that women adorn themselves with Sobriety. 

PROV. iv. 5, 6. 8, 9. 

Get Wisdom, get Understanding. — Forsake her not, and she shaU 

preserve tliee : lore her, and she shall keep thee. — Earalt her, and 

she shall promote thee.'-^She shall give to thine head an ornament 

of grace : a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. 134 



CONTENTS 

or THE 

SECOND VOLUME. 



. ^ SERMON VIII. 

•N VEMALE VIRTUE, WITH INTELLECTUAL 
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 

1 TIM. il. 8, 9. 

ItoWr^tluU women udom themselves "with Sobriety* 

PROV. iv. 5, 6, 8, 9. 

Get Wisdom^ get Understanding. — Forsake her not, and she s?ial2f 
preserve thee : lox'e her and she shall keep thee. — Exalt her, and 
she shaU promote thee — She shall give to thy head an ornament of 
grace : a crorwn of glory shall she deliver to thee. t 

SERMON IX- 

ON FEMALE PIETY. 

1 TIM. ii. 10. 

''"Which becometh women projessing GotSinest. 

PROV. xxxi. 30. 

Ji^avour is deceitful, and beanty is vaiti : but a vsfnan that fearetU 
the Lrd^ She shall be praued, ^^ 



X - CONTENTS. 

SERMON X. 

ON THE SAME SUBJECT. 48 

SERMON XL 

ON THE SAME SUBJECT. (9 

SERMON XII. 

ON GOOD WORKS. 

/ "mil — that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shame- 

facednens and sobriety : not -with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls^ 

or costly array, hut (which becometh women professing' godUneHI) 

with Good f Forks, it)l 

SERMON XIII. ^ 

ON FEMALE MEEKNESS. 

1 PET. ill. 3, 4. 

IVhose adorning, let it not be that outward adamn^ of plaiting 
the hair, andof wearing of ffold, or of putting on of apparel : but 
let it be the Jddden mem of the heart, in that which is not corrupti" 
ble, even the ornament of a Jifeek and Quaet Spirit, wtuch is in tho 
sight of God of great price, 1 10 

SERMON XIV. 

ON THS SAME SUBJECT. IM 



k 



I. 



w^ 



m 



SERMON I. 

«. 

ON THE IMPORTANCE OP THE TEKALE SEX, 
ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER T^RTIp 



1 TIM. ii. 8, 9, 10. 

/ 'a^''^hat rtfomen ttdf^ni themselves in modest apparel, vith 
shamefacedness and sobriety ; not -with broider€d hairf or gold, 
or pearls, or costly array, but f -which becometh women professing 
^o^nessj -with good works. 

\^ AN a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride 
^ her attire l^ is the Almighty's question by 
the mouth of a prophet. Splendid attire and rich 
ornaments are in many places of scripture spoken 
of without censure, and in some with approba- 
tion. '^ The king's daughter," says the psalmist, " is 
" all glorious within :" he adds, " her clothing is 
" of wrought gold ; she shall be brought into the ^ 
" king in raiment of needle-work." I'he Virtuous 
Woman is in the proverbs applauded for " clothing 
" hier household with scarlet, and herself with silk 
** and purple." The creator has poured unbounded 
beauty over his works. Witness the flowers of the 
field, celebrated by Our Saviour^himself ; witness 
the gems of the mine, mentioned in the Revela- 
tion of St. John, as employed to give additionu) 
lustre even tq the New Jerusalem ; witness, in 
general, all that wonderful colouring, and those ^ 
lair proportions, that please the eye, and amuse 

Vol. I. A 



2 S£RM01^ I. 

the imagination, .with endless variety. Who can 
resist, who indeed ought to resist, the agreeable 
effect ? Surely the Author of Nature does nothing 
-in vain. He surely meant, that by beholding her 
with delight we might be led to copy her with care, 
and from contemplating the inferior orders of beauty 
rise to the admiration of that which is supreme* - 

As he has furnished infinite materials for the 
exercise and entertainment, no less than for the 
provision and accommodation of man ; so has he 
inspired that genius, and supplied those powers, by 
which they are moulded into form, and heightttoed 
into splendour. In saying this we are warrainted 
by revelation itself, where we are expressly tqld 
that, " the spirit of the Lord filled Bezaleel^ ^iho- 
liab," and others, ** with wisdom, and understand*- 
** ing, and knowledge, to devise and work all man- 
*' ner of curious and cuiming worlift of the cancer 
'* of wood, the cutter of stcAies, the jeweller, the 
*^ engraver, the weaver, the embroiderer in blue and 
" in purple, in scarlet and in fine linen." What 
multitudes are daily employed and comfortably 
supported by these and such like ornamental arts, 
hardly any one is ignorant. ♦ 

That works of ingenuity and elegance are par- 
ticularly becoming in your sex, and that the study 
of them ought to enter into female education as 
much as possible, all, I think, are agreed.-^ In fine, 
none but the most contracted, or the most preju- 
diced, will deny that women may avail themselves 
of every decent attraction, that can lead to a state 
for which they are manifestly formed ; and that, 
should they by any neglect of their persons render 
them&elves less amiable ihaii God has made them^ 



SERMON I. 3r 

ihey would so far disappoint the design of theli* 
creation. ^ 

'i'hese considerations will, I apprehend, be 
thought more tlian suffieiont to prove, that -the pas- 
sage of St^ Paul which I have selected for my text 
is not to be understood strictly and absolutely, 
where it seeibs to condemn female ornament in 
general* It was common with the Hebrews to 
express comparative precepts in a positive man- 
ner, as might be shown from a number of text?* 
Bu^you are not disposed to doubt it. Whrt 
thei* is our apostle's meaning? * I would exhort 
' and even enjoin christian women, always to dress 
with decency and moderation ; never to go be- 
ydAd their circumstances, nor aspire above their 
station, so as to preclude or hinder works of mer- 
cy ; not to value themselves on their dress, or 
despise others more meanly habited ; in shorty 
never to spend too»much time or thought on the ' 
embellishment of the body ; but always to prefer 
the graces of the mind, modesty, meekness, pru- 
dence, piety, with all virtuous and charitable oc- 
cupations, all beaudful and useful accomplish- 
mei4b suited to their rank and oondition. These 
are the chief ornaments of their sex ; these will 
render them truly lovely as Women ; and as Chri§» 
tians., these will more peculiarly become them/ 
Such, I conceive, is the doctrine of this divine 
writer, and of his fellow aposde St. Peter on the 
same subject ; and such, in substance, was the doc- 
trine of some of the wisest heathens. Give 
me leave to quote one of them: *^ It is not* 
** gold, nor emeralds, nor purple, but modest}', 
" gravity, and decent deportment, that can truly 



4 SERMOjr I.. ' 

** adorn a woman." Ah, my fiair friends, hov^ at- 
tractive and how happy niight all of you be, were 
you effectually persuaded to form yourselves on 
such maxims ; and what singular pleasure would it 
afford the preacher, if by the blessing of God ht 
might so persuade you. 

Princes, it has been said^ and young women sel- 
dom hear truth. It is a melancholy consideration* 
Flattery you have often heard, and sometimes, 1 
doubt not, listened to. P^ay Ke hope for your at- 
tention, whose character forbids him to flatter, ^nd 
whose principles are equally averse to it ? Nothjp^, 
I am convinced, can be more pernicious to your 
best interest, than the adulation with which voQ 
are so early and so generally entertained.' E?qu 
will not look for it here. But be not afraid, oh the 
other hand, of , the bitterness of reproach, or the 
bluntness of incivility. If any thingpiihould app^^ar 
harsh, be assured it proceed*? from real regard. 
We would not willingly offend, we are naturally 
solicitous to please you ; but we dare not promote 
your pleasure at the expense of your improvement. 
To tenderness and respect you are entided: but 
certainlv faithful and candid admonition is iMt in- 
compatible with the latter ; and of the former, if I 
be not mistaken, it is the truest proof. 

The Almighty has thrown you upon the protec- 
tion of our sex. To yours we are indebted on 
many accounts. He that abuses you dishonours his 
mother. Virtuous women are the sweeteners, the 
charm of human life. " A Virtuous Woman — ^her 
♦* price is far above rubies." This i§ not flattery ; 
it is just praise : and that every one of you may 
deserve such commendation, is my earnest prayer. 
Much, I am sure, depends on you. And this 




SEltMpN I. 5 

shall be my First Point ; to which I will devote 
the present discourse, as a proper foundation for 
what is to follow. That I thus address you in par- 
ticular, is principally owing to the idea I have form* 
ed of your consequence. 

He that depreciates your ^ex js as unkind to society^ 
as he is unjust to you. Yet to do so in your absence 
is, I am sorry to say, too common with many men ; 
with those very men that soothe you to your faces^ 
and are dupes to your smiles. Is this either man- 
ly 9r fair I Because there are foolish and vicious 
wcj^en, does it follow that there are hardly any 
ot]j|er ? Were such an opinion to prevail generally,, 
^wculd become of human kind ? Were so un- 
>us a system once established, is there not rea- 
son to fear, it would soon grow to be too well 
founded ? The world, we know, is mightily influ- 
enced by reptftation. Applause incites and ani- 
oia^s ; contempt haT die^ contrary effect, A con- 
cern for character is, from their constitution, edu- 
cation and circumstances, . particularly strong in 
women ; in all but those who, having lost their na- 
tive ^onours, have with them lost their sense of 
shame j an infamy to which they would have hardly 
descended, had they not first sunk in their own es- 
timation. 

■- That admired maxim of heathen antiquity, 
** Reverence thyself,^' seems to be peculiarly 
proper for a woman. - She that does not reverence 
herself must not hope to be respected by others. 
I would therefore remind you of your own value. 
By encouraging you to entertain a just esteem of 
yourselves, I would on one hand guard you against 
every thing degrading, and on the other awaken 
your ambition to act up ta the best standard Af 

A 2 



4 SBMfOX X* 

your sex : fo aspire at every amiable, every noble 
quality that is adapted to . your state, or^ that can 
insure the affection and preserve the importance 
to which you were bom. Now this importance 
is very great, whether we consider you in your 
present single condition, or as afterwards connected 
in wedlock. 

Considering you in your present single condition, 
t would begin where your duty in society beg^nft, 
by putting you in mind how deeply your Parents 
are interested in your behaviour. For the sakj^of 
the argument, I suppose your Parents to be «^'^' 
Those that have had the misfortune to be earlv de- 
prived of theirs, are commonly left to the caS of 
some friend or guardian, who is understood to%p»- 
ply their place ; and to such my remarks on this 
head w^ill not be altogether inapplicable. But I 
must likewise suppose diat your pareffts deserve the 
name, that they are reall^r /:oa(?fined for your vijluc 
;md welfare. — Great God ! are thiere then any ol^y 
creatures so unnatural, as to neglect the culture and 
happiness of the children thou hast given them ? 
Yes, and worse than to neglect it. " Be astonished, 
^ O ye heavens, at this !'* There are beings called 
Parents, and Christian parents, who are at pains 
to introduce their unexperienced offspring to folly, 
to vice, to every practice that can plunge them in 
misery ! — ^What, Mothers too, and mothers " pro- 
*^ fessing godliness !" Is it possible that they can 
train up the fruit of their womb, their own daugh- 
ters, to dishonour and destruction ? Alas I it is 
done every day, and passes unregarded. There is 
not perhaps in the whole science of female vanity, 
female luxury, or female falsehood, a single article 
tKat is not taught, and also exemplified, by those 



i- - 



^ ^ >.. 




SEUffitOrK X. T 

Christian Mothers, to die pocn* jrouti^ creatures 
whom every dictate of nature, as well as every 
X principle of the gospel, should engage their parents 
to bring up in modesty, sobriety, and simplicity * 
of manners. What words can paint the guilt of 
such a conduct ? /; 

Are you w^ho now hear me blest with parents, 
diat even in these times, and in this metropolis, 
where all the corruption and futility of these times 
are concentred, cUscover a zeal for your improvement 
anc|P^salvation ? How thankful should you be for 
lighty blessing ! Would 3rou show that you arc 
Lili Do nothing to make them unhappy ; do 

^our power to give them delight. Ah, did 

yoifBGt know how much it is in your power to give 

them !-* But who can describe the transports of 

a breast truly parental, on beholding a daughter 
shoot up like^some fair but modest flower, and 
acQuire, day after txtifnJ^^ beauty and growing 
sweetness, so as to fill every eye with pleasure, and 
every heart with admiration ; while, like that same 
flower, she appears unconscious of her opening 
charms, and only rejoices in die sun that cheers, 
and the hand that shelters her? In this manner 
shall you, my lovely friends, repay most acceptably 
n part (you never can repay the whole) of that im« 
mense debt you owe for all the pains and fears 
formeriy suffered, and for all the unutterable anxic- 
ties daily experienced on your account. 

Perhaps you are the only daughter, perhaps the 
Qnly child of your mother, and her a widow. All 
her cares, all her sensations point to you. Of the 
iendemess of a much loved and much-lamente4 



9 



9£RM0K I. 




husband J^ou are the sole remaining pledge. On you 
she often fixes her earnest melting eye ; with watch- 
ful attemion she marks the progress of your rising 
virtues ; in every softened feature she fondly traces 
your father's sense, your father's probity. Some- 
thing within her whispers, you shall live to be the 
prop and comfort of her age, as you are now her 
companion and friend* Blessed Lord! what big 
emotions swell her labouring soul ! But lest hy 
venting them in your company, she should affect 
you too much, she silently withdraws to pour tjTpm 
forth in tears of rapture ; a rapture only augmer^^ 
by the sweetly-sad remembrance that mingles ,j^^Si 
it, while at the same time it is exalted and co* 
ted doubly by ardent vows to heaven for yoiii 
servation and prosperity. Is there a young woman 
that can think of this with indifference f Is there 
a young woman that can reverse- tHI description, 
suppose herself the im]i;iioji]«>«fe-eature that could 
break a widowed mothePs heart, and support the 
thought ? 

When a daugliter, it may be a favourite daughter, 
turns out unruly, foolish, wanton ; when she dis- 
obeys her parents, disgraces her education, dis- 
honours her sex, disappoints the hopes she had 
raised ; when she throws herself away on a man 
unworthy of her, or if disposed^ yet by his or her 
situation unqualified to make her happy ; what her 
parents in any of diese cases must necessarily suffer, 
we may conjecture, -they alone can feel. 

The world, I know no* how, overlooks in our 
sex a thousand irregularities, which it never for- 
gives in yours ; so that the honour and peace of a 
family are, in this view, much more dependent oii 



S£RKON I. 9 

Jhe conduct of daughters than of sons ; and one 
young lady going astray shall subject her relations to 
such discredit and distress, as the united good con- 
duct of all her brothers and sisters, supposing 
them numerous, shall scarce ever be able to repair. 
But I press not any farther an argument so ex* 
ceedingly plain* We can prognosticate nothing 
vittuoiis, nothing happy, concerning those wretch- 
ed creatures of either sex, th?.t do not feel for the 
satisfaction, ease, or honour of their parents* 

A nother and a principal source of your impor- 
i^.r^ ti is the very great and extensive influence with 
^ v^ you, in general, have with our sex* There 
iste?VSMnale youth an attracticHi, which every man: 
of tff^east sensibility must perceive. If assisted 
by beauty, it becoixies in the first impression irresiis^ 
tible. Your power so far we do not affect to coo* 
oeal. That He who made us meant it thus, is mani'* 
fest from his having^^l ^^^mpered our hearts to such 
emotions. *" Would to^Gocr^ou knew hpw to im* 
prove this power to its noblest ends ! - We should 
then rejoice to see it increased: then indeed it 
would be increased of course. Youth and beauty^, 
set off with swe;etness and virtue, capacity zxA 
discretion — what have not they accomplished ? 

Far be it from me, my fair hearers, to damp 
your spirits, or to wish in the least to abridge your 
triumphs : on the contrary, by assisting you to di* 
rect, we would contribute to exalt and extend them. 
We are always sorry when we see them misplaced- 
or abused ; and-— I was going to add, there is m^ 
thing more common. To give them their just di* 
rection, is truly a nice point. Power, from what- 
ever source derived, is always in danger of turn- 
ing the head. It has turned many an old one. 



W ser:mon r. 

What then shall become of a young woman placed 
on such a precipice ? What can balance or preserve 
her^ but sobriety and caution, a good Providence, 
and good advice ? , 

There are few young women who do not appear 
agreeable in the eyes of some men. And what . 
might not be done by the greater part of your sex 
to procure solid esteem, and to promote general 
reformation among our sex ? Are such objects un-* 
worthy your pursuit? or will ye say, that those 
which frequently engage it are of superior or equal 
importance ^ ^^yc. 

If men discover that you study to captivates ^^f^i 
by an outside only, or by little frivolous^artSj;^&c 
are, it must be confessed, many of them trb^FwiU 
rejoice at the discovery ; and while they themselves 
seem takes by the lure, they will endeavour in re- 
ality \o • make 3''0u their prey. Some more senti- 
mental spirits, who mijjrhtJisi^Akrzzled in the begin- 
ning, will \)t filoon disadused ; and a few more ho- 
nourable characters will scorn to take advs^ntage of 
your folly. Folly most undoubtedly it is, by a 
wrong application of your force to lose the sub- 
stance for the shadow. 

Now and then a giddy youth may be caught. But 
what is the shallow admiration of a hundred such, 
or the smoodi address of artful destroyers, to the 
heartfelt respect of men of worth and discernment, 
or iht well-earned praise of reclaiming were it but 
one offender ? I verily believe you might reclaim a 
multitude. I can hardly conceive that any* man 
would be able to withstand the soft persuasion of 
your words, but chiefly of your looks and actions, 
habitually exerted on the side of goodness. 



S-£R!iION I. 11 

** Were Virtue,^' said an ancient philosopher, 
** to appear among men in visible shape, what vehe* 
" inent desires would she enkindle !" Virtue ex- 
hibited without affectation by a lovely young person^ 
of improved understanding and gentle manners, 
Biay be said to appear with the most alluring aspect, 
surrounded by the Graces ; and that breast must 
be cold indeed which does not take fire at the 
sight ! 

The influence of the sexes is, no doubt, recipro- 
cal ; but I must ever be of opinion, that yours is 
the greatest. How often have I seen a company 
i^ ^nien who were disposed to be riotous, checked 
al»ia^ once into decency by the accidental entrance 
•f aT^amiable woman; while her good sense 
and obliging deportment charmed them into at least 
a temporary conviction, that there is nothing s<» 
beautiful as feirg?^ excellence, nothing so delightful 
as female convers¥^n' '*> its best form ! Were such 
conviction frequently r^piciS^&^ (and it would be ^-e- 
quendy repeated, if such excellence and such con» 
versation were more general,) what might we not 
expect from it at last ? In the mean time, it were 
easy to point out instances of the most evident re- 
formation wrought on particular men, by their 
having happily conceived a passion for virtuous wo- 
men : but amongst the least valuable of your sex, 
when have you known any that were amended 
by the society or example of the better part of 

ours ? 

To form the manners of men various caus«# 
contribute ; but nothing, I apprehend, so much as 
th6 turn of the woman with whom they converse. 
Those who are most conversant with women of 
virtue and imdcrstanding will be always found the 



J 



12 S^ESioN I. 






most amiable characters, other circumstances being 
supposed alike* Such society, beyond every thing 
else, rubs off the comers that give many of our sex 
ftn ungracious roughness* It produces a polish 
more perfect and more pleasing, than that which is 
received from a general commerce with the world. 
This last is often specious, but ccnnmonly superficial* 
The other is the result of gentler feelings, and a 
more elegant humanity : the heart itself is moulded $ 
habits of undiasembled courtesy are formed; a 
certain flowing urbanity is acquired ; violent pas- 
sions, rash oaths, coarse jests, indelicate language 
of every kind, are precluded and cUsrelished* L(^.« 
derstanding.and virtue, by being often contempffited 
in the most engaging lights, have a sort o^f^simi- 
lating power* I do not mean, that the men I speak 
jof will become feminine ; l>ut their sentiments and 
deportment will contract a grace. 'Fheir principles 
will have nothing ferocious ar:/' .oiddingj their af- 
fections will be chastL3^^^*^3otning at the same in- 
stant* In their case the Gentleman, the Man of 
worth, flie Christian, will all melt insensibly and 
sweetly into one another* Hqw agreeable the com- 
s position ! In the same way too, honourable love is 
Inspired and cherished* — Honourable love! that 
great preservative of purity, that powerful softener 
of the fiercest spirit, that mighty improver of the 
rudest carriage, tliat all-subduing, yet all-exalting 
principle of the human breast,' which humbles the 
proud, and bends the stubborn, yet fills with lofty 
conceptions and animates with a fortitude that no- 
thing can conquer — what shall I say more ? — »which 
ponverts the savage into a man, and lilts the man 
into n hero ! What a happy change should we be- 
hold h the minds, the morals, and the demeanour 



r 



SKUMON I, 13 

of our yomh, were this charming., passion to take 
place of that false and vitioua gallantry whicli gains 
^ound amongst us every day, to the disgrace of 
our country, to the discouragement of holy wedlock, 
to die destruction of health, fortune, decency, r^- 
finen^nt, rectitude of mind, and dignity of man- 
ners ! For my part, I despair of seeing die effemi- 
Tiate, trifling, and dissolute character of the age re- 
formed, so long as this kind of gaUantry is the 
mode. But it will be the mode, so long as the 
present feshionabk system of Female Education 
<on<dnues. 

Paints f!Ow a days almost universally, down to 
the lowest dtidesman, or mechanic, who to ape^ his 
impe^rs strains himself beyond his circumstances, 
send ' their daughters . to Boarding-schools. And 
what do they mostly learn there I I say mosdy ; 
for there are e^cceptions, and such as do the Mis- 
tresses real hond^> ;.^ Need I mention that, making 
allowance for those ejj;ik^tk)tts, they learn chiefly 
to dress, to dance, to speak bad French, to prattle 
much nonsense, to practise I know not how many 
pert conceited airs,' and in consequence of all to 
-conclude themselves accomplished Women ? I say 
nothing here of the alarming suggestions I have 
heard as to the corruption of their morals. Thus 
prepared they come forth into the. world. Their 
parents, naturally partial, fancy them to be every thing 
that is fine, and are impatient to show them, or, 
according to the fashionable phrase, to let them 
see Company ; by which is chiefly meant exhibiting 
them in public places. I'hither at least many of 
diem are conducted* They have youth, and per- 
haps beauty. The effect of both is heightened by all 

^ssible means, at an expense fjrequently felt 
Vol. tv B ^ 

.4-' • . ... 



• 41 



14 SERMON I. 

for a long time afler. They are intoxicated by 
so many diings concurring to ckprive them of their 
little senses. Gazers and flatterers they meet with 
every where* All is romance and distraction, the 
extravagance of vanity, and the rage of conquest* 
They think of tiothing that is domestic or rational. 
x^Alas ! they were never taught it. .^How to sqi^Ksar 
abroiad with the greatest advantage, is the main 
concern. In subserviency to diat, as well as from 
the general love of amusement, Parties of Pleasure, 
as they are called, become the. prevailing demand. 
The same dispositicms on the side of the men, 
sometimes stimulated by the worst designs^ often 
seconded by good nature, and not seldom pushed 
on by the fear of appearing less generous or ij^ c^al- 
lant, prompt themto keep pace wi& all this folly. They 
are soon fired in the chace ; every thing is gay and 
glittering ; prudence appears too cold a monitor ; 
gravity is deemed severe ; the ^^lea must be plea- 
sed ; mirth and diversicA^^^^alrin all. The phan- 
toms pass : the female adventurersmust return home ; 
it is neediest to say, with wi^t impressiona. . The 
young gentlemen are not always under i^qual re- 
straint ; their Uood boils ; the tavern, the streets, 
the stews, eko out the evening ; riot and madne&s 
conclude the scene : or if thi» should be previented, 
it is not difficult to imagine the dissipation that must 
naturally grow out of those idle gallantries often 
repeated. Nor shall we be surprised to find the 
majority of our } outhso insignificant, and so profli- 
gate ; when to these we join the influence of bad or 
giddy women 'grown up, the infection of the most 
pestilent books, and the pattern of veterans in.sin, who . 
are ever zealous to display the superiority of their 
talents by the number of their disciples, and se- 
cretly solicitous by the strength of their-; party to 
make amends for the weakness of theit cause. 






SERMON I. 15 

That men are sometimes dreadfuBy suceessful 
in corrupting the women, cannot be denied. .But 
do women on the other side never corrupt the men ? 
I speak not at present of those abandoned creatures 
that are the visible ruin of so many, of our unhap- 
py youth ; but I must take the Uberty to say that, 
amongst a number of your sex who are not sunk 
so low, there is a forwardness, a levity of look, 
conversation and demeanour, unspeakably hurtful 
to young men. Their reverence for female vir- 
tue it m a . great measure destroys ; it even tempts 
them to suspect that the whole is a pretence, that 
the sex are all of a piece. The consequences of 
this, with regard to their behaviour while they re- 
'main-icngle^ the prejudices it must necessarily pro- 
duce against marriagef, and the wild work it is like- 
ly to make if they ever enter into that state, I leave 
you to imagine.^ 

Hitherto I hi-^-* spoken only of the interest 
young women have witk our sex. Let me now 
say something of that which they have ^ith their 
own* It is not perhaps so extensive as the other : 
but for obvious reasons it cannot be inconsiderable. 
Do they always use it to good purposes ? Do they 
never corrupt one another ? Do none of them 
assist the common enemy ; those wicked and de- 
signing men that are combined against the sex, 
especisdly against the innocent and unwary ? Do the 
old never initiate the young in those low arts of 
dissimulation and cunning, which a wise woman 
cannot want, and which a worthy woman will not 
practise. Do the young — But I hasten from so 
painful a topic, to consider the importance of your 
sex in another light. As you have certainly great 
influence at present, so, 

In the next place, it may be probably in your 
power to communicate much happiness, or to 



/ 



16 SEKMON I* 

occasion much misery hereafter. I think now of 
the .chances you have to be connected in Wedlock. 
These it is impossible to calculate : but there are 
not, I suppose, many young women who, at one 
time or another, unless they themselves be in fault, 
may not form that connexion with the usual pros- 
pects ; and I say, that the men you marry, the chil- 
dren you bring, and the community at large, will 
h^ all deeply interested in your conduct* 

As to the first, I am not ignorant that there are 
some men so grossly insensible, as to be for the 

• most part little or nothing affected by the tern* 
per or behaviour of their wives ; provided onljr 
they do not ruin their affairs. And in truth, if 

- those wives be ill-tempered or ill-behavedi» such 
want of feeling is so far well for their husbsends. 

*\ If otherwise, how much are they themselves ob» 
jects of compassion, thus condenyied to drag a 
wretched life with beings, on^hom all their en- 
deavours to delight are ro«^ How sensibly must 
such a situation pain a delicate and ingenuous 
mind ! What can reconcile her to it, but the strong* 
est principles of religion ? ^/n 

Some sordid or saturnine spirits of either sex 
there may be, who can support a connexion of this 
kind with a stupid indiffere&ce ; plodding along 
through a tasteless existence, without attachment 
or gratitude, desire or hope. Whether the case be 
very common, I leave others to decide^ Of both 
sexes there are certainly many who are not made 
of such dull materials. With respect to them— • 
But surely it cannot be necessary to display the 
felicity, or the wo, which must nnavotdably arise 
to them from their partners. Here indeed, as in 
most instances where the modes of life happen to 
influence, it must be allowed the men hAve die ad- 



SERMON I. 17 

vantage. If they find themselves unequally yaked, 
they are generally furnished with various means of 
beguiling their wretchedness at a distance from 
home ; whereas, if such be the fate of the poor wo- 
men, they are commonly left to pine away in soli- 
tary misery. For them scarce any allowance is 
made ; to them little or no pity is shown : while 
the former make themselves judges in their own 
cause, and the partial world is ready to side with 
them. But yet, if the usages of that leave them 
often more room to elude the ideas of domestic 
distress, the feelings of nature will never suffer 
them fairly to escape it. A woman it is certain, if 
she be so minded, has still the power of plaguing 
her partner out of every real enjoyment; — r:i 
power however, of which nothing can justify tha 
exercise, and which when exercised is, like every 
other act of tyranny, sure to recoil upon the ty- 
rant. 

It is natural to me to wish well to my own sex ; 
and therefore you will not wonder, if I be solicit- 
ous for your possessing every quality that can ren- 
der you agreeable companions in a relation which 
of all others is the most intimate, should be the 
most endearing, and must be the happiest or the 
worst. But to this solicitude my friendship for you 
is at least an equal motive. Were the lower springs 
.of self-love to have no effect on your conduct, I 
must yet think, that the more refined principles of 
generosity and goodness,, ought to prompt you^ 
Ah ! my young friends, what pleasure can be com- 
pared to that of conferring felicity? What ho- 
nour- can be enjoyed by your sex, equal to that of 
showing yourself every way worthy of a virtuous 
tenderness from ours ? What can be conceived so 
properly female aa inspiring, improving, and cptv- 

B 2 



r 



18 SERMON I. 

tinuing such a tenderness, in aft its charming ex- 
tent? Contrasted with this, how unamiable, and 
how miserable, must we pronounce the passion for 
ungentle command, for petulant dominion, so shame- 
fully indulged by some women as soon as they find 
a man in thfeir power ! 

But lastly, let us suppose you Mothers ; a cha- 
racter which, in due time, many of you will sustain. 
How does your importance rise ! A few years elap- 
sed, and I please myself witfi the prospect of seeing 
you, my honoured auditress, surrounded with a 
family of your own, dividing widi the partner of 
your heart the anxious, yet delightful labour, of 
tnuning your common oiFspring to vhtue and ^ciety, 
to religion and immortality ; while, by thus dividing 
it, you leave him more at leisure to plan and pro- 
vide for you all, a task, which he prosecutes with 
tenfold alacrity, when he reflects on the beloved 
objects of it, and finds alfr his toils both soothed 
and rewarded by the wisdom and sweetness of your 
deportment to htm and to his children. 

I think I behold you, while he is otherwise ne- 
cessarily engaged, casting your fond maternal re- 
gards round and round through the pretty smiling 
circle ; not barely to supply their bodily wants, 
but chiefly to watch the gradual openings of their 
minds, and to study the turns of their various tem- 
pers, that you may " teach the young idea how to 
*' shoot," and lead their passions by taking hold of 
their hearts. I admire the happy mixture of affection 
* and skill which you display in assisting Nature^ 
not forcing her; in directing the understanding, 
not hurrying it ; in exercising without wearying the 
memory, and in moulding the behaviour without 
constraint. I observe you prudently overlooking a 
thousand childish follies. You forgive any thing 



SERMON I. 19 

but fakehood or obstinacy : you commend as often 
as you can ;/you reprove only when you. must ;^and 
then you do it to purpose, with moderation 
and temper, but with solemnity and firmness, 
till you have carried your point. You are at 
pains to excite honest emulation : you t^e care 
to avoid every appearance of partiality ; to convince 
your dear charge, that they are all dear to you, 
diat superior meflt alone can entitle to superior 
fevour, that you wiH deny to none of them what is 
proper, but that the kindest and most submissive 
will be always preferred. At times, you even par- 
take in their innocent amusements, as if one of 
them ^ that they may love you as their friend, while 
they revere you as their parent. In graver hours 
you insinuate knowledge and piety by your conver- 
sation and example, rather than by formal lectures 
and awful admonitions. And finally, to secure as 
far as possible the success of all, you dedicate them 
daily to God, with the most fervent supplications 
for his blessing.—— Thus you show yourself a 
conscientious and a judicious mother at the same 
moment ; and in that light I view you with vene- 
ration. I honour you as sustaining a truly glo- 
rious character on the great theatre of humanity. 
Of the part you have acted I look forward to the 
consequences, direct and collateral, future and re- 
* mote. Those lovely plants which you have reared 
I see spreading, and still spreading, from house to 
house, from family to family^ with rich increase 
of fruit. I see you diffusing virtue and happiness 
through the human race ; I see generations yet un- 
born rising up to call you Blessed ! I worship that 
providence which has destined you for such useful- 
ness, for such felicity. I pity the man that is not 
charmed with the image of so much excellence ; an 



20 SERMON I. ^ 

image which, in one degree or another,^ has been 
realized by maay women of wordi and understand- 
ing in every age : I will add, an image which, 
when realized, cannot fail of being contemplated 
with peculiar delight by all the benevolent spirits of 
heaven, with the Father and Savioprofthe world at 
their head ! and are there, among the sons of men, 
any that will presume to depreciate such women, 
to speak of them with an air of superiority, or to 
suggest that your sex are not enable of filling the 
important spheres of life ? 

To quote the words of an old writer : " AU 
" mankind is the pupil and disciple of female in- 
" stitution : the daughters till they write women, 
'' and the sons till the first seven years be past ; the 

. *' time when the mind is most ductile, and prepa- 
*' red to receive impression, being wholly in the 
" care and conduct of the mother." Alas ! my 
fair country-women, why are not more of you 
struck with such considerations ? Why, ye daugh- 
ters of Britain, are so many of you insensible to 
those brightest glories of your sex ? Where is your 

. love for your native country, which, by thus, ex- 
celling, you might so nobly serve ? where your 

, emulation of those Heroic Women, that have in 
ancient days graced this happy land ? How long 

. will you be ambitious of flaunting in French attire, 
of fluttering about with the levity of that fantastic* 
people ! When will you be satisfied with the sim- 
plicity of elegance, and the gracefulness of modes- 
ty, so becoming in a nation like this, supported by 
trade, polished by taste, and enlightened by true 
religion i Say, when wiU you relinquish delusive 
pursuits, and dangerous pleasures, the gaze of 
fool^, and the. flattery of libertines, for the peace- 



SERlfOK I. 21 

ful and solid study of whatever can adorn your 
nature, do honour to your country, reflect credit 
on your profession of Christianity, give joy to all 
your connexions, and confer dignity on Womgpf- 
klnd ? 



V 



SERiMON II. 

ON MODESTY OF APPAREL. 



1 TIM. ii« By A 

1-iviU — that loomen adorn themtdvesin Modest Appat'^eU 

« 

X^£T me recall the attention of my female friends 
to a subject that concern^ them highly. I hqpe that 
hitherto I have said nothing unkind. I would not 
rob your sex of a single advantage they possess 
from nature, providence, or legitimate custom* 
I would not rob you of the smallest ornament that 
Judgment has put on, that Prudence allows, or 
that Decency wsorants. On the contrary, I would 
willingly add to your allurements : I want to see you 
yet more engaging, to see you still more completely 
adorned. Superfluous, unbecoming, and unavail- 
ing decorations, it is true, I would persuade you 
to renounce ; but it should be only in order to make 
room for such as will improve beauty where found, 
or supply its place where wanting. 

Your consequence in the creation I fear not ta 
acknowledge : I feel it all. You have already 
heard me- assert it. I will assert it ever, by plead- 
ing your cause against ignorance, prejudice, and 
malice. Only take care, my dear clients, not to 
hurt it yourselves. Remember how tender a thing* 
a woman's reputation is, how hard to preserve, 
and when lost how impossible to recover ; how 



•« 



SERMON II. 523 

frail many, and how dangerous most, of the gifts 
70U have received ; what misery and what shame 
have been often occasioned by abusing them ! I 
tremble for your situation. Suffer me again to 
put you Gn your guard. My text, you have seen, 
has nothing in at really severe : S^. Paul is, in fact, 
a better friend to women tl^ui has been commonly 
supposed : he seems to > have understood perfectly 
wha^ became them, and to have consisted their 
interesUi xn&rt truly than the most passionate of 
their adnurers. While these, by corrupting or 
misleading you whe\hei» with or. without design, 
wouid lessen your influence, and obstruct your 
felicity ; he wcmld efiectuidly contribute to both, by 
incdcapng e^vy thing that (sm make you at once 
more amisft>le and morie happy. 

What I am now to qflFer will turn on the orna* 
it^nt he firsts, mentions. " I will — ^that women 
" adorn themselves in Modest Apparel" — ^in 
Modest Apparel, as opposed to that which is In- 
decent, and to that which is Vain: distinction?, 
whereof the theory, I must confess, it is in many 
cases not easy, and in some perhaps not practi- 
cable, to settle with precision ; such a powerful 
influence in those matters have custom and the 
opinion of the world. But in this instance, as in 
others where the passions are concerned, the strict- 
estcasuist will, I presume, be generally the safest. 
The zeal of the ancient Fathers on such subjects 
carried some of them far ; fartlier, I doubt, than 
the relaxation of modem manners would well bear. 
Were aiyoung woman now a days, from a peculiar 
sense of the sacredness and reimement of female 
virtue, to appear with any very singular severity 
ixi her dress, she would hardly, I fear, escape the 
diarge of affectation f a charge, which every pra- 



24 SERMOJff lU 

dent woman will avoid as much as possible. But let 
the license of the age be what it will, I must netds 
think that, according to every rule of duty and 
dsecorum, th^t'e ought ever to be a manifest difFen- 
«iice between the attire of a Virtuous Woman, and 
that of one who has renounced every title to die 
honourable nsune. It were indelicate, it b unne- 
cessary, to explain this difference. In. some res- 
pects, it is sufficieady discerned by tbe- eye o£ the 
public; though I am sorvy to ss^, not sufficiently 
attended to by the igenerality of women diem- 
selves* I£^ in other respects, it be not seen, or 
do not strike ; the cause, I apprehend, must be 
that declension from die strictness of morals, which 
was hinted at a moment before ; a deckn4^^»^ that 
would have shocked pagans themselves, in the purest 
state of ancient manners, when prostiuites were 
compelled to wear a pardcular garb, by which they 
were distinguished from women of virtue. 

But to enter more particularly into this first 
point of Modest Apparel, as opposed to that which 
a chrisdan woman shoidd bold Indecent. 

Image to yourselves a circle composed only of a 
people who are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, 
nor in any circumstance afraid to act on that great 
maxim of our apostle, ** Be not conformed to this 
** world ; but be ye transformed by the renewing 
** of your minds." At the same time, let. them 
have^ all the candour and charitv* wiiich the most 
charitable religion that was ever known can inspire. 
And now, suppose a< young lady dressed up to die 
heighth of the present fashion, but a stranger to 
most of them, drops into their company. In what 
light, do ye . conceive," the manner of her. dress 
would protjably appear ? The laws . -of christian 
candour would naturally prevent them from seeing 



• 

her diaracter in a bad light oh that accoxint, tihi 

would unquestionably iriclifie theirt to hope the best. 

But carl y6 Relieve that they i^ould dpprov^, 6t 

jtiitify, the extreha^ gaiety and loorseness of her slf- 

tire? Stipj^ose fiokfever, that het- conVersktibn dis- 

66vtr6d 2L good undcfsiahding, arid that her te- 

teviour had hot ffie least tindture of thai levity '^^ittt 

which she seenied decfcied out ; thatt^ on the cbtitra- 

ty, every part of bbth was wholly unlike it ; (a cdn- 

jutittion by no means impossible j) Could they foi-btar, 

in that case, to lament the tyranny of the liiode, 

of- to i^egret that a daughter of Wisrddhi should, 

BotWithstahding her superior descent and noble pre- 

tensions, be decorated like tfie daughters of Poilj'? 

But whosie jildgnieht^ I beseech you, would a young 

^oman^ ambitious of regulating her appearaiice, 

ias weH as her dispositions and deportment, dtt the 

purest standard, prefer ; that of such persons as t 

have jtStet described ; of that of those who rither 

never regarded the precepts and spirit of Christianity 

^ all, or wfco," professing ^ome faint respect fot 

diem, yet scruple not to sink th^m in the spirit 

aid maxims 6f the world ? 

Let us put another case, and suppose a young} 
hdy educated by a mother, who to the best sense 
and truest breeding joined the iitfiiost reverence 
fot f^ligion, and the terider^sft concern for the soiil 
ef her child; qualities which, for the hbhour of 
fdwp sex, I hope you will not pironbut^ce inconi^ 
^tible* Let thi^ accomplished parent bestow upOfl 
her daughter a culture worthy of hefself ; instruct- 
ing her in etery thing that can become the Femzile 
and the Christian character ; among the rest, re- 
commending a lovely llfode^ty, and grateful sii^- 
plicity of Apparel, arid enforcing aB by aii example 
Vol.. I. C 



r 



26 SiEHMON II. 

equally unexcepdonable and pkasing. Su)>po6e 
the daughter to improve these ^uncommon advan* 
tages (for uncommon, I fear, thej^ are) wiUi the 
strictest care and attention* In what H^t do ye 
conceive the very free mode of dresS) so generally 
aiFected by the sex at present, would appear to her? 
t am far mm. thinking she would assume the airs of 
sanctimonious ^^rudery, or indulge the style of su* 
percilious censure ; things totally difierent from the 
form of education we Imve figured her to receive* 
But would she admire that mode in others f Would 
she copy it herself? or would she wish her com- 
panions to copy it ^ Would she choose to, be inti- 
mate with those young ladies that seize every op- 
portunity of exhibiting their charms to the public^ 
and vie with one another who shall most liberally 
display what her honoured mother taught her more 
decentl)^ to veil ? 

Is .the mode then in question to be considered as 
inconsistent with the character of a Virtuous Wo- 
man i By no means. May not dispositions the 
most unchaste often hide Under the maskofsui attire 
the most modest ? Who can doubt it f But what 
follows? That such attire is not the propenest 
covering of virtue, or what, if left to pursue un- 
disturbed the dictates of jdelicacy and prudence, she 
would not readily fly to in a state of civilised socie- 
ty ? Will any. one say, that they who decline k, 
best consu][t either their safety, or their reputation 
among the wise ; that they, who run into all die 
latitudes allowed by the wantonness of &shion, are 
sufficiently watchful against temptation diemsehres, 
or sufficiendy careful not to throw it in the way of 
others ; diat beauty may be as secure when nuist 
exposed, as when least so ; or finally, that instead 
of ^^ abstaining from all appearance of evil,'! accord- 



SERMON II. 27 

, 4 

ing to the doctrine of a religion which requires 
the severest vigilance, every appearance of evil may 
be admitted, in compliance with the practice of a 
World, where vice steals upon unwary mortals by 
persuading them to part wWi their out-guards ? 

Thus far have we argued for Modesty of Ap- 
parel, in opposition to its contrary, upon the gene- 
fal principles of propriety and reputation, of mo- 
rality and religion. She to whom these princijrfes 
are familiar, and in whom the feelings that arise 
out of them are not blunted by too frequent inter- 
course ^v^ith the fashionable and die gay, will on 
this article carry about with her a "kind of living 
standard, which she will be enabled to apply to par- 
ticular occasions, with a degree of discretion that 
no rules of ours can teach ; and such a one will 
perceive in our aposde's precept a justness and so- 
lidity, of which we do not expect that any specula- 
tion of ours should thoroughly convince you, vmh- 
out the concurrence of a virtuous sensibility on 
your part. 

To what has been said in favour of Modest Ap^- 
parel under this head, I must not forget to add, 
that it is a powerful attractive . to honourable love. 
The male heart is a study, in which your sex are\ 
suj>posed to be a good deal conversant. Yet in this " 
study, you must give me leave to say, many of 
diem • seem to me, but indifferent proficients. 
To gain men's affections, women in general are 
naturally desirous. They need not deny, they can- 
not conceid it. The sexes were made for each other. 
We wish for a place in your hearts : why should 
vou not wi&h for one in our's ? But how much are 
you deceived, my fair friends, if you dream of ta- 
king that fort by storm ! When you show a sweet 
solicitude to p4ease by every decent, gentle, /un- 
affected attraction, we are soothed^ we' are sub- 



28 SERMON II. 

duedf we yiejd ourse|ves your wilting captivefi* 
Ei^t if at spay time by a forward appearance you be- 
tray a confidence in your charms, and by throwing 
them out upon us all at once, you seem resglve^? as 
it were, to force our admiration ; that mo^lent we 
are on our guard, and your assaults s^re vain, pro-^ 
yided at least we have any spirit or sentiment. In 
res^ity, they whp have very little of either, X 
might haVe said they who have none, even fhe 
siUiest, even the loosest pi^n, shall in a sober cpop^ 
fee talfen \\rith the bashful air, and reservecj dress,, 
u of ai^ aTuiable young woman, infiqite}y n^pre 
thap they ever were with all the open ^la^ 
of l^oured baaiuy, and arrog^t dai|ns of ufv- 
4isguised allurement ; the human heart, in it^ 
better sensations, being still fonp^c^ ^tP th^ loyf. 
of virtue^ 

Let me add, that the human imagination hates to 
be confined. We are never highly delighted, ^here 
something is not left us to fancy. This last observa-. 
tion holds true throughout all nature, and all art. 
But when I speak of these, I must subjpin, that 
Art being agreeable no further tlian as it is con- 
formed to Nature, die one will not be wanted ia 
tlie case before us, if the other be allowed its full 
ipfiuence. What I mean is this \ that supposing 
£( young )ady to be deeply possessed with a regard 
for " whatsoever things are pure, venerable, iand 
" of good report," it will lead to decorupi ^onta- 
Q^ously, and flow iiyith unstudied pr<3priety through 
every pgrt of her attire ai^d demeanour. Let it be 
likewise added, tliat Sin^pjicity, tbe inseparable com-' 
paiiion both of genuine grace, and of res^I modes^ 
ty, if it do not always strike at first, (of which 
ij s^ldoi^ fails,) is sur^ however, when it does 
Bpfij^tf tp produce the ^l^epfst and inost permsi- 



SEKMON II. 29 

xkE»t impressions : vfhSifJx brings me by an easy 
transition to * 

The second part of the present consideration, 
that of. Modest Apparel, as opposed to what may 
be styled Vain* I can never think of this, without 
recollecting in general (for who can remember the 
particulars of) the catalogue giv,<^n by the prophet 
Isaiah of the various implements and instrument^ of 
dress used by the daughters of Zion in his tiii^e., 
Isaiah is by all acknowledged the Prince of tho 
Prophets, in an evangelical view : yet he did not 
deem it beneath the dignity of his commission, to 
descend into the most minute detail on such a sub- 
ject ; a circumstance which, it is hoped, may sof- 
ten the severity of censure against the preacher 
of this hour, if the spirit of criticism, or the spirit- 
of scrupulosity^ should be. disposed to condemn his 
well meant endeavour. The passage I now refer to 
is in the third chapter of Isaiah, towards the end,- 
where tthe prophet having, in the name of God, 
complained of the pride* and wantonness of those 
eastern females, and threatened them witli disease 
and infamy on that account, goes on to mention 
*' the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their 
^^ feet, an4 their cauls, and their round tires like 
*^ the moon ; die chains, and the bracelets, and the 
^ mufflers ; the bonnets, and the ornaments of the 
'^ legs ; and the head-bands, and the tablets, and 
*' the ear-rings f . the rihgs and nose-jewels ; thQ 
'^ changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles^ 
"and the wimples, and. the crisping pins; th^ 
*^ glasses, and die fine linen, and die hoods, and 
" the veils." On the first reading of this cata- 
logue, it must be owned one can scarce forbear to 
smile. But to those unhappy women who gave 

C 2 



so 



SERMOH IT. 



iecasion for it, iK)thjng, alas 4 couKi be moi^t ^aeriotifty 
of you attend to tne denunciations yrhith bctth pfe^ 
cede ahd follow it. I k^ave j<Ai td ]^nise them at 
your leisure. They are in the style df the cmuicty 
dfld age in which they "Wtte tittered* I am sUlfe 
they convey a loud lesson to this. Whether the 
daughters of our Zion, in the present very poike 
genersition, and espeeiidly in this mctot polite eity^ 
do or do not outstrip those Jewish ladies of xAd^ 
We dslhitot take upon us to det^rmiiie* But were 
we inclined to iiidiilge a Vein of ridicule oft female 
folly, here methinks we might have ample scope. 
We ate not incUticd td indulge it. We reflect on 
these things With realcoticem ; and with the iftihost 
seriousness conjure our countryWomeh to tttottti 
whatever id ittdecent^ and to retrench what(«?cr is ^ 
exoH^tant ih their atdre. 

That there are stations ainl circumstairtces,* ih 
which splendour of dress is perfectly allowable^ Aay 
extremely proper^ nofte, I think, but the nan-owest 
minds, will ckny^ For my oifrn part, 1 freely ac- 
knowledge that I love to see a woman getiteelly 
)rabited, if her situation admit of it. In truth, splen- 
dour without gentility, as well in this as in every oUiet 
' article where ornament is concerned. Will ever seem 
poor and insipid to all but untaught and vulgar 
spirits ; whereas, on the othlir side,' it is certain, 
that rfte latter may very well sab§ist Without die 
former i nor is its effect ever feh more strongly, or 
moi^ happily, than when k receives ft6 assistance 
ft'om the other, but Ji^ults solely from our percep- 
tions of elegant siipfiplicity. I say Elegant Sim- 
plicity ; an object, which appears to rae deserving 
of more attention tha» is cpmmonly paid it by your 



srtuMoir tr. 31 

In tibif^ of dib kbd, it is but just to alksw to 
iromeii a degree of curiosity and care, which thd 
hws (A good fiense^ sound philosophy, and mad" 
^tiliftO virtue,, refuse to men: a distinction so true, 
$o universal, and so palpable, that those of the last^ 
ttrho betray a pardcular solicitude in adorning |heir 
t>ersons bey<H^ cleanliness and a certain graceful 
eade, t seldom fail to mai&e themselves little, in the 
eyes of every man who is not himself effeminate, 
ted of tiny woman too who is not a slave lo fashion. 
How cofitemptible many of our young men must 
necessarily appear to such, it is not easy to express^ 

Jiut of- seeing them become truly Men in this in« 
stance, any more than in others that might be 
naiAed, I despair $ while so many of our young 
women give so visible a preference to embroidery, 
finery, and foppish manners, above a plain coat, a 
cultivated understanding, and a manly deportment. ^ 
It will be alw^ so, till they acquire a taste for 
pltd^tiess, 90brie;;y, and wisdom, in what relates 
tp themdelves« But that must begin by restraining, 
in every possible way, the fooli^ and pernicious 
passion I am speaking of; for a foolish and pemi<« 
dous passion I scruple not to pronounce it« 
' Is diere any probabilitv, that those who are 
entirely under its power will take delight in domes^ 
t^, intellectual, or spiritual improvements ^ Is not 
ft co^sti^nt pursuit of trivial ornament an indubita-< 
bk poof of a trivial mind ? Will she that la always 

^ looking ii^ tft her ^^ft, be murh dJapna^ t9 ^"^^ — 
into hpf rharartpr ? Is the Spending; of whole hours 
every morning at the toilet, a likely method of mark- ^ 
ing die rest of the day down for wisdom ? Is vanify 
favourable to devotion, or self-conceit the parent 
of self-correction? Will that young woman who 
hopes to <^puvate by dress, or by appearance alone^ 



J 



32 SERMON II. 

be very anxious about any .better recommendafion ? 
If to sparkle here for a few years be the supreme 
ambition, hereafter will be hardly thought of. 
The flattery of every fool will be preferred to 
the approbation of angels ; and a connexion with 
some wretched creature (wretched indeed must he 
be who is caught by mere show !) will be ardently 
sought, while the friendship of God is neglected* 
What shall I say more F For a mortal and immortal 
being, who has many an error to correct, many a 
passion to mortify, many a virtue to practise, and 
who, if she live, may probably have important 
service to render society-— for such a being to lavish 
the principal portion of her time and study on the 
decoration of a body that will soon, that may sud- 
denly, become the prey of creeping things — Gra- 
cious God, what foUy, what madness ! 

Are there no allowances then to be made ? Al- 
lowances for what ? For the vanity of a young mind* 
Most certainly, if by this plea you mean to extenu- 
ate the guilt of such a conduct. But would you 
offer to excuse It ? Would you pretend to justify 
a reasonable creature in acting, habitually, and wil- 
fully, a most unreasonable part ; in sacrificing her. 
improvement, her salvation, her prospects of use- 
fulness and dignity of life, the best interests of this 
world, as well as the everlasting concernments of 
the next, to the idol Dress f For iso I state it. I 
suppose, and would to God it were not too common, 
a case ! that this miserable idol is suffered to swal-. 
low up the consideration of aU that is solid, ration- 
al, and praiseworthy : to consume those precious 
hours that were allotted for the most valuable purpo- 
ses ; and, in place of securing the great ends of 
existence both present and future, to pervert th« 
capacities of natiu'e, the acquirements of educ»> 



" SEtl^ON It. . %% 

lyon, and the bount^s of provtdei:>ce-^*^o pervert 
them tp the low design of being admired tor ^h^t 
bellishments that imply no merit in the wearer, ^n4 
can confer no honour in the ieyie of any but the 
worthless and the vain. Can such ^ conduct^ ( 
say, be' thought innocent, or in any respect consist* 
«nt with the rule^ of Christianity, o^r of con^ 
science ? 

"Ihat the j^oi \ speak of renders its vo^^pes un- 
happy eyen in this world, is a foct d^ily experiepced, 
Put who can describe t^he profusion of expense^ 
with the painful and pitiful shifts that are ofj|:en 
nectary to siipport it; the encroachments pi> 
health, die hurry of spirits, the travail of fancy 5 
the degradation qf being frequently, for whol^ 
hours, under the poniident hands of the meanest of 
mankin4 > l;ogether with all the anxieties of hearti 
tlie agonies of riyalship, the deep-felt disgrace oi| 
being disappointed of conquest, or of fame ; th^ 
distraction and despair on being ovitshone |by-^~a 
Finer Gown ; in a word, all thp ridiculous ^^d all 
the deserved dis^f<^^^» tp which they are perpetu- 
ally exposed? 

I have ju^t men^ipn^d encrp^chments on h^^ltht 
fjics^ indeed, :|8 well as the rest, are Uttje cpnsj-? 
dered by a young lady keen in the pursuit of shpw 
and admiration* But if she be not apprehensive of 
their consequences, 19 relation to hfe, and com- 
fort, and ease, | wo n^ pr she i& .jiQt-4mmediatelv 
alarmed at their'efle^ with. xcgari tcL^iiiat very 
appearance whicji.is hpr fa Y.aurite object. I won- 
der she does not perceive at once, how much her 
bloom and sprightliness, the lustre of her eyes,^ 
and th€. freshness , pf her form, are inipaired by. 
such endless, such enormous fatigue, agitation* 
aii4 irregularity. I ap:i^astonished she, 49^9 n^t re- 



r 



S4 SERMbN II. 

fleet, that she is taking the most effectual methdd^ 
to shorten that period of youth, on which her tri- 
umphs depend. Mistaken creature ! thou art 
cruelly hastening on the time, when thou shalt be 
frightened to look at thyself ; when not only thy 
mind, but thy face, shall be " sicklied o'er with the 
"pale cast of thought;*' when languor, disease, 
and depression, shall undermine and destroy every 
remaining allurement, and leave thee to lament too 
late the jading course thou hast run. You forget 
also that dressing up beauty continually, wears it 
out ; that, like strength, or study, or business, it 
requires the frequent intermission of its toils ; but 
that, more than any of them, it is enfeebled by con-* 
stant exenioQ ; and that the arts commonly made 
use of to heighten and repair it, only accelerate and 
increase its decay, while the complexion, the skin, 
and the hair, are all unnaturally disguised and tor^ 
tured. 

• Did not this shameful passion destroy, or dead- 
en iii a great measure, the worthier sensibilities of 
good nature, I should also mention here the more 
serious and important distresses, in which they in* 
volve others.— -But the stretches of credit to parents, 
the inconveniences to many families, the ruin to 
not a few, the losses to tradesmen, who are often 
not paid, the hardships to a vast variety of peopled 
whose sufferings are little thought of amidst the 
glare of ostentation and the^ triumph of fancy, it 
^terc impossible fully to paint. Who does not know, 
that the parade of one gaudy evening shall some- 
times subject a score of honest citizens to difficul- 
ties for a whole month ? Is this christian ? Is this 
humane ? But where the fury of dress tyrannizes, 
how can the gentle pleadings of Charity hope to be 
keard ? And as to Charity's eldest daughter. Be- 



SErRMOK II. 9$ 

heficence, what chance has ahe, in general, to con« 
tend with that mighty sorceress, the Mode ? Those 
streams which heaven has committed to the direo- 
tion of the former, for the refreshment of indus- 
try, and the comfort of affliction ; how often are 
they diverted with sacrilegious violence to the feed* 
ing of pride ! 

But the present age, it will be said, is distin* 
guished by the most 4iffhsiye, the most illustrious 
works of humanity, both private and public. We 
own it, and rejoice in the effect. Far from deny- 
ing the people of this country any of their just ho- 
nours, we are almost tempted to speak of them with 
exultation. But — I . wish die works in questipn 
may not be frequently performed by way of 
atonement for certain fashionable vices, which it is 
too easy to reconcile with them. — ** Charity hq-^ 
*' peth all things.''— I know it, and do verily believe 
tliat even now, addicted as the world is to osten- 
tation, there are many, very many characters, 
who nobly deny themselves for the sake of others ; 
or rather, who find the highest indulgence in con- 
secrating, to objects of benevolence and piety a 
large share of their fortunes, without seeking by 
such means to purchase a dispensation for criminal 
pursuits. But forgive me, if I say, with regard 
to numbers, that the flagrant affectation of shining 
in public, and the dreadful passions thence arising: in 
private life, are not easily reconciled with real 
principles of religious munificence. These, I 
know, are unpopular idea^ I am sorry for it ; but 
their being so is no reason why we should suppress 
them ; it is the very reverse. 

To the arguments already urged several may be 
added. It may deserve your consideration. 




In the fitst place, that ta t^ultivate cleanlmess 
jtnd fihety at tH6 'same tiirie, is rather perhaps a 
difficult attainment. Your sex is iriuch belied, if 
rt be a Very common one. This I think, is cer-- 
t^iiij that toatterifd with exactness to one object 
at onfee,- is ordinarily sufficient employment for 
the mind. But can any degree of finery corii]!»en^ 
s4t« the Want of cleaiiliness ? A dirty wotem-^-a-.I 
fdH^ from the shocking idea, to iinention. 

In the n^xt place, that engaging thing hititefd at be-* 
fofci, Simplicity of Dress* Inadl the Sciences, itn 
cilery valuable profession, in the common inter- 
^oiii-s^s of life, and let me add, evcii in the sul>. 
Umest subjects. Simplicity is that which above 
AVery thing else tottches and delights. \\^thout it. 
Indeed, all else is feeble and tinaffeeting.. Wherii 
simplicity is wanting, men may be dazzled fot- 
it moment. Mere splendour wiH strike them at 
first ; but on reflection they will soon . discover,- 
that splendour of itself, like every other idol is no- 
thing. On the other hand, where Simplicity, the 
sfeter ot 'Truth, appears, the attraction is eternsd.- 
Hence the tlever-failing entertmnment and instruc- 
tion derived from the works of antiquity in all the 
ine arts; of which, I suppose for that reason, 
chiefly, they remain to this day, arid will ever 
f emain, the sovereign standards. Those amongst 
^ moderns, who have in this respect copied them 
Rios^t happily, have been always most admired. 
To instance in the art of painting, #ith a more 
iihmediate reference to our subject ; what honour 
lfB5 been acquired by such of its professors as have 
approached nearest to the noble simplicity of an-* 
client ^workmanship ! Its business, we know, is 
most particularly with Beauty, in all her finest 
form^. That, X presume, was never studied more 



SERMON II. 37 

successfully ' by any, than by the great Raphael. 
But who, that has an eye fbr such objects, caq, 
avoid being struck widi the chaste, sober, and un- 
affected graces of his females t And as to his 
manner of tlothing them, what remarkable plain- 
ness, what delightful modesty, even where the 
colours and stuffs are intended to be richest! 
How different from those painters of the Gothic 
style, who, not understanding the distinction be- 
tween ornament, and finery, which is its excess ; 
between beauty, and show, which is the affectation 
of it: load their women with jewels, trappings, 
and other embellishments, magnificent indeed, but 
tawdry! 

Nor is the grand principle of Simplicity confined 
to the imitative arts ; it runs through all* Hence, 
in a great measure', the peculiar satisfaction derived 
from the company of a man well bred and worthy 
at the same time. He looks, he speaks, he moves 
with a modest ease; there is nothing artificial or 
studied in his conversation and deportment: Hence 
too the superior pleasure from the prospect of 
a garden laid out with taste, in which the views are 
natural, ample, and unforced, above that of see- 
ing one cut into a thousand little parterres, and 
encumbered with a croud of laboured conceits. 
Let me subjoin, hence the inexpressible power and 
majesty of Holy Writ itself, even abstracted from 
its divine original. And, to come to the case 
direcdy before us, hence the resistless charm which 
attends a Virtuous womkn attired with plainness 
and judgment ; two things, which, making allow- 
ance for the mutability and caprice of fashion in 
circumstances of less raioment, will always give the 

most genuine and lasting content* 
Vol.. I. D 



38 SERMON II. 

The neat appearance of many females belonging 
to a sect well known, has. been frequently renuirked, 
and generally admired* It would be much more 
agreeable, could it be disjoined from the stiffness 
that accompanies it : a defect utterly inconsistent 
with the rules of taste. But those people are taught 
to despise eveiy thing of this kind, and to under- 
stand literally such passages of scripture as seem 
to prohibit sumptuous apparel. In shoit, they 
plead religious principle for the form of their attire* 
We should believe them, but for the richness of the 
materials, and the fineness of the texture^ Many 
of that sect are very intelligent : can they persuade 
themselves, that through all their affectation of 
plainness, the world does not perceive the utmost 
pride of expense ? 

On this article your judgment will be, seen in 
joining frugality and simplicity together ; in being 
ne\'er fond of finery ; in carefully distinguishing be- 
tween what is glaring, and what is genteel ; in pre- 

^ serving elegance with die plainest habit ; in wearing 
costly array but seldom, and always with ease ; a 

I point, that may be attained by her who has learnt^ 
not to think more highly of herself for the richest 
raiment she can put on. 

Were a system of this kind to prevail, I cannot 
help thinking, tliat the effects would be beneficial 
and happy. What sums would be saved, where 
they ought to be saved, for more valuable ends ! 
What sums would be kept at home, that now go 

, abroad to enrich our most dangerous rivals ! French 
gewgaws would give place to British manufactures. 
The ladies of this island, inferior to none in beauty, 
would be the apes of none in dress. They would 
practise that species of patriotism, which is the most 
proper for their sex ; they would serve their country 



N 



\ 



SERMON II* 39 

in their own way. ? How mdinyy^vih to * the /com*, 
xnunity^ to private familics^and to individuals, 
would be prevented ! If in some of the mosttix- 
pensive parts of female decoration* fewer hands were 
employed, a much greater mimber on the other 
side would find exercise in cultivating an elegant 
. propriety, and a beautiful diversity, through all the 
rest. The public taste would be improved in a 
thousand articles. And i^ there not reason to 
hope, * that ♦\|ie *appegjrance, the * manners, i and 
th^^nind^of ihe Paii^^^jiVould %ain by^the ihsmge ? 

They woifld be less showy indeed ; but they - 
would be more engaging. Our gay assemblies, for gay 
assemblies there will always be, would glitter less 
in the «gaze of foolish '"wonder ; but they would 
shine more in the eye of just discernment. And 
what honour would it reflect on ydUr understand- 
ings, when in company, to see you superior to your 
dress^ ei*rirely ^forgetting that, and every other ckU 
vantage yomta^ possess, ifi an obliging attention 
to all present, and lending lustre' to each ornament, 
instead of borrowing it merely from thence ! Or 
will any of you say, that a woman on tlic contrary 
is likely to be more esteemed, for appearing atten- 
tive to herself alone, or trying" to catch by so poor 
a bait, as a little gay clothing? She who does 
either, piques our, pride, and offends our judgment, 
at the same instant. We are hurt by her bad 
breeding, in the one" case ; and in the other, we 
are provoked to think she should pay us such a sorry 
compliment^ 5|s tor fancy we can be entangled in a 
cobweb^ 

7*^ When '* shall" women, » in .'^general, ,. understand 
thoroughly the effect of a comely h^bit, that, inde- ^ 
pendeiit of pompj^nd despising -^extravagance, is 
worn as' tihe jsober^ yet transparent veil of a more , 



* ^ 



40 SERMOK II. 

comely mind?/' Be assured, my. young friends^ 
it is thus that you will captivate most and please 
longest. By pursuing this plan, you will preserve 
an equality in that great indispensable article of 
neatness* You will be clean, and you will be easy ; 
nor will you be in danger of appearing butterflies 
one day, and slatterns the next. You will be always 
ready to receive your friends, without seeming to 
be caught, or being at all disconcerted on account of 
your dress. How seldom is that the case amongst 
the flutterers of the age ! I wish we could say^ 
amongst them only. For young ladies of more so- 
briety to be found so often slovenly, I might have 
said downright squalid atld nasty, when no visitors 
are expected, is most peculiarly shameful. { cannot 
express the contempt and the disgust I feel, when 
I think of it. , I wiH^ not think of it. 

I proceed to observe, that what you take from 
tins^ trappings yGU Wnr gmn in tiine, m saving, 
and in real loveliness. The less vanity you tSctray, 
the more merit we shall be always disposed to allow 
you. We shall be doubly charmed, first with find-^ 
ing young women that are not slaves to show, and 
next with your putting so much respect on our heads 
and hearts, as to suppose we are only to be gained 
by better qualities. 

Add to this, that men of ordinary fortunes, and 
proper sentiments, will not be afraid of connecting 
themselves with persons too prudent to be profuse, 
and too wise, as well as too worthy, when mar- 
ried, to co\iY% the admiration of aU— ;but their Hus-; 
bands. 

• The unbounded and undistinguishinglovc of ad- 
miration, has heva thought the most common, the 
rankest, and the most noxious weed, that grows in 
the heart of a female* It is nourished hy nothing 



1 



S^SKMOK II. 41 

I 

more tfaaii by the love of finely. In e0ect, tbey 
dq)end on each other* But if you will begin by 
crushing the latter ; the former, I am persuaded^ 
win quickly decay, and at last fall to the ground. 
The love of finery naturally prompts the passion to 
be seen, that is, to be admired ;, for between diese 
a conceited young creature, makes no distinction. 
Alas ! what woman is there at any age, who, if de-^ 
voted to dress, bums not with impatience to display 
in public a n«w fashion, or a new any thing, which 
she has been told by those about her, or by her 
€>wu imagination, looks exceeding fine? And of 
this impatience what is the source, but that very 
passion which I just now called the unbounded 
and undistinguishing love of admiration ? The. 
mischiefs flowing from thence have been touched 
upon in part. They will be farther traced hereafter. 
At present I shall only add, what ought to alarm 
women of decency, that an immoderate fondness 
for external embellishment is a strong ten^)tation 
to a light and lascivious mind. 

From the passage of Isaiah before quoted, com- 
pared with the verse immediately preceding, it ap- 
pears that, in the case there pointed to, an indecent 
deportment was closely connected with an excessive 
vanity in apparel. And from the whole of that 
discourse it is manifest, the behaviour of the 
daughters of Zion at that tinie was higiily dis^, 
pleasing to die Almighty ; which, could only pro« 
ceed from the influence their behaviour had upon 
their dispositions, or reciprocally from the latter 
as giving birth to • the former. How applicable 
the observation Uh the case of many females at 
this day ! 

But has it not been too much the manner amongst 
preachers of every age, to decry that in wluch they 

\ D 2 



1 



42 SERMON II. 

lived, as having remarkably degenerated from those 
that went before, and to denounce peculiar judg- 
ments accordingly ? It often has, no doubt* And 
so far certainly they have forgotten the caution of 
Solomon ; " Say not thou, What is the cause that 
" the former days were better than these ? For 
** thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this/' 
A mistake we would willingly avoid. Such com- 
plaints, when indulged indiscriminately, are either 
the dictates of a gloomy querulous temper, or the 
trite and unmeaning declamation of mere popular 
preaching. I trust, we shall be charged with 
neither in saying, that to this nation there can ac- 
crue no good from the spirit of luxury, of levity^ 
and of vice, so prevalent, and so spreading, in a 
»ex that leads the world. 



%- 



'.V , '., 



SERMON III. 

ON FEMALE REflSRVE. 



1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 

I "will — that loomeii adorn tJiemaelvea loith Shamefacetbie^. .. 

JVl ANY of you, my honoured hearers, have been 
addressed in die style of love and admiradon. I 
have taken the liberty to address you in that of zed 
and friendship ; a style not less sincere, or the less 
worthy of your attention, for being sober and 
impartial. Will you permit me to proceed in the 
same manner? Suppose me speaking to you as 
a brother. It will be more than a supposition. 
Have we not all one father by creation, even the 
great God ; and by religion, is not the New Jeru- 
salem the mother of us all ? With a brother's 
aSection then I will go on to lay before you some 
fbetter ornaments than wealth can purchase, in 
which Iwish my beloved sisters to shine, that they 
may appear as becomes their high birth, and the 
noble expectations they are en90uraged to enter- 
tain. 

After modest apparel our apostle mentions 
Sharaefacedness. *^ I will — that women adorn 
'*■ themselves in modest apparel, with Shame- 
** facedness." This lovely quality, in its largest 
extent, and in its most pleasing effect on female man-^ 
n^rs, shall be the subject of oiir present medita- 



r 



44 SERMON III. 

tion. It is an ornament equally necessary and 
wise. 

. l^. It 18 a necessary ornament, considered, t 
mean, in a moral and religious light. I would only 
premise, that the amiable reserve, termed by St.. 
Paul Shamefacedness, is something widely distant 
from those airs of disdain, those pretences of 
aversion to men, which we now and then meet 
*with in your sex. I said pretences : For no de- 
gree of candour can: persuade us to believe that 
such women, generally speaking, do not play a 
part, and under the mask of this seeming severity, 
this violent aflPectation of virtue, harbour passions 
of a very different kind. Who does not know, 
that the greatest prudes have often dropt their 
disguise at last; and betrayed such dispositions 
as many a young woman of good nature, and 
courteous behaviour, is incapable of indulging? 
Everything overdone is liable to suspicion. Inno- 
cence in women wants not the aid of ostentation : 
like integrity in men, it rests in its own conscious- 
ness. Not so, however, as to neglect the rules of 
prudence and circumspection. To say the truth, 
prudery is not the prevailing evil of the times. Fe- 
male modesty, even where it is most real, is in litde 
danger, as the world goes, of being carried to an 
extreme. In the gayer part of the world, how sel- 
dom, alas ! does it rise to the Shamefacedness en- 
joined in our text, and which on the very first hear-^ 
ing, suggests the idea of a virtuous bashfulness. 
This beautiful grace, 

I 

"ClenrCkastity 
** With blofbes redd'ning ai she moves ftlong, 
** Disordered at the deep regard she draws ; ' 

whither is she tetired i Where is the charming ori- 
ginal) from which the poet drew so sweet a picture I 



S'EKUON III.. 45 

i 

—Has Virtue then forsaken the sex ? God forbid* 
But I am bold to say, her favourite walks ar e not in 
those places of pirf >lic ehtertainmeoty now so to nd ly' 
freq centgd jjy S6 many women, y^^J j^ he loves' the 

^ * ^iere sh e finds herseliiho st sec ure from 

die bl i^gj^jpi caiumnv, ana tne n?&ts oTTemptatigi^^ 
Ah ! ye mothers of this land, how can you expose 
so rashly those tender blossoms committed to your 
care? Have ye forgotten that every unkindly • 
breath is ready to blast them ? Are ye ignorant, 
how soon the whitest innocence may be sullied ; that 
it b possible even for the strictest principles to be 
corrupted ? Is there nothing in your own minds . 
that whispers the frailty of your sex ? 

But you plead the necessity of allowing to youth 
a little amusement, of showing your daughters a 
litde of the world, of preventing, or rubbing oflF 
. ihe awkwardness, that is apt to adhere to young 
persons who are confined at home. You urge the 
propriety of convincing them by comparison, how 
much the calm and rational pleasures of that home 
are preferable to the noise and giddy diversions 
usually found abroad ; that in the latter there is 
nothing so wonderfully fine, so irresistibly allu- 
ring, as their youthful fancies, or the information 
of others, might lead them to suppose. 

We admit your arguments, so far as they go. 
Keep within these bounds, and be blameless. But 
do the parents of the present generation commonly 
keep within them ? Are not many of those parents 
as fond of gaiety and show as the merest girl can 
possibly be f Is it surprising to see the daughters 
of such become very early the votaries of Folly, 
when every other day or night they are conducted 
in triumph to her temples, without any precaution, 
any previous pains taken to instruct them in the 



r 



48 



S£RMON III. 



emptiness and worthlessness of the object worshippted 
there ; worshipped with every circumstance that can 
^serve to propagate die idolatry, while the poor ia- 
nocents are inflaaied by *the concurrence of compa- 
ny, dress, flatt ery^ example ; the example of those 
,.jjJiom,Jby nature aiid education^ they are disposed to 
respect most highly, and to imitate most implicitly'? 
It were strange indeed, if in this situation their 
too Susceptible hearts should escape the fashionable 
contagion. But what can be said for those, who 
thus direcdy, and with their eyes open, lead their 
children into a snare ? — Cease, thou restless and 
raging spirit of hell, who art " going about 
" seeking whom thou mayest devour," cease thy 
cruel toil. The parents of Britain render it needless. 
The mothers of the church hasten to bring thee 
their litde lambs, as if impatient for the pleasure 
of presenting them. Excuse, ye better charac- 
ters, this transport, of indignation, kindled by an 
impiety which you are not capable of committing, 
X think with honour of all who truly merit the pa- 
rental name. May the father of the world in(M-easc 
their number,, ani multiply: their joys^^i But -for 
those wicked I turn from them to you, ye 
pretty helpless creatures, who have lost— rit may be, 
happily — ^merciful heaven ! must I say happily lost 
your parents ? or whose parents yet alive, but lost 
to themselves and to their offspring, have in the 
blindness of indulgence, or the barbarity of neglect, 
abandoned you to your own untutored conduct* 
Let me warn you of your danger. If there be no 
other friend to slioi/y a- solicitude for your welfare, 
allow me at least to have that' satisfaction. 

Reflect, my sisters, on all I have said concem- 

' 1*^8' your- importance in life ; and look beyond life's 

narrow boundar}^ Consider eierlasting consequen- 



SERMON III. 47 

ces. Contemplate apprdk^jbing judgment. You 
have received from the Almighty your bodies, and 
your souk, unstained by dishonour. You will be 
spon required to restore them immaculate. You 
belong to a society, fgr which your saviour " gave 
*'*' himself, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with 
"the washing of water by the word, that he 
". might present it to himself a glorious church, not 
" having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." 
Think of this. " Watch and pray, diat ye enter 
**. not into temptation." ■ .\ 

The love of promiscuous amusement, how inno- 
cent soever it may often seem, and sometimes be, 
ensnares multitudes of your sex. Their earliest 
days are marked by a mixture of spri^tliness and 
simplicit}% They run, they laugh, they prattle ; 
and then they often blush, for fear of having oiFend'- 
ed* As they grow up, their sensibilities become 
more enlightened, and more awake. They blush 
oftener* It .is the precious colouring of virtue, as 
one has happily phrased.it. They contract a quicker 
perception of what is decent,, and of what is wise. 
A sweet timidity was given them to guard their 
innocence, by inclining them to shrink from what- 
ever might threaten to injure it. Their passions, 
a^ they rise, are restrained from exorbitance, by a 
secret sentiment of shame and honour* In this 
state of mind, they come to hear much concerning 
public diversions. The description is frequently 
repeated, and always exaggerated. Their curiosity 
takes fire ; they are eager to participate. They 
are indulged once, a second, a third time, often, 
without control. By little and little their natural 
fearfiilnesfs begins to abate. For a while they are 
shocked with signs of rudeness. Their ears are 
wounded by the languagi^ of vice : Oaths, impre- 




48 SERMON III. 

cations, double meamiig!!, every thing obsceme fiUs 
lein with disgust and horror. Bt^t ^j^^^tn tir^n 
hpj^etft^famUia^Sty ■ gn4 familiarity produccs indif»_ 
- fcrcnce. The emotions. of delicacy are less trequen^ _ 
* less stron g^ And now ft**y ftf ^^^"^ Kiimh^ ajij^^yg^ 
'^' '~ ips theyoftep affe^ if A» »lw> irn^i^ ^f a\n -- 

tremble no longer ; their minds are already de <" 
t2aucbficL.--*AU the intenial fences ot modesty dW^-^ 
broken down. Can you wonder, if it be then 
easily assailed from without i But what if it be 
QQt? What if a^>eiEurances be stiH preserved, if 
open scandal be not incurred, or if secret enormity 
should be always avoided ? I9 it enough for ' a 
young woman to be free from infamy, from crimes ? 
Between the state of virgin purity and actual pros* 
titution are there no intermediate degrees ? Is it 
nothing to liave the soul deflowered, Aie fancy pollu* 
ted, the passions flung into a ferment ? Say, is it 
nothing to forfeit inward freedom and self-posses- 
sion I The beauty, the dignity, the tranquillity <^ 
conscious virtue— -are all these of no account ? 
Such indeed one would think were the opinion of 
those, who imagine there can be no harm in a pas- 
sion for places of entertainment; because, say 
^ey, all attacks on the honour of persons who re- 
sort thither are precluded* Be that as it may, I 
must ever maintain, that young women of principle 
will be cautious of frequenting scenes where Shame* 
facedness, at once the companion and the guardian of 
female innocence is in danger of being lost. But I 
add, that every prudent young woman also will be 

e extremely wary in this particular ; becau^, 
II. The ornament we now recommend is as wise, 
as it is necessary, /^fhere .1$ nothing so e ngaging 
as bashful beauty, j The beauty that obtrudes iiseli, 
how considerable soever, will either disgust, or at 



esiowv 



.It 



SERMON III. 49 

most excite but inferior desires. jpVIen are so made.\ 
.''I They refuse their admiration, where it is courted:!) 
i where it seems rather shunned, they love to bestow! 
it. Thf retiring | p ;rarps hnir f heen fil wiv^ t hf mc^^ij 
§ttractive^ ^_ 
You remember the representation which Milton 
I puts into Adam's mouth on his first meeting with 
<mr general mother. How beautiful and how deli- 
I otte!. 

! 

[ ** She beard me tkns, and tho> divinely brought, 

' . M Yet innocence and virgin modesty , 
I <* Her virtue and the conscience of her worthy 

I ** That would be woo'd, and not unsought be wo«, 

** Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir'd 
L *' The more desirable ; or, to say all, 

' ** N'ature herself, tho' pure of sinful thought, 

'« Wrought in her so, that seeing me she tum'd. 
<< I followed h«r. She what was honour knew, 
*< And with (iJKSequioua majeatj approved 
** My pleadea reason. To the nuptial bower 
*« J led her blushing like the mom.'' 

, But this was only the poet's fancy. True. Yet 

I the poet knew the sexes well, and seems to have 
studied yours particularly. He painted from the 
completest standards he could find. His picture of 
Eve in her state of innocence, may be considered 
as the model of a woman most'^miably feminine ; 
in whom his imagination, alike exalted and correct^ 
could figure nothing so alluring, 

'* As those graceful acts, 
'* Those thousand decencies that daily How 
'* From all her words and actions.''. 

What mind of any worth can forbear to be 
charmed with the description you have just heard f 
Vou I. E 



/ 



>*scr $s]iMpi7 III. 

/ To 8»y the tmth, Acre is not^ I verily beKeve, 
{ a jnaan uving, who in hia sober senses ^W5U!d not" 
\ w-efer a modest tor-afi^Mdent wonBa:" An 'ud^ 
pu3ent woman^Who csui tell which is greater, the 
disgrace thrown upon humanity, by such a character^ 
or the honour reflected on oi^r natures by that ab- 
horrence, which is raised by ihe hare idea in every 
i>4:ea8t n<H totally degenerate i 

Surely it deserves your notice, what pains the 
iJl-presiding power has graciously taken to show 
his care of female virtue, net only by impressing 
the minds of your sex with that. deep aud Uvely 
«ense of reputation, which is o^e of ita most 
powerful preservatives, but sho by forming the 
jninds of ours with so high an esteem for evexy 
indication of chastity in women, and with so strong 
a disapprobation of the contrary. That esteem, and 
this disapprobation, it is certain, »*e ^t by the men, 
whensoever reason is permitted to take place of ap- 
petite ; and these indications are perfectly and uni- 
versally intelligible. I say not, that those of the 
last kind are always apparent, where women have 
given themselves up to vicef but, I apprehend* 
.2)ey are so for the greater part* This breadi of her 
most sacred law, the justice of Nature has generally 
branded with a look and manoer peculiarly <fhftr|ic^ 
teristic and significant ; as, qq the other side^ she 
Ilia always (I thinic, alw4^ys) marked the gepuine 
feelings of modest3r with a look and maimer no less 
-oorrespondenjt and impressive. 

In the latter case, she seems to say to us men, 
pointing to her yet uncorrupted daughters, * Behold 

* these smiling innocents, urttfwn I have graced with 
^ my fairest gifts, and committed to your protec- 
*tion? behold them with love and respect j treiit 

them with tenderness and honour. They are 

• limid, aiwi want to be defended. They are frail; 



••^O cfo not take advantage of their weakness. 

* Let their fears and blushes endear them. Let 
^ tfietr confidence in you never be abused— But 

* is k possible, that any of you can be such barba- 

* rians,. so supremely wicked, as to abuse it ? Caa 
^* ye find in your hearts to despoil the gentle tfust^ 

* ing creatures of their treasure, or do any thing 
•- to strip Aem of their .native robe of virtue ? 

* Curst be the inipious hand that would dare to 
•-violate the Unblemished form of Chastity ! Thou 
•wretch! thou ruffian !. forbear ; nor venture to 

* provoke heaven's fiercest vengeance.^ 

In die other case, the same parental power, 
€qua&y watchful for all her children, seems to 
cast an eye of awful reproach on such of her daughi^ 
fcrs as are unhappily abandoned, and, raising her 
iroice to'' address: pur stx to this purpose : *' Fie?, 

* my sohs, flee these destructive Syrctis* iTiey 
*'smilc,^oriy to tetnpt; and they tempt, in order 

* to devour! Once indeed they sKone in many 

* of my sweetest charms. These are no more. 

* They have forgotten to blush j their foreheads are 

* hardened into shametessness. Their eyes for- 

* merly soft, virtuous, and downcast ; those very 

* eyes Aat effused the soul of innocence, ^ have 

* kamt to starevand roll with unbounded wanton- 
^ ness J to dart nothing but unholy fire. Their 

* hands are the hands of Harpies. Their feet go 

* down to death, and their steps take hold on heU.* 

This account of those wretched beingi^ will be 
JtWdiys true in part. The profligate and the foolish, 
tliat are taken in their toils, shall some time or 
6ther be sure to repent it. Nevertheless it must 
be owned, Aere are of them- who, with hearts of 
adamatit to the best impressions, and without any 
remains of natoral fnodesiy, yet practise the art of* 



r 



S-2 SEHUOlf III. 

feigning its decent detoeanour ; one of the sthmgcst 
arguments that can be conceived in its bvour ! 

Yes, those more accomplished ensnarers arc 
aufficiendy aware, that there ie no Rllurement e^ual 
to that of maiden virtue ; and therefore, having 
lost the reality, they study to retain the appear- 
ance. In this instance, no doubt, as in number- 
less others, the operations of Nature may be 
counteracted by violence, and her most speaking 
features silenced n. But ah, hov 

nuch more easy, ind happy, to be 

virtuous, than 01 ! tiiat vicegerent 

of God within u vill not bear the 

^use calmly. Al ^ xssions of order, 

how successful soever they may outwardly appear, 
sliall certainly be punished by inward disquietude, 
and home-felt meanness. But the truth is, that 
ttiB an of dissembling, in the case before us, .sel- 
dom succeeds s^^^r, as not to be seen tlu-ough on 
many occasions i and when it ia, the contempt and 
aversion produced by it are only heightened by 
those attempts to impose. Of this be assured, that 
to the sense of decency there is nothing more dis- 
gusting than the notion of a young woman who 
uinnot be put out of countenance. In our sex, the 
character of being lost to shame is scandalous ; 
but in yours — who can describe the detestation it 
excites ? 

~ ~Next to this ia the-dislike we feel to herwho has 
contracted a certain briskness of air and levity bf 
deportment, which, though by good nature, or 
the courtesy of custom, distinguished from the 
brazen front and bold attack of the prostitute, docs 
yet, I cannot help saying, approach too near them, 
and can never, I am siire, be pleasing to men of 
sentiment. Such an air and deportment, I well 



.iaowt are by many esteemed matles of spirit: 
It may be so. I am williag at least to believe, that 
BO real harm is meant by aumbers who affect diem.^ 
But sutely they are the worst kmd of aifectationw 
I had rather a thousand timet see a young lady 
cany her bashfulness too far, than pique herself cm 
&e freedom of her manners. 
' ^A /^ ^CttlJP^ wQy aaa must be naturally an un*^ 
amiaMe creature. I confesi i myi'^^f ^h^^lrnf ^ ^r*^-?"- 
"ever I see the sexes confoimded. An effeminate 
^euow, tbatr destitute of every manly sentiment, 
copies with inverted ambition from yqur sex, is^ 
an object of contempt and aversion at once. Off 
the other hand, any yotmg wonum of better rank 
that throws off all the lovely softness of her nature, 
and emulates the daring intrepid temper of a: man*— 
how terrible i The transformation on either side 
must ever be monstrous. Is not this diadowed 
out to us in that particular prohibgjvn of the Jew* 
ish law, which says, ^^ The woman shall not wear 
*^ that which pertaineth unto a man : neither shall a: 
^ man put on a woman's garment. For all that do« 
^^ so ase abomination to the Lord." Such confu« 
aion of apparel was to be considered as renouncing,, 
in effect, the distinction of form, which the Almigh- 
^ty had established in the creation. To this unnatu- 
lal mode do we not sometimes observe a visible 
t^idency in our days ? But what though the dress^ 
lae kept ever so distinct, if the behaviour be not ;. 
ki those points,. I mean, where the character pe* 
culiar to each sex seems to require a difference ? 
There a metamcn^^iosis in either wiU always offend 
an eye that is not greatly vitiated. It will do sa 
particularly in your sex. By dint of assiduity- 
and flattery, fortune and show, a Female Man; 
shall sometimes succeed strangely with the women. :^ 

E 2, 







54 sinuQn im 

biU to the mm w Anuoson never fiuk to be fiwbid* 
ding* Are none of you, my figdr hearers^ in dan- 
ger of roug^iening into tins ungracioas figure? 
How readily it ia astumed, in tfaoae scenes where 
tbe ignorance of yoMk cooperates with the mi^c 
of faiunony many of you perhaps will not suspect* 

Men, I presume, are in genend better judges 
tkan women, of the department of women. What- 
eyer affects theoLirom your quarter they feel more 
immediately. VYnf* "^^^C J'Ogcnsi l 

cast of Baanner» ; yoi 

yu do too * fltf yriMWM.^'fiy^Q' Sf a proper distance^ J DT 
effect produced be on the whole disagreeable^ 
selfilove will m>t^be the first to discover it* Men, 
it is true, are often dazzled byyoiUh, vivacity, and 
beauty ; but yet at times diey w31 look at yoft with 
a cooler eye, and a dosar inspection,, than you ap 
prebend ; at least, when they have opportunities of 
seeing you in pv^^^ company. 

In splendid crowds idl is dissipated, because 
all is garish. The multiplicity of ofcgects scatters 
said distracts ; notlung is fek or thought of, in the 
wa^ of either serious reflec^n, or serious passion. 
How much misjudged is an excessive fondbess for 
sudi scenes ! Believe me, they are not the places^ 
where the heart is most apt to be touched. 

At any rate, the majesty of the sex is sme to 
suffer by being seen teo frequently, attdtoo&miliar* 
ly. Discreet reserve in a woman, Vkc the distance 
kept by royal personages, contributes to maintain the 
proper reverence. Most of our pleasux^s are 
prized in proportion to the difficulty with which tfaey 
are obtained. The sight of beauty may bejustfy 
reckoned in that number. Nothing can be more im* 

rAitic in young ladies, Aan to make it cheap. ^^ So 
k>ng,^' says a lilrely audior, ^ aa they yovem 



^4<hemftdved by Ae exadC rules #1 frtidtac^aml 
'* modesty^ their lustre is like die meridiaa sun 
'^ ia its ckamess, wfaich^ though lest approachable, 
^ is counted moro g^rious ; but when diey decline 
^ from those, they are like that sun in a cloud, 
^ which, though aafdiar gazed on, is not half so 

Even die worst m&k are struck by the sove^ 
rdignty of female wordi unambitious of s^pearing. 
But if a young person (supposing her dispositions 
in odier respects ever so fffio d) will be always break*' 
mg loo se dirough each domestic incloau r e, and 
ySnfl4ntf a^ large the wme ciM nmon ai tne worlds 
diose destroyers will see her in a very ditferei 



r^nH 



of light* They will consider her as lawful game, to [a''-^ 
be himted down withoi^ hesitation. And if herv^ 
virtue, or (which to a woman is in effect nearly the "^ 
same) her reputation, should be lost, what will it 
avail the poor wanderer, to plead d|(iat she meant 
only a little harmless amusement, and never 
diought ftf straying into the ihkorrtd p»dis of 
I vice? ^^ 

I Widi regard to the opinion of (he becier s(^ of 

men, I wiU teU yOu a secrete If in the flutter of 
too poUic a life you should at assy time so far 
forget yourselves, as to drop^ diat nice deeorum of 
appearance and manner, which is expected from 
yoitr sex, p»ticularly from the younger part .of 
k, they will be tempted to haihour suspicions 
wtrich I dare not name ; that is, many c^ them wilk 
The rest, who know you better, or have more 
diari^^ will be hurt to think you should expose 
yourselves to a degree of censure, which in reality 
you do not deservew Yet none of them hardty 
win be kind enough to o0er you a friendly hmt 
of what so much concerns you ; not even where it 




56 SE&Moir 11^ 

mig^t be done with the most perfect pr op r i e ty ^ 
Tl^ir general inclination to good nature, Aeir 
love of amusement in their turn^ and their finding 
it most readily in the society of your sex, wiU dis^ 
pose them to laugh with you very freely. Intiniacy 
will lead on to a kind of attadunent* They w& 
often entertain you with no little gallantry ; some-- 
times perhaps at an expense which they can ill afford* 
In a word, they will be mig^tSy pleased with your 
as the companion for an hour. Companions for' 
life, if they ever think of such, they will look out 
for elsewhere. They will then make the necessary- 
discrimination ; I mean, if they be wise and honest 
enough to marry from choice* They will then try 
if they can find women well-bred and sobermindcj, 
at the same time, of a cheerful temper with sedate 
manners I women, of whom they may hope that 
they will love home, be attached to their hubands, 
attentive to |^ir families, reasonal^e in their 
wishes, moderate in their expenses, and not 
addicted to external show* Having found them^ 
whether with or without fortune, fthat will never be 
their prinae^consideratic»^) they will e^eavour to 
gsun them by another sort of style and behaviour^ 
than they used towards you* Far other sentiments 
far other emotions, will then possess them* In 
short, then: hearts will be then engaged ; and if 
tiiey should be happy enough to obtain the much 
wished for objects, then, with a joy unfelt before, 
they will form the tenderest of all connections ; 
leaving you where they . found you, as widely 
removed as ever from the truest pleasures, and the 
fairest prospects, that humanity knows ; the plea* 
atu^s which are enjoyed at home, and the prospects 
which include a family* 



But many of you, I fear, wilt smile at all this, 
.trusting to ^ the flatterer Beauty, that, ivhenever 
you shall please, you cannot fail to fix your men ; 
amd so, in the gaiety of your spirits^ you continue 
to exhibit that beauty as usual, and to dance along 
through the giddy mzzG* Not to insist, at present, 
kow precarious and transient an attendant this arch- 
flatterer has always proved, I must remind yoii^ 
diataface hackneyed in the public eye, how stri-> 
Icing, soever when first seen, o;!* how handsome 
aoeveritmay yet remain, loses much of its power 
.to please* Every new appearance takes somediing 
from its charms ; and for one instance wherein this 
Jdnd of exhibition succeeds, how many might be 
named in which young women once extolled, and 
mn after every where, have lived to tread the 
beaten round, unpraised, neglected, forlorn ! 

No^ those large promiscuous circles are not the 
where sthe heart is conimottly interested. 
"^Virtuous love," like true devotion, flies from nois d^ 
seeks retreat, and d^M g^^*^ **^ indulge itself, un-j 
( ybseiTga by ' ail hyt the object of its veneration^ 
'l hat respectful modesty, which attends it on tnc 
part of the man, is maintained and exalted by 
nothing so much as an unafiected bashfulness on- 
ihe woman's side. But this last, which properly 
speaking is the flower of female. chastity^ is of 
a nature so delicate and tender, as always to thrive 
best in places the least frequented. What pity, 
wheii, instead of being sheltered and cherished 
with care, it is heedlessly exposed to the wanton 
gaze of every wandering eye, to the cruel hand of 
every rude, or of every sly invader! Can any 
cntertaimxient, or any adnuration, the public has 
power to ofler, compensate the loss of this en* 
chanting quality ? 



\ 



59 < SERMOlf III.. 

Say not that it is mcompattUe with pcditetiesB, 
mt with affability* We have seen it accompanied 
with the sweetest affabiUty, and with (he mosrt 
perfect pcditeness. Depend upon it, that the best 
breeding is not learnt by racOlbling from one asseio;- 
bly, and one diversion, to another; but by iivinr 
among the best l»red people, by culdvatiEitg a ftoid 
of goodness in the heart, and possessing the advax^ 
fage of a well educated mind* 

After what you have heaid, I hope.ycyci witt odit 
imaghie, thattheBashfulnessIpleadforteifdtetoob- 
atruct any one view, which it becomes a wise and wois^ 
thy wcmtan to entertain. Some nseBf i ccmfess, may 
be flattered by forward advances from those of your 

«CX, whom Aft.iiijytf>mniw Mr. R^rl^iw teon USedj O^ 

term ^Seekers* But is there not reasisw to vp^ 
prehend, J:hat when they come to reiect coolfyv 
^ir esteem will not be lasting, whwe thefbon- 
daticxi of it it not natundi There are odi^ mefly 
it is but f£dr to tell you, who will appear delighted 
with this kind of courtship,, pretend the hi^est r«^ 
gard, 4j2gy you a world of compliments i^ which thef^ 
mean nothing, and sweac to the ^t Worthless 
companion they meet^ that you have a design upott 
them* Can yoa bear the dioug^ of exposiitg yMT* 
selves to Jsuch an imputationi How mortify^^ 
on diose occasions, to hear a girl seriously boast 
of her im^aginary conquest! How weak in her^ 
to fancy that €V€.ty man who flatters her, not 
to say every man who treats her with the attentkitt 
to wliich your sex are entitled^ is a lover ! 
* I speak not of those more deserving femi^, 
whose peace of mind has been cruelly sported widl»> 
by a species of poltrons, the disgrace of their se% 
the reverse of sdi that is brav6 and humantg ; whose 
business and boast it is, to inveigle the affectaoiHi 
of virtuous women by endless obsequiousness, 






sEBMoir lit. 59 

and solentt profesfkms, that seem to imply every 
thing just and kind, till they have imdone the cre- 
dulous fair ones, whom they then ixirbarously con* 
sign to infamy and wo ; or else, finding diat they 
hove gone too. far in die pursuit of those who 
^ffill not yield but tm honourable terms, to which 
ihey have not Ae spirit or probity to agree, 
tbey poorly and basely relinquish diem, after hav- 
ing stolen their hearts. Happy creatures, to be so 
relinqaisbed, though not happy to be so inveigled! 
What an esci^ have ye made from wretches that 
iwver deserved you ! If yenr honest pride be 
hurt at fii^t, as jt cannot rail of being, that very 
pride will soon inspire you with a generous con- 
tempt, Ae only sensation fit to be retained on such 
a subject. 

To return to those of your sex, whom a rage 
fer amusement and admiratkn has robbed of one 
lif dte finest ornaments that can adorn them, the 
Shameface&ess I have been endeavouring to in- 
cidcale* After having said so much to show bow 
big^^ they m« to blame ; what shall I say to those, 
whose duty it is to advise them better, but who 
liave always neglected it i Surely it might be thought 
that such of their female acquaintance, and such es- 
pecisfiy of ^etr female relations- as are advanced in 
life, woidd, from their superior store of judgment 
and observation, be friendly enough to communicate 
to those ignorant or unexperienced yotmg crea- 
tures, some sahitary counsel on this and (Sther im- 
pofl^nt iartides. I know diey will excuse them- 
selves, by plea^ng the difficulty of the task. I 
own it difficult. To advise well was always so ; 
•and who can be sure of advising successfully ? Is 
It therefore never to be attempted ? In the present 
"Case, I cannot doubt but good counsel, offered with 
prudence and affection, would often succeed. 



W &ERHOK III. 

St. Paul, who held it not unworthjr of an Apos- 
tle to enter with the greatest particularity into the 
concerns of common life, directs Titus to remind 
the aged women of their duty on this very head* 
His words are remarkable: ^^ Speak thou the 
^ things that become sound doctrine ;" — among 
the rest— ^^ that the aged women may teach the 
^ young women to be sober, to love their husbands, 
^ to love their chiyren"— -What follows ?— •** to be 
** discreet, chaste, keepers at home.*' The precept 
indeed points to young women in the state of wed- 

* lock. But will any suppose the aposde meant to 
exclude women yet unmarried from that part of it^ 
which, on his principles, must necessarily be ap- 
plicable to them? That women who, having fami- 
lies of their own, go much abiToad, and s^ct to 
shine any where but in their proper sphere, are 
peculiarly to blame, must, I think, be -acknow- 
ledged. But will you thence infer, that they who 
have none are at liberty to stroll about perpetually, 
to prefer every place to home, and ne^ect the most 
respectaUe virtues, the most valuable accomplish- 
ments, for the parade of dress, the display of beau- 
ty, and the tricks of affectation i 

Itisg nily sad to ^gft y) ttagjp y yptmiy ladies. 
fihowinJEy^e mselvea every day in the markets oj 
Vanity,~WKonby a prop er deportment ebewnere 
might ren der theiBselveti atfregaUle suid lmW)V i to 
ft^ f them trifli ng ^^^T ^^ opportunities oi doings 
both, and^sacrificing to a felse ambition the rea l 
importance of th<l;'ll' s ex* But it is no less surpri- 
sing than sad, t<3 hnd among* women of age and 
experience so few, comparatively speaking, who 

^have the conscience or the humanity to contribute 

^\o th^ir reformation and wel£eire* 



SEKMON III. 61 

Imagine a set of chaste matrons, anciently mothers 
in this metropolis, who lived and died in sacred ob- 
scurity, were seldom found from their own houses, 
but placed their humble glory in shining there, par- 
ticularly in breeding their children to every thing 
prudent, and praiseworthy ; imagine them for a 
litde to return to life, and to observe unknown the 
manners of the present age. When, amongst other 
things, they saw the daughters of many a citizen, 
glittering in gorgeous apparel not paid for, rolling 
their eyes on every side through a large assembly, 
studying by every childish art to draw the notice of 
the men, contending with one another who should 
be most the objects of attention, catching with a kin4 
of triuniph each transient glance, nor showing the 
smallest uneasiness even to be stared at by the most 
licentious ey^, or to be blown upon by the most 
corrupted breath of every vile betrayer — I pursue 
the description no farther — what would our venera- 
ble spectators think of their posterity ! What grief 
wodi^ fill their hearts on the occasion ! But how 
greaMvould be their astonishment and horror, when 
informed, that numbers of those young persons, 
whose behaviour was so unbecoming, had not been 
taught by their mothers, their grandmothers, or 
any other friend in the world, one solid lesson of 
wisdom or frugality, of female decorum, or Amis^ 
fale Reserved 



■•- ' \ 



VOL.X 



SERMON IV. 

ON ¥£MAL£ VIRTUE. 



1*TIM. ii, 8, 9. 

tt»iUr-^thcU -women adorn themaelvet with Sobriety, 

A. PLAIN dresi you have often found extremely 
pleasing. What such a dress is to the person ; that, 
and much more, is Sobriety to thftminH. Sobri- 
ety lis a sort of spiritual vesture Entirely void of 
Ishow ; substantial, home-spun, and hardy ; calcu- 
lated to defend against the injuries of the world, as 
well as to cover the nakedness of the soul ; proper 
to be worn every day and not unfit for any^ace 
where a reasonable being ought to appear ; periectly 
decent, and to a judicious eye extremely beautiful i 
in a word, so indispensable and becoming, that she 
who is without it has been ever deemed, by the 
virtuous and wise, an obje ct of deformity, loathing 
and wretchedness. / J^ikeeveiy thing else of grea t- 
est value, its worth' is best Snown by its ios sJ 1 hatt 
this quality, which like your daily clothing answers 
so many useful and necessary ends, should like that 
too not strike the generality of beholders, reflects 
in my opinion honour on your sex. It would be 
more esteemed, were it less common. And here 
I mu&t complain of those men who will allow little 
or no merit to a woman for being sober ; when, if 
she were not, they would condemn her loudly. If 



SERMON IV. 63 

the vice be scandalous, can the virtue fail of being 
honourable f 

To argue from an instance somewhat similar^ 
Because disobedience to parents is unnatural and 
vile, does it follow that filial piety deserves litde or 
no praise ? But the temptations to this crime are 
usually inconsiderable, frequently none at all ; 
whereas to indecorum, intemperance, and inconti- 
nence, it is certain many wom^n are under strong 
temptations : it is also certain, that many" have given 
way to thfp ; it is probable there are but few, whose 
virtue in those particulars has not been exposed to 
very dangerous snares : yet the far greater part 
preserve it entire ; and shall we deny them our 
tribute of approbation ? Forbid it Generosity and 
Justice ? 

The s peaking with contempt of what is common ly — 
c alled Negativ e Virtue, is often the tnere ra n t of 



an affected pnilosophv. T o make some allowance 
for the condition oi humanity, were surely more 
mq^pst and candid. Where does he live, and 
-what is his name, who dares be confident, that in 
any given circumstance of critical trial his own 
resolutions would remain unshaken ? For vice 
and immorality, though there may be alleviations, 
there can be no excuse. But yet, on the other 
hand, situated as mortals are, a moral or inoffensive 
conduct is fairly entitled to commendation from 
mortals. ...Your situation, my young friends, de- 
mands much candour from us and mighty caution 
in you^ . 

The ornament of Sobriet)", which comes next to 
be considered, is by no means a cheap one. But 
though it be purchased with difficulty, it is lost with 
case. To preserve it, will require the unremitted 
exercise of prudence, vigilance, and severe cir-' 



£4 SERMON IV. 

cumspection : or to speak more properly, these are 
parts of this quality, which in effect is of a mixed 
and comprehensive nature* To describe it at large, 
is not my design. The attempt would lead into a 
discussion much too dry and uninteresting. If pos- 
• sible, I would engage your attention to truth, and 
your hearts ' to goodness, in a different way ; by 
sentiment, persuasion, and the native influence of 
fraternal counsel. «Come then, my sisters, and 
hearkep to a brother, while he endeavours to show 
you on one side those things which you <yight prin- 
cipally to shun, in order to the maintaining of your 
Sobriety ; and to point out on the other that posi- 
tive discipline, which must co-operate for this pur- 
pose. At present we can only undertake the for- 
mer of these points. But before wt. proceed to 
that, let me desire you to take notice with what pro- 
priety the apostle's ideas seem to rise one above an* 
other. He begins with that which is most directly 
obvious, and the very first precaution to be observed. 
Modesty of Apparel. Then he mentions SMtee- 
facedness ; which, though sometimes less apparent, 
yet when observed cannot fail of recommending it- 
self to every eye, and without which . decency of 
garb is mere affectation. Shamefacednes, as he has 
ranked it, appears like a kind of .finer covering, the 
virgin veil of Chastitj^ to be thrown- over all the 

rest. Rnf' that ifr may hff a v#>il in t]if> hCfT** *^'*ns^v 

a ho ly veil and nojggasfejlgjsnh^^ Sohrirty "'^ *^^ 

morTmwa ijjiaEO ^"gt ^nppor^ 

^and give value to the whole : or^ to drop ^ meta» 

jW>jg_rfgtjin^ and prevailing character^ by 

which every part of a woman's dress and de- 

Weang m - must cv e L:iLe I' cguLit M ^^ jNg w to cul-"" 

' tivate this character it is ©f infinite consequence, 



SERMON IV. 65 

la the ; first place, to aVoid Dangerous Connex- 
ions. If that be not done, what is there on earth, 
or in heaven, that can save you ? Of miraculous 
interposition I think not at present. She can have 
no right to expect it, who throws herself into the 
broad way of temptation. What those dangerous 

plain , when it becomes a question in real li f e. Un« ^ 

ha ppily toy youytg womeiiy it i s a question some^ 
tinaes of very nice clecision. _^Cases there are^ in ^ 
which OTtmng can be clearer. The man that be- 
haves with op*en rudeness, the man that avowedly 
laughs at virtue, the man that impudently pleads 
for vice ; sucti a man- is to be shunned like a rattle- 
snake* In this case, '* The woman that deliberates 
" is lost.'' What ! would you parley with the de- 
stroyer, when ' he gives you warning ? Then you 
are not ensnared, you knowingly and wilfully ex- 
pose yourselves. If you be poisoned, if you be 
los^ your folly is without excuse, and your destruc- ^^-Ai 
ti^Rvithout alleviation. ^C^"^ 

But in this manner none will proceed, except 
wretches alike licentious and imprudent. Of artful 
men the approaches will be silent and slow ; all will 
be soft i nsinuation : or else th ey will put on a blunt 
face of seeiiung gooa humoun lhe appearanc e o f - 




e also agreeable in their persons^ or lively in their 
conversation ; above all, if they wear the air of 
gentlemen, which, unfortunately foi* your sex, is too 
often the case ; then indeed your danger is extreme. 
1'hus far the trap is concealed. You apprehend no- 
thing ; your unsuspecting hearts begin to slide ; 
thfiy are gone before you are aware. The men i 



66 SERMON IV. 

am speaking of perceive their advantage the^ mo- 
ment it appears. I have supposed them destitute 
of worth. If they be also unchecked by fear what 
can preserve you ? A sense of reputation ? the 
dread of ruin ? Perhaps they may ; but per-, 
haps not. They have often, no doubt, come in to 
prevent the last excess. And, but for such restraints^ 
what would become of many a womsfti who isT not 
under that best one,' religious principle ? The ex- 
periment, however, you will own is h^slrckM* 
Multitudes have trusted to itf and bfe^^ffSmdone. ^ 

But do those, who in the world's t^Sm^ are not un- 
done, escape, think ye, unhurt ; uhhurt. ii^ their health • 
and spirits, in their serenity and selftejijoyment, in 
their sobriety of mind and habits of .self-cqntrol?. 
You can not think it. Very seldom at lea^ can you 
suppose, that, where there is much sensibility of 
temper, an ill placed passion shalL not lea v6 behind 
k, in a youthful breast, great disorder and ^eep dis- 
quietude, jj^ 

But how, you will ask, is the snare to be eRned 
hidden as it frequently is ? Not so hidden through- 
out, as to be invisible, unless you will shut your 

•y^®' . Tgjt^nnt_Y2lir JlHJ7^^ ^'^ t ^ iiy iVl irp int*? ^hft 
char acter of the man that professes an attachment ? 
Or is character nothing ? Is there no essential dif- 
ference between a man of decency and honour, or 
who has all along passed for such, and a man who 
is known to lead an irregular life, or who is 
suspected however to be the smiling foe of female 
virtue ? May you not learn, if you please, with 
whom the person in question associ^^s ? Or is a 
man^s choice of company nothing ? If not resolved 
to be blind, you may surely discover whether such a 
person proceeds by litde and little to take off the 
visor, ancl appear what he is, by loose sentiments, ki- 
decent advances, an ambiguous style, an alarming assii- 



....^, 



SERMON IV. 6T 

iwnce, ^' foolish talking and jesting which is not con« 
*' venient. " — I blush for numbers of your sex, who 
not only express no displeasure at these things, but 
by a loud laugh, or t:hildish titter, or foolish simper, 
or some other indication of a light mind, show real 
satisfaction, perhaps high complacence. 

Another thing, no less abominable, I cannot 
forbear to mention. How common is it to see 
yoi|pg»ladiesj'. who pass for women of reputation, 
adn^ing into their company in public places, and 
with visinie toke^fs of xivility and pleasure, men, 
whom the moment before they saw herding with 
cre^tur&s p^^dfiinput^ name ! Gracious God, what 
a defi^ce'Iitijtthe laws of piety, prudence, cha- 
raolier, 'decorum ! What an insult, in effect, to every 
man ai^Ajirotiiaii'^ virtue in the world! What a' 
palpabl^j^Bl^couragem^t to vice and dishonour' 
What a desperate attempt to pull down, in appear- 
ance, and with their own hands, the only partition 
that ^yides them from the most profligate of their 
sex ! xBlHween the bold and the abandoned woman 
there may still renmiQ. notwithstanding such be- 
haviour,^ distinction- in the world's eye ; but we 
scruple not to declare, religion, purity, delicacy, 
make none. 

To return from this d igrefiftton^ if it be one^ lye will 

a llow it pos ?^ibl^ In put faBi?B w^^^nriri no pftrti'-vVy 

rul es of discovery, no determinat e mod^S ^f j"^g- 

me nt, will enable a youn g wo^^-*"j ^y b^r .fwwiy 

unas sisted skill, to discern th *" ^^'^g^^^ tht^t }W '^^ 
h er way. But ' '^n ^y^nng wt>mi>n hf jmtly ex^n- 
sied, or can she fairly ex cuse herself^ if, where alL 
Is at stake, "she call not in the jomt aid of wise sus- 
picion, friendly counsel, and grave experience, 
together with prayers for God's protection more 
than ordinarily fervent ? 



68 SERMON IV. 

But, methinks^ I hear some of you ask, with an 
air of earnest curiosity, 1 ^ not reformed libertines 
t tien make the best husba nds ^ 1 am sorry lor tKe^ 
'^estion. I am doubly sorry, whenever it is start- 
ed by a Virtuous Woman, I will not wound the 
ear of modesty by drawing minutely the character 
of a libertine : but give me leave to answer your 
inquiry, by asking a question or two in my turn 
In the first place, we will suppose such a one really 
reformed, so far as to treat the woman he i|p*ries 
with esteem and fidelity ; and that he gives up for 
ever his old companions, at least as to any chosen 
intimacy, or preference of their comjj^y to hers. 
We grant it possible ; we rejoice when it happens. 
It is certainly the best atonement that can be m^de 
for his former conduct. But now let Ijj^gsk you, 
or rather let me desire ^ou to ask your ^Km hearts, 
without any regard to the opinions of the world, 
which is most desirable on the score of sentiment, 
on the score of that respect which you owe t^y our- 
selves, to your friends, to your sex, to otoct, rec- 
titude, and honour ; the pure unexhausted aifection 
of a man who has not by intemperance and debauch- 
ery corrupted his principles, impaired his constitu- 
tion, enslaved himself to appetite, submitted to 
share with the vilest and lowest of mankind the 
mercenary embraces of harlots, contributed to em- 
bolden guilt, to harden vice, to render the retreat 
from a life of scandal and misery more hopeless ; 
who never laid snares for beauty, never betrayed the 
innocence that trusted him, never abandoned any 
fond creature to want and despair, never hurt the 
reputation of a woman, never disturbed the peace of 
families, or defied the laws of his countr}% or set at 
nought the prohibition of his God ; — ^which, I say, 
is most desirable, the affection of such a man, ov 



SERMON IV. 6d 

that of him who has probably done slU this, who has 
certainly done a great part of it, rnd who has nothing 
now to offer you, but the shattered remains of his 
health, and of his heart ? How any of you may feel 
on this subject, I cannot say. But if, judging as a 
man, I believed, what I have often heard, that the 
generality of women would prefer the latter, I know 
not any thing that could sink them so low in my 
esteem. 

'yiat he who has been formerly a rake may after 
all [TOve a very tolerable husband, as the world 
|;oes, I have said already that I do not dispute. 
But I would* ask, in the next place, is this com- 
monly to bt expected? Is there no danger that 
4uch a man will be tempted by the power of long 
habit to return to his old ways ; or that the insatia- 
ble lovMf: variety, which he has indulged so free- 
ly, will some time or other lead him astray from 
Ae finest woman in the world ? Will not the ifery 
idea of restraint, which he could never brook while 
aingl# make him only the more impatient of it 
when married ? Will he have the better opinioti 
of his wife's virtue, that he has conversed chiefljF 
with women who had none, and with men amongst 
whom it was a favourite system, that the sex are 
all alike f But it is a painful topic. Let the wo- 
men who are so cohnected make the best of their 
condition : and let us go on to something else. If 
you, my honoured hearers, would preserve your 
sobriety, I would warn you. 

In the second place, against a dissipated Life ; 
into which many, who I verily believe have no ill 
intentions, are unhappily drawn by one engagement 
or another. Youth, sprighdiness, the love of soci- 
ety, the love of shining, (the last particularly 
strong in minds where imagination predominates,) 



7© SERltON IV. 

joined with a taste for amusement, which the cir- 
cumscribed situation of the sex serves perhaps only 
to increase — all these put together lead them very 
readily into such a track ; most especially if their 
education has lain in that Fine, or if their connexions, 
iirhether natural, or accidental, have cocnurred to 
strengthen the bias. But how innocent soever it 
may be in the first instance, who does not know, 
that in its after-consequences it is often to the last 
degree hurtful. ■ ^ 

Does it not manifestly * breed an impaticTCe of 
home, and such a propensity to show, as, rather 
than not be gratified, shall balk the most important 
duties, and court the most impropefr company ? 
Does it not tend directly to expense and pro- 
fusion ? Does it not unavoidably c^rish 'Sic 
passion for idleness and sauntering, MJjjkconsiat* 
cnt with every thing solid, useful, and improving ? 
Not to speak now of the prejudice done by it ta 
the health and constitution ; is such a temper, and 
such a conduct, agreeable to the great rules of 
moderation ? Will that mind be acquainted with 
wisdom, which i» averse to thought ? Will self- 
government be her study, who flies from self-in- 
Bpection ? Can Religion or Virtue hope to make 
any lasting impression on a spirit, that by perpe- 
tual agitation is wrought up into mere froth ? What 
imaginable folly is diere that may not find its way 
into a heart, like the garden of the sluggard, thrown 
open to every incursion ?' If your mornings be spent 
in rambling and dressing, your evenings in visits and 
cards, or public entertainments ; if this be the 
general tenor of your transactions^ on which side, 
,1 beseech you, can the balance be expected to lie 
at the bottom of the account ? 



' I 



SERMON IV. 71 

But that perhaps is not your care. * What have 

* the youDg and the gay to do, but to divert them- 

* selves t Indeed ? Were you sent then into this 
world for no other purpose ? Do you design to ap- 
ply to nothing serious ? * Yes, certainly, when we 

* are setded, and have families/ But pray, tell 
me : To act your parts properly dien, is 'there no 
preparation necessary now ? Is roving about con- 
tinually, tTie way to grow either fond of domestic 
employments, or fit for them ? Will neglecting the 
lessdf afiPairs committed to you at present, dispose 
or qualify you for a larger sphere of activity here- 
after* 

But have we not often seen young women, that 
were thoughtless and profuse, turn out very pru- 
dent and ceconomical wives? We have ; and what 
then ? Would you build a system of action on events 
so precarious and unlikely ? Because by the force of 
genius, or a felicity of circumstances, boys who were 
good for little or nothing at school, have not unfre- 
quently, in process of time, shot up into men of 
ability or spirit, would you thence infer that youtk 
may safely trifle away their early years ? 

But is it certain^ after all, that you are to change 
your state, as well as your character ? Will the 
train of life we are considering recommend you 
much to young men* I have conversed with many 
of them on this subject. Shall I tell you their 
opinions ? Some, I find, would like a sprightly 
companion in marriage, but none a dissipated one ; 
and all of them, to a man, dread a woman of ex- 
pense. I say not, that it is right in this case to count 
the cost too nicely ; but men that are not very violent 
lovers, or very great fools, will not overlook it. Our 
sex of late years have been by many thought more 
backward than formerly to enter into the holy bands 



72 S£ltHON IV. 

of wedlock ; and what I hint at has been assigned 
as a principal cause* 

It is too commoii, I .confess, to hear those who 
have been addicted to vagrant pleasures, and vain 
profusion, plead the sraallness of their fortunes as 
an excuse for not marrying ; when, if they connect- 
ed themselves with women of sobriety and discre- 
tipn, it is perhaps demonstrable that they would 
live cheaper. But what, say they, if, hoping to 
find a help meet, we should wed our ruin ? I an- 
swer them. Choose the better. Shall I givPyou 
their reply ? ' The ladies of the present age are 
* so immoderately expensive' — You may guess the 
rest* 

But it is not only such men that speak this Ian* 
guage. There arc of a different character not a 
few, who, strongly attached to the worthier part of 
^e sex, wish for nothing so much as an honourahle 
connexion with them, but are restrained by the very 
consideration in question. We would willingly 
convince them, that they carry it too far. They 
appeal to facts, and persist in the argument. We 
are weary of the dispute* It is inconceivable 
what frivolous articles of parade are insisted on by 
some women, of whom better things might be ex-« 
pected. But rivalship in show is the ruhng passion 
of the times ; and how much is it nourished by dis- 
sipation I 

I cannot leave this point without observing, that 
one of the worst consequences attending such a 
course is^ its throwing many young ladies into the 
company of women, who with the general reputa- 
tion of virtue, or under the particular shelter of 
tnatrimony, are often the very quintessence of vice ; 
' a set of smooth pernicious tempers, like Satan to 
3Eve, winding themselves by flattery into the hearts 



. Sermon iv. 73 

ef those her heedless daughters, deseanting on 
their beauty, perfections, prospects, and I ktiow 
not what ; first exciting, and dien gratifying their 
youthful curiosity, with such suggestions, and such 
tales, as set their fancies all on fire ; by which any 
little structure of modesty, that Nature and Educa^ 
cation may have raised, is consumed in a moment. 
Which contributes most to their fall firom innocence, 
those she serpents^ or the male ones mentioned be* 
toTCj I will not determine ; but retnember, I have 
warned you agaimt both* 

Permit me farther, on this occasion} just to re* 
mind you of poor Dinah. Secure as yon may ' 
think yourselves, none of you, I suppose, have 
been trained more virtuously than it is probable she 
was under the eye of a pious father. But alas! 
Ae spirit of wandering seized her. ** She went 
^ forth to see the daughters of the land.'' She 
met a betrayer and lost her honour. But I pro^ 
ceed, 

In the durd place, to caution you against that 
fatal poison to virtue, which is conveyed by pro- 
fligate and by improper Books. 

When entertainment is made the vehicle of in- 
struction, nothing surely can be more harmless, 
agreeable, or useful* To prohibit young minds the 
perusal of any writings, where wisdom addresses 
the affecticMis in the language of the imagination, 
may be sometimes well meant, but must be always 
injudicious. Some such writings undoubtedly there 
are ; the offspring of real genius enlightened by 
knowledge of the world, and prompted, it is to he 
hoped, ^ zeal for the improvement of yontli* 

Happy indeed, beyond the vulgar stoiy-tettiag 
tribe, and highly to be praised, is he who, to fine 

Vo€. I. G 



74 SERMON IV. 

sensibilities <ttid a lively fancy superadding clear 
and comprehensive views of men and manners, 
writes to the heart with simplicity and chasteness., 
through a series of adventures well conducted^ 
and relating chiefly to scenes in ordinary life ; 
where the solid joys of Virtue, and her sacred 
sorrows, are strongly contrasted with the hollow- 
ness and the horrors of vice ; where, by litde and un*. 
expected yet natural incidents of the tender and 
domestic kind, so peculiarly fitted to touch the soul, 
the most important lessons are impressed, and the 
most generous sentiments awakened ; where, to 
say no more, distress occasioned often by indiscre- 
tions, consistent with many degrees of worth, yet 
clouding it for the time, is worked up into a storm, 
such as to call forth the principles of fortitude and 
wisdom, confirming and brightening tliem by th'at 
exertion ; till at length the bursting tempest is to- 
tally, or in a great measure dispelled, so that the 
hitherto suspended and agitated reader is either 
relieved entirely, and delighted even to transport, 
or has left upon his mind at the conclusion a mix- 
ture of virtuous sadness, which serves to fasten 
the moral deeper, and to produce an unusual sobrie- 
ty in all his passions. 

Amongst the few wbrks of this kind which 
I have seen, I cannot but look on those of Mr. 
Richardson as well entitled to the first rank ; an 
author, of whom an indisputable judge has with 
equal truth and energy pronounced, '* that he taught 
*^ the passions to, move at the command of reason : '* 
I will venture to add, an author, to whom your 
sex are under singular obligations for his uncom- 
mon attention to their best interests ; but particu- 
larly for presenting, in a character sui^tained throttgh^^ 



SERMON IV. 75 

out with inexpressible pathos and delicacy, the 
most exalted standard of female excellence that 
was ever held up to their imitation. I would be 
understood to except that part of Clarissa's cgnduct, 
which the author meant to exhibit as exception- 
able* Setting this aside, we finil in her character a 
beauty, a sweetness, an artlessness— -what shall I 
say more t a sanctity of sentiment and manner, 
which, I own for my part, I have never seen equal- 
led in any book of diat sort ; yet such, at the same 
time, as appears no way impracticaUe for any 
woman who is ambitious of excelling. 

Beside the beautiful productions of that incom- 
parable pen, there seem to me to be very few, in 
the style of Novel, that you can read with safety, 
and yet fewer that you can read with advantage.— 
What shall we say of certain books, which we are 
assured (for we have not read them) are in their 
Biature so shameful, in their tendency so pestife - 
rous, and contain such rank treason against the 
royalty of Virtue, such horrible violation of all de- 
corum, that she who can bear to peruse them must 
in her soul be a prostitute, let her reputation in life 
be what it will. But can it be ti^ue— §ay, ye chaste 
stars, that with innumerable eyes inspect the . mid- 
night behaviour of mortals — can it be true, that any 
young woman, pretending to d^ency, should 
endure for a moment to look on this infernal brood 
of futility and lewdness ? 

Nor do we condemn those writings * only, that^ 

with an effrontery which defies the laws of God and 

man, carry on their very forehead the mark of the 

beast. We consider the general run of Novels as 

utterly unifit for you. Instruction they convey none. 

They paint scenes of pleasure and passion altogether 



76 SJCRMoir IV. 

improper for you to behold, even with the muid's 
eye. I'heir descriptions are often loose and lus« 
eious in a high degree ; their representations of love 
between the sexes are almost universally overstrain- 
ed. All is dotage, or despair; or else ranting 
swelled into burlesque. In short, the majority of 
dieir lovers are either mere lunatics, or mock- 
heroes. A sweet sensibility, a charming tendemessi^ 
a deli^tful anguish, exalted generosity, heroic 
worth, and refinement of thought ; how seldom are 
these best ingredients of virtuous love mixed with 
any judgment or care in the composition of their 
principal characters! 

In the Old Romance the passion appeared witk 
all its enthusiasm. But then it was the enthusiasm 
of honour ; for k)ve and honour were there the 
same. The men were sincere, magnanimous, and 
noble ; the women were patterns of chastity, dig^ 
uity, and affection. They were only to be won by 
real heroes ; and this title was founded in protect-* 
ing, not in betraying, the sex. The proper merit 
with thc^m consisted in the display of disinterested 
goodness, undaunted fortitude, and unalteraUe 
fidelity. Thf turn -of those books was influenced by 
the genius of the times in which they were composed ; 
as that, on the other hand, was nourished by them. 
The character* they drew were, no doubt, often 
heightened beyond nature ; and the iiKidents they 
related, it is ceitain, were commonly blended with 
the most ridiculous extravagance. At present, 
however, I believe they may be read with perfect 
safety, ii indeed there be any who choose to look 
into them. 

I'he times in which we live are in no danger of 
adopting a system of romantic virtue, llie parents 
©f the present generation, what with gelling 



BERUOa IV. 77 

their sons and daughters in marriage, and what 
with teaching them by every possible means the 
glorious principles of avarice, have contrived pretty 
effectually to bring down from its former fiigj^ts 
that idle, youthful, unprofitable passion, which ha^ 
for its object personal attractions, in preference to 
all the wealth in the world. With the successful 
endeavours of those profoundly politic parents, the 
levity of dissipation, the vanity of parade, and the 
fury of gaming, now so prevalent, have concurred 
to cure completely in the fashionable of both sexes 
any tendency to mutual fondness. 

What has a xnodish young fellow to do with those 
antiquated notions 6f gallantry, that were connected 
with veneration for female excellence, invincible 
honour, and unspotted fame ? Is it not enough for 
him, if he inUyid to strike the matrimonial bai-gain, 
that by himself, or an old cunning father, he can 
derive a good one, to get possession of some wo- 
man, whose fortune joined to his own, if any he 
have, shall enable him to glitter in public, and in 
private to gratify other favourite inclinations, more 
freely ? iProvided these grand points are. gained in 
the person he thus tra£Bcs for to be the partner of 
his life, what signifies her ^^>pearance, her under- 
standing, or her character ? And.those Fine Ladies 
who seek conquest only for show, too well instruct- 
ed in the superior consequences of that to put any 
value on so simple a thing as a Heart, merely for 
its own sake ; what else have they to mind but se- 
curing, by whatever arts, such settlements as shall 
place them, when married, on a level with their 
companions, or if possible above them, in the all- 
important articles of gaiety and splendour ? As 
to men's hazarding any thing in the defence 

€ 3 



78 SERMON rv. 

of girls who may take it ' into their heads to 
think of reputation, delicacy, Bcntiment, and 
other such exploded ideas ; what can be so fool' 
;iq^ ?;7^1though to hazard their lives,- in a drunk- 
en d>iiarrel for a prostitute, might perhaps he 
brave? 

That in so polite an age the elevations of love, 
the sanctity of truth, and die majesty of virtue, 
should pass for knight-errantry, cannot be surpri- 
sing; nor is it any wonder, that Uie very best 
things, in tlie producdons'Iast^ mentioned, should 
be no way interesting U hose 

taste and manners are f ■ dif- 

ferent. Some however ;d to 

hear the opinion of no ilton 

concerning them. It s( f his 

early studies, and that Aa 

his words to this purpii 1 not 

much kno^vn, I shall take the liberty to quote 
part of them. " I betook me amongst those lofty 
" febles and romances, which recount in solemn 
•^ cantos the deeds of knighthood founded by our 
" victorious kings, and from hence had in renown 
** over all Christendom. There I read it ^n the 
" oath of every knight, that he should defend to the 
" expense of his blood, or of his life, if it so be- 
" fell him, the honour and chastity of virgin or 
" matron. From whence even then I learnt, what 
" a noble virtue chastity sure must be, to the de- 
" fence of which so many worthies by such a dear 
" adventure of themselves had swom. And if I 
*' found in the story afterwards any of them by 
'* word or deed breaking that oath, I judged it the 
" same fault of the poet as that which is attributed 



SERMON >V. 79 

* to Homer, to have written undecent things of 
•* the Gods. Only this my mind gave me, that 
•* every free and gentle spirit, «. ithout that oath, 
** ought to be bom a knight, nor needed to ex- 
*' pect the gilt spur, or the laying of a sword upon 
** his shoulder, to stir him up both by his counsel 
*' and his arm to secure and protect the weakness 
♦* of any attempted chastity." 

To come back to the species of writing which 
60 many young women are apt to doat upon, the 
offspring of our present Novelists, I mean the 
greater part; yidth whom we may join the present 
herd frf plnyrifVttn^'^i 'Bf^'^idf"^ the remarks already 
made on the former, is it not manifest with respect 
to both, that such books, lead to a false taste of life 
and happiness\| that they represent vices as frailties^ 
and frailties as virtues ; that they engender notions 
of love unspeakably pervertingand infiammatory ; that 
they overlook in a great measure the finest part of 
the passion, which one would suspect the authors 
had never experienced ; that they turn it most com- 
monly into an affair of wicked or of frivolous gal- 
lantry ; that on many occasions they take off from 
the worst crimes committed in the prosecution of it, 
the horror which ought ever to follow them ; on 
some occasions actually reward those very crimes, 
and almost on all leave the female readers with this 

Eersuasion at best, that it is their business to get 
usbands at any rate, and by whatever means ? 
Add to the account, that repentance for the foulest 
injuries which can be done the sex, is generally 
represented as the pang, or rather the start, of a 
momeWt ; and holy wedlock converted into a sponge, 
to wipe out at a single stroke every stain of guilt 
and dishonour, which it was possible for the hero 
of the piece to contract*— Is this a kind of reading 



•6 . fl^RMON IV. 

calculated to improve the priiaciples, or presctve 
the Sobriety, of female minds ? How much are 
those young women to be pitied, that have no wise 
parents or faithful tutors to direct them in relation 
to the books which are, or which are not, fit for 
them to read ! How much are those parents and 
tutors to be commended, who with, particular 
solicitude watch over them in so important h 
concern ! 

I conclude with saying, diat the subject of this 
discourse has unavoidably suggested some ideas^ 
which, had we not undertaken to address young 
women at large, we should have certainly suppress- 
ed for the sake of more modest natures, whom we 
would not willingly pain, no not for a moment. 
But such we hope will be candid enou^ to excuse 
us, if, by throwing out to odiers what to them 
would have been unnecessary, we may be happily 
instrumental in rescuing were it but one of their 
sex from the slavery of vice, or defending a single 
innocent from it8 snares^ 



Sermon v, 

»N FIMAU: VIRTUE, FRIEKD.SHIP, ANB 
CONVERSATION. 



.1 TIM. il. 8, 9. 

'M tHUr^th^t vwnen adorn themselves vtUh SoMeti/, 

COL* iv. 6t 

Let ytwr Speech he tiimoffi wUh ChtteCt Htumed reiih Sak. 

1 O preserve the Sobriety enjoined by our apos> 
tie, there is required a positive discipline, as well 
as the negative part already explained. Be not 
alarmed at the name of Discipline. In what we 
are going to propose you will find nothing forbidden 
Or harsh. We do not, you may believe, wish to 
see you cut off from the friendly intercourse and 
innocent delights of society, confined to convents, 
as millions of your sex most unnaturally are in po- 
pish countries, and there condemned to the idle yet 
fatiguing task of a devotion unreasonable in many 
respects, uninteresting in most, feeble for want of 
temptation, visionary and dry at the same time. 
The genuine intention of piety was certainly to 
make its disciples amiable, useful, and happy ; to 
give solidity to every virtue, and grace to every 
relation of human life. Is it possible to reflect on 
the prodigious multitudes of women shut up hi 



82 SERMOK V. 

those dens of superstition, without feeling horrop 
at a system which, under the guise ol superior 
-sanctity, sacrifices to hopeless soiiiude, frequently 
in all the flower of youth and beauty, such swarms 
of helpless beings ; who, had they remained in the 
world, might have been the ornament of their own 
sex, the delight of ours, the mothers of a nume- 
rous race, and blessings to every country where 
they dwell. 

Of the colours with which this cruel practice is 
disguised by the church of Rome we are not igno- 
rant : and we can even conceive, that the prepos- 
sessions of art, and the softenings of habit ; their 
commerce with one. another, their employments in 
their prison, and often, I doubt not, the ardour of 
a well-meaning though much mistaken zeal ; that aH 
these may have the power to reconcile many of them 
to a state, otherwise gloomy beyond expression^ 
But what shall be said for the situation of the rest ; 
and what can justify the flagrant opposition of such 
a system to the sacred laws of social duty, and the 
truly benevolent, joyful, and active spirit of the 
religion of Jesus, as taught and exemplified by 
himself and his apostles ? 

But to proceed in oiu* plan. From dangerous 
connexions, from a dissipated life, and from books 
of a corrupting tendency, we attempted to put you 
upon your guard ifi our last discourse. In the pre- 
sent we will endeavour to point out that Society or 
Conversation, and in sodie following ones those 
Talents or Accomplishments, which will contribute 
at once to fortify you against such snares, if they 
should fall in your way ; to subdue any propensities 
that might expose you too rashly to their influence ; 
to strengthen all your virtuous resolves ; and te 



SERMON V. 83 

supply inexhausted sources of solid, rational, and 
refined entertainment. 

As to the conversation which you ought with 
these views* to cultivate, it may be proper, 

First of all, to say . somewhat concerning those 
early Friendships with one anotlier, that usually 
lead you to the most intimate communications* I 
take it for granted, there is no young woman who has 
not, or wishes not to have, a companion of her own 
sex, to whom she may unbosom herself on every 
occasion. That there are women capable of friikid* 
ship with women, I cannot, for my part, question 
in the least* I have seen indubitable proofs of itj^ 
and those carried as far as seemed compatible witb 
die imperfections x>f our common nature* I know 
it. is questioned by many men^ while others believe, ' 
that it happens exceedingly seldom. Between mar- 
Tied and unmarried women, I hope it happens very 
often. Whether it does so between those that are 
single, I confess m3'^self a little doubtful. The 
preacher will be probably charged with partiality 
to his own sex<) when he adds, that, so far as he 
has been able to observe, young men have appear- 
ed more frequently susceptible of a generous and 
steady friendship for each other, than females as 
yet unconnected ; especially if the latter have had, 
or been supposed to have, pretensions to beauty not 
yet adjusted by the public. 

Having professed himself however, what (as 
often as truth will permit him) he really is, an ad- 
vocate for the sex, and this being the feature in 
their character, which seems to him the most un- 
favourable, he is willing to find out whether in their 
frame and condition, compared with those of the 
nien, there be any circumstances which may help 



towards aa apology ^ and he argae$ in die following: 
manner. 

The state of matrimony is necessary to die »ip- 
port) order, sukI comfort of society. But it is a 
Atate^ dmt subjects the women to a great variety 
of sdiicitude and pain. Nothing could carry them 
through it with aoy toterabie sadsliaction or spirit, 
but vety strong ajfaoaost anconquerafale attachments. 
To prodoce these, is it not fit diey should be pecu^ 
liariy sensible to die attention and regsirds of men i 
Upon die same grouiid, does it not seem sfgreeabk 
t30 die purposes of Providemoe dist due securing 
of this attention, and these regards., should be a 
ptaoctpal aim ? But can such an aim be pursued 
widkout fcequmt competkiou ? And wffl not that 
too readSy occasion jeaiousy, envy, aadaU die un^ 
atmiaUe efiects of imitual rivalshif^^ I meai^ 
withotit the restraints of superior worth and senti^ 
ittent» But can these be oniinarily expected from 
the prevailing turn of female education, or from 
die Eofctle pains tl^ women, as well as other hunaaa 
beings, commoi^y take to ecsitfot themselves, and 
to act nobly ^ In this hat respect, the sexes ap^ 
{>ear pretty much on the same footing : in odiers, it 
is manifest, that the nature and situadou oi the 
ttden are very different* Their constitution d 
mind, no less than the body, is for die most part 
hardy and rough. By means of both, by die de* 
Bsands of life, and by the impidse of passion, diey 
arej:ngaged in a vast diversity of pursuits, from 
which your aex are precluded by decorum, by sof^ 
ness, and by fear. This diversity of dsuly pur- 
suits, joined with the multiplicity c^ femiale ol^ects 
that freer modes of living present to their imagiaa^ 
don, and the power they have of unlimited choice 
whenever they are disposed to make it ; (a power 



f 



SERMOllI V. 05 

which Nature probably^ and Custom certainly, 
have denied to the others ;) all this put together must 
in the case of our sex be productive of very dif- 
ferent eflfects. 

Do I mean by this reasoning to justify in yours 
the indulgence of those Uttle, and, I must needs 
say, in many instances, base passions towards one 
another, with which they haye been so generally 
charged . God forbid* J only mea^n to represent such 
passions in the first approach, and while not enter*- 
tainrd^as less criminal dien.the men are apt to state 
them ; and to prove, that, in their attachments to 
each other, the latter have not always that merit 
above the poor women^ which they are ^pt to claim* 
In the n^ean time it will be your business^ by emu- 
lating them where they appear good-natured and 
disinterested, to disprove their imputation, and to 
«how a temper open to friendship, as well as to 
Xiove* 

To talk much of the latter is natural for both ; to 
talk much of the former, is considered as one 
way of doing themselves honour. Friendship, they 
well know, is that dignified form^ which in specula- 
tion at least everv heart must reverence. 13 at in 
friendship, as in religion, which in many respects 
it resembles, speculation is ofteu substituted in the 
place of practice. People fancy themselves possess- 
ed of the thing, and hope that others will fancy so 
too, because they are fond of the name, and have 
learnt to talk about it with plausibility. Such talk 
indeed imposes, till experience gives it the lie* 

To say the truth, there seems in either sex but 
little of what a fond imagination, \macquainteAwith 
the falsehood of the world, and warmed by affections 
which its selfishness ^as not .yet ch'dled, wculd reckon 

Vol, I, H ' 



d 



SERlirON V. 



/ 



Friendship. In theory the standard is raised too 
high ; yet, methinks, I would not have it set much 
lower. I would not, on any account, have the 
honest sensibilities of ingenuous nature checked by 
the over-cautious documents of political prudence. 
No advantage, obtained by such frigidity, can com** 

Eensate the want of those warm effusions of the 
eart into the bosom of a friend, which are doubts 
less among the most exquisite pleasures ; at the 
sape time that it nmsr be owned they often, by the' 
inevitable lot of humanity, make way for the bitter- 
est pains which the breast can experience. ,/HappyN 
yl5evond the common condition of fier sex 5s she. 



who has found a Friend indeed ; open-hearted yet 






i discreet, ^generously fer^nt yet steady, thorough* 
: ly virtuous but not severe, wise and cheerful at^hc ( 
s same time ! Can such a friend be loved too much, \^ 
j or cherished too tenderly ? If to e!xcellen<je, as well 
as happiness, there be any one way more compen- 
\ dious than another, next to friendship with the 
X^^eat Almighty, it is this. 

But when a mixture of minds so beautiful and so 
blessed takes pljrte, it is generally, if not always, 
the result of eariy prepossession, casual intercourse, 
secret sympathy, inexplicable attraction, or else a 
combination of such causes as are not to be brought 
together by management or design. This noble 
plant may be cultivated ; but it must grow sponta- 
neously* I can only therefore wish to each of you, 
beloved, the felicity of finding such a friend and, 
having found her, the wisdom to use her vrell. 

For the more general commerce of social life, a 
few advices may not be improper. That, like the 
ordinary duties of religion, may be directed with 
tolerable advantage by human precepts. The harmo- 
nies of holy friendship, like Ihe sublimer cdntempla^ 



Upnsof'the Divinity, must depend more immedU 
ately on that hand, which can alone attune the finer 
movements, and exalt the best conceptions of tb«^ 
soul* Let us go on then. 

In the second place, to what we may term the 
common tenor of your Company ; which, for the 
sake of our subject, we must eupppse left in some 
measqre to your own phoice. That it ought to 
be such as shall not corrupt your good manners^ 
is a principle already established. It will be like- 
wise understood, that, in the society you choose 
to frequei^, you will seek for that style of virtue 
which is mo^t adapted tq the turn of your owi^ 
fxiinds* But this last propensity should not, { 
apprehend, be indulged too far. t will explain 
jpayselfc 

T^e more intimate recipfocf^ions of a close 
friendship are now, aa you know, out of the 'que$t 
tion. That at your time of life you should be par- 
ticularly fond of sprigbdy conversfttion,^ where all 
is enlivened and joyful, andjphere Wisdom wheii 
dllow^d to enter puts on her gayest garb, is perfecdy 
patur^L To advise you against it were as weak,a9 
M would be unfriendly* Such sprightlinesjs and 
freedom, when supported by sense, ^nd chastened 
by decenpy, hs^ve, alwi^ys, I frankly acknowledge, 
appeared to me delightful* Dulne^s and insipi- 
dity, morpsenesji afid rigour, are dead weights bf 
every kind of social iptercpur^^ ; nor will I con- 
i^eal it from you th^t I wii^h, a^ much as any of 
you can dp, to fnake iny e^c^pe from them on all 
pci^asions. But tell me^ my Uvely friends ; whea 
the heart overflows with gaiety, is there no danger 
of its bursting the proper bounds ? Is not extreme 
vivacity a near borderer on folly ? To prevent it^ 
bres^ng loose^ and tiurowing itself into very se- 



g8 SERMON V. 

lious inconveniences, into a very hurtful cbnduct^ 
will surely require the check of self-command. 
JBut how is that to be attainedr ? By associating oiily 
with the fanciful, the vivacious, or the witty ? Is 
hazard to be shunned by rushing into the field of 
battle ? Or, to represent things at the best, is fa- 
miliarity with Wisdom to be coixtracted most rea- 
dily, where Wisdom appears most seldom ? Would 
ye form habits of sobriety, a spirit of sedateness, 
no way inconsistent with innocent mirth, you must 
frequently resort to the company of the sober and 
the sedate. But will not these be chiefly found 
among su,ch as, are farther advanced in years than 
yourselves ? Should not you be ambitious of pro*^ 
fiting by their experience and knowledge ? And 
will not a respect for superior age, when possess* 
cd of superior discretion,, often prove a seasonable 
restraint on the wildness of more youthful sallies ? 
*^^He that walketh with wise men shall be wise,*^ 
said the wisest of mortals. Is not the maxim 
equally applicable to women ? 

WiU you gfve n:ie leave on this bccasioii to men- 
tion, what is much to thfe honour of Our sex, that 
all die ' naost sensible -and worthy of' yours have 
ever professed a particular relish for the conversa* 
tion of men- of sense and worth ? Such men, I 
presume, are attached to the society of such wo- 
men beyond every thing else in the world, ,And 
when circumstances favour, this mutual tendency 
cannot fall to be a rich source of mutual improve* 
ment. Was not such reciprocal aid a great part 
of Nature^s intention in that mental and moral 
diiference of sex, which she has marked by charac- 
ters no less distinguishable than those that diversify 
their outward forms? 



3£IlM0)r V. 69 

To adopt, the language of an amiable writer,- 
who has studied the human heart with success : 
** We believe that it is proper for persons of the same 
^^ age, of the same sex, of similar dispositicms cuid 
"pursuits, to associate together. But here we 
" seem to be deceived by words* If we consult 
" nature and common sense, we shall find, that the 
" true propriety and harmony of social life depends 
" upon the connexion of people of different dispo* 
" sitions and characters judiciously blended together, 
" Nature hath made no individual, nor no class 
" of people, independent of the rest of their spe- 
^ cies, or sufficient for their own happiness. Each 
** sex, each character, each period of life, have 
** their several advantages j. and that union is the 
** happiest and most proper, where wants are mu- 
" tually supplied* . The fair sex should jnaturaHy 
" expect to gain from our conversation, knowledge, 
"wisdom, and sedateness y and they should give 
" us in exchange humanity, politeness, cheefful- 
** ness, tastCy and sentiment,'^ He adds, " The 
*' levity, the rashness, and folly of early life, are 
*' tempered with the gravity, the caution, and the wis- 
** dom of age ; while the timidity, coldness- of heart, 
*' and languor incident to declining years, are sup- 
** ported and assisted by the courage, the warmth,. 
** and the vivacity of youth.'' 

The conversation of people older than yourselvesr 
will be often accompanied with less joy at the mo-- 
ment f but afterwards it will m^ke abundant com- 
pensation. It will produce more recpUection : and 
be assured, my sisters, those are the truest plea- 
sures which are tasted by a mind composed and 
serious.^ In that situation, every thing is felt more ^ 

»tronglv« A dissipated spirit is too superficial to be 

H 2 



9$ S'ERMON V. 

capable of deep oi* permanent delight. JBesides, a* 
has been already hinted, the experience and maturi- 
ty of more years will enlarge your understandings^ 
sM: the same time that they will repress your vanity 
and presumption ; while the sportiveness peculiar to 
youth will, on your part, enliven the seriousness of 
ttge. And if those, whom you thus respectfully 
cultivate, have any good nature, they will certainly 
treat you with condescension and foH^earance. I 
said Good nature ; for whatever excludes that, i» 
sure ter lose all the influence, as well as praise of 
wisdom. , 

On this principle, I would particularly recommend 
to you the company of those, whose piety is of the 
most cheerful and the most charitable strain. They^ 
are strangers to human nature, who would affright 
the youjigbythe frown of austerity. True religion 
ever was, and ever will be, of the friendly kind. It 
is not zeal, but bigotry, that refuses to make allow- 
ance for juvenile spirits and gayer tempers. Could 
the old be convinced by us, there is nothing we 
should be at greater pains to impress* upon them 
than this, That ae cheerfulness is the most natural 
effect of real goodness, it is also its most powerful 
recommendation. Wisdom is never so attractive as 
when she smiles. 

But do not, my dear hearers, conceive an unfair 
vourable opinion of that venerable form, if in th6 
virtue of your mothers and aunts you should 
happen to find a defect of good humour. Consider' 
the consequences* of declining hefdth, disagreeable 
accidents, the death of their best friends, frequent 
inactivity and depression after a life of action and 
► onjoyment. If you <ian look forward so far as a 
few years at most, it will be right for you to thiok 
irhat you may probably feel at their age. And 



SERMON v. tNl 

pray remember, that if you require and expect al- 
lowances to be made. ibr starts of ill humour in 
yourselves, at a season when all should be naturally 
soft and gentle, it is but fair at least that you should 
excuse the same in those who, not to insist now onr 
dieir other claims, are objects of tender sympathy, 
as being invaded by languor, ijifirmity, and affliction. 
I cannot however omit to caiition them against 
giving away too easily to that peevishness, which is 
apt to grow upon them from these circumstances ; 
and to remind them, that in such as have survived 
the lively taste of delight themselves, there is no- 
thing so noble or pleasing, as not to discourage 
others who still retain it, but on the contrary to 
shew a generous satisfaction in seeing and making 
young people happy. Ah ! my respected friends, 
why would you ever forfeit this highest honour of an 
excellent temper ? Why would you ever render 
your company forbidding, or assist in the ravage 
which nature is unavoidably making on your attrac- 
tions ? Why rob Religion of that engaging appear- 
ance, which is not only her native appear- 
ance, but so peculiarly necessary to promote her 
interest with unexperienced minds, in opposition tor 
the wiles of her laughing rival ? You will hardly be- 
lieve how much harm is done by this conduct to the 
best of causes. 

The world will judge of piety by its f«t)fessors. 
The proceeding is often unfair; beaiuse they are 
•ften unlike that which they profess. But there 19 
no possibility of preventing it. The young have 
heard religion represented as an enemy to joy and 
aifability. Nothing can be more unjust. Instead 
therefore of confirming those prejudices, it becomes 
you to confute them by the only argument that wiU 
thoroughly convince, the cheerfulness of your dis- 
cburse, and the mildness of your demeanour. Ii^ 



^ SEEMON V, 

Ais way you may hope to do great good. Whea 
** Wisdom is thus justified of her children," they 
who are yet strangers to hcr^will be induced to ve- 
nerate an authority that appears so condescending, 
and to study precepts that are productive of such 
happiness. But to return to my young hearers, al- 
low me, 

In the third place, to offer you a few hints on 
the spirit and manner, in which I conceive yoiur 
Conversation should be conducted* ^ And now 
perhaps you imagine we want to preclude every 
degree of that which passes under the name of Tri- 
fling* You are mistaken. We do not expect that 
women should always utter grave sentences, nor 
men neither. It were inconsistent with the state 
of mankind. It cannot be expected from philoso^ 
phers of the first rank ; nor if it could, do I know 
that it would be desirable. I am even inclined to 
believe, that they who understand the art of what 
•has been termed Trifling agreeably, have gained a 
very considerable point. , The frailty of human 
nature and the infelicity of life, require to be re- 
lieved and soothed. There are many occasions, on 
which this is not to be done by sage admonitions, 
or solemn reflections. These, to well disposed 
minds, are often highly solacing ; but to dwell on 
them always were to strain the machine beyond 
its powers. Besides, in fact, a seasonable diversion 
to anxiety, a temporary forgetfulness of grief,^is fre- 
quently a far better method to remove it, than any di-^ 
rec tapplication or laboured remedy. To change the 
metaphor ; when the road proves rugged, or is in 
danger of growing tedious, one successful method 
of beguiling it is for the travellers to cheer and 
amuse one another by the play of fancy, and the fa- 
cetiousness of mirth. But then the end of the jour- 
ney must not be forgotten.^ Because we are weak. 



SERMON V* 9B 

there is n6 reason why we should be silly. The 
brow of care may surely be smoothed without convert- 
ing it into the laugh of folly. While we indulge 
the recreation necessary for mortal, let us maintain 
the temper, requisite in immortal beings. To re- 
concile these two things, and to blend them hap* » 
pily, seems the proper science of creatures on their 
progress through time to eternity. From you, my 
gentle friends, we look for every thing that, next 
to the diviner influence of religion, can soften the 
inequality, and animate the dulness of the way. 

We wish to see you often smile ; but we would 
not havts you smile always, if it were possible. 
There are many scenes that demand a grave deport- 
ment ; there are not few that-call for a mournful 
one* She that cannot distinguish between laughter 
and happiness, never knew what the latter means. 
She that cannot "weep with them that weep," as 
well as *•'- rejoice with them that rejoice,^* h a stran- 
ger to one of the sweetest sources of (snjoyrnent^. 
no less than to one of the noblest, lessons of Chi^is- 
tianity. I'hose are the happiest dispositions, which 
are the best. Benevolence }s the supreme perfec- 
tion of the ever-blessed Deity. .He is infinitely 
removed from every painful impression. Yet scrips 
ture, in the style of accommodation, ascribes to him 
all the guiltless emotions of humanity : and we. 
know that our Saviour was formeijy.on earth, and 
is now in heaven, ".touched with the feeling of 
*' our infirmities.'^ 

With*the character of a Christian Woman, no<* 
thing, methinks, can better correspond than a pro- 
pensity to melt Into affectionate sorrow. It be- 
comes alike her religion and her sex. JJever, my 
fair auditory, never do your eyes shine with a more 
delightful effulgence, than when suffused with al^ 



♦4 SERMON V, 

the treniUing softness of grief for virtue in dis-» , 
tress, or of solicitude for friendship in danger. 
Believe me, if the gaiety of conversation gave 
place somewhat oftener »to the tender, tale of wo, 
you would not, to such at least of your male ac- 
quaintance as have hearts, appear at all the less 
lovely. 1 he sigh of compassion stealing from a 
female breast,, on the mention of calamity, would 
be rather more musical in their eairs, than the loud 
bursts of unmeaning laughter, with which they 
are often entertained. Let me add here, tliat th^ 
innocence and sympathy appearing in your dis* 
course will, to every discerning man, spread around 
you a lustre which all the jewels in the world cao^- 
not bestow. 

The diamond's and ihe ruby's blaze 

Disputes the palm with beauty's queen : 
Not beauty's queen commands sueh praise. 

Devoid of virtue if she's seea. 
But the soft tear in Htv's eve 

Outshines the diumond's brij^htest beams ; 
Btit the sweet blush of Modesty 

More beauteous than the ruby seems. 

If we speak of improvement ; merciful Redeem* 
cr, how edifying to this soul is this generous sensible' 
lity ! " It is better to go to the house of mourning 
** than to the house of feasting : for that i? the end 
*' of all men, and the living wiU lay it to heart. Sor^ 
" row is better than laughter : for by the sadness of 
^ the countenance the heart is made better. I'he 
♦* heart of the wise is in the house of mournfng ; but 
*' the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. As 
♦' the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughs 
*' tcr of a fool. This also is vanity." You know 
who said so-wthe man who had spent many a day^ 
sind many a night, in the bower of voluptuouan^ssy. 






SERMON V. §5* ^ 

far from the cries of misery, and* the moans of 
complaint ; who gat him ^' men-singers and women* 
" singers, and the delights of the sons of men ;'* 
who had, times wid^out number said in his heart, 
Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, there- 
fore enjoy pleasure ;'* who sought by a prudent 
use of wme to exalt his own spirits, and to promote 
the hilarity of those about him ; in a word, who 
kept not from his eyes whatsoever they desired, nor 
withheld his heart from any joy. This, I say, 
was thtt man whom experience, as well as inspira- 
tion prompted to give the preference you- hav6 
just now heard. There is—^yes, there is attend* 
ant on virtuous sadness a sensation which, ift 
point of indulgence and elevation at once, is su* 
perior to all that was ever felt by a light mind, 
in the fiush of festivity, or amidst the triuitiph of 
wit. 

Having mentioned Wit, let me proceed to warn 
you against the affectation and the abuse of it* 
Here our text from the Colossians comes in with 
propriety, ** Let your Speech Be always with Grace, 
** seasoned with Salt." These remarkable words 
Were addressed to christians in general. They art 
considered by the best commentators, as an ex- 
hortation to that kind of converse, which, both 
for matter and manner, shall appear most graceful, 
and prove most acceptable ; being tempered l^ 
courteousness and modesty, seasolied with wisdom 
and discretion, that like salt will serve at the same 
instant, to prevent its corruption and heighten its 
flavour. How beautiful this precept in itself ! How 
useful and pleasing in the practice ! How pecu- 
liarly fit to be practised by you, my female friends, 
on ^e turn of wliose conversation and deportment 
do much depends to yourselves, and all about you ! 



$6 SERMON V, 

_ 9 

From what I have now to offer, it will be found 
likewise to come, with advantage, in aid of out 
leading doctrine ; since there are not perhaps many 
t worse foes to that Sobriety of spirit, which we 
would still inculcate, than the abuse and affectation 
already mentioned. 

It is not my design to gather up, if I could, the 
profusion of flowers that have been scattered by in- 
nuHierable hands on this tempting theme ; and by 
which those very hands have, in their own case, 
shown how difficult it is to resist the tempta|ion. I 
would only observe, that the dangerous talent in 
question has been well compared to the dancing of 
a meteor, that blazes, allures, and misleads. Most 
certainly it alone can never be a steady light ; and 
too probabh it is often a fatal one. Of those who 
have resigned themselves to its guidance, how few 
has it not betrayed into great indiscretions ^t least, 
by inflaming their thirst of apjdause ; by rendering 
them little nice in their choice of company ; by se- 
ducing them into strokes of satire, too offensive to 
the persons against whom they were levelled, not 
to be repelled upon the authors with full ven- 
geance ; and finally, by making them, in conse- 
.quence of that heat which prglduces, and that 
vanity which fosters it, forgetful of those cool 
and moderate rules that ought to regulate their 
conduct J 

A very few there may have been endowed with 
judgment and temper sufficient to restrain them 
from indulging .*' the rash dexterity of wit,'* and 
to direct it to purposes equally agreeable and bene- 
ficial* But one thing is certain, that witty men 
fbr the most part have had few friends, though ma- 
ny admirers. Their conversation has been courted, 
'while their abilities hay.e been feared, or theih 



SBRMON V. 97 

characters hated^ or both. In truth the last have 
seldom merited affection, even when the first have 
excited esteem* Sometimes their hearts have been 
so bad, as at length to bring their heads into dis- 
grace* At any rate, the faculty termed Wit is 
commonly looked upon with a suspicious eye, as a 
two-edged sword, from whijch not even the sacred- 
cess of friendship fcan secure* It is especially, I 
think, dreaded in women* In a Mrs. Rowe, I 
dare say, it was not. 1 o great brilliancy of ima- 
gination that female angel joined yet greater good- 
ness of disposition ; and never wrote, nor, as I 
.have been told, was ever supposed to have said, 
in her whole life, an ill-natured, or even an indeli- 
-cate thing. Of such a woman, with all her talents, 
none could be afraid. In her company, it must 
have been impossible not to feel respect ; but then 
it would be like that, which the pious man enter- 
tains for a ministering spirit from heaven, a respect 
full of confidence and joy. If aught on earth can 
present the image of celestial excellence in its soft- 
est array, it is surely an accomplished Woman, in 
whom purity and meekness, intelligence and mo- 
desty, mingle their charms*. But when I speak on 
this subject, need I tell you, that naen of the best 
sense have been usu^ly averse to the thought of 
marrying a witty female ? 

You will probably tell me, they were afraid af 
being outshone ; and some of them perhaps might 
be so. But I am apt to believe, that many of them 
acted on different motives. Men who understand 
the science of domestic happiness, know that its 
very first principle is ease. Of that indeed we 
grow fonder, in whatever condition, as we ad- 
vance in life, and as the heat of youth abates* 

Vol. 1. I 



I 



98 SERMOK V. 

But we cannot be easy, where we are not safe^ 
We are never safe in the company of a critic ; and 
almost every wit is a critic by profession* In such 
company we are not at liberty to unbend ourselves. 
All must be the straining of study, or the anxiety 
of apprehension : how painful ! Where the heart 
may not expand and open itself with freedom, 
farewel to real friendship, farewel to convivisd 
delight ! But to suffer this restraint at home, what 
misery ! From the brandi^ings of wit in- the hand 
of ill-nature, of imperious passion, or of unbound- 
ed vanity, who would not flee ? But when that 
weapon is pointed at a husband, is it to be won- 
dered if from his own house he takes shelter in the 
tavern ? He sought a soft friend ; he expected to 
he happy in a reasonable companion* He has 
fouled a perpetual satirist, or a self-sufficient prat- 
tler* How have I pitied such a man, when I have 
seen him in continual fear on his own account, and 
that of his friends, and for the poor, lady herself; 
lest, sn the run of her discourse, she should be 
guilty of some petulance, or some indiscretion that 
would expose her and hurt them all ! But take the 
matter at the best ; there is still all the difference in 
the world between the entertainer of an evening, 
and a partner for life. Of the latter a sober mind, 
steady attachment, and gentle manners, joined to a 
good understanding, will ever be the#chief recom- 
mendations ; whi^eas the qualities that sparkle will 
be often sufficient for the former* 

As to the affectation of wit, one can hardly say, 
whether it be most ridiculous or hurtful* The abuse 
of it, which we have been just considering, we ^re 
sometimes, perhaps too often, inclined to forgive, 
for the sake of that amusement which ,i?i spite of 
aU the improprieties mentioned^ it yet alfords* The 



*«> 



SERMON V, ' 99 

^ther is universally contemptible and odiousi Who 
fs not shocked by the flippant impertinence of a 
self-conceited woman, that wants to dazzle by the 
supposed superiority of her powers ? If you, my 
fair ones, have knowledge and capacity ; let it be 
seen, by your not affecting to show them, that you 
have something much more valuable, humility and 
wisdom* 



" Naked m nothing shall a woman be, 
•* But veil her very wit with modesty. 
Let man discover, let not her display. 
But yietd her charms of mind with sweet delay.'* 



(I 



Must women then keep silence in the house, as 
well as in the church ? By no means« Ih^re may 
indeed be many cases, in which it will particularly 
become a. young lady to observe the apostolic rule, 
" Be swift to hear, and slow to speak :" but there 
are many too, wherein it will be no less fit, that 
with sua unasauming air she should endeavour to 
support' and enliven the conversation. It is the. 
dpiniott of some, that girls should liever speak 
before company, when their parents are present; 
and parents there are, so deficient in understanding, 
as to niake this A rule. How then shall those glrla 
learn to acquit themselves properly in their absence ? 
It is hard if you cannot distinguish, and teach your 
daughters to distinguish, between good breeding 
and pertness, between an obligitig atudy to please 
and an indecent djesife to put themselves for\vard, 
between a laudable inquisitiveness and ah impro- 
per curiosity. But tbi^^ I confess, is not tUji most 
common mistake in the education of yoi^g wo- 
men ; and they must permit me to say, that it 
were weU iPtJie generality of mothers were careful, 
by prudeiit instrucdon iu private, to repress that; 



too SERMON v.. 

talkative humour which runs away with so many o^ 
them, and never quits them all their life after, for 
want of being curbed in their early years. But 
what words can express the impertinence of a 
female tongue let loose into boundless loquacity? 
Nothing can be more stunning, except where a 
number of Fino Ladies open at once-r-Protect us^ ye 
powers of gentleness and decorum, protect us froxti^ 
the disgust of such a scene Ah ! ^my dear hear* 
ers, if ye knew how terrible it appears to a malc^ ear 
of the least delicacy, I think you would take care 
never tc^practise it. 

For endless prattling, and loud discourse^ no 
degree of capacity can atone. I join them together, 
because in effect they are seldom separate* But the^ 
noisy, empty, trivial chatter of everlasting folly-— it 
is too much for human patience to su^ain. How 
different from that playful spirit in conversation^ 
spoken of before ; which, blended with sood sense • 
and kept within reasonable bounds, contributes, like 
At lighter and more careless touches in a picture, 
to give an air of ease and freedom to the whole ! 
This freedom and ease, when accompanied with 
decency and variety, a certain native prettiness and 
unstudied correctness, are among the most pleasing 
characteristics of female society in its best shape. 

Your talking so much about'/dress, and fashions, 
and fashionable amusements, asjthe far greater part 
of you are ever doing, in preference to better sub- 
jects, is, to say the softest thing of il, a weakness 
which cannot be justified, but which perhaps must^ 
in some measure, be forgiven to your«ex. As tO; 
the love of scandal and dispute, which may be called 
the Acid of speech, in contradistinction to the. Salt 
recommended by our apostle, it must be reserved 
ibra future consideration* The men indeed^ are 



SERMOK' -^ 101 

ready to triulnph at Ae very mention of it. Whe- 
ther they have reason to triumph on the whole, may 
be a difficult question. The agreeable qualkies • 
named a moment ago, they must fairly give up to the 
women. How few of them in comparison possess, * 
or at least esercise, the power of keeping discourse 
alive, without asi^stance from wiue, from politics, < 
from business, from the news of the day, and from 
another theme, for which their unneatrained and' 
inextinguishable passions in male company, argue»' 
a descent of soul, a degradation of thought, whereof 
men endowed with the least understanding ought to » 
be ashamed ! 

I just mentioned Unstudied Correctness as ap- 
propriated to the conversation of cultivated women. 
I me^ai that easy elegance of speech, which results ^ 
from clear and lively ideas, expressed with the sim- 
plicity of nature, somewhat aided by the knowledge 
of books. To this the best scholars amongst the 
men must seldom or never lay claim. It is neces- • 
sarily precluded by their profounder studies, and 
that scrupulous iattention to the minutest rules oC 
grammar, which is induced by the turn of theirs 
education ; and which, though by practice' it may 
become in a g^*eat degree habitual and mechanicaV 
will yet always appear deficient in the happy facility, 
wherewith so' many females clothe their sentiments^*. 
That they who are naturally fond of ornament in 
every thing else, should show a certain honest neg- 
lect of it, where it is leadt requisite, where it is; 
generally hurtful by embarrassing and fettering that 
which ought to be free and unaffected, suroly enti- • 
ties them to some praise. 

How often have we seen very ingenious men per*, 
plexed, when they have wished to explain ibem- 

12 



selves OA %tme topic by no me«iis abstnise^ jHKi* 
which they perfectly understood ! With how little 
grace haye we heard them tell a story f In these, 
and such like pmnts, women of any capacity excel* 
To what can the difference be owing ! I fancy tothis^ 
that the former, in their words and ideas, attend 
too sedulously to precision and en^llishment ; 
while the latter are content to speak just what they 
mean, and to relate simply what they have read or 
heard, as it rises to their minds, without the Ja-ft- 
hour of accuracy, which often hampers the faaulties 
in their operation,, and disturbs the train of nature. . 

On this principle, I presume, is founded that* 
maxim, ^hich makes the perfection of art to lie in 
concealing it ; an attainment extremely uncommon^ , 
and which, where it has taken place, has always 
been considered as the most difficult, and the most 
beaufiful, of any that can distinguish the produc- 
tions of taste. From this it is, that the celebrated works 
^ ancient genius have been judged to derive a Uffge 
share of the superiority usually ascribed to them* 
From the same source chiefly, to compare small' 
things with great, has probably arisen that peculiar 
happiness in letter-writing, which the men, I think, 
are willing to allow to your sex. Here, indeed, 
they comfort themselves with their superior strength, . 
and depth, and learned elegance in that, and oUier 
matters where intellect is concerned. Pretensions to 
these, with a few exceptions^ I believe, to say the 
^-uth, you had better resign. 

For my part, I could heartily wiali to see the female 
world more accomplished than it is ; but I do not. 
wish to see it abound with metaphysicians, histo* - 
rians, speculative philosophers, or Learned Ladies 
&t any kind.. I should be afraid, lest the sex 
should lose in softness \yhat they gained in force j 



SERMOK tr. 103 

atid lest the pursuit of such elevation should inter- 
fere a Ihtle with the plain duties and humble vir- 
tues of life. Amiable instances of the contrary I 
know there are. I think at this moment of one 
lady, in particular, who to an extetisive knowledge 
in' philosophy and languages ancient and modern, 
withj, some portion of poetical genius, and a con- 
siderable degree of literary feme, has the sense and 
wordi to join every domestic quality that can adorn 
m woman in her situation. 

To inculcate such qualities, together with those 
elegant s;hd intellectual improvements which young 
ladies would do w^ell to acquire, with a view to so- 
hritty^ usefulness^ self-enjoyment, and the powers 
of pleasing, will be the business of some subsequent 
addresses* What place religion ought to have in 
female disc6urse, must be likewise a subject of in- 
quiry under another head. In the mean while,* let 
me intreat you to recollect, that on cultivating a 
proper spirit of conversation will depend a great 
part of your proficiency and ours j of your present 
acceptance amongst the wise and deserving ; of 
y6ur future consequence and merit in society ; of 
your entertainment, satisfaction, and, I may add, 
safety, through the successive stages of life. Much 
df that life is spent in scenes of social intercourse* 
Important occasions arise but seldom. A large 
proportion must be consigned to trifles. Little thing* 
belong to little mortals. 1 he virtue and happiness 
ef the sexes are principally affected by the daily in- 
discriminate tenor of their commerce. What feli- 
city, and what glory may not y6u^ my friends, 
derive from those talents by which that is regula- 
ted and sweetened^ refined and raised ! 



SERMON VI. 

ON FEMALE VIRTUE, WITH DOMESTIC ANW 
ELEGANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS* 



1 TIM. ii. 8, 9- 
Iroillr^that -women cuhm themselves with Sobnety^. 

PROv. xxxi. 10. 51. 

Who can find a Virtuotts fVoman ? For her price is far oAtve 

rubies. Givt her oj the ftntit nf her fiands, tmd let her 

'^ Works praise her in the gates. 

X O divert fancy, to gratify desire, and in ge- 
neral to be a sort of better servants, are all the pur- 
poses for which some suppose your sex designed. 
A most illiberal supposition ! The least degree of 
refinement or candour will dispose us to regard 
them in a far higher point of light* They were 
manifestly intended to be the movers and formers 
of a rational and immortal offspring ; to be a kind 
of softer companions, who, by nameless delight* 
ful sympathies and endearments, might improve 
our pleasures and soothe our pains ; to lighten the 
load of domestic cares, and th^eby leave us more 
at leisure for rougher labours, or severer studies ;; 
and finaUy, to spread a certain grace and embellish- 
ment over human life. To wish to degrade them 



S«RMON VI. 10>S' 

from so honourable a station, indicates a mixture 
of ignorance, gi'ossness, ard barbarity. But the 
men who think in this manner, do themselvea 
irreparable wrong, 1^ putting it out of their power 
ever to enjoy the tenderest sentiments and most 
delicious feelings of the heart. ^He that has a true 
taste of happiness will choose, for his o'wn sake, 
to cherish the kindest opinion of the female desti 
nation. 

Yet what shall we say ? Are there not many wo- 
men who seem to have entirely forgotten it them- 
selves ; to have relinquished at least the most va- 
luable part of their claim, and \o have conspired 
with those male tyrants in sinking their own import- 
ance ? How often do we see them disfigured by 
affectation and caprice ! How often disgraced and 
ruined by imprudence ^ What shameful inatten- 
tion to the culture of their minds, in numberless 
instances ! What perversion, in not a few, of ex- 
cellert understandings, through a levity that passes 
fot- innocent, because not polluted by vice, nay 
fof agreeable, becau^ accompanied with youth!- 
Who that is a wieli-wishcr- to the sex, can forbear 
td he mortified on finding such multitudes so un- . 
gainly in thellr manners, so unentertaining in their 
dtecourse, so destitute of every solid and useful 
improvement, in a word, so totally devoid of all 
that can confer significance, or beget esteem ; not 
to' speak of downright worthlessness, proce^ing 
ffom bad principles or wicked company I 

With respect to these indeed, as well as the. 
rest, I am willing to believe, that they are fre- 
quently occasioned by vacancy of tiiought, and 
want cf occupation which expose the mind to 
every snare ; and that, in many cases, all diis evil 
0iight, through God's blessing,- be happily prevent- 



100 &£RHON VX. 

#d by an early and diligent application to Female 
Accomplishments* Such therefore I will proceed 
|o recommend^ i|s a farther means of maintaining 
the Sobriety enjoined by our apostle* Not that I 
propose to confine myself to this single view* 
£very pther laudable and beneficial purpose, which 
those accomplishments are calcidated to serve, will 
cpnciu* to enforce them* They may be divided 
into three classes, Domestic, Elegant, and Intel* 
lectual* 

.. As to.liie first, I must remind you, that how- 
much soever they may be now neglected by many 
>romen as below their notice, no height of rank or 
af&uence can justify such neglect* The care of ft 
household all ages and nations have agreed to con* 
9ider ^9 an indispensable part of female employ- 
ment, in ev^ry situation that admits it* I'he pas-> 
4age from which I have taken one of my texts de» 
servea. on this occasion your particular attention. 
, As it exhibits perhaps ^ nu>st beautiful picture, 
that was ev^ drawn of the Virtuous Woman, in 
a sphere of activity which you all hope to fiH, and 
fpr which, you ought to qusdify yourselves a9 much 
.^s possible in your {H^sent condition ; I will read 
Ae whole, together with a sliort paraphrase which 
I. have borrowed chiefly firom the pious and learnr 
ed bishop PaUick, but widiout adhering to ius dic« 
tion* 

Verse 10. " Who can find a virtuous Woman ? 
*' her price is far above* rubies." Siich a person,, 
says the mother of Lemuel ; (a young prince for 
whose weltare she was most tenderly solicitous iy 
such a person as I would recommend for a wife is 
too hard to be foimd ; one endowed -with true worth 
and piety, who deems noting beueaih her that 
can any way become her station i one^ ieu shorty 



SERMON VI. 107 

possessed of 4hose various and excellent qualities 
that fit her for adorning it, and render her infinite* 
ly more Valuable than all the pearls or preciouf 
stones, with which so many women are fond of 
being decked* 

11, ^^ I he heart of her husband doth safi^ly trust 
^ in her ; so that he studl have no need of apoilL" 
In her personal honom- and fidelity, and also in her 
oBconomy and prudence with regard to all a&irs at 
home, her hus^nd reposes such perfect confidence^ 
that he can go abroad, said attendto )3ublic business^ 
without the smallest ansuety about iiis domestic 
concerns, or die least temptation to enrich himself 
^ the expense of oiher men* 

12, ^^ She will do him good, and not evil, ^l the 
^' days of her life." She will not only return his 
love with equal aSection, but ^tideairour to ensure 
and heighten bis esteem by «very enga^ng and re^ 
«pectable virtue* She will not only avoid whatever 
might provoke or displease, tnit study to deserve 
well of him by promoting hie interest^ and raising 
his reputation ; and that not merely by starfo, or 
in transient. fits of good humour, but uniformly and 
constaody everyday of her life. 

13* *'\ She fteekeih wool and fiax, and worketh 
^^ williiigiy widi her hands*'" To I^er idleness is 
so hateful, that her husband has no occasion to ex- 
cite her to industry* Of her own accord she sets 
up a Uiien^and woollen naanufiatcture, to which she 
applies her hands so readily, as well as so dex- 
^ously, that it k a^arent she delights in the 
work* 

14* ^^ She is like die merchants' sliip^ : she brings 
*^ eth her food fmm afar**' Her application and in« 
i;enuity enable her to xnsuntain her family without 
expense, by exchanging ihe product for foreigik 



108 SERMON VI. 

commodities^ when necessary, on terms ne less acT* 
vantageous than if her husband fitted out a fleet of 
merchant ships to fetch them directly from distant 
countries. 

15. ^^ She riseth also while it is yet night ; and 
^ giveth meat to her household, and a portion to 
*^ her maidens.'* With such spirit and vigour does 
she proceed, that, instead of indulging herself in 
overmuch sleep, she rises before brsak of day, to 
make provision for those who are to go abroad to 
work in the fields, and to set her maidens their se- 
veral tasks at home. 

16. ^* She considereth a field, and buyeth itt 
^^ with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vine« 
^ yard.'* So far is she from wasting her husband's 
estate, Aat by her frugality and capacity she is con- 
tinually improving it ; first purchasing a field fit for 
€om, when she meets with one that on due inspec- 
tion she finds worth the price, and then from the 
fruit of her own labours adding to it a vineyard^ 
which she takes care to have well planted 

17. ^* She girdeth her loinB with strength, and 
^* strengtheneth her arms." As she is quick in her 
orders to those about her, so she bestirs herself 
with the utmost activity, declining no pains or ex- 
ertion proportioned to her strength, which is in^ 
creased by constant exercise, and which, with die 
cheerfulness, expedition, and utility that attend it, 
she prefers to all the decorations and delicacy of in- 
dolent beauty. . . 

18. " She perceiveth that her. merchandise is 
*' good : her candle goeth not out by night." . Her 
labour indeed she finds so wholesome, and her traf- 
fick so profitable, that she does not always conclude 
h^ work wit}i the day ; but often continues it 



/ 



SE&MON VI, * 109 

through as much of the night, aa caa be spared 
from necessary rqx>se« 

19* >^ She layeth her h^nds to the spindle, ^d 

*' her hands hold the distaff." Such manual opera- 
tions as are suited to hfiir sex, ^he reckons not iiny 
^lisparagement to her quality* Her fingers show a 
xlexterity that is alike pleasing in the performance, 
and beneficial in the effects* 

20* ^ She stretchedi out her hand to the poor : 
*^ yea, she reacheth forth her hands tp the needy*" 

Those hands, which she employs .with so /much 
■diligence for the advantage of her family, she fails 

not to stretch x>ut with equal alacrity for the relief 
^f the indigent* . She is not so engrossed by the 

cares of her own household, as to forget the.claims 

of those who have no habitation* In Her;frugallty 
toever degenearates into parsimony, but always 

ministers to munificence. The poorv whether 

nearer or moix .reitiote^ share liberally in her 

houn^- 

21. " She is not s^|mid of the snow for her 
. ^* household : for all her^ousohdid are clothed with 

** scarlet." Her bounty ifi "the m^an while is ac- 
companied with S:Uch discretion, timber own fami- 
ly and servants are in no danger of suffering by k. 
* lliey are provided against the hardest winter.; they 
have changes of i-aiment for the several seasons ; 
and when they are to wait Aipon her, or to appear 
on any particular occasion that requires it, she is 
careful 40 ha^'^ them clothed with a degree of 
splendour^ 

22. " She raaketh herself, coverings of tapestry : 
*' -her clothing is siUc and .purple." The furniture 
of her house is noble. Her own apparel corres- 
ponds with it. She is not ignorant of what belongs 

Vol. I. K 



110 SERMON VI. 

to her rank ; and ^e sapports it widi a magnificence 
so much the more conspicuous for being principally 
her own handiwork. 

23. ^^ Her husband is known in the gates, when 
*' he sitteth among the elders of the land." Her 
attention to the appearance of her husband is not 
less than to her ovra. When he comses intq the 
courts of judicature, and takes his place amongst 
the senators of the country, he is distinguished by 
tl^ riiifaness and elegance W the robes i;diich she^ 
has vprefiared for 'him. The beholders pronenmce 
iiim a happy man in ^hai\4ng such a wife as dbes 
him honour in public as well as privatis, and 
who, by easing him of all lesser cares, leaves hirii 
at fidl liberty to dev<^ iiimself to the most im- 
portant transactions. 

24. ^^ She maketh fine linen and selleth it, and 
" deliVereth ^rdles unto the merchant." Her in- 
dustry to provide for 4ier family is such, that she 
f<dlbws more arts than one or two ; n^slking, for 
example, b^de other arti6ies already tiamed, fine 
linen, embroidered belts, and girdles of dif- 
feretat kinds curiously wrought, -which she iells 
at a considerable price to the -Phenician mer- 
chant* 

25. ** Strength and honour are her dothing rand 
** she shall rejoice in time to come." Although iti 
every thing «he makes, whether for sale* or for^use, 
she displays a just taste of what is both beautiful 
and splendid, still it must be remembered, that'her 
chief ornaments are a firm and constant rnhid,* a 
tnodest and becoming deportment, a manner of 

'dealing with all, that is honomiable, unififtrm, 
atld generous ; which, joined to her other quali- 
ties before mentioned, free her from all fear 
about future events, and prepare her to meet af- 



SERMON VI. Ill 

fiktion, decay, Cad even death itself, with serenity 
ajsd hope. 

26. *^ She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and 
** in her tongue is the law of kindness." Add to 
the rest this particular praise, that as she preserves 
the due mean between taciturnity and loquacious- 
ness, so she loves not to talk >ou foolish and frivo« 
' lous subjects, but on such as are serious and useful ; 
oa which, when ^e can introdioce them with pro- 
prie^, she is sure^ deliver herself pertinently 
and gracefully. Her language on all occasions is 
aoft and pleasing, expressive, of a gontle mind> and 
a tender heart. From the same &nd, she is led 
to embsace every opportumty of inculcating on 
alt around her, kind affc^c^c^ ^d mutusd con- 
cord* 

. 27.^ ^^ She looketb well to the ways of her 
^^ household) and eateth nptthe bread of idleness." 
la h^r owa house most esp^ally ^be is studious of 
c^onveying ediification. Sb^ c^serv-es the motions, 
md ii^pects the mannevs of every one there, whom 
8|ie neither sviffsrs to go ajbroad at their pleasure, 
nor to labour at honae without proper instruction : 
a concc^m, which n^j^t alone be thought suf- 
ficient to employ her ; insomuch tl^t if she did 
DPtfaiog else she woukl yet deserve the bread she 
eafii* 

28. ^' Her children arise up, and call her blessed : 
^ her husband also, and he praiseth her*" H^py 
the children of such a mother, whose maternal care 
for their provision, but nauch more for their educa- 
tion, caopot fail of exciting their love and grati- 
tude very early, and of disposing them, when 
grown u]^ ta hoQour her pen^n and venerate her 
virtueis ! Happy heyai^d expression the husband 
9f such a wife ! He can never conmiend her suf- 



112 SERMON VI. 

licienth^ While he attempts the fkvourite subject, 
he is so struck with her surpassing worth, that he 
cannot restrhin himself from crying out, 

29. *' Many daughters have done virtuously ; but 
" thou excellest them all.*' The number of those 
women who have acted worthily, who have 
mightil}'' advanced their families, .and nobly 
served the generations in ^vhich they lived, is 
not small. They are well enticed to applause, and 
I give it them with pleasure ; but there never was 
any comparable to T hee- Thy merits, thou best 
of women, and most beloved, thy merits far, far 
transcend them all F ^ 

•3CX " Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain r 
" but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be 
" praised." A good coniplexicn and fkie ^hape are, 
ho doubt, engaging. A graceful mien'and -lovely 
features are yet more so. But as the greatest 
beauty soon fades, and at last vanishes, so, alas f 
many ill qualities may Re concealed under all these 
fair appearances ; such, indeed, as utterly to dis- 
appoint every hope of happiness from that quarter* 
A , truly pious woman, one who is governed 
throughout by a sense of duty, and who, to all her 
other excellent qualities adds that reverence for 
God, which gives them at once elevation and sta- 
bility — she, and $he alone, is the completely amia- 
ble object, who will always impart' delight, and 
always deserve approbation^ 

31. "Give her of the fruit of her hands, and 
" let her own works praise her in the gates.'*" Let 
all conspire" to extol her character ; for I cannot do 
it enough. Let her nev^r want her just tribute of 
commendation. While some are maghified for 
their high birth, some prized for their great for* 
tune, oUicrs admired for their singular beauty, and 



SERMON VI. 113 

Others cried up for attainments of no intrinsic, or 
of no coniiierable value f let her personal conduct, 
and her superior qualities, be celebrated with pe- 
culiar honours in the largest assemblies; where,, 
indeed, if all men should be silent, that conduct 
and those qualities would resound her praise. 

What a description is here ! Can you attend to 
it without emotion f Or have modem manners so* 
warped your minds, that the simplicity of ancient 
virtue, instead of 'appearing to you an object of 
veneration, looks romantic and ridiculous f Tell 
me then in good earnest, were the women of those, 
days the less estimable, or the less attractive, that 
they did not waste their lives in a round of dissipa- 
tion and impertinence, but employed them in works 
of ingeniMj^ and usefulness, of piety and mercy.; 
that even^l^men of the first rank amongst them 
as we are informed by the eldest and best authors, 
held it no diminution to apply their hands to differ- 
ent kinds of manufacture -^ that they took great de- 
light in such occupations ; and finally, that good 
housewifery, in all its extent, was reckoned an es-- 
.sential qualification of every matron? 

I am sufiiciendy sensible of the influence that 
the customs of different ages and nations have on 
tlie modes of thinking that successively obtain ; 
nor do I expect, that in this land called Christian*, 
which ought to be unequalled on account of it» 
attainmeuts,u as much as it is on that of its advan- 
^tages, our mothers or our daughters, in general,, 
will be persuaded by any thing preachers can say, 
to emulate the humble grandeur of many a noble 
lady, of many a fair princess, in former generations. 
Yet I am not without hope,, that some of them may 
be induced to copy,^ though at a distance, those 
.modest but exalted originals. 



114 tt^UOUtt. 

I m^ftfidhea OHt^ dsaghMB, ts W6K An ttioCteiv; 
beemjtoe t would tol hat^ theiH Hudm thut f hejr 
iittV0 liothittg io kttiiv|txM(i ihe {Actcdfe we hare just 
sOtveyed. Would the Viituoiis Wofnan, sd 8Wee&- 
l)r {k>ttni7ed bjr t4emiiePs tnoth^t, and 96 pftnicu^ 
larly marked by the chai' ac t er s of mamed aiKl ma* 
ternal eztdlence, hare be^n what she was, it in 
her single fttate she had Hot studied die^tiecessarf 
p^neiples ? 

After lobkihg at Ho ftuUimedr standard, I soti well 
ti^are that any diing I ciud now dfier on this part 
of my suigect WiQ appear to sink. I am sorry for 
iti But since k must be so. let ihst mortifying . 
sentiment be fdt by all, as a jn^t satire on the 
declension of this age. To say the truth, the xtA 
of the preacher is too much deprcssqiipr that con« 
sideration, to bear him out in ui^ng o^Pyoung wo^ 
i^en to a close imitatidn of w&at howler he must 
always admire. In short, when we speak of good 
housewifery now )a days, we must submit to spei^ 
in a lower key. Wotdd to heaven, that of this 
science many mothers would teach their datigfatera 
but the common rudiments; diat they were un- 
fashionsd^le enough to educate thetn to be fit for any 
thing beyond show ! 

What do not great families suffer daily from die 
incapacity, or inattention, of those mistresses that 
leave all to housekeepers and other servants ! How 
many large estates might be saved from ruin by a 
wiser conduct ! I must say it once more, that no 
woman in the wdrld ought to Aink it beneath her to- 
be an ceconomist. An isconoini^t is a character 
truly respectable, in whamsrer statioh. To see that 
time which should be laid out in examining the ac» 
coiints^ regulating the. opetationflt, and tratching 
over the interests of perhaps a numerous family-— 
to see it lost, worse than lost, in writing and gam- 



SE&ICOH VI. 115 

I 

ittg^ ^ in chfttnbeting and wmmm t B ^^^ is sbodeiiig. 
It is «&5 let ^ incoinies be as ceitaiD, as cc»isider<«' 
Me^otBB iiwmense as you w^^ thoiagh by the wfty 
diey. are hardly^ver so lAunense ih resdity, as they 
ttum appBun But whet^et on the contrary, they 
afe both moderate and preGarious, a ccmduct of this 
kind we have no words to stignuidze an it deserves. 

Mf^rchsmts and tradesmen that nuoty soch women 
are surely objects of singular compassion, if indeed 
^ey were deceived into an opinion, that the women 
tiiey have chosen for theirj^rtners were taught this 
necessary pieiOe of kno^i^ge. But vtry seldom, 
as matters are ^^naged: at present, have they such 
deception to pl^ad for dieir choice. Is it possibk 
they cmx be ignorant in wfattt manner young hiiie^ are 
bred at moSt of oue Boarding-schools ? And do they 
not see ixi wl^at manner they generally beliave on 
comin^'fioine { Some of diem, i acknowledged be- 
fore, when {daced in houses of dieir own, appear to 
mUch more advantage than cotdd be reasonabfy eiG- 
pected. But I repeat die question I then asked, Is 
so great a chance, in aa affair of sudi consequence, 
to be relied upon i 

It must be owned alao^ that in this s^, the order 
or figure of a table is pretty well understood, as fiu* 
as relates to splendour and parade. But would it not 
be worth your while to improve upon the art, by 
learning to connect frugality with elc^nce ; to pro- 
duce a genteel, or however a good £q}pearance, from 
things of less expense i I know it is difficult, 
especially in great cides ; but I am sure it is 
laudable, and d^erves to be attempted. This 
you may depend upon that most men are highly 
pleased to observe such (economical talents in a 
young woman ; and diose talents in one that is 
married wSl .scarce ev^fail to antmate the appltca« 



116 SEAMON VI. 

tionv excite the generosity, and heighten tli^ cofifi«' 
dence of a husband* The contrary diacourages and 
disgusts beyond expression; I mean^ where the 
husband has any sobriety, or any prudence. The 
follies inseparable from profusion, and the miseries 
d^ly produced by it, I do not pretend to enumerate. 
A moment's consideration will convince you, that 
it is always unwise^ and must be generally de» 
structive. 

Next to direct profusion is that indisposition to 
family affairs, which too commonly follows on 
habits of dissipation contracted earty. A young 
woman who has turned her thoughts to those mat- 
ters in her father's house, or in many other where 
Providence may have disposed her lot, and who has 
been accustomed to acquit herself well in any les* 
ser department entrusted to her care, will after- 
wards, when her province is enlarged slide into the 
duties of it with readiness and pleasure. The par- 
ticulars have already passed through her mind. The 
different scenes, as they rise, wUl not disconcert 
her* Being acquainted with the leading rules, and 
having had some opportunities of applying them^ 
or. seeing them applied, her own good sense will 
dictate the rest, and render easy and agreeable 
to her that which, to a modish lady, is all strange, 
perplexing, and irksome. How strong the contrast I 
Who does not perceive, where the preference is 
due ? 

Hear what a masterly writer, who seems to have 
been well acquainted with the world,, and particulai*- 
ly with tiie commercial part of it, has advanced on 
this head in his advice to a sou, where he is direct- 
ing him as to the choice of a wife. " This bear 
" always in mind, that if she is not frugal, if she 
^^ is not what is called a good manager, if she does 



SERMON V r. 117 

'* not pique herself on her knowledge of family af- 
" fairs, and laying out her money to the best ad« 
** vantage ; let her be ever so sweetly tempered, 
" gracefully made, or elegantly accomplished, she 
" is no wife for a tradesman : and,*^ he even adds, 
** all those otherwise amiable talents will but open 
** just' so many ways to ruin.'* After relating st 
little story, full of instruction, he thus goes on t 
** In short, remember your mother, who was so 
*' exquisitely versed in this art, that her dress, her 
*' table, and ever}' other particular, appeared rather 
•* splendid than otherwise ; and yet good house- 
** wifery was the foundation of all ; and her bills, 
*' to my certain knowledge, were a fourth less 
*' than most of her neighbours, who had hardly 
" cleanliness to boast, in return for their awkward 
" prodigality." 

But perhaps you will tell me, that you may nev^r 
have occasion to exert such qualities in any sphere 
of consequence. The answer is obvious. As the 
future is uncertain, you ought to acquire them in 
case of need ; besides, in fact, there is no situation^ 
where the general principles of frugality are not 
necessary, on the score both of discretion and chari^ 
ty. In the mean while, the acquisition will be ho-^ 
nourable; and the study useful. It not only be^ 
comes your sex, but will employ your minds inno^ 
cently, and virtuously, at hours which you might 
be tempted to spend in a very different manner. 
The subject is not intricate ; yet it admits of a con- 
siderable detail, and will take up some time. The 
learning tci • write a fair hand, and to cast accounts 
with facility ; the looking into the dispositions and 
practices of servants ; the informing yourselves 
about the prices of every thing needful for a fami- 
hi together with the best m^ods, and properesi 



118 6£RM01f VI. 

seasons^ for pFOviding it ; the observing v^hatever 
relates to cleaaliness and neatness in the furniture 
and apartments of a house ; the understanding how 
to deal with domestics^ tradesmen, and others ; 
above all, the obtaining ever^ possible light with re* 
lation to the nursing, management and education of 
children-— these and such like artides vrill, if I mis- 
take not, furnish ail^le scope for the exercise of 
your faculties, in the pursuit of what I have deem- 
ed Domestic Accomplishments. Nor wii>u]d I have 
yon despise any one of ,|hem as trivial or dull. If 
they should seem ei^r, you must give me leave to 
say the fault is in you. If on any pretence wiiat- 
ever you should affect to call them so^ I ' shouM 
deem it a aiark o("-*-*But I forbear i and^ for 
youv 90cem9g^!Bmn% to suck application, would 
take notice, that from what is thus necessary and 
beneficial, you may, lime after time, fMss, wkh a 
MmsUioB c^n impercqitiUa, to what i» also 
ytet^ and eoftnlainBig; Whidi leads me to qieak. 
In the second place^ of the EkgMit Accomfrfishf 
nente I pFoposed to recommends Of these aU wiB 
be foiaad consistent with Chriatiim Sobriety^ imd 
several conducive to iu Where morab arc^^not i^ 
acnne Aieasure coneeraed, the pecidiar modes of «i 
age canoecfiskmno maiterialdifiereaice. Somepar^ 
tkuburs, I am now to ix)ach upon, might not suit 
that unaetded and persecuted state which the first 
{KMsesaers of christiamty were in, nor that diatia^ 
guished severity of manners whapfauwould natumttf * 
arise out of such a conditaofi, a» well as oiH of 
their late separation from paganism ; and yet those 
tiungs may be no way improper in a chfistiai wof 
man of these times, when religion is established, 
wljen property is seeured, and when the prevalence 
of a system supwmely benevolent has notbinf; 



S£RMOX VI. 119 

to fear from a jeadous policy, or a' bigoled priest* 
hood. 

To begin ivith that excercise which women ap- 
pear almost universally fond of, but which scrupu* 
lous minds have usually thou^t exceptionable. 
For my own part, I must acknowledge, I can see no 
reason -for a declamation against the moderate and 
discreet use Off Dancing. '^ IPft every thing," sigrs 
'Solo,mon, ** there is a reason," and a time to every 
^^ purpose under the iieaven :"---among the rest*- 
^' a time to dance." Evep th«se pursuits which all 
approve, and approve most highly, may be abused. 
Codling is exempt from stiares: but one of the 
<wor8t is a disposition to be peevish, illiberal, and u]>> 
sociable. In the Jewish institution, it is well known, 
&e exercise in question was adopted into rdlig^ous 
Worship itself. It is yet more remarkal^e, that in 
the pai^le of the prodigal son our Saviour nten^ 
tions dancing, as making a ^part of the friendly and 
honest festivity indulged on his return. The sin- 
gle instanee recorded in the New. Testament, where- 
in it was perverted to a pernicious purpose, has 
been -weakly urged against a practice that, used 
with temperance and prudence is certainly adapted 
to promote health and g^d humour, a social spirit, 
and 'kind affections between the sexes, with 
that easy graceful carriage, to which Nature has 
annexed very pleasing perceptions in the beholders. 
" -With respect to this last, it seems to me, that 
•there can be no impropriety in it, any more dian 
in modulating the voice into the most igreeable 
tones in singing ; to which none, I thifdc, will ob- 
ject. What is dancing, in the best sense, but the 
harmony of motion rendered more palpable ? 
Awkwardness, rusticity, ungraceful gestures, can 
i^ever surely be meritorious. It is the observation 



120 SERMON VI. 

of a celebrated philosopher, who was deeply skilled 
in most subjects, that " the principal part of beauty 
*' is in decent and gracious motion." And here one 
cannot help regretting that this, which may be con- 
sidered in some measure as the virtue of the body, 
is not oftener seen in our countr}', as if the sole de* 
sign of Jancing were to supply tlie amusement of 
the hour, A modes^J but animated mien, an air at 
4>nce unaffected and noble, are doubdess circumstaQ* 
.ces of great attraction and delight* 

I said a Modest mien ; for that must never be 
^ivenup: And on this account, I own, I cannot 
much approve of a young lady's dancing often in 
public assemblies, which, without a singular guard, 
must gradually wear off that lovely bashfulness so 
largely inculcated in a former discourse. Private 
circles consisting chiefly of friends and relations, 
,and where persons of more years than the younger 
performers are present, I should esteem in every 
respect the most eligible. Where such precautions 
are observed, and this diversion is not suffered to 
interfere with health, regularity, modest apparel, 
and prudent expense ; I freely confess, that I am 
one of those who can look on with a very sensible 
satisfaction, well pleased to see a company of young 
people joyful with innocence, and happy in each 
other. If an ejjercise so soci^ible, and so enliven- 
ing, were to occupy some part of that time which is 
lavished on cards, would the youth of either s^x be 
losers by it ? I think not. 

Having mentioned Cards, I will use the freedom, 
unpleasing as it may prove, or ill bred as it may 
seem, to offer a few plain remarks on the passion 
tor them, which is now become so strangely pre- 
dominant, as to take the lead of every thing else in 
almost every company of every rank. With many 



] 



^ERMOK VI, 121 

indeed it seems to be a calling, and, as a witty author 
has observed, " a laborious one too, such as they 
** toil night and day at, nay do not allow themselves 
*' that" remission which the laws both of God and 
" man have provided for the meanest mechanic. 
** The sabbath is to them no day of rest ; but this 
" trade goes on when all shops are shut. I know 
*' not," continues he, " how they satisfy them« 
*' selves in such a habitual waste of their time ; 
" but I much doubt that plea, whatsoever it is, 
" which. passeth with them, will scarce hold weight 
*' at his tribunal, who hath commanded Us to redeem, 
^' not fling away our time." 

To the same occupation what numbers sacrifice 
their health and spirits, with every niatural pleasure 
that depends on these, not excepting even the com- 
forts of fresh air j pursuing it in the country with 
the same unabating ardour as in town, and to 
.all the beauty and sweetness of rural scenes, in 
the finest season, preferring the suffocating atmos- 
phere of perhaps a small apartment, where they 
regularly, every day if possible, croud round the 
card-table for hours together ! What neglect of 
business and «tudy, what ruin of credit, of fortune, 
of families, of connexions, of all that is valuable 
in this world, often follows the frenzy. I speak -of, 
who can express ? ' 

I will suppose, my fsur hearers, nay I do hope,, 
that the demon of avarice has 'not yet taken pos- 
session of your hearts. But do ye know any thing 
so likely to introduce him, as the spirit of Ga- 
ming ? Is not this last a kindred fiend ; and does 
not he, like most other tempters, advance by dow 
steps, and with a smiling aspect ? Tell me in so- 
ber sadness, what security can you have that 
Vol. I. L 



122 SERMON VI. 

the love of play will not lead you to the love of 
gaming? 

Between these I know there is a distinction. 
But is it not a distinction, at best, resembling that 
between twilight and darkness ; and does not one 
eucceed the other almost as naturally I The for- 
mer at first is cheerful and serene, retaining, some 
rays of pleasantry and. good humour ; but by little 
and litde these disappear. A deepening shade takes 
place ; till at last, every ^ emanation of mirth and 
good nature dying away, all is involved in the gloom 
q£ anxiety, suspicion, envy, disgust, and every 
dreadful passion that lowers in the train of Covet- 
Dusness* I say not, that this always happens ; but 
I ask again, what security is there ^hat it will liot 
happen to you ? Did not every gamester in the 
world, whether male or female, begin just where 
you do ? And is It liot probable, that many of 
that infamous tribe had once as little apprehension 
as you can have^ of proceeding* those lengths to 
which they have since run, through the natural 
progress of vice, no where more infetuating or 
more rapid than in tins execrable one ? 

But let us suppose the desire of winning should 
in you never rise to that rage, which agitates the 
breast of many a fine lady, discomposes those 
features, and inflames those eyes, where nothing 
[^hpuld he. seen but soft illumination. Are there 
not lower degrees in the thirst of gain, which a 
liberal mind would ever carefully avoid ? And pray 
consider ; when either by superior skiU, or what is 
called better luck, you happen to strip of her 
money, of that money which it is very possible 
she can ill spare, an acquaintance, a companion, a 
friend, one whom you profess at least to love and 
honour, perhaps at the very moment to entertain 



SERMON VI. 123 

with all the sacred rites of hospitality — is there no- 
thing unkind, nothing sordid, in giving way to that 
which draws after it such consequence!^ ! Is this the 
spirit of friendship or humanity I — Blessed God ! how 
does the passion I condemn depraA^e the worthiest af- 
fections of nature ; and how does that bewitching pow- 
er, the Fashion of the times, pervert even the best 
understandings, whe^ resigned to its ^impostures ? 

Nor IS it the laws of humanity and friendlhip only, 
that are transgressed by the lust of ganiing. The 
sweet emotions of love and tenderness between 
the sexes are often swallowed up by this all-de- 
vouring, appetite ; an appetite, which perhaps beyond 
any thing else tends, to harden and contract the 
heart, at the same time that the immoderate induU 
gence of it excludes a thousand little reciprocations 
of sentiment and joy, which would sfrve to kindle 
and feed the, flame of virtuous affection. How 
much conversation suffer? from' it, who does not 
perceive ? 

Here indeed you will tell me with an air of tri- 
umph, that it prevents a great deal of scandal. 
When,^hen, are your minds so unfurnished, so 
vacant, that without cards you must necessarily fly 
to that wretched resource ? Creation, providence, 
religion, books, observation, fancy; do these pre- 
sent so narrow a field of entertainment, as to force 
you on the alternative of preying either on the re- 
putation or on the property of others ?— But now 
I recollect, while you possess an art of' such utility 
as this last, for filling up the blanks of discourse, 
as well as for repairing the wastes of extravagance, 
why should you give yourselves any trouble to read 
or think, to enlarge your ideas or improve your 
faculties, beyond the usual standard ? Surely the 
knowledge of the most fashionable games, of die 



124 SERMON VI. 

most remarkable characters, of the reigning modes 
and amusements of the season, with a few common*- 
place compliments, remarks, and matters of fact, 
but especially some passages of private history, told 
byway of secret to all the world, is quite suffix 
cient, by the help of a little vivacity which Nature 
will supply, to accomplish you for every purpose of 

modern society. Alas, how poor is all this ! 

How uiftvorthy the principal attention of beings 
made ^ but a little lower than the angels,'' and 
professing to believe in the comijiunion of saints I 

But are there not many general companies, in 
which it were impossible to spend a long evening 
with any tolerable ease, or propriety, but by bor- 
rowing assistance from the card-table ? I grant it, 
as things are now ; and, when you are so situated, 
your complying with tlie occasion may be both 
allowable and proper, provided the stakes .are but 
trifling, your tempers not ruffled,, and what you 
win or lose is agreed to be given away in charity^ 
By this means perhaps you may " make to your- 
" selves friendls of the mamnion of unrighteous* 
'* ness." 

But tell me, I beseech you, where is the necessi- 
ty of being very often in general companies ? Are 
these the scenes of true enjoyment I What, where 
the heart cannot be unfolded ; where the under- 
standing has little or no play; where all is reserve, 
ceremony, show ; where the smile of complaisance, 
is frequently put onto deceive, and even the warm- 
est professions of regard are sometimes made the 
^^ cloak of maliciousness !'* 

There is not, methinks, any thing more con- 
temptible, or more to be pitied, than that turn of 
mind, which finding no entertainment in itself, 
mone^at home, none in books, none in rational con- 



SERMON VI. 125 

versation, nor in the intercourses of real friendship, 
nor in ingenious works of any kind, is continually 
seeking to stifle reflexion in a tumult of pleasures, 
and to divert weariness in a crowd* 

* But can it be supposed, that even in naore 
* private meetings people should be sJways able 
^ to pass the time without cards ?' You ought to 
speak more plainly, and say, to Kill the time ; 
for that is commonly the' case. By the most 
favourable reckoning, the greatest part of those 
hours that are devoted to play is lost. That which 
was begun for amusement is lengthened out to 
fatigue. No one -.. impi-oving or generous idea is 
circulated: no one happy or solacing recollection 
is secured. The whole is to be set down ks a large 
portion of the span of life cut off widiout advan- 
tage, and without satisfaction, as far as virtue or 
reason is concerned. 

'What then shall we do when together?' Do! 
Why, converse, or hold your tongues, as good 
sense and unaffected nature prompt to either. Do ! 
Why, work, read, sing, dance, laugh, and look 
grave by turns, as occasion serves ; any thing in 
the world thai is innocent, rather than eternal 
play. For persons in all the gaiety of health, and 
sprighdiness of youth ; persons not relaxed by 
infirmity, or exhausted by business ; persons with 
numberless sources of delight laid open to them, 
and every natural relish lively and strong — for 
them to be at a loss how to spend a single evening 
without cards, what a degradation of the liuman 
mind! 

Willing to corroborate an argument which to 
me appears of such importance, I will avail myself 
of the words of a writer now living, who is riot 
less respectable for the force than for the mo« 

L2 



126 SERMOV VI. 

rality of his pen. Complaining df the fatal passion 

for play, he mentions, amongst other mischiefs 

to which, it leads, its tendency *' to destroy all 

*^ distinctions both of rank and sex ; to crush all 

" emulation, but that of fraud ; to confound the 

*' world in a chaos of folly j to withhold youth 

" from its natural pleasures, deprive wit of its 

** influence, and beauty of its charms ; to ex- 

' ** tinguish the flame of the lover, as well as of the 

" patriot ; to sink life into a tedious uniformity, and 

** to allow it no other hopes or fears but those of rob* 

*' bing and being robbed." He adds, in the same 

animated style, " That if those of your sex who 

*' have minds capable of nobler sentiments, will 

** unite in vindication of their pleasures and their 

^ *' prerogatives, they may fix a time at which cards 

** shall cease to be in fashion, or be left only to 

** those who have neither beauty to be loved, nor 

^* spirit to be feared ; neither knowledge to teach, 

'^' nor modesty to learn ; and who, having passedf 

** their youth in vice, are justly condenmed to 

** spend their age in folly." 

But I proceed to a more agreeable task, that 
of recommending, in the next place, those in- 
genious works mentioned a little while ago. 

As to needle- work in particular, we find it 
spoken of in scripture with commendation. Its 
beauty and advantages are universally apparent- 
It was practised by ladies formerly, and ladies of 
the first rank, much more than it is at present. 
They indeed had much more leisure than most of 
their posterity. They were simple enough I sup- 
pose, to be in love with home, and to seek their 
happiness in their duty. Of .that duty they con- 
sidered diligence as a part ; nor does it appear to 
have in the least cramped their imaginations. Of ^ 



SERMON VI. 1^7 

their skill in this way we have seen very laudable 
monuments. TIjey only wanted instruction in the 
principles of the Fine Arts, to give their per- 
formances a juster taste. At any rate, their time 
would by such means pass away more pleasantly. 
I'hey would be under little temptation of wander- 
ing abroad: consequently they would escape in- 
finite snares and inconveniences. Then, too, 
private conversation would be cultivated on a much 
more rational y footing : ai^ many a pleasing dis- 
cussion would arise on the subject of their various 
productions. 'I heir fancies, called forth by a 
thousand prettinesses, and kept up by the spirit of 
elegant emulation, would of course be polished 
and exalted. This, I believe, will be found true, 
that those females of the present age, who have 
resolution enough to copy so antiquated, an example, 
seldom fail to prove the most entertaining com- 
panions. 

I once knev/ a lady, noble by her birth, but more 
noble by her virtues, whp never sat idle in compa- 
ny, unless when compelled to it by the punctilio of 
cerenaony, which she took care should happen as 
rarely as possible. Being a perfect mistress of her 
heedle, and having an excellent taste in that, as in 
m^ny Other things, her manner, whether at home 
or abroad with her friends, (for friends she had,- 
though a woman of fashion, and bred at court,) was 
to be constantly engaged in working something 
useful, or something beautiful ; at the same time 
that she assisted in supporting the conversation, 
with an attention and capacity which I have never 
seen exceeded. For the sake of variety and improve- 
ment, when . in her own house, some one of the 
company would often read aloud, while she and her 
female visitants were thus ennployed. I must add^ 



128 SEKMON VI. 

that during an intimate acquaintance of several 
years, I do not remember to haye seen her once 
driven to the polite necessity of either winning or 
losing money at pla} ,, and making her guests de- 
fray the expense of the entertainment* 

Perpait me^ before I dismiss this article, to offer 
a hint or two, that may not be unworthy your ob- 
servation. Instead of that minute and laborious 
kind of work, which is often practised by young 
ladies, I should think that slighter and freer pat- 
terns would for the most part be greatly preferable. 
The sight would be in no danger of being strained, 
much less time wo\ild be required to finish them ; 
and, when finished, they would produce a much 
better effect. They would give, beyond comparison, 
more scope to the imagination ; they would exhibit 
an ease, a gracefulness, and a flow that ought 
to enter, as much as possible, into all works 
of taste ; and as they would admit a far greater 
multiplicity of ornament, so likewise the pur- 
pose of utility would be promoted in a far higher 
degree. 

The business of shading with a needle is now, 
comparatively, seldom thought of but at school, 
where it is frequently taught in a paltry, and al- 
ways in a defective manner, though certainly de- 
serving of particular attention. The disposition, 
harmony, and melting of colours in this way, aflbrd 
one of the finest exercises to female genius, 
and one of the most amusing that can be imagin- 
ed I besides that such productions are the most 
permanent. . 

But the truth is, nothing complete or distinguish- 
ed in those attempts can be expected while the 
proper foundation is so generally omitted ib be 
laid ; I nvean Drawing, which is 



' ' ' ■ SERMON vt; 129 

The third accomplishittent I would take the 
liberty to inculcate. That niany more young ladies 
would be found qualified for such a study than is 
usually apprehended, I cannot doubt. Several, I 
am certain, have appKed to it with the greatest suc- 
cess and pleasure, who, before they began, did 
not promise themselves the least. It is truly sur* 
prising, that so few of our mqre intelligent females 
'should show a desire of being instructed in so plea- 
sing an art, at a time too when it is to be learnt 
with such advantage and encouragement. 

None can be ignorant, that the pririciples and 
practice of drawing were never understood amongst 
us to the height they are at present ; owing chief- 
.ly to the patronage of society, that reflects th^ 
greatest credit .on thi$^ country, and on this age. 
But here justice to your sex denqiands an acknow* 
ledgment which we joyfully /make, that several 
honorary rewards hgive been most deservedly gain- 
ed by young ladies of rank and character, for spe- 
ciniens of ingenuity, yrhich it is to be hoped their 
grandchildren will one day mention and emulate 
with honest pride. 

If such of yoti, my amiable hearers, as are in a 
situation to try whether Nature has given you 
talente iFor this beautiful accomplishment, would 
fairly make the essay, you might very probably- 
open to yourselves, and to your friends,^ a spring 
of entertainment that would never run dry ; that 
would contribute to improve, while it delighted you, 
by adding to your ideas of elegance and grace ; 
that would prevent many a folly, and many a sin, 
which proceed from idleness ; and, be not hurt, if I 
add, that would prove the means of future support, 
should it please the Supreme Wisdom to reduce 
you to a state of dependence. 



130 SERMON VI* 

There are other pretty works, extremely proper 
for female hands, which 1 need not specify here, 
since several of the remarks already made will, I 
presume, be applicable to them* Let it suffice to 
say in general, that whatever is genteel, and what- 
ever is useful, in such occupations, should al- 
ways claim your regard, when you have leisure 
and capacity. 1 he former you will seldom want, 
if you have learnt to portion out ♦your time with- 
judgment ; and in the latter you ought never to pro- 
nounce wQiirselves defective, before you have ho- 
nestly wS^* . 

The last accomplishment of the elegant kind,- 
which I shall mention, -is Music. This, I conceive, 
is to be recommended with , more discrimination 
' than the rest, how much soever such a notion may 
contradict the prevailing opinion. It is very true,, 
there are young ladies who, without any particular 
advantage of a natural ear or good'voice, have, by ' 
means of circumstances peculiarly favourable, made 
great proficiency in music : but it is as true, that 
they have made it at a vast expense of time and 
application; such, as no woman 'ought to bestow 
upon an object, to which she is not carried by the 
irresistible impulse of genius. 

In many other arts it is possible for original 
talents to lie dormant-^ till called up by assiduity or 
accident ; but where there is a stong propension to 
this, it will, I imagine, hardly forbear to burst out^ 
by means of the transcendent pleasure derived 
from it on all occasions. If it do not, if even the 
best music can be heard without a degree of delight 
bordering on transport 5 cidier the practice will n^- 
ver reward the pains necessary for acquiring it ; 
or, there being no native vein of excellence in that 
way, it will, as has been commonly observed, he 






SERMON VI. 131 

^scoDtinued on a change of condition ; in whidi 
lease you lose the labour of years, that might have 
been directed with lasting benefit into some other 
channel- 
Be this as it may, you will readily allow, that 
for a young woman who has no turn for the study 
1 am speaking of, to be condemned both to mortify. 
herself, and to punish her acquaint 
ing every lesson put into her h 
awkward, situation, however much 
for the sake of his craft, flatter he 
assuring them, perhaps with an ai 
nity, tlu.t he neyer had a better scl 
Ufe. If she whose attainments in this kind are but 
indifferent, could be contented to amuso herself^ 
and those of her own family, now and then, with 
an air' that happened to please them, it were well : 
but how does a judicious hearer blush for the 
poor beginner, when set down by the command 
of a fond parent to entertain perhaps a large 
conipany, as we have often seen, with perform* 
ing that of which she scarce knows the rudi- 
ments ; while all is disappointment on their part, 
and, if she have any understanding, confusion on 
hers ! 

Is the preacher then an enemy to music ? Much 
the reverse. Where there is a real genius for it, 
im[H>ived by art, and regulated by sentiment, no- 
thing surely can be more charming, or affecting. Its 
importance in the ancient Jewi.sh worship is well 
known. Of its beauty and usefulness in all our 
churches, when conducted in a manner suitable to 
its sacred purpose, and not prostituted to levity, or 
perverted by ostentation, I am not insensible. Its 
influence in all ages and nations stands universally 
confessed. It is founded in some of the strong- 



132 SERMON TI. 

est perceptions of Nature^ wherever she has seen 
fit to confer a lively sensibility to the melody of 
sounds. 

But how much is it to be regretted, that this 
vonderful charm of melody properly so called, 
together with the whole merit of expression, should 
■be sacnficed, as we frequently find, to the proud 
in of mere trick and execution j 
nidering the various combinations 
rful instrument of touching the 
rreeable emotions, or allaying 
as in the days of old, it should 
ded into an idle amusement, de- 
^ ^ , evoid of meaning, absolutely de- 
void of any one ingrc dient diat can inspire delight- 
ful ideas, or engage unaffected applause ,' What 
lover of this enchanting art but must lament, that 
^e most insipid song which can disgrace it is no 
sooner heard in places of public entertainment, than 
every young lady who has leamt the common notes, 
is immediately Uught to repeat it in a manner still 
more insipid ; while the most sublime ^d interest- 
ing compositions, where simplicity and greatness 
imite, are seldom or never thought of ini^r case j 
as if the female mind were incapable of relishing 
any thing grave, pathetic, or exalted ! 

Let me here call on every musical spirit of your 
sex, to assert the rights of good sense ; and to in- 
sist that those, who are entrusted with this branch 
of their education, shall not fail to introduce them 
as early as possible, into an acquaintance with what- 
ever is most beautiful and noble in the article of , 
melody. The more thorough knowledge of har- 
mony may come afterwards, if you be ambitious, 
of advancing so far. In the mean time you will 
hxvi the satis^KUon of plensing ^e best judges, 



SERMON VI. 133 

aiid of entertaining yourselves with such pieces as, 
while the words to which they are set convey no 
sentiments but what are elevated or virtuous, shall 
serve to refine and enliven your thoughts, to raise 
your spirits into joy, or compose them into sweet- 
ness, and on chosen occasions, by the diviner strains 
of solemn music, to lift your hearts to heaven, 
prove a kind of prelude to the airs of paradise 
and prepare you for joining the choir of angeb« 



V«4 • I. M 



SERMON Vn. 

ON TEMJiLE VIRTUE, WITH IMTELLECTVAL 
ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 



1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 

/ inllr^that vfomen adorn themtehoet viih Sobriety 

PROv. iv. 5, 6. 8, 9. 

Gei Wisdom, get Untlerstanding, — Forsake her ttot, and site 
shaU preserve thee •• love hei\ and she shall keep thee.'-^ExaU 
her, ami she shall promote tt^. — She shall give to thy head an 
ornaniefit of grace : a crotvn of glory shall she deUver to thee, 

xN a country like this^ where there is certainly a 
native fund of good sense^ where sciences and arts 
aw widely cultivated, where works of genius and 
taste in every kind are allowed to abound ; is it 
not somewhat strange, that the common style of 
conversation should be so little instructive or enter* 
taining ? How seldom do we falHnto a company, 
in which we learn any thing useful, or hear any 
thing whatever above the rate of the multitude ; 
buch as low jests, vulgar conceits, incoherent dis- 
putation, or impertinent tattle ! How very seldom 
does a thinking man come away from the visit of 
an evening, delighted with his manner of spending 
it ! One who has conversed only with a ^mall cir- 
cle of ingenious friends, will hardly conceive what 
frivolous, what a piteous thing, the ordinary strain 
of company appears to an intelligent by-stander. 



SERMON VII. 135 

ITie favourite communications of men of pleasure 
are beyond description corrupt and groveling, with 
scarce any diversity. Those of gay assemblies 
are the quintessence of dulness and dissimulation i 
except only that the first is sometimes tinctured with 
a few sprinklings of smartness, and the last always 
concealed under the specious colours of civility. 
As to the busy, the learned, and the grave ; the 
greater part are no sooner released from their re- 
spective pursuits, than they throw themselves loose 
into a listlessness of disposition, that wanders with 
impatience in quest of public diversion, or diffuses 
itself in private through, th^ vacuity of idle talk: 
as if there were no medium between seriousness 
and folly, or as if people could not find relief from 
the stretch of application, in the agreeable unbends 
.ings of moderate amusement and rational dis- 
course. In short, if we want to find, a conversa- 
tion enlivened with variety and spirit, enlightened 
by intelligence and tempered by politeness, w^e must 
$eek for it amongst a few men who join sentiment 
to knowledge, .and a few women who join know- 
ledge to vivacity. 

., TJiat the number of these should be so small, 

con^)ared with the untaught and the ungovemed 

.many, is surely matter of lamentation. To what 

shall we chiefiy impute it ? To what else, but 16 

that whirl of dissipation, which, like some mighty 

vortex, has swallowed up in a manner all conditions 

and characters ? That the young indeed should be 

often carried down the strear^, till they sink into 

ios^ificance, is not much to be wondered at, how 

much soever it is iso be regretted. But alas ! they 

• do not always stQpthe^re. From what is trivial, 

. how easy the. transidon to what is n^an ! How 

quick the de«oeat fromdtfaoughdessness to vice ! No- 



136 SERMON vir. 

thing perhaps^ requires better sense, or a stricter 
guard, than to trifle without being foolish, or to be 
frolicksome without sin* They that would hold 

w 

fast their righteousjness, and not depart from the de» 
oorum of their character, cannot be too careful 
to regulate their conversation^ as well as their 
conduct, by the great law of reflexion, and in the 
hour of gaiety itself not to lose sight of wisdont* 
But how should this be expected, where the 
mind is wholly unimproved, where no internal re* 
sources are secured in the days of youth, but all 
is left to nature neglected br education, and warp^ 
cd by fashion, or to the scanty supplies which 
company, news and accidents aiFprd ? 

What I would therefore now labour is, with the 
help of God, to persuade you, tnyfair auditory, ta 
enrich a^d adorn your understandings with such at- 
tainments, as shall render you not only less depend- 
ant on external amusements and empty gratifica- 
tions, but more superior to e^rery thiag corrupting 
smd dangerous ; such as shall entertain and edify 
jrou at the same time, enable you to enjoy soHtude,^ 
and qualify you to sdbiiie in conversation even 
without designing it, to iiispire a mixture of dcom- 
placence and respect, in fine, to unite decency and 
sense with mirth and joy. Thus would I still en- 
deavour to promote that spirit of Christian Sobrie- 
ty which our apostle inculcates, and by the same 
means contribute to the felicity and dignity of 
your sex. 

The passage froia the Proverbs, which I have 
read to you, by way of a second text, requires no 
commentary ; and in truth I know not any that . 
could do it justice* As it isy»it must str%e you 
at once with its • Simplicity, tenderness, and subli- 
mity. The Wisdom or Understanding, so beauti- 



SXRMOK Vll. 137 

fully personified by Solomon, is doubtless to be 
considered chiefly as representing Religion, which 
is certainly the highest exercise of our rations^ 
powers. But I see no reason for conceiving it to 
represent that only* In many parts of his writings 
it is manifestly used to signify Mental Improve- 
ments, in thb proper sense of the phrase : nor is 
there any thing said of it here, which will not in 
one degree or another hold true of these, when 
under right direction ; besides, in fact, the culti- 
vation of those powers to every valuable purpose, 
is unquestionably a duty which we owe to their ai^ 
' thon That the exhortation is addressed by our in- 
spired writer to a mate scholar, whom in the man- 
ner of eastern teachers he calls his «on, makes^ n0 
essential difference, in the spirit of his doctrine, as I 
hope will appear from the sequeU 

I'hc degree'* of those Intellectual Accomplishk 
ments which your sex should aim at, I pretend not 
to determine* That must depend on the capaciti^fr, 
opportunities^ and encouragements, which you se- 
verally enjoy. With regard to all these how- 
ever, thb may. be said in general, that they are 
better, and more than many of you seem solicitous^ 
to improve* 

As to the first indeed, I scruple not to declare 
my opinion, that Nature appears to have formed 
the faculties of your sex for the most port with 
less vigour than those of ours ; observing the same 
distinction here, as in the more delicate frame of 
your bodies. Exceptions we readily admit, and 
,such as do the mdividual» great honour in those 
particular walks of excellence, wherein they have 
been distinguiAed* But yoi* yourselves, I thinky 
will allow that war, commerce, politics, exercises 
of strength and dexterity, abstract philosophy^ 

M 2 



138 s%fiuvn VIZ. 

and alt the abstniaer scieaoes, are 'most properly 
the province of nitii«< I ant sure those . mascuUiie 
iwotntOy that would plead for youir afaaring.any. part 
of thia province eqoalty wkhua^ do not understeiul 
*yolir true interests* There is an.influRsncev there is 
-an empire which belongs^ to. yovLy and whidi I wish 
you ever to possess : I mean diat which has the 
heart for its object^ and is secured by meekness 
and modesty^ by soft attraction and virtuous 
love* 

f But now I must add, that. your power in thia way 
-will recei'i'e a large accession from the cukum- of 
yt(iur minds, in the more, elegant^ and polished' 
-branches of knowledge* When I say so, I would 
by no means Insinuate, that you are not capable of 
\he judicious and the soHd^ in sudt mt)portion.as is 
suited to your destination in life. This, I appre^ 
-hend, does not require reasoning' or. accuracy, so 
much as observation and discernment* Your busU 
•ness chiefly is to read Men,, in order to. make youi>- 
-selves agreeable and usefid* It. is not the so^u- 
mentative but the sentimental, talents, which give 
you that insight, and those openings into the hu- 
man heart,, that lead to your principal: ends s^ Wo- 
men* Nevertheless, in this study you may derive 
great assistance from books* Without diem, in 
effect, your progress here will, be par,tial and con- 
fined. Neither are you to attadi ycniraeives wholly 
to this study, important as it is, and igratefiil as 
you may find it. Whatever kinds, of reading may 
contribute to your general imprnvemeat and satis- 
faction, as reasonaUe beings, desagned for society, 
virtue, and religion, will deserve your attentive re- 
^td* Suffer me to enter a little icto the ^detail* 
And 



SERMOSf Til. 139 

First, I urould observe: thsu Hi^oi^; in whkh I 
include Biograph>% and Menu>ir$^ ought t&eviploy 
a considerable share of your leisure. Those pic- 
.tozea which it exhibits, of the passions operating in 
real, life and genuine characters ; of virtues to be 
4xmiated^ and of vices to be shunned ; of the effects 
of both on society said individuals i of the nnita- 
bility of human sdFairs ; of the conduct of divine 
providence ; of the great consequences that c^ften 
Arise from little events ; of the weakness of power, 
and the wanderings of prudence, in mortal men '; 
widi the sudden, unexpected, and frequently unac- 
countable revolutions, that dash triumphant wicked- 
ness, or disappoint presumptudus hope ;-^the\pit*« 
tures, i say, which History exhibits of all diese, 
have been: ever reckoned by the best judges, among 
the ridiest sources of instruction and entertain^ 
ment* 

Ow both accounts, we would . also recommend 
books of .Voyages and Travels; aiSs^ouritestud^ 
of the Celebrated Mr. Locke. How amusing to cu- 
riosity ! How enlargingr to our prospect of .man- 
kind ! How conducive to cure the contracted pre- 
poa&essitms of national^ pride, and withal to inspire 
gratitude for the- peculiar blessings ^bestowed upon 
our country ; to excite on^one side pity towards die 
many millions of human beings left' by mysterious 
heaven in ignorance and barbarity, and to beget 
(nLihe mother admiration of the virtues and abilities 
displayed by numbers of diese under all die dis- 
advantages that tend to darken and overwbehn 
-tnem* 

Here too we would mention- Geogra{iJ%yy as 
closely connected with both the former; as often 
useful in conversation ; and in which a . competent 



140 SERMON VII. 

« 

skill may be acquired with little application, but 
much amusement. 

These several studies, to which may be added 
the principal facts, or great outKnes of Astronomy, 
are beautiful ; and they are improving. Some of 
them present the most interesting scenes ; all coi> 
tain the most pleasing discoveries. They open 
and enlarge the mind ; they delight and humanize 
the heart ; they remind us that we are citizens of 

.the xiiiiverse ; they show us how small the part 
that we fill in the immense orb of being. Amidst 
the amplitude of such contemplations, super- 
fluous trifles shrink away; wealth and grandeur 
** hide their diminished beads ;" a generous am- 
bition rises in the thoughtful rnind^ to approve 
Itself to the all-inspecting eve of Him to whom 
none of his worits are indifferent, but to whont 
those only can be acceptable, that, under the un^ 

i certainty and imperfection of sublunary things,. 
Seek their security, happiness, and glory, in doing 

•welL 

Permit me to jask, whfence it proceeds that studies 
like these are neglected by the generality of your 
sex I Is it because they are not calculated tocln^' 
flame the £ancy, and flatter the passions ; ortiecaUse 
to relish them to purpose, requires some degree 
of solidity andjudgment ?— But did not the preach^ 
er say, that there were women who are no way defi^- 
' rcient in these latter qualities i He did and therefore 
pleasesi himself with the hope, that the bints now 
offered may imprint conviction on such, where 
there hajs been an omission, and encourage peir- 
severance where there has not* 

As to works of imagination, it k sdlowed on aU 
hands, that the female mind is* disposed to be 
peculiarly fond of them ; and surely when blended 



SERMON VII. 141 

with instruction, so as to be rendered more im- 
mediately subservient to it, they have a particidar 
claim to your attention* In this view, we must 
not forget to recommend Fables, Visions, Alle- 
gories, and such like compositions, where Fancy 
sports vmder the control of Reason ; Dramatic 
Writings also, where truth of character and purity 
©f thbught are preserved ; (of these last how in- 
vconsiderable the number !) Poetry of all kinds, 
where a strict- regard is paid to decorum^ but 
chiefly of the sublimer forms, where Nature, Vir- 
tue, Religion, are painted and embellished with all 
the beauty of a chaste yet elevated imagination. 
What a field is here open within the reach, and 
adapted to the turn, of female faculties ! What a 
profusion of intellectual ornament is spread before 
you, fof memory to collect, and for reflexion to 
work upon ! How many sprightly, delightful, and 
lofty ideas do here pass before the mental eye, all 
dressed in the brightest colours ! How strangely 
inexcusable must those be, wlio complain at any 
time of w^nt of amusement, when the genius and 
invention of every illuminated age have taken suck 
happy pains, to supply the noblest ! " » 

I say nothing now of Novels and Romances^ 
having had occasion to speak of them so largely in 
a former discourse* But I must not omit to recom- 
mend those admirable productions of the present 
century, which turn principally on the two great 
hinges of sentiment and character ; joining de- 
scription to precept, and presenting in particular the 
-most animated sketches of modem manners, where 
'the likeness is caught warm from life ; while the 
powers of fiancy, wit, and judgment, combine to 
expose vice and folly, to enforce reformation, and 
in short but spirited essays, to convey the rules otf 



142 S^EMON vii. 

domestic wisdom and daily conduct* I need not 
here name the Spectator, or those who have foU 
lowed imn with various success in^ the same track / 
many of them ingenious, some of them masterly 
writers. How much are both sexes indebted to 
their elegant pens, for a species of instruction better 
fitted perhaps xhs^ most others of humim device, 
to delight and improve at the same moment ; suc^ 
is its extent, its diversity, its familiarity, its ease, 
its playful manner, its immediate refi^ence to 
scenes and circumstances with which we are every 
day conversant ! 

Works of this kind are peculis^ly calculated to 
aHure the lively and the gay, who are not yet de- 
livered over to licentiousness* Hardly indeed will 
mrls, for instance, who mean no ill, Imt whose 
fancies are alt alive and. restless, submit^to have 
their understandings attired at Wisdom^s glass ; if 
lovely forms and smiling iniages be not often re- 
flected from thence^ to detain the cy^, and captir 
vate the heatt. In reality, none of yoil, my dear 
liearers, can be too well acquainted with those ap- 
proved masters of life, those able tcirchers of de- 
corum, those singularly successful painters of truth 
and morality* Let me advise you to dwell on 
their pictm^es, to imbibe their sentiments, to re- 
plenish your minds with that inexhausted fund of 
stores and examples which they have furnished* 
You cannot fail of improving « under such tutors* 
•They too will provide you with a touchstone bjr 
which to judge of other writings, ami while you 
ate searching " for knowledge as for hid trea- 
** 3ures," to separate between the pure one and the 
alloy* 

I should not on this occasion do justice t© your 
si^, if I did not say, that suchboofcs as^thoselast 



SERMON vii.r 143 



^ 



> 



mentioned are, in a particular degree, proportioned 
to the scope of your capacities. Of this I am 
certain, that amongst women of sense I have dk* 
covered an uncommon penetration in what relates 
to characters, an uncommon dexterity in hitting 
them off through their several specific distinc- 
tions, and even nicer discriminations, together 
with a race of facncy, and a fund of what may be 
strictly ' termed sentiment, or a pathetic manner of 
thinking, which I hate not so frequently met with 
in men. It should seem that Nature, \y^ her libe- 
rality to the female mind in these respects, has seen fit 
to compensate what has been judged a defect in 
point of depth and Ibrce ; and a real defect, I be- 
lieve, it is, if estimated td[)solutely* If estimated 
With a due regard to the design and formation of 
the se^ql^it ought to be considered as no defect 
it all/ 

I have already hinted, that to men and women 
the Almighty has allotted very different f«?ovinces, 
on the filling of which with suitable kinds of ability 
and excellence depends, under his conduct, die 
proper perfection and welfare of each. 'In all I 
hax^e said therefore, or may yet say, concerning 
Female Accomplishments, I would be stiH under- 
stood as recommending what is refined in study, 
and useful in the milder modes of life ; not what 
'is profound Iq the former, or of no Inaterial ad- 
vantage in die latter. This hinders not however, but 
that diose ladies, whx>m Nature, not confining her- 
self to her customary operations, has endowed with 
any signal strength of genius, may, if favoured 
also by their situation, give way to that original 
bent, by prosecuting severer studies to every pru- 
dent lengd). I say, to every Prudent length. For 
should diey push their application so far as to hurt 



J ri 



144 S£RMON VII. 

their more tender health, to hinder those family 
duties for which the sex are chiefly intended, or 
to impair diose softer graces that give them their 
highest lustre ; nothings I think, can be more ap- 
parent than that, in such cases, they would relin-r 
quish their just sphere, for one much less amiable, 
and much less beneficiaL But neither from this, 
nor from what was advanced immediately before, 
does it follow, that, in what relates to the acquisi- 
tions of the mind, women in general may not 
pursue studies, that are solid, as well as entertain- 
ing ; which leads me to add, 

In the next place, that the most obvious 
branches both of natural and moral Philosophy 
fihould engage some portion of your time. That 
they are so seldom,' and so slightly thought of, you 
must. allow me to say, is a melancholy giflexion. 
Does Creation, through her infinitely extended, 
and in&nitely diversified scenery, display innumera- 
ble wonders ? Have these been traced with skill 
and accuracy, by many learned and maiiy laborious 
hands ^ Are they laid open to you, and almost 
pressed upon you, from every quarter ? For of 
Natural Philosophy, I consider Natural History, as 
a part.— And can ye with % giddy eye turn away 
from this glorious spectacle, to gaze on the meanest 
ornament of beauty, or the silliest pageant of 
vanity ; thus poorly,, not to say impiously, pros- 
tituting that admiration which ought to be con- 
secrated chiefly to the works of your all-perfect 
Creator ? 

Are the great and eternal obligations of Con- 
science, the maxims of a wise and worthy beha- 
viour, the duties you owe to the Supreme of Be- 
ings, to your fellow-creatures, and yourselves ; 
the rules necessary for the government of your 



\ 



SERMON vii. 145 

own minds in .particular, or for the mansigement 
of those that may be hereafter committed to your 
care ; are these mighty considerations, unfolded 
and enforced as they have been with equal clearness 
and eloquence by various writers— are these, I 
say, matters of so little concern with you, that the 
business of contriving some petty circumstance of 
dress, or the care of settling some foolish party of 
pleasure, shall be preferred in almost every case of 
competition ? 

Here, I must confess, it is difficult to repress 
the risings of indignation. Here I cannot deny, 
but the feelings of contempt, mixed with those of 
compassion, are in some danger of banishing 
the favourable ideas we entertain of your sex, when 
seen iq happier points of light.: — For shame, La- 
dies, let not this reproach rest on you any longer. 
Hasten to vindicate your teputation from the in- 
famy of impertinence and hopsense. Be ambitious 
to demonstrate, .by the most substantial proofs, 
that you are capable of better things than the pla- 
cing of a ribbon, or adjusting a head-dress, than 
the glittering in an assembly-room, or prattling at 
a tea-table. Be all ai^our to emulate those excel- 
lent ones of your sex, who, without affecting to 
despise any thing that 13 innocently female, discpver 
in their conversation among their friends, a mind 
devoted to wisdom, and ennobled by knowledge. 

The duty and advantage of reading the Scrip- 
tures, wjth a few books of the most serious and 
devotional strain, I will take another occasion 
to consider. — But, I think, I hear you exclaiming 
that, though God has given you the capacities of 
intellectual improvement, men have denied you the 
opportunities of it. Let us therefore proceed 

to examine how this matter stands^ which was 
Vofc. I. N . 



14d SERMON VII. 

Our second point* If your complaint be well 
founded, you are certainly objects of pity, instead 
of blamre* If the men, jealous of dominion, do 
really seek to depress the women, by keeping diem 
in a state of ignorance, they are surely guilty of 
equal cruelty and meanness. But though the com» 
{^int be a very common one, and very popular 
with your sex, I must take the liberty of saying, 
that it appears to me without any foundation ade- 
quate to the bitterness with which it has been 
made, or to the keenness with which it has been 
propagated. 

That your minds are often much neglected at 
home, that they are neglected perhaps yet more at 
many Boarding-Schools, we readily admit, and 
heartily regret. But are you nevertheless desirous 
of knowledge ? Then, what should hinder you 
from attaining it ? Is diere any law or statute by 
which you are prohibited, under severe pains and 
penalties, to read or to think, if you be so minded ? 
Books you have, or may have, on every subject that 
is proper for you. This is not a country where these 
are scarce ; where Friendship, if permitted, will not 
supply, or where Benevoleiwe, if asked, wiU «ot 
lend them.' You will be pleased to remember tooy 
that the price of one expensive gown, or of one 
shining toy, will at any time furnish a litde lil:^* 
ry of the best authors. - Nor does it appear, that 
you are at a loss to find as many plan's and novels 
as the most insatiable avidity can devour. But in 
feet there are few young ladies, who are not tole- 
rably provided with books useful as well as amu- 
sing; and in those who are not under the neces- 
sity of earning their bread, it is both an idle and 
unthankful pretence, to plead that dijpy want either 



SERMON VII, 



147 



opportunhj or leisure for any one ^tudy befitting 
their sex. 

Not to speak of the time that with so much 
propriety they might, and that, for so many re^ 
sons,, they ought,, to redeem from endless visiting* 
and other follies ; what is there to prevent their 
reading alternately to one another, whea custom or 
conveniency engages them at work together ? Such 
an^ exercise would not only enlarge the stock of 
ideas in each individual, but also present materials 
on which their minds might operate with an ener- 
gy quickened by mutual exertion. " As iron sharp- 
*^ eneth iron, so doth the face of a woman her 
•* friend. You, my fair pupils, cannot be offended, 
that to suit the quotation to the argument, I should 
here read Woman for Man* How smoothly have 
I seen those hours steal away, which were thus 
employed in a little ring of intelligent females, all 
sweetly solicitous to improve and be improved by 
eachodier! 

By this means too may be acquired a very valua- 
Me and pleasing accomplishment, that of reading 
well ; and to this cause, I presume, it is to be as- 
cribed, at least in part, that there are not a few wo- 
men who possess it in no contemptible degree, and 
that there are some who read delightfully. It is 
likewise probably, in some measure, owing to that 
fine feeling of nature and of sentiment, which may 
be supposed to result from the delicacy of their or- 
gans. If, in the exercise I speak of, they are of- 
ten deficient wl^i'e force and vehemence are requi- 
site, to that very delicacy it is obvious to impute 
it ; and also perhaps to their running too commonly 
into a monotony, which their teachers have not 
taken suiBcient pains, to correct. 



148 SERMON VII. 

Having touched on this bead, I will take leave to 
remark by the way, that nothing, as I apprehend^ 
can be more erroneous than to begin the study of 
what may be termed the Art of Reading with poet- 
ry chiefly. For by the flow and harmony of the 
numbers, a learner is carried insensibly into the 
repetition of those musical tones, that chance to 
seize the ear v/ith particular delight ; from which 
the voice, once got into the same strain, cannot 
^vithout a struggle persuade itself to break away j 
a principle source of the evil of monotony, where 
it has not been contracted by bad example, and where 
the sense of an author h understood or attended to. 
Where it is not, the proper emphasis cannot be ex-» 
pected. 

Now to prevent or remedy this prevailing evil, 
the most likely tneihod, I conceive, would be to 
begin with frequently reading aloud those produc- 
tions in prose of which the style is plain and easy, 
such as unadorned Narrative, short Stories, Fa- 
miliar Epistles ; but principally thos^ that approach 
nearest to the language of conversation, such as 
Dialogues, and the best Dramatic Writings ; mix- 
ing for a considerable time nothing that is versified, 
and endeavouring to support the voice with firmness 
and simplicity, till you have formed a habit of so 
doing* Then by slow and almost imperceptible pro- 
gression, you should advance to what is more va- 
ried, rhetorical, and raised ; such as Allegories, 
Orations, Moral and Religious Discourses, and 
Essays of the pathetic kind, together with the most 
beautiful and elevated parts of Holy Writ ; keeping 
to these, till your voice has acquired flexibility^ 
expression,^ and energ}'. 'After repeated and patient 
efforts in this way, you may proceed with suc- 
cesis to reading and reciting pieces of poetry, in 



StRUON VII. 149 

different styles ; setting out with those where there 
is least, and rising gradually to those where there 
is most of the tender, the impassioned, and the 
sublime* Need I add, that all this should be prac- 
tised in the frequent hearing, and under the kind 
animadversion, of an experienced judge ? 

But perhaps you think the practice too laborious 
and troublesome. Do ye ? Go, thou trifler, and 
be ashamed of thy folly. — To tieglect the study of 
thy native English, the skilful use of which, joined 
to sentiment and knowledge, would render thy con» 
versation charming ; and yet contentedly to puzzle thy 
silly head with learning a little inaperfect French, 
which it is a hundred tp^'one if ever thou shalt 
have occasion to use — ^hoW preposterous and futile ! 
To the language last *named I am no enemy i 
I only blame its occupying so large a place in the 
female education of this country. For women of 
rank the fashipn has made it necessary. But what 
can be fnore ridiculous than to see oMr city ^rls, 
not excepting the daughters of plain tradesmen 
jtnd honest mechanics, taught for years together, 
at great expense, a smattering of that which ^oon 
after they leave the boarding-shoool is generally 
forgotten ; while they are left ignorant of the supe- 
rior beauties and iust pronunciation of their mother- 
tongue ? 

1 mentioned the exercise of reciting verses.- 
With relation to this, I .would only say^ that I do 
..not wish a young woman to indulge it in any com- 
pany, that is not very priyate and chosen indeed j' 
how much sopver it is to be desired, th%t she should 
store her memory with some of the most select 
sentiments, and striking descriptions^ fro|ft the 
best writers both in verse and prose* 

N2. 



150 SERMOK VII. 

On this last particular I am led to observe, that, 
for a disengaged hour, there can be few occupations 
of greater entertainment or utility, than that of 
imprinting on the mind those passages from any 
good author, which happen to please and affect 
more than ordinary; either by repeating them 
often at the time, till tliey are got by heart, or by 
writing them down, or sometimes by doing bo^ 
The advantages of such a practice are sufficiently 
apparent. Would it be one of the least, think ye, 
that the attention of her who was thus employed^ 
would be often turned from viewing and admiring her 
person or dress in the mirror, to the contemplation 
of Truth and Virtue, and fixing their fair and 
venerable image in her soul ? 

Beside the several opportunities of tnental cul* 
ture now enumerated, I must not forget to add, 
that in all probability there art few young women ^ 

who are not, or who may not be, acquainted with 
^ome persons of both sexes, endowed aSike with 
worth and capacity, that would take the highesrt 
pleasure, by their conversation and counsel, to aid 
them in the pursuit of knowledge ; which brings 
me to consider, -^ 

In the last place, your complaints of want of 
encouragement to that pursuit. Who are they 
then that seek to discourage you? I have 
read of foolish mothers, that would not suffer their 
daughters to read, lest they should dim the lustre 
of their eyes, or spoil the bloom of their com- 
plexions. But 1 have never met w}th one, that 
seriously carried her folly so far. On the other 
hand, I have known parents not a few, who, though 
they bad no taste for knowledge themselves, would 
yet speak with the utmost satisfaction of a girl 
that was fond of her books. 



SERMON VIX. 151 

' But perhaps my little friend is afraid, lest the 
men sliould suspect her of being what the world 
^i5tyle in derision a Learned Lady. Indeed ? Is 
this then a character so very easily acquired, that 
you are in danger of it the moment you emerge 
from the depth of ignorance, and begin to think 
and speak like a reasonable being ? You are over 
hasty in your apprehension. A Learned Lady is - 
fey no means a creature that we run the risk of being 
/often shocked with. For my own part, I have 
never,, strictly speaking, seen such a one ; and wheH 
at any time I have met with w^hat approached to 
that character, I must {H*ofess, I found nothing to 
[ excite terror. But possibly ,you mean a smatterer 

i in learning. There, indeed, 1 join with you in 

I wishing you may never incur the imputation. 

' That men are frighted at Female pedantry, is 

' ^ry certain. A woman that affects to dispute, to 
'ecide, to dictate on every subject ; that watches or 
iakes opportunities of throwing out scraps of litera- 
ure, or shreds of philosophy, in every company j 
hat engrosses the conversation as if she alone were 
^balified to entertain ; that betrays, in short, abound- 
:ss intemperance oif tongue, together with an in- 
xtinguishable passion for shining by the splendour 
of her supposed talents ; such a woman is truly 
insufferable. At first, perhaps, she ma\"- be vori^ 
sidered merely as an object of ridicule ; but she 
soon grows into an object of aversion. Be assured, 
however, that where ^ character so unnattiral 
appears, it is not the effect of too much knowledge, 
- but of too little. The deep river flows on with a 
noble stillness, while the shallow stream runs bab- 
bling along. Suspicious of her own deficiency, 
the pedant we describe suspects lest you should 
discover it ; but instead of learning paution from 



1£S ^RRMOir VII. 

«■ 

that consciousness, she strives to dazzle you with 
the 'little she does know: Or else, what is more 
^obable, elated with that which to her circum^ 
scribed view appears great, she cannot restrain 
herself from displaying it on all occasions ; when 
fardier progress, and higher ground, would hive 
taught her modesty, by showing her immense • re- 
gions of truth yet untravelled, of which she had no 
conception before. 

In fact, we find that the best scholars ©f either 
sex are the least ostentatious* It will ever be so, 
where erudition is accompanied with judgment, 
and matured by reflexion. Take care to preserve 
sober sense, and unassuming manners : far fron^ 
giving disgust by literary attainments to any person 
whose regard is of moment, you will give pleasure 
to every thinking man and woman of your ac- 
quaintance. I am even inclined to , believe that, 
when in conversation you claim no kind of pre- 
eminence, but instead of pretending to teach are 
willing to learn, instead of courting applause ar^ 
ready to confer it, instead of proudly directing are 
content quiitly to follow the curreht of discourse, 
every creatute living will be delighted with your 
deportment, will listen with attention, and even 
deference, to one who has thus learnt, that the 
noblest improvement of superior knowledge is 
superior humility. ' 

Now and then indeed there may be an invidious 
female, who cannot bear to see herself outdone* 
But that is a circumstance, v/hich will only add to 
your exaltation ; while every one else will be tempt- 
ed, for the sake of mortifying her, to pay the 
more respect to you. Be this as ic may, ^he no- 
tion that letters are apt to generate self-conceit, 
because it cannot be denied that abuse of them 
has often done so, will in those of the least can** 



SERMON VII^ 153 

• 

. dour or discernment serve to heighten' esteem for» 
her, who eonsidei*B an excellent understanding as 
only next in value to an excellent temper. If on 
any occasion it should happen, that the foolish 
or the worthless of one sex, or of the other, 
are prejudiced against a young woman for dis- 
covering, though without pai*ade, a cultivated 
mind, what then ? Is not the single plaudit of 
a real judge sufficient to outweigh a whole thes^tre 
of others ? 

But you will ask, do we not oftc?n see handsome 
idiots complimented and caressed by those men 
from whom better things might be expected ; while 
the most accomplished women in the same companj 
shall, be overlooked, if destitute of personal charms? ' 
The fact cannot be dissembled, and far be it from 
me to justify such partiality. There is in beauty a 
magic, which certainly does enchant for a time the 
generality of beholders : But this will by-no nieans 
excuse the injustice of neglecting- merit in those 
who want tl^t advantage. Let it be remembered 
however, that the triumph of their rivals is com- 
monly, like that of the wicked, short. The ispell 
on which it is founded is soon broke. Men at 
least of any significance, are seldom long in recover- 
ing their senses. The admiration raised by "^ a set 
** of features, or the tincture of a skin,*' is . often 
by the witlessness of the possessor thrown down in 
an instant. . The witchcraft of a fair outside is 
always dispelled by familiarity. Nothing can de- 
tain a^ection or fix esteem, but that kind of beauty 

' which depends not on flesh and blood. . The least 
degree of understanding will be disgusted at petu- 
lance, capilce, or nonsense, even in the fairest 
form. External allurements are continually losing ; 
internal attractions are continually gaining. A 
beautiful character *' b as the morning light, that 



154 SIRMON VII. 

^ shineth more and more unto tht perfect day.'^ 
Sense, spirit, sweetness, are immortal. All beside 
" withers like the grass." The power of a face 
to please, or indeed to displease, is diminished 
every time it is seen. When appetite does not 
predominate, and appetite cannot predominate sd« 
ways, die soul will seek a soul ; it will refuse to be 
satisfied with any thing less. If it find none, in 
vain shall the brightest eye sparkle, in vain shall . 
the softest smile entice. But if a mind ^pear, 
and, wherever it resides, a mind will appear, 
it is recognised, admired, and embraced ; even ^ 
though the eye should possess no lustre, and 
«miles should at the moment be banished bf 
sorrow. 

** Mind, liiiiid alone, bear witness earth and heaven, 
** The living fountain in itself oontaios 
^ Of beauteous and siiblrme ! Here band in hand • 
*• Sit paramount the Graces—'* 

I cannot conclude this discourse, without taking 
90 fair an opportunity of addressing myself to suoh 
of the men as, by directing their praises of young 
women wholly or chiefly to an outward appearance, 
turn tlie attention and solicitude of the little idols 
so stroiigly that way, as often to occasion the neg- 
lect of those inward perfections which can alone 
give. them value. Have you forgotten. Sirs,, that 
what they see you admire, and hear you applaud, 
they will 'be induced to think most worthy of ad- 
miration and applause ; and that on it of course 
they will bestow their whole or their chief care ? If 
you,* who ought to assist their judgments, and 
animate their resolutions, in what relates to tiie 
conduct of life, be accustomed to pay your main 
homage to their persons, their persons likewise 
they will adore. Beauty with them will constitute 
Merit J and every other endowment will* be employ- 



s«itMoir VII. 155 

ed as*^ handmaid to dress that, if not as a pandalr 
to sell it. Atcordingly I fear, that to your score 
must be charged many errors of the sex, often less 
justly imputed to them« Ihose errors I am sure, 
it would become you to prevent, or to correct at 
the source, by pointing out to them what, in your 
wiser hours, yon want and wish them to be ; and 
wtiat, when they are, will not fail to captivate love, 
ta command veneration, and to add permanence to 
both*' 

Consider, I beseech you^ how honoiirsMe it will 
be for you, instead of corrupting the fair, to mend 
them: instead of perverting their ideas, to lead 
their taste to knowledge and elegance, to worth and ' 
delicacy, to humility and meekness; things, which 
in your inmost souls you cannot but prize, when- 
e^^er you meet with them in an amiable woman, and 
of which ypu are secretly convinced the absence 
cannot be compensated by any advantages of form 
or feature, any decorations of fashion or show. 
How much nobler the power to save than the pow- 
~ er to destroy ! How much sweeter the praise of 
being esteemed men of virtue and sentiment, the 
friends and patrons of the sex, advocates for their 
true interest, and zealous to promote it, than that 
of being looked upon as smooth-tor.gued courtiers, 
or good-natured triflers \ To flatter a giddy girl 
into good humour, or even tenderness, by telling 
her perpetually how handsome or bow fine she is^ 
requires no capacity. Eveiy empty fellow, every 
frivolous dangler, every wretch of a parasite can 
.do the same. . But to engage the esteem of a wo- 
man of principle and discernment, to preserve that 
esteem, and even to insure in her breast a silent 
testimony.^ that you have contributed to establish 
this principle, and to improve this discernment 
«*-i8 triumph indeed 111 hose coxcombs- that in truth 



156 SERMON Vil.. 

make no distinction, but yet would persuade every 
young thing they see, that her face, her shape, her 
dtess, her air, surpass those of all her s[ex ; and 
after throwing her into ecstasies of self complacence 
go away and laugh to their companions*— are a de- 
testable race. ^ 

Concernin^many of you, my friends, I hope 
better things. Nor do I mean by aught I have 
said, rigidly to preclude every degree of cQmpli« 
ment in conversation with the fair sex. I am for 
commending with moderation, what is commenda* 
ble ; for acknowledging with prudence, what is 
pleasing. Young minds ought to be encouraged. 
In every young jnind there is something good. 
An agreeable appearance is certainly engaging. 
Truth will never deny it; courtesy will readily 
own i^ But then under the shelter of kind ap-. 
probation, salutary counsel may be admitted.* Wis* 
dom may be found a welcome guest, when introdu- 
ced by affection — I was going to say, that vanity 
may be successfully turned against itself. But why 
should the love of honest praise be deemed vafii- 
ty ? Even tell your female friends, that you do es- 
teem them for whatever in their characters is^esti-^. 
mable. Tell them >vithout exaggeration^ but ge«- 
nerously at the same time, what that is. Describe 
with complacence the qualities and accomplishments 
which you have ever held most truly attractive 
which it is in their power to acqviire, and which it 
will be their glory to possess* If they have btauty, 
be not afraid to add how alluring it appears, when 
illuminated by sense, and arrayed by virtue. If 
they have none, remind them freely that sense and 
virtue have often borne away the palm from the 
finest figure that ever Flattery deified, if destitute 
of those living and lasting graces. 

SND OF VOLUME T. 



SERMON VIII. 

ON FKMALE VIRTUE, WITH INTELLECTUAL 
ACCOHPLXSHMENTS* 



1 TIM. ii. 8, 9. 

/ wiil — that vfomen adorn themsehea with Sohrie^. 

PROv. iv. 5, 6. 8, 9. 

Cet Wigthm, get Understanding. — F9r8(Ui:e her noty and 9ke 
shall preserve thee : love her, and she shall keep thee, — Exalt 
her, and she shall promote thee, — She shall give to thy head an 
Bjmament of grace ,• a cronim of glory shall she deliver to thee. . 

\j N the subject of Intellectual Accomplishments 
much remains to be said. At a time when they are 
'neglected by so many women, who, if they read 
at all, read only for a litde transient amusement, 
they cannot sure, considering their importance, be 
inculcated too strongly. They may, it is true, be 
perverted. , What is there of the greatest mon^ent, 
that may not ? Because works fit only for the 
veil of darkness have been^ wrought in the face of 
day, does it follow that "light is not sweet, or 
^^ that it is not a pleasant thing for the eyes to be- 
** hold the sun ;" or that benefits innumerable are not 
derived to mankind from the resplendent lumi- 
naries of Nature \ Were these extinguished, what 
were this world? And what, think ye, must be 
Vol 11. O 



2 SERMON VIII* 

/ 

I 

that mind >vhere all is enveloped in a night of ig- 
norance ? " For the soul," says Solomon, " to be 
" without knowledge is not good." Of so^reat a 
defect do we not see every day the unhappy con*- 
sequences in the conduct of both sexes ? 

With- regard to yours, my beloved sifters, I 
am willing to impute much of the folly and misery 
that involve multitudes of women, not to their 
being altogether unacquainted with the main outlines 
of their duty, traced by the hand of God on every 
heart a little more or a litde less clearly ; but to 
their want of that relish for knowledge, ^nd of 
those attainments in it, which certainly tend to 
exclude many temptations, and to fortify against 
the influence of others^ On this account, I must 
iigain and again urge the culture of your Mincfo. 
Your Virtue, your Sobriety is intimately concerned 
in tt. That shall be my first argument: its con- 
nexion with your dignity or figure in life shall be 
-my second '; and my third shall turn on its usrful* 
aess to promote your comfort and felicity : con- 
siderations surely that merit your attention. I pray 
/God to bless them for your improvement. 

I. begin with showing, that the Intellec^al Ac- 
MCOix)plishments briefly delineated in the preceding 
lUscoUrse will have a tendency to exclude many 
^temptations. To what dangjerous resources are the 
generality of young women driven by the love of 
pleasure and amusement, ill 'directed! Having 
> ibraned no taste for those that arise from reading, 
writing, agreeable reflexions, and rational cohver- 
• sation, their passions, naturally ardent, fly with* 
out |)revious examination to every object which 
.flatters that ardour by promising all the vivacity 
of joy. In this career, it is not difficult to con- 
ceive- what snares may entrap Beaaty, suid what 



SI&RMON \ill. 3 

babits may corrupt Innocence. When first entered 
. on, it is very possible that no evil is intended- Fot 
that verj' reason none is euspecled ; and this con- 
fidence betrays. When Vice begins to unveil her 
daring front, Conscience is starded, and shrinks 
from the monster. But curiosity, opportunity, 
importunity, the flatteries of self-deceit, the dreams 
of youthful fancy, die bias of fashion, the fear of 
"banter should they venture to oppose j all these 
concur with the. powers of darkness in misleading 
the p6or unexperienced adventurers : and to. courses, 
of which the bare idea filled them at a distance 
Vfkh horror, familiarity at last reconciles them ; if 
not so far as to procure real or thorough appro- 
bation, far enough hawever to engage perseverance 
miended with a feeling qf remorse that gradually 
fibates, till they are often inextricably entangled 
10 a thicket of goilt and wretchedness. 

What numbers of misjerable beings are now lost 
there, whose first deviations were occasioned by 
^aothing more, than a desire of escaping from in- 
activity or dulnesfi to something that might divert 
or employ ! But had an early love of books pre- 
vented this languor, by furnishing at home a harm- 
less and varied entertainlnent, such as was adapted to 
givie play even to the liveliest imagination, there 
Jiad been evidently much less inducement to seek 
it abroad; and many a soul that is at this day 
hurrying on to destruction, might probably, in 
that case, have been walking with Wisdom and 
'Happioess. Nor would* f have you think, that I 
speak of those only who have broke through ,^11 
the restraints of decorum. There are a thousand 
tracks leading to sin and wo, besides that infamous 
load to which the hand of public censure is pointe4' 



4 SERMON VIII. 

The supposing, indeed, so wide a distance bcr 
tween the extremities of guilt and its intermediate 
stages, is among the mbst natural mistakes of a 
mind destitute of knowledge. Of this internal 
light one of the great advantages is, to throw such 
illumination on virtue and vice through all their es- 
sential, and even many of their minute distinctitms, 
as to make them to be discerned with clearness, and 
felt with conviction ; while there rise up to view 
nameless beauties in holiness, and nameless defor- 
mities in sin, that pass unheeded by the dim inat- 
tentive eye of an understanding uninformed. This 
delicacy of perception alone, in a breast not j ct 
oorrupted by evil custom, will create a salutary 
dread of many pursuits and connexions that often 
prove exceedingly hyrtful. In general, it seems 
obvious, that by how much more we are acquainted 
with our duty, by %o much the juster apprehensions 
we shall have of its importance, and by so much 
the" greater capacity for performing it. 

But the grand use of an affection for knowledge, 
as to the point before us, is that of preventing 
idleness and dissipation, M^hich it certainly does 
where such affection is properly regulated : and this 
cannot be repeated too frequently^ nor pressed too . 
powerfully. The human mind was made for action. 
In virtuous action consists its highest enjoynient. 
It will not, it cannot, continue long unemployed, 
especially during the ^ sprightly season of youth. 
Even feeble age finds its principal delight in recol- 
lecting die days of juvenile activity, and rehearsing 
the enterprises which distinguished that happy pe- 
riod. But now there are many young ladies, whose 
situation docs not supply a sphere for domestic ex- 
ercise sufficient to £11 up that part of their time, which 
is not necessarily appropriated to female occupations 



SE&MOK VIII. 5 

# 

and innocent amusements* , What then shall they 
4o with It, or with thje^mselves, if books be not 
called in to their assistance? Pursue the inguirjr 
in your own minds. Many of you, alas ! are but; 
too well qualified to pursue it, can but too well ima« 
gine the insipid, foolish, and even pernicious expedi- 
ents, which under those circumstances are daily prac*. 
tised for killing time and thought. 

In truth, it cannot appear surprising to see those 
who have no notion of internal entertainment, 
hunting after fashionable diversions. For my. 
part, I am only surprised, when those who from a 
better education have had opportunities of knowing' 
what an extent and diversity of ideas and imagery, 
of information the^most grateful to the mind, and 
of description th^ most affecting to the heart, 
may be foun^ in a well chosen library ; when 
such, I say, do yet prefer to all this the hoi- 
lowness and dulness, v/hich inseparably attend a 
perpetual train * of public amusements, or private 
visiting. 

But I am inclined to hope, that a preference^ so 
unjust and unwise is seldom made by those last 
mentioned ; that they who have tasted the pleasure 
of conversing intimately with the best authors 
living and dead, and from this happy commerce 
have contracted an intellectual turn, will not be 
often tempted to mingle with the unthinking crowd. 
When for the sake of unbending the mind more, 
entirely, and avoiding any unnecessary air of sin* 
giilari^, they do at any time join it ; the same turn 
will contribute to preserve them from the seduction 
of vice and folly. 

It Is not to be denied, that from the head to the 
heart, the distance, in a moral reckoning, is ofteni 

02 



iBiiiienfle f thftt beflr^en subliitiity <»f MeiH afkt «tti?^ 
tiori of conduct there is no tifxm^^ty connexion ; 
that At finest senthnents and th» grossest fiossions 
Kare been observed to meet in the same mind : that 
our Fir^t Mother was betrayed b)' the pride of 
knoli^tng ; and tl>at the height of capacity in Lucifer^, 
only increased the fall of that son of die morning* 
All this is true. iBut shall Aire hence infer^ that 
Uie desire of knowledge well directed^ and wisely 
applied, is not likely td produce any worthy im- 
pressions ? 

Imagine two young ladies, of whom one delights 
in elegant imd virtuous studies, the other in fashion- 
able idleness. Will you say^ that the foimier is 
equally in danger with the latter^ of descending to 
vulgar, or to vicious pleasures! As familiarly 
With persons of refined manners may be expected 
to communicate a corresponding refinement ; is it 
Aot probable, that intimacy with the most beautiful 
compositions, will, in the saqne way> impart a beauty 
to the soul ? And is there not ground to believe^ 
that this will make her who is possessed of it 
ashamed to allow herself in any thing unhandsome ; 
^ven as it is reasonable to suppose, that she who 
has been genteelly bred, will disdain the thought <^ 
^ low behaviour r Or, because the natural tenden- 
cy of things is sometimes crossed, Mfill ye say that 
it is therefore destroyed ? Have ye not heard, that 
a rule is not overthrown, but rather confirmed, hf 
exceptions ? Young pec^le, we know^ are often 
^orrupted^ by bad books ; and have we not likewise 
known them improved by good ones ? She must 
be depraved and sunk indeed, who from coniem* 
Iflating the majesty and happiness of Virtue in the 
l^st exan^>le9, together with the meanness and mise* 
ry of Vice in the worsts tfeax history or poetry 



r 



llotd< up t0 ^&w, can go away, and in her own de- 
poTtsnent countetact immediately the feelings of 
k)V€l and admiration for the one, of contempt and 
abhorrence for the other, which objects of this kind 
must' unavoidably awaken. She again, who should 
not perceive herself prompted to a prudent and 
amiable demeanour, Or guarded against the contra*^ 
ry^ by those pictures of discretifoi and excellence on 
-one hand, of levity arid worthlessness on the other, 
with which sehtimental and moral writers abourid, 
nlust be absolutely void of decency, or of reflexion; 
To instance but in one subject more ; she must 
be wholly given up to trifles that can pursue them 
with the same fondness, after having her imagina- 
tion raised, and all her faculties expanded by those 
wonderful representations of the works of God, 
which are contained in may books of Philosophy 
and Geography, Voyages and Travels. 

But now represent to yourself a young lady, 
whose understanding is utterly uncultivated. What 
is there to correct her passiom^, or to govern h^ 
pt*actice ? What is there to direct her in the choice 
©f companions, and diversions ; to guard her 
against the follies of her own sex, and the iarts of 
5^urs ; in short, to jfrevent her falling into any ©r 
•very snare, that is or may be laid for her ? Sup- 
pose her to have received from nature the seeds of 
common sense. Do these require no attention to 
raise them ? or is this most useful plant to be rear- 
ed without the aid of experience i But where, or 
how, is that to be obtained by a girl ? Must she 
discover the wiles and wickediiess of libertines by 
' conversing with tliem ? Must she learn how' to de- 
fbid against danger by having run into it ; or how 
to avoid the blandishments of pleasure by having 
fek its bitterness i By men the knowledge of the 



8 SERMON VIII. ' - 

world 18 commonly gathered in it. Very difTereat 
from the situation of women is theirs in this re* 
spect ; and they^ it is to be apprehended, often pur* 
chase a little wisdom at a great expeuse. By en- 
tering into any company that tempts, engaging ui 
any friendship that offers, or accepting of almost 
any creature that happens to court them, it is but too 
well known what ouschiefs a number of our young 
gendemen incur. A female that acts upon < tho 
same plan is lost ; and she who would effectually 
escape dishonour and remorse, reproach and ridf-. 
cule, must endeavour to know the world from books, 
to collect experience from those who have bought 
it, and to shun misconduct herself by observing 
the calamities it has occasioned to others. But I 

said. 

Secondly, that Mental Acquisitions were , of 
importance to your dignity and figure in life. Con- 
sic^jr, my dear sisters, how many women are, in a 
discerning eye, lessened by their extravagant at* 
^hment to dress and toys, to equipage and osten- 
tation ; in a word, to sil the gaudy apparatus of 
female vanity, together with the endlessly ridicu- 
lous, no less than frequently fatal consequences, 
which these draw after them. * Consider how trite 
and childish, men of sense must necessarily deem 
those arts, that are daily practised on our sex by 
multitudes of yours ; not to speak now of worse 
enticements. Consider the emptiness, insipidity, 
and inelegance of their con versationr-^how contempti- 
ble! Above all the rest, consider the jealousy 
and envy, the mean suspicion and shameful malig- 
nity, to which we have seen the feinale breast en- 
slaved, and frequently on the slightest foundation, 
frequently on no foundation at all — ^how debasing J 
Now from these evils the love^of letters with 



SERMON VIII. . 9 

that liberal cast of thought which they are natural- 
ly calculated to give, would, I am persuaded, be 
one powerful preservative. 

A young woman so worthib^, and so happily 
engaged, will not find leisure for unnecessary tri- 
fie's and idle parade: or if it were possible she 
stiould, a conscious superiority will enable her very 
much to despise them. Endowed with her powers 
of pleasing, she will not find herself reduced to 
the little tricks played off by many of her sex. 
In the company of her friends,, she must ever ap- 
pear with peculiar advantage. * In other, compa- 
nies, where she least thitiks of appearing, an agreea- 
ble tincture of intelligence, an easy correctness of 
expression, if it should be proper for her to take any 
part in the discourse, will still diffuse themselves. 

' Perhaps too she will deliver herself with a graceful, 
though modest freedom. Her letters, or any other" 
composition that may fall from her pen, will be read 
with particular" eagerness and approbation ; her 
correspondence will be prized as an nonour, and her 
acquaintance courted as a privilege ; attention will 
hang upon her words, and respect follow in her 
train. Such a woman will know how to entertain 
and charm, beyond the duration of an hour. Is 
it carrj'ing oUr ideas too far to say, that, in all 
probability, an emanation of sentiment and spirit 
will be visible in her air and manner, that her mind 

' will radiate in hef eyes ? It may not always, but 
it will often. With regard to those vile passions 
before mentioned, which arise from rivalship in 
dfess, beauty, and the like ; as she has learnt to 
value herself on better things thsyi the last, the first 
by consequence .will not have the same hold of her 
soul ; besides, I suppose her to have acquired . an 
enlargement atid gcn^tosity, which Hothing but 



10 SERMON Vni. 

books, or knowledge of the world, or the principles 
ef genuine piety, can inspire. 

Of the two latter the operation is in some re-^ 
spects defective', without the concurrence of the for- 
mer. How improvir.g soever an acquaintance witji 
life may be found on some accounts, there are in* 
stances, in which it will hurt the feelings of the 
heart ; if these be not from t-ime to time softened 
and cherished, by the more soothing representa^ 
tions of men and things supplied by authors of a 
candid stv-ain. It is also to he- remembered, thati^ 
in matters of religion, a zeal without kno\tledge 
has been often destructive and ia always hurtful* 
But suppose no such zeal to take place ; suppose 
that meekness, as i^ certainly ougbt^ makes a par^ 
and a larg^ one too, of the pious character in any 
woman ; yet without the seasonings of a good ui^ 
derstanding w thout something of that salt and 
poignzmcy wlitch are derived from writers: of taste 
and learning, there will arise, in repeated inter*- 
course, a sameness and a flatness that must dimiif 
nish esteem, though they may not destroy afiectionvf 
Add to this that, on a variety of subjects, igno« 
ranee will inevitably produce a ]X>oraess and vulgari- 
ty of thinking, which, to persons whose views arc 
nobler will be rather disgustful. 

In truth, the acquisitions we recommend wouU 
prevent or cure most , of those little prejudices 
and little passions, which often hurt the sex in the 
opinion of their best friends. Not to insist on 
what has been mentioned more than once, their 
astonishing prepossessions in favour of public places, 
greatly owing to their want of something rational 
and agreeable to employ them at home ; what shaH 
we say of that absurd partiality, which they fre- 
quently show for well dressed fop8| who pretend 



Indeed to adhitre them, but are too frivolous asuil 
xonceited .to admire any, in good earnest, but 
themselves ? Surely^ a well informed understanding 
would enable women to despise such insignificance; 
and to give the preference to niierit, and modesty, 
in a plain haUt* 

To what shall we chiefly itppute that femidfe 
curiosity, which has been so long, anid in most m^ 
'Stances, so jusdy a topic of satire ? Is it possiUb, 
'that women could show such amazing eagerness to 
'be acquainted with every minute particukr in the 
iife, character, tiress, fortune, and circumstances -odF 
others, did they possess a fund of domestic enter* 
Stainment and liberal conv^ersation i The original 
principle, by receiving a right direction, imght 
* certainly be turned into a rich source of improve- 
ment, that would spread increasing lustre around 
you. 

That aptn«ss also to be astonished, sdarmed, 
affrighted at trifling accidents, imaginary ^evHs, or 
natural events ever so little unnsu^ wHcb, 
when carried far, and frequently recurring, makc» 
a young woman appear quite silly, is often the eiScct 
df shallol/v'ness. Ignorance is prone to admire ^ 
and admiration readHy swells into a passion^ or 
sinks into a panic : \s4iereas an enlightened mind 
i^ seldom wrought up to ecstatr^, and seldooaa over- 
whelmed ^by terror. 

The same reasoning will hokl ih relation to the 
incapacity of keeping a secret, with whidi your sex 
have been so oftei> reproached.. Those insignificant 
females, who are destitute of better ideas, will be 
naturally tempted to give themselves an air of con- 
sequence, by communicating every piece of infor- 
mation which they happen to receive under the no- 
'tion of secrecy* But 4h^ acquisition of valuable 



•> 



12 SEHHOIf VIII. 

knowledge helps to remove this temptatioii, by coo*' 
ferring real importance, as well as by supplying fitter 
eonver^tion. 

Again, were womto to contemplate the fatal 
consequences of avarice, ^unbition, vanity, luxury, 
the violence of love, and the fury of revenge, as 
appearing in the ruin of families, the devastation 
of provinces, and the fall of empires i is ther^ 
not reason to hope, they would be less dazzled 
with those objects, and less affected by those oc- 
casions^ that are apt to foment such propensities ,; 
-—propensities which, though in their case not 
so consequential to others, are yet many times 
extremely degrading, as well as pernicious, tp 
themselves. 

And with regard to that ignoble dispositi'On to scaii* 
dal, by many deemed one of the characteristic ble* 
mishes of your sex; you could not possibly indulge 
it so often, were you furnished with a sufficient 
compass of observation and sentiment, on subjects 
much more innocent, and surely not less interest- 
ing— ^Not less interesting, did I say? How, in 
the name of God, are you concer^d with the faults 
of those with whom you have no conneadon ? or 
what call have you to remark upon them, farther 
than may be necessary to guard yourselves or 
others against their contagion, or their consequences ? 
Are you vain of the wit and. vivacity which yoii 
display, or fancy you display, on such occasions ? 
Ah, what superior honour would ye acquire from 
candour, sweetness, and self-correction ! But those 
qualities are the offspring of self-knowledge, iand a 
comprehension of what is truly beautiful and be- ' 
coming in life. Let me persuade yc)u, my beloved 
pupils, with all your improvements, " with all your 
** gettings, to get" these two essential parts of 



SERMON VIII. IS 

^ Under«t9adkig*" Fitmi them w31 retuk b^efiti 
tfuiumenible.; this among the rest; ih&y mH pre* 
vent I know not what affectations, by which lamy 9. 
pteUy fool of y4»ir sex is daily exposed, . 

But why be at all tMa ]iains? On' these pointy 
-jK>u are under no kind of apprehension ; confident 
Jlhat^ whsrexFer you appear, y^u cannot £siil of com- 
mandingregard-fSure diat, wheneveryou are pleased t9 
-open those lips, vliieh ymx have beard so freqoenl^ 
ly pzBised, evary ear will be attentive, md 
cwi^ heart allured* Indeed I Are ye y€^ confix 
iient, very sure ?-— Take paXQ you b^ not disap^ 
fM»inted» It is my duty to tell you, whether you 
will brieve it or no, that I have known many a mao^ 
who, in the company of women, has applauded that 
^idb he inwanily despised ; and with hypocritical 
'rapture listened to nons^isa, where the speaker wm 
handsome. Obaeqiuousness and adulation will at? 
tend oa youdi and beauty. But can you be con« 
Rented with an incense so cheap ; an incense offered 
to a face or to a shape alone; an incense that 
does not rise frpm die altar of the heart; an 
incense, in fine, that, is lavished, with an undistin* 
l^iahing hand, on every insignific^t image diat 
hai^iens to be cast in a regular mould, and coloured 
with a mixtmre of vwhite and red? Where, a)^ I 
is your delicacy ? Have you no ingenuous pride? 
Are you so vain, (pride and vanity are different 
diings,) so very ignorant, after all the admonitions 
you ikvt received, as still to construe flattery 
into approbation, and smiles into attachment ? 
But, I intreat you, reflect* When beauty and youth 
are gone, and go they will—what then? Why^, 
dien, all this adulation and obsequiousness will 
vanish with them ; and if you be not adorned with 
Vei., li F 



H SBRMOSr till. 

dttractiona more substantial and durable, into what 
neglected things will you have the nxntification to 
sink! 

An accomplished woman never can become 
an object of neglect : she must always renuun an 
object of distincticHi amongst her acquaintance^ 
When she was young, she might ideaae more ; but 
as even then she pleased chiefly by her mind, she 
will therefore continue to please still. The dis- 
ceming few at least will discover in her, beauties 
which neither the inroads of age, nor the ravages 
of sickness, can deface. When ^^ declined into 
^^ the vale of years," she will still, firom the su- 
periority of her character, stand forth an exalted 
^gure. Sense and capadty, joined to worth and 
sweetness, are exempted from the ccmdition of all 
things else ; which is to lose their, influence when 
they lose their novelty. ^^ The ornament of grace 
^^ which Wisdom shall give to thy head,'* will not 
appear with less real lustre, when infirmity shall 
cause that head to shake. ^ llie crown of gloiy 
^ which she shall deliver to thee," will in Reason^s 
eye refceive new dignity from gray hairs: cm: 
rather, according to our inspired author, those 
** gray hairs are" themselves ** a crown of gloiy, 
^^ being found in the way of righteousness." 

Do ye know a woman far advanced in life, but 
yet fsulher in virtue and understanding, who with 
Xfild insinuation employs them to render wise and 
happy those about her, especiaUy the young ; who 
for such in particular makes every kind allowance, 
not forgetting those early days, when she too stood 
in need of indulgence; who, when her health 
will permit, takes pleasure in seeing herself sur- 
rounded by a circle of youth innocently ga3S con* 
descending even to mix iii their litde sports, and 



SERMON Vlllr is 

hy a graceful complacency of look, and plea&ing 
remainder of ancient humour, to encourage and 
promote their harmless amusement ? Do you 
know such a woman ? Then speak your opinion 
freely. WiH this youthful circle be in any danger 
of despising her, because she is old ? On the contrary^ 
will they not contend with one another, who shall pay 
her most veneration, who shall stand highest in her 
affection ? Can you conceive a character more 
respectable, and at the same time more amiable ? 
What is there good or excellent, to which she wiU 
not have it in her power to win them ? 

And now think of a decayed beauty, who in the 
height of her bloom, and the career of her conquests, 
trusted solely to that bloom, and never dreamt 
of securing those conquests, such as they were, 
by any thing more solid and abiding. Inexpres- 
sibly mortified that both are at an end, she would 
fain, if possible, keep up the appearance of them 
stilL How ? By a constrained vivacity, by a juve- 
nile dress, by that affectation of allurement and 
import^cnce, which* we so readily pardon to the 
prime of life, but which in its decline is universally 
condemned as awkward and unnatural. Place her in 
the young assembly we have just supposed. There 
let her endeavour to sparkle, as in the days of old ; 
there let her lay traps for admiration amidst the 
wrinkles of age. How ludicrous, and how melan- 
chofy at the same moment ! What girl, or what 
boy of them all, will not be struck widi the im- 
propriety ? Every mark of decay, every symptom 
of change, will be traced and examined with acute- 
ncss. No part of her figure will be overlooked, not 
a single * slip inlier behaviour forgiven: whereas, 
if warned by the effects of time, she, prudently 
gave up to her jvmiors aU competition of kioks aqd 



16 fiSftM6N VIII. 

show, and studied only to make herself agr^eibie 
hy her conversation and manners ; there is scarcely 
one of those little critics that would ever reflect 
upon her years, or that would not be delighted with 
her good sense and obliging dfiporiment.— -No^ 
my young friends, nothing can save you from con- 
tempt at that period, if during this you be not ac 
pains to improve your minds. She who is shiaH, 
in one sense, and that the best, be always young. 

Jf she should continue single, and her situation, 
or her choice, should lead her to cultivate but few^ 
acquaintance, amongst them she must ever be 
loved and valued • If she should be married ; and to 
a man of tolerable judgment, with tolerable temper, 
he will xrouiit himself happy in siKh an associate; 
lie will even be proud of those talents in her which 
do honour to his election* I have always rematit- 
ed, that women of capacity and elegance have* 
possessed the hearts of their husbands in a degree 
which is jiot common : I mean, where those hus- 
fmnds had any worth or discernment* You wiB 
easily imagine, that I suppose the women in 
question too wise, and too excellent, to affect 
superiority : or not to give their partners jdl th» credit 
and consequence possible, on every occasion. Be- 
tween men and women there is seldom any nvalships 
in what relates merely to intellect ; nor are the former 
<ver much hurt by any conscious inferiority in 
that respect, where the latter do not show them-* 
seh t's, especially before company, arrogant or pre- 
tending. 

I must not forget to subjoin how much the Men- 
tal Improvements, now enforced, will contribute to 
adorn and animate the companion, to direct and 
dignify the mistress, to accomplish the mother and 
<he friend, to spread at ^harm over the whole matri- 



ssRMoif vm. 17 

momal sts^, sind to relieve those duller hours that 
ai:e apt to steal pn the most delightful condition of 
humanity* 

Nor can I dismiss this part of the argument^ 
without mentioning what has often appeared to 
me one very remarkable instance, £(mongst many 
that history records, of the transcendant power to 
captivate and preserv^e esteem, which Intellectual 
Accomplishments, worthily exerted, confer upon a 
woman. It is that of Madam Maincenon, the cele- 
brated favourite and wife of Lewis die Fourteenth* 

This monarch, born witiv strong propensities to 
pleasure, bred in its very lap, indulged from the 
beginning in all his passions, early possessed of un^ 
limited power, constantly accustomed to the most- 
exquisite flattery^ formerly drunk with success and 
glory ,^ always courted by the female sex with every 
art that beauty, wit, or ambition could employ, in 
his intercourse with them still addicted to novelty 
and change — ^this very monarch, not yet arrived at 
the age of fifty, in full health, environed with al£ 
the splendour of a most brilliant court, read in: 
little else beside comedies and novels, finds in the 
conversation of that kdy, whose origin was not 
high, whose fortunes had been always, low,, and 
who was now older than himself by several years-- ^ 
finds, I say, in her conversation such innocence, such 
sweetness^^ sucb unequalled charms of taste ancL 
intelligence, as induce him to break oiF every ern- 
g^ement of a voluptuous kind,, and to enter witb 
her into the most honourable of all connexions, ia 
which he appears to have maintained his fidelity tO' 
the last* Madam Main tenon had from her youth- . 
improved herself by reading and the best company^ 
whom her beauty and talents drew about her, in » 
country where the society of the women is much morft- 

P 2 



18 BtiiUon viitr 

regarded than in this* Lewis was first attracted by 
the extraordinary spirit atid clegtince df her letters ; 
and then abolutely fixed by her sentiments, her at- 
tention, and her submission. These were a balm to 
ht§ soul, tormented by domeMie, (ursonatf^ and po- 
litical chagrins. In these he obtained a relief from that 
weariness and wretchedness, Which the pomps and 
pleasures of the world had served only to increase, 
while they promised to prevent of cure them. We 
do not find that this illustrious lady was fond 
of fashionable diversions : her books and her work 
were the principal amusements of her leisure. 

But it is time to proceed to dur last point, name- 
ly, the usefulness of Mental Acquisitions to yout* 
comfort and felicity. And here it is worthy your 
observation, that the Most High, having loi-med 
his rational offspring for a happiness more refined 
and noble than the indulgence of the senses alone, 
has wisely made the gratifications thence arising in 
a great measure momentary. To prolong these 
inferior enjoyments, is the laborious task of the 
slaves of appetite and fency, in league with each 
other. But as it is undertaken in opposition to the 
design of the Almighty, and prosecuted in defiance 
of his laws, it must ever be vain. They only fa- 
tigue themselves in the attempt. From efforts be- 
Tond her scope and powers. Nature will always re- 
coil. Satiated with external pleasures, she turns in* 
ward. Experiencing there a void, which the whole 
system of matter cannot fill, she is prompted by an 
innate ambition to aspire after higher objects. Her 
Spiritual faculties, and divine extraction, point her 
to the worid of ideas. From that, and from what 
may be called the Conimerce of Minds, she wishes 
to derive her chief satisfaction. But you will easily 
conceive that such commerce cannot be carried on 
to any extent, nor with any variety, without a 



^IRMOK VIII. 19 

coifipetent »t6re ef the goods proper to it ; diofte^ 
I mean, which eis:perieti(:e and reflexiotH genius 
and reftdoning, discourse and memory, have accu* 
ftiuialedand laid up in the writfaigs of different age$y 
as in so many convenient repositories, for the us^ 
of all who ate willing to avail themselves of tins 
better wealth. I'hey who are not, must necessari- 
ly labour under much internal poverty. Accord- 
ingly, how do they strain to supply d)e needful de<» 
mands of conversation, when in company ; and 
when alone, how do they struggle to elude, because 
they cannbt content, the cravings of the immortal 
Inind! To the want of this provision, and the 
incapacity of sustaining the weight of then* own 
spirits pressing upon them in solitude, must we 
not principally impute their impatience for all man^^ 
nerof entertainments, that may help to fill up the 
painful t4anks of time, without any considerable 
expense of that which they can least aflPord-^thouj^t f 
But this expedient is merely temporary, and ex* 
tremely imperfect. Diversion long continued is 
drudgery ; and still the soul falls back upon her-* 
self. 

Now, if in the intervals of leisure you can with 
relish repair to books, you need never be at a loss. 
You may happily avoid, if you will, the toils of 
restless amusement, and the sighs of immoderate 
mirth. Excuse this last expression. Have you 
not sometimes proved the truth of Solomon's re* 
mark, that ** even in laughter the heart is sorrow* 
" ful ?" Have you not now and then perceived a 
sigh to steal from you when oppressed and exhaust* 
ed by frequent bursts of merriment ?— If she who 
is in love with reading should, on particular occa* 
i^ions, be led into scenes of that kind, with what 
^tdouUed ardour will she return to silence and 



520 SERMON VIII. 

Study ! From the nois^, bustloy^ ai^4MaTenness €>f 
modem conversation, with what exalted pleasure 
will she betake herself to the society of the celebra- 
ted dead, or of admired authors yet alive, where 
all is still, serene and delightful ! After being dis- 
gusted with the nauseous or the meagre diet, 
served up in most companies, where low scapdal, 
or mere town«talk, supplies the place of uii)anity 
and sense, how rich and regaling will she find that 
repast which her library is always ready to 
furnish ! 

There she will not fsul of meeting with food 
of every different flavour, whether of a lifter or 
more solid substance, agreeable to her present 
indination ; at the same time that nothing is forced 
upon her, and she is left at liberty, not only to va- 
ry the entertainment as often and as much as she 
pleases, but also to rise from it whenever she will. 
Historians, Philosophers, Orators, and Poets, the 
best writers of every class, within her compass, are 
ever prepared to gratify without constraint or ceremo- 
ny her intellectual taste. Nor will they take offence 
at any preference, which at any time she may be 
disposed to make. She can never intrude upon 
them at an improper season, nor appear to leave 
them with abruptness : And when she does leave 
them, instead of room for uneasy retrospect, the 
manner in which she has been employed will be 
productive of self-approbation. She will feel heif 
soul nourished and strengthened ; her spirits cheered 
and elevated, or collected and composed. The 
duties of life she will go about with fresh resolu-^ 
tion, and a quicker comprehension of what becomes 
her. To congenial minds her attachment will be 
increased. With them she will enjoy, as often as 
she has opportunity, sentimental and friendly de- 



sE-aiiON vni. 21 

light, the drdutation of thought, «nd H^iprocation 
of confidence^ 

" The feast of reason, and the flow of soul** 

And these, my friends, are satisfactions which de« 
pend not on youth, nor on the advantages peculiar 
to it : satisfactions which, in some respects at least, 
will grow with your growing years ; and which, in 
every case, will survive the transient flower of 
beauty. Let me again remind you of the period of 
its decay. Of that period you cannot be||eminded 
too often* 

When it arrives, those hollow-hearted men, tiiat 
for their own ends now swarm about you with every 
semblance of love or admiration, will disperse like 
flies at the approach of winter* In a little time they 
will forget you, as if you had never been ; or re-^ 
iliember you only to say to every one they meet, 
how much you are altered* But what words can 
paint the desolation of her who finds herself thus 
forsaken and despised, without any resource in 
her own breast ? 

I think I see her flying to her glass, day after 
day, to observe whether diat flatterer will prove 
more constant* At first she is astonished, she' is 
shocked, at the stupidity of those men who can be- 
come insensible, to a face or a form like her^s F 
But in a little that once soothing glass, which was 
wont to transport her with the reflected image of 
herself, begins to withdr^aw its flatteries too. She 
is alarmed and depressed. She seeks consolation 
from some low dependant, who, with a grave faca. 
and glozing accent, assures her she is handsomer 
than ever j while the mercenary wretch secretly 
laughs her to scorn. Every artifice of dress, all 



St&HON VIII. 

the reduction of ornament, is studied and practised 
with more exqaisite solicitude. She views herself 
on every side : the waste seems repaired. Her 
spirits rise ; she is overjoyed. With renewed ex- 
pectation she sallies forth: she dances her usual 
round: some one in pity tells her how well she 
looks: the evening is past in triumph. She re- 
turns home exhausted with the flutter. Next 
morning the mirror is consulted again. She is 
pale, sickly, faint ; her eyes are sunk ; the wrinkles 
appear — ^more than ever. Again she is startled^ 
terrified, Alls into a rage. The storm bursts on 
her domestics, spends itself, subside^r The usual' 
methods are tortured, to make her up ; tind if' 
some new expedient is suggested, that can better 
disguise nature, and deceive the beholder — what a. 
discovery ! Thus between the vicissitudes of hope 
and fear, of exultation and despondence, on a sub- 
ject to her weak unfurnished mind thfe most inte- 
resting of all others, she is miserably tossed ; till by 
such repeated and violent perturbation, conspiring 
with the addition of years, she is consigned over 
to despair, the heart-overwhelming despair, of 
being ever praised more for those unhappy charms, 
which she at leng^ perceives are l>eyond recovery 
lost. — What young woman of refiexiop would not 
prevent such ridiculous distress ? But can you 
think of any way to prevent it, so efficacious as 
turning betimes your principal attention to your 
better part ? That even in this way you shall be- 
come wholly indiiTerent about the decline of an ap- 
pearance which used to give your friends as well aS 
yourselves pleasure, I will not affirm. But if so 
high a strain of philosophy be hardly practicable, 
still however I think you must acknowledge that 
the advances of age will be supported much die 



SEMMOir VIII. 23 

more easily 'for such preparatkm* In the mean 
while, bow many vexations, that harass and distract 
the .greater part of your sex, will be thus obviated 
by you! 

In truth, most of the grievances complained of 
by mortals are self«created. They proceed from that 
fondness of fancy which gives consequence to tri- 
fles, or from those gusts of passion which produce 
agitation without cause* But, next to the power 
of religi<Mi, can you imagine any means of avoid- 
ing bodi, so probable as the wise and calm pursuits 
to which I would now persuade you ? Permit me, 
my much loved hearers, to succeed. Defer not, 
by the cultivation of your minds, as well as hearts, 
to lay in a store of enjoyment and comfort, such as 
jfou can repair to in secret, when all abrosid is im« 
solacing and insipid* 

Every thing extemalis hastening to change and 
dissolution* You yourselves are gliding insensibly 
down the current of time» You are on your pas- 
'sage to eternity ; and can you bear the thoughts 
of resigning a passage as impcntanC as it is short, to 
the blind impulse of chance, caprice, and ignorance I 
Or suppose you are so far careful of consequences^ 
as to secure a safe arrival ; can ye, like illiterate 
and incurious mariners, sailing by some beautiful 
coast, be satisfied to hurry along without attending 
to the various prospects and numerous objects 
which Nature and Art have spread out before you ; 
or without taking advantage of the best assistance 
you can find on your voyage^ to improve in what- 
ever is instructive, ornamental, and praiseworthy ? 
Have ye forgotten that, when landed on the bliss- 
ful shore, your felicity will bear no inconsiderable 
proportion to your present attainments in know- 
ledge ; that the most enlarged understandings. 



34 S£IlMON V112. 

where die disposkioiM have been of a pieee, wiU 
be rewarded by the noblest discoveries ; in short, 
that they who shine now with the fairest lighto 
of wisdom shall, like the more distiogiushed 
stars of heaven, be crowned hereafter with superior 
splendour f 



SERMON IX, 



ON FEMALE PIETY. 



1 TIM. li. 10. 

PEOV^ XKXU 30. 

• • - ■ 

iPaiwur it deceitful^ and bemay i$ vain : but H wntian that 
feareth the Ltn^d, ShtthaUbe praised. 

JL HE irsditjr of women has been frequently atopic 
of trumphant dedaoiation. On tins suoject touch 
unkind wit has been d||played; and many a dull 
sarcasm is daily added^ and circulated with an 
air of conscious satisfection* Hardly can one go 
into a compamr of men, where licentiousness of 
tongue passes ror freedom of conversation, -without 
hearing-the poor women abused for their worth- 
lessne^s, or weakness, or both. But supposing 
"tfiem particularly frailt, is it noble to exult over 
* them on ^t account, and in their absence too, 
when they have not an opportunity of defending 
diemselves? Should not the strong rather pity 
and support the weak*? Yet after all, how does it 
appear that any singular strength' of resolution 
belongs to our sex, or that yours stand chargeable 
wi^ peculiar infirmity ? 

^ The loss of virtue is, no doubt, often followed 
with extreme depravity in women. But ia not the 
Vol, 11. <l 



26 SERMON IX* 

«ame thiog to be seen among men ; although it is 
not remarked with the same attention, or censured 
with equal rigour? If many unhappy females run 
into such ^^ excess of riot, and superfluity of naughd- 
^^ ness," as seems to justify the observation, that 
there is nothing so profligate as a vicious woman ; 
may it not be frequently imputed to their being 
driven almost to a state of despair ^ Forsaken as 
they are by the wretches that ruined them, aban- 
doned by their relations, if any they have, com- 
monly dreading die scorn of dieir own sex, and 
.often too litde considered by the virtuous part 
of ours ; what can be expected, in general, 
from creatures who have put off the modesty of 
nature, and are propelled by evil habits, co-opera* 
ting often with base associates, and bitter poverty ? 
Do I then plead the cause of vice ? God forbid. 
But I cannot endure that want of candour which 
would aggravate the guilt and misery of beings, 
who to us should be ol^cts .of so much compas- 
sion; I say to Us, of whom many are the first 
aiidK>rs of this very guilt'and misery, while the rest 
are all likewise subject to go astray* 

Here I shall probably be asked, Does not die 
apostle Peter expressly style the woman the weaker 
vessel? He does ; but in the same sense that 
those vessels are so styled, which being of finer 
materials, or more delicate construction, and there- 
fore easily breflceii or hurt, are for that reason, 
and for the regard also which people have for them, 
used with particular tenderness^ That this is his 
meaning is manifest from the passage referred to, 
where he says, " Give honour unto the wife as un- 
** to the weaker vessel." Why. honour on that score, 
if the epithet Weaker is not to be understood, 
as I hiaye now, according to the best interpreters, 
explained it? 



r 



SERMON IX. 27 

Bat does: not St* Paul, some rerses after the 
text from Timothy, observe, that " Adam vrsti 
" not deceived, but the woman being deceived, 
** Was in the transgression f'' True : it does ap- 
pear from the history, that " the serpent,'* as our 
apostle ' says elsewhere, *' beguiled Eve through 
**^ his subtilty ;^ and that the man, though aware of 
the deceit, was by his fondness for his deluded yet 
still lovely partner drawn into the same transgres- 
sion. But what was it that exposed the wonvm to 
that snare by whi<;h she was seduced ? Passions, 
it must be owned, extremely culpable in then* na- 
ture, and fatal in their consequences ; but not the 
passions for which her daughters have been indis- 
criminately blamed. In reality, the resolute spirit 
-and persevering vigilance, with which great number* 
of women preser^^e their honour, while so few men 
in comparison are restrained by the laws of conti- 
nence,' seem to me no slight proof that the former 
possess a degree of fortitt^e^ well worthy of praise. 
But what is all this to the purpose of our present 
meditation ? Much every way. I meant it as my 
first argument in behalf of female Piety; and on 
what footing it stands I will proceed to show, after 
remarking that the persons to whom our text from 
St. Paul is addressed are by him supposed to pro- 
fess a respect for reli^on — " As becometh women 
** professing Godliness :" a supposition we are 
willing to make in your favour, my beloved hear- 
ers ; so far, I mean, as to render it unneCes*sary to 
inculcate that profession from those general notions 
of truth and duty, which with a few exceptions, I 
do hope you readily acknowledge. Instead of this, 
our reasoning and exhortations will turn cfhiefly on 
such principles and facts as relate more immediately 
to your sex, situation, and time of life, considered 
in conjunction with the character and manners of the 
agci 



/ 



28 sERiceif IX. 

And DOW for the argument already suggestedv 
you will be more sensible of its force Jby attending 
to the foUowmg observations ; that the firmness 
with which, so many of you guard your virtue, be- 
ing transferred to the practice of Piety at larger, ^ 
will, by God's assistance, contribute to render h 
easy and delightful ; that the considerations of Re-* 
ligion will, in their turn, support ai^d cheer yoit 
under the restraints of conscience and decoruin ^ 
that you will hence derive the mighty satisfaction 
of the divine approbation amidst the centres of 
the uncharitable, and the divine protection agatnsi 
the machinations of the ungodly ^ and, in the hs$ 
place, that the injustice, the unkindness, and ^eache* 
ry of the world, should engage you to greater 
prudence, purity, and devotion* 

As to the firct, it is certain that the practice -of 
re^l Piety requires no small resolution and perse- 
verance. Is it not likewise certain that in what 
concerns their reputs^n, many young wot^ien 
possess a large shate of these ? Let them bvit ap- 
ply this to the discharge of their duty as christians 
and the happiest effects will ensue 5 Uniformity, fa- 
cility, and joy in religion. What cannot courage 
and constancy achieve f In the point to which I al- 
lude you are often heroines. Your life is a series 
of self-denial. But self-denial from right princi- 
ples is the perfection of Christianity. Do but act 
on these principles throughout^ aiid you shall one 
day vM\k with your Saviour in white : he will con- 
fess your names as worthy before his Father, and be- 
fore his angels : you shall follow the Lamb whith^- 
soever he goeth, singing to your golden harps a new 
song, expressive of signal triumph and praise. 

It has been said of women, and I believe with 
truth, that they are remarkably steady to their purr 
pose. Let it be seen that you ar^ so m what in 



fp9&r And ^* let not your good be ^vU yp^ken of ,'* 
Qipt ajCCQunt of any thing th^t might. give groupd to 
fiiuapect you control your pas^tis in pne way ^^ly^ 
atid that too from no hi^r prindple thaa the ff^ar 
(^csbaine* By a ooble comm^^pd of yourselves ia 
other points^ where this coosideratiou cai^not be 
aoppofted to operate sq 9trong^y, make it appeai^J 
tl^at you are governed by relij^us as well a3 pnn ^ 
dentiai motives* „ . 

We would not le9aen the influence of my oimb> 
"it'ise, or useful consideratioii) bom the side of thui 
world ; but we wish your miods to lie ^ore opea 
to the efficacy of th^ next* So far as mere reputi^t^ 
tiongoes, it is much ikut same to a ^oman, whether 
the regularly of her conduct be the result of pious^ 
or of political maxims. But in the sight of God, 
and at the bar of conscience^ how vast the dif- 
ference*! In that day when the secrets of all^heartu 
shall^be* laid^ open, what will it avail you, if the 
decency pf^ your behavkxur should be found to 
have proceeded from no nobler spring than the de- 
sire of saving appearances i Who can express the 
horror of a female hypocrite at that all^revealing 
period, when, stript of every disguise, she shall be 
pointed out to the congregated universe as an infa^ 
mous creature, whose soul was enslaved to sensur 
ality, at the veiy time that she aifected the strictest 
vkcue, treated mdiscretion in others with tb^ seve<^ 
rity due to vice alone, had no other allowances to 
make with human frailty, and with supercilious dis-^ 
daitt looked dpwn <h) many of her sejc not half sq' 
wkked as hei^elf i 

Let it be carefully remembered, that as, in what 
regards outward trials, the gospel is literally the 
doctrine of the cross ; so, with respect to inward^ 

0.2 



ji 



30 URUOK XX. 



^ it is property the diacipltne of the passion^r 
Ilere, in truth, the religpon of a christian must 
be^niuid end. What pity, my hoaousied piipils,^ 
if you .who have that amazing power over the exte«- 
'rior of your deportment, if you- who .ofer to t i 
apodess name those continual sacrifices which your 
greatest enemies cannot deny, should after all lose 
Ae reward of undissemUed .sandity by being eatchi* 
ded from that vision of God, which. Jesus has 
promised to the pure in heart ! What pity, in the 
mean wide, that such power vis not more generally 
allowed to exert itself on the ample theatre of a life 
truly virtuous ; and that such sacrifices should not 
by die consolations of devotion, be sweetened, con« 
secrated, said turned into so many sources c^ sul> 
lime enjoyment! . 

But this reminds me of having likewise said, 
tbat the considerations of Religion will conduce 
mightily to support and cheer you under the re* 
straints of sobriety and decorum. In propor- 
tion as those 'considerations are made more fami* 
Uar, will difa»e restraints become less painful, 
till at length they in a manner change their 
nature, and seem like silken bands, that even 
while they confine you, are as easy as they are or* 
namental* 

Between all other philosophy and the philosophy 
of Jesvtd) one glorious distinction is this ; that the 
latter not only displays a higher standard of. moral 
excellenie, but also communicates superior powers 
of virtuous action. To the fainter conclusions of 
Reason it superadds the bright discoveries of Faith. 
The future world, with the great transactions of 
the supreme administradon, which are introductory 
to it, are there unveiled. There the vanity, and 
withal the importance of the present state is unfold* 



SER^^KIX. 31 

^« There divine pard&n and etenial life, as 
^\ the gift of God through Jesus Christ," are en^u* 
red and ascertained to obediait believers* The his- 
tory of the Redeemer is there exhibited with all 
'the beauty of ^impKci^y, and energy of truth ; a 
history, my dear hearers^ equaMy important to all 
that read it^ atid to those that read it with a serious 
unprejudiced d]#fiosition, unspeakably aifecting; a 
history which involves the most extensive and last- 
ing interests of human nature, and to such as view 
it in that lig^t carries with it, beyond all otl^r 
writings, a vital, home-£slt, and heart<^wakening 
influence. The ingenuous breast, inflamed by the 
friendship, and penetrated by the spirit of Jesus, 
bums with the love of virtue, and heavfes with the 
hope of salvation. Jesus is die pattern of virtue : 
latitude is one of its wcnrthiest incentives, and faith, 
which is the fundamental principle of the whole 
system, faith in the mercy and acceptance of the 
Universal Father, du*oij^ the mediation of his 
meritorious Son, by whom he is carrying on. a 
scheme of grace, that comprehends all sincere 
penitents of whatever name or nation, throughout 
all successive ages — ^this Faith, I Miy, imparts to 
feeble and desponding creatures a strength and 
encouragement ^t no other system could ever 
inspire. 

Nor are these ideas beyond the ordinary reach of 
female understanding. They depend not on a nice 
chain of reasoning, nor on the abstruse researches 
of science* How much soever they may have4)eeA 
disguised by the dreams of the schools, to conceive 
them as they are set forth in scriptuHe, masculine 
intellects are by no means necessary. Connected with 
Facts -the most astonishing to the imagination, and 
Sentiments the most touching to the heart, they seem 



33 SB&MOV XX. 

to He ptttkidarly level to iite best characters among 
jpour sex. In short, to>leel their tendency, and 
experience their operation, a modest, susceptible^ 
and affectionate mind is chiefly required. 

Permit me to ask you, as in the presence of God, 
do ye in good earnest believe in the Holy Ghost, 
Hi the catholic church, in the communion of 
saints, in the forgiveness of sins, in the resurrection 
of the body, in the life everlasting, in Him who is 
the resurrecuon and die life, the all-sufficient sa« 
orifice, the all-prevuling advocate, the meek, the 
lowly, and the loving master, as well as the awful 
and impartial judge ? Do ye often by devout con« 
templation realize these, and the other wonderful 
ol^ects of Christianity, together with the gr^md 
principles of natural religion i To both do ye {re'« 
quendy join the heaven-moving force of fervent 
prayer, the powerfully combined influences of pub* 
lie worship, and the sweedy supporting communis 
cado'ns of holy friendship ? Then say, whether 
you can ever be at a loss for motives to animate, 
or for aids to second your endeavours after wisdom 
and virtue ? Surely no. 

Wisdom and virtue are beautiful forms, and for 
their own intrinsic worth unquestionably enti- 
tled to all possible love and veneration. But 
little acquainted with the human heart are they, 
who would build the morals of mankind on this 
single basis. Decency of character, dignity of 
conduct, the honours due to temperance, inte^ 
rity, benevolence, magnanimity, and' other qnali* 
ties of that order, are ideas as solid as they are 
refined, and which ought certainly to be cherished 
by all who are capable of comprehending their mo^ 
ment.. To offer to depreciate them is vile, and 
not n^ore repugnant to reason than to scripture, 



' V 

' ^ 1 

vrhere ibt beaades of holmems are expresdy named, 

Mid '^ whatsbever things aife veaerable, lovely^ 
" and of good report," are, as mentioned in a for* 
mer discourse, recommended in so many -words*. 
But, yet, on the pth^r hand, considering the pas- 
sions, disorders, and debility of beings, situated 
as we . are ; to trust the cause of righteousness 
and truth to the, sole strength of such arguments-^ 
what is i{, but hazarding the most valuable inte7 
rests in the world on a bottom utterly unequal to so 
precious a freight ? 

A few select spirits, more liberal and elevated 
than usual, may, in their progress towards per-» 
fc^ction derive some extraordinary assistances from 
these sublimer speculations ; at least when under 
very difficult or delicate x:ircumstances of temptatipi^^ 
But what, think ye, WQuld become even of tiiem| 
much more, what would become of the far great^ 
er part, when immediately under such circum* 
sjtances, did not religion step in to their aid with 
her more forcible and striking sanctions, foundle^ 
on their hopes and fears for futurity, as these ar^ 
connected with a sense of the Almighty '§ inspect 
4on, and a iaith in the illustrious facts of revela^ 
tion ? How little in general were the philosopher9 
of. antiquity themselves influenced by the * sy&v 
teva in question, with whatever pomp they profess* 
ed, or with whatever eloquei^ce they displayed it* 
Some of them, it is true, were men of great virtues, 
as well as great, conceptions ; while the rest ^wer^ 
Striking exainples, how much easier it is to talk 
than to act well, and that to refprm- the world 
tliere is wanted a diviner power than reason ak»i^, - 

With regard to the case now before us, it msiy 
be observed that those young persons, who hay^ 
had the misfortune to be in a great measure left toi 



S4 SERMON IX. 

Ac common notices of nature, go astray muct* 
more frequently, than others on whom the prin- 
ciples of Piety have been early and judiciously im- 
pressed* 

When I say judiciously impressed, I mean to 
insinuate, that many hopeful children have, been 
lost through the imprudent efforts of their well- 
meaning, but ill-informed parents, to make them 
good by severe confinement and constant admoni* 
tion. Those childrea alone will be truly good, and 
are likely to continue so, who are at once enamoured 
of their duty, awed by their Maker, and devoted 
to the securing of that " life and immortality whicH 
•* are brought "to light through the gospel." 

Here 1 cannot help recollecting a oSost memora- 
ble instance, wherein a much celebrated j^outh was 
guarded against the indul^nce of appetite by the 
power of reUgion. I spe^ of Joseph, when tempt- 
ed by the wife of Potiphar. Consider the compli- 
cated snare that was laid for his innocence ; proba* 
bly the blandishments of beauty ; certainly the re- 
peated, pressing, and passionate solicitations of an 
artful woman, of his mistress, who, if she pleased^ 
could easily procure his farther advancement ; the 
opportunities of privacy ; the prospect of close con- 
cealment ; his time of life j his plentiful conditi<Mi ; 
those warm aifectkms, that strong sensibility, 
which the sequel of his story shows to have been 
natural to him ; the extreme danger manifestly at- 
tending his refusal, I mean all the mischiefs to be 
dreaded from the resentment and violence of a ' 
proud but fond female resisted, disappointed, en- 
raged, who would not fail, however falsely, to re- 
present the unbounded confidence of, a generous 
master abused ; and, finally, those mischiefs falling 
at one blow upoa a dependent and- a stranger^ whose 



SEKMO«N IX-' ^ 35 

|»rosperity in that family had no doubt reiKJlcred him 
the object of envy to some; and whose protesta- 
tion3 in his own favour would never be believed by 
others to the disadvantage of a woman of .her rank 
and fortune. Such was the snare. And what was 
it 'that enabled our aipiable hero to conquer it I 
The history will inform you. " He refused^ and 
*^' said \mto his n^aater's wife, 3ehold, my noaster 
^ wotteth not what is with me in the house, and 
*^ he hath committed all that he hadi to my hand» 
^\ There is none greater in this house than I ; nei- 
^^ ther hadi he kept back any thing fron^ me but 
^* thee, because ^ou art his wife : how dien can I 
** do this great wickedtsess, and sin agaitist God ?" 
Excellent young jpian 1 / From a crime, to which 
so many allurements concurred ^o incite him, he 
starts back with horror ; so strcmgly are his natural 
feelings of gratitude and probity seconded by a 
reverence for the Omniscient j ** How then can I do 
** this great wickedness and sin against God ?^' 
— No^ my sisters, there is not in the world such 
a preservative from vice as the fear of God. 
Temptations, by which human resolutions alone 
have been frequently foiled, are often overcome by 
the same re^solutions when enforced by religious 
faith. : \ ■ 

From tfa^se remarks you will plainly perceive, 
that what we wish for you is not a victory over 
your passions hardly gained, and at the expense of 
your tranquillity ; but a sacred self-possession, a 
certain diviner control of your own wills, that 
shall distinguish you in the sight of him who " de- 
" sireth truth in the inward parts." A sentimeni; 
diis, that seems conibrnxable to the best concepticms 
of nature ; since we find the power which according 
to. the pagan creed represented both wisdom and 



M 



36 SEliMOK tx. 

ibrdtude, was supposed to be of your sex. On the 
same principle does th^ wisest of men speak so often 
of the former In the feminine gehdbr. Thus ^ 
least did ancient genius treiit the women with 
leaped* It is particularly observable that of 
republican stsetes,' where that' genius commonly 
appeared most eminent^ the sage legisbtors pre* 
scribed to femsJes a peculiar f^vity and sim- 
plicity of manners ; so difierel^ yrtfe their ideas 
of what was becoming from those of modem 
times! 

Buet I added fittlher that, from the study &( in- 
waltt. purity as Well as outward decorum, eveti 
that piirfty whidi the gospel' so ^tt-ongly enforces, 
you will reap the mi^y satisfaction of the divine 
approbation aimdst the censures of the luicharitablei 
and the divine protection against the itiacliinationi 
of the ungodly. Hard enough, it must be owned^ 
is die csoe of women, as to the' general reflexions 
made on their deportment. If .they behave witli 
reserve, they are pronounced prudiaih ; if widi 
frankness, bold ; if with that just temperament of 
bi$th which is the proper medium, capricioua and 
uncertain. What jshall they do ? What'can diey 
do, but hold the middle way, widi that attention 
to the rules of caution on one side, and of affalH'* 
lity xm the other, which times, places, and persons 
seem to require ; " committing their cause to hlik 
** that judgeth righteously,'* and trusting (or dieir 
safety to him that never forsakes the virtuous ? 

Such a respect for human judgment, as avoids 
^giving occsc^ion of censure, is undoubtedly right in 
tsveiy individual of society ; of your sex especial- 
ly, whose reputation is of so nice a contexture* 
But while for this purpose^ a diristian woman pur* 
isues, as nearly as ^e can^ the path of prudence ; 



^' SERMON IX, 37 

what internal serenity does she enjoy, by foUoX^iog 
at the same time the direction of principle, that 
highest and happiest guide of life ! To say the 
truth, there may be situations, whereiii the latter 
appears to be left the Sole guide, so impossible is it 
for the former to find a i^ay through the labyrinth* 
In this case you can have but one reasonable care ; 
which is, to do what conscience charges as your 
duty. In every cas6, that must be your principal 
care. In making it so, there will be this great ad- 
vantage amongst many others, that you will every 
day grow less anxious about any thing else. The 
ca^e of mind, the gaiety 6f heart resulting from 
such a conduct, are not to be expressed. 

If the world should approve^ it is well. The ap* 
- probation of the best people, at least, will give you 
^ real pleasure ; and the best people are naturally 
candid* If the world shotdd condemn, and even 
the candid few, which is by no means impossible, 
should be led by misrepresentation, or by mistiike, 
to join in the sentence ; still however you will ha vie 
the comfort of not having deserved it. And from 
this inferior tribunal you will also have the felicity 
of appealing to that which is supreme and infallible, 
with the humble assurance of being justified there 
Arough the powerful interposition of an advocate, 
whom no passion or misrepresentation can bias. 
At the same time too you will have the consolation 
to hope, that sooner or later, he in whom you trust 
** will bring forth your righteousness as the light, 
*' and your judgment as the noon-day. '' Seldoin or 
never, I think, does a persevering virtue fail of 
breaking out with fresh beauty, and augmented 
lustre, from those clouds with which calumny may 
have obscured it ; even as the vernal sun by pursuing 
Vol. 11. ' a 



38 SERMON IX. 

his. career, shines forth at last with a kind of vic- 
torious splendour, that dispels the remaining damps 
of winter, delights the eye, and inspires the heart of 
every beholder. 

But suppose the worst, that the erroneous mul- 
titude should continue to load you with unmerited 
reproach ; I am not afraid to say that you are happy 
still, if you know how to avail yourselves of the 
supports of, religion, particularly a sense of the Al- 
mighty's approbation. What ought to discourage 
her who can triumph in this, and likewise in that 
.which is immediately connected with it, an assu- 
rance of the Almighty's protection ? 

Nothing can be more certain than that your sex 
is, on every account, entided to the shelter of our9» 
Your softness, weakness, timidity, and tender re- 
liance on man ; your helpless condition in your- 
selves, and his superior strength for labour, ability 
for defence, and fortitude in trial; your tacit ac- 
knowledgment of these, and frequent application 
for his aid in so many winning ways, concur to 
form a plea, which nothing can disallow or with- 
stand but brutality.^ Appetite indeed is naturally 
brutal : untamed by religion, unchained by reason, 
what havock does it not commit ? Nothing can be 
more wild or ferocious than lawless desire. How 
often, alas! does it disfigure and degrade minds 
otherwise adorned with very valuable qualities*! 
Have we not seen men, who in a sober mood were 
open to the tenderest feelings of humanity, in- 
capable of any thingunjust or dishonourable, calm, 
and pliant to good advice ; who yet, in the rebel- 
lion of their blood, were as ungovernable and fierce 
as any. beast of the forest, broke through all restraint, 
and to gratify the passion that impelled them, rushed 
on crimes utterly repugnant to the best sentiments of 



SERMON IX. , 39 

their hearts ! Need I fcp tell you that from such men 
your virtue is in danger, and by so much the more by 
how , much the qualities just named are, when allow- 
ed to operate, particularly engaging :* But the fact- 
is, that, being inlaid in the constitution, they do 
operate frequently, and never perhaps more than 
immediately after those unhappy deviations, for 
which something within whispers the necessity of 
making every possible atonement. It is in this way 
that those good*natured but unhappy men keep 
themselves and one another in countenance, and often 
steal into your affection. Yet these are by no means 
the worst enemies of womankind. 

It is your smooth, cool, coipplimental libertines, 
who have steeled their breasts by a system, whom 
the boasted principles, or rather no principles of 
infidelity, have raised to a glorious contempt of all 
laws human and divine, delivered from the vulgar 
conceit of immortality, and enabled ta conquer the 
Jittle weaknesses of nature, and the ignoble preju- 
dices of education, which happened to be on the 
' side of justice, honour, sympathy ; — ^it is such men, 
my fair ones, such flagitious and obdurate wretches, 
-whose wiles, should you chance to be thrown in 
their way, you have most reason to dread. And 
believe mc, they abound every where. From you 
ihdeed they will carefully conceal the enormity of 
their characters,*and the blackness of their opinions ; 
till by gaining your confidence they can insinuate 
the last ^ith advantage, so as to take off your ap- 
prehensions of the first, and blunt the edge of your 
resolutions, A sense of piety, the love of virtue, 
a regard to reputation, the fear of consequences, 
every principle borrowed from this world and the 
next, they are well aware would be alarmed and 
excited, were they to disclose their designs, or ex- 



40 SERMOK IX. 

plain their ideas at once, without preparation or 
preface.-*— But^ I will not attempt to unfold the mys- 
tery of iniquity, in which they wrap themselves, 
and work unsuspected. Let it remain involved in 
its native darkness and horror ; which cannot how- 
ever hide it from the eye of Heaven, whose hot- 
test vengeance shall one day overtake and 
blast it. 

Your safety, I said before, lies in retreat and vi- 
gilance, in sobriety and prudence, in virtuous friend- 
ship and rational conversation, in domestic, elegant, 
and intellectual accomplishments : I add now, in 
the guardianship of Omnipotence, as that which 
must give eflScacy to all the rest ; but which can 
only be obtained by something more and better 
than them all, I mean, True Religion. What 
reason have you to hope for a privilege so great, 
if you do ^ot ask it? What cause could you have 
to complain ; if your righteous Creator, on whom 
every consideration ought to teach you dependence 
were to leave you to yourselves amidst those dan- 
gerous attacks, or artful snares, which you pre- 
sumptuously imagine you could resist by your own 
strength, or elude by your caution ? That humility 
which does not depress, as christian humility never 
can, is the best means , of security. She who is 
most sensible of her hazard, is most likely to be 
on her guard. She who perceives her own imbe- 
cility, will be glad to invoke a higher power. Nor 
will the Parent of all be deaf to one of his rea- 
sonable offspring, who, apprehensive of the difficul- 
ties to which her frame and situation expose her, 
heartily implores his help. 

Vain very often is the help of man, even when 
afforded in its utmost extent. What then must be 
the case, when it i§ not only not afibrded,»but wheni 



h^ vrho. ought prptect is bent to d^stfoy ? To. 
^bom shall young creatures of your'se% little 
l^ngibs, inuQcent, g^n^^i fearful^ uudefended, bese^ 
by ravenous Hops, or " by wplyes-in sheeps- clpdi- 
*^ ing >"-rto whom shall they flee, h^t tp the Shep- 
herd of Israel? And yriU he, think ye, reject or 
^bandon them j he yrha has promis^ tP ** ^ther* 
^^ the lambs widi his apn, anfl to carry ii;^tv^ in ijis 
** bosoip ;'' he who has^dways shown himself ipor^. 
especially concerned for objects of distress and des- 
titution, the ppor, the prisoner, the stranger, the 
oppressed, the widow, the fatHerless, and such as 
have non^ to help them ; in a wprd, h^ F^ose pro- 
vidence is then nearest, and whose assistance' is 
then readiest, when Ins creatures are tnost forsaken 
by others ? 

To pbtain the diyine interposition, it is u^ged by 
the Psalmist as a prevailing argument^ that he was 
pnprotected and desolate* "O be not far from 
** pie: for trouble *is nigh at hand, and there i? 
** none to help me. I looked on my right hand, and 
"beheld, but there was no man that would know 
*' njic : refuge failed me ; no man cared for my soul. 
'^ J cried unto th^e, O Lord^^l said, Thou art 
" my refuge." The common Father " hears the 
-" young ravens when they cry unto him ;" and arp 
jearly left by their hard-hearted dams, ^re not ye 
abetter than mgny ravens ? " Can a woman forget 
^* her sucking child, that she should pot have com- 
" passion on the son of her womb ?'' says God by 
the prophet. He speaks of it as a monstrous thing, 
,and scarce credible in any. Can she forget— 
She, in the singular Number. The answer is re- 
marlcable : *^ Yea, aii^y may forget"— They, jin the 

H 2 



42 SERMON IX« 

plurals confessing it possible, that more th^ one 
such :vn«tch may be found amongst the dregs of 
nature. ^^ Can a woman forget her sucking child I 
" Yea, Thw may forget, j^t^ I will not forget 
" thee." Can you figure any thing more tender 
and sood:iing? Can you hesitate a moment to 
throw yourselves on " the everlasting arms, on 
** his right-hand, who rides on the heavens fot' 
" your help, on his excellency in die sky?" Or 
having so done, can you harbour a doubt of your 
safety, while " your place of defence is the inunition 
« of rocks ?" 

But to proceed to our last argument : let the in* 
justice, unkindness, and treachery of the world, en- 
gage you to greater Prudence, Purity, and Devotion. 
Any natural or amiable tie, by which you are or may 
be bound, God forbid that I should seek to slacken. 
Moderate afF ections for proper objects you are al- 
lowed, you are called to indulge. By such means 
you will fill your places in society, or be in the way 
to fill them ; at the same time that you will enjoy 
the best thing in human life, the friendly feelings 
of the heart. But shall I repeat once more, what 
has in one shape or another been said so often, 
that whenever these are ill directed, or carried too. 
far, they are sure to entangle in guilt and disquiet- 
ude ? Now to prevent, as much as possible, the wan- 
dering of your passions, the Almighty makes use of the 
passions of others. To bring good out of evil is the 
glory of his government. The worthlessness of those 
who have abused their freedom, he permits as a 
warning to you, no less than a punishment to them> 

If men will endeavour to despoil that virtue 
which they should cherish, to corrupt those minds 
which they should improve ; in a word, to ruin 
that sex whose honour and welfare are in a great 



r 



SERMON IX. 43 



• 



measiji% ' entrusted with 4hem; should not siich' 
baseness fill you with disdain and abhorrence ? Can' 
any of you be so mean, so surpassing mean, as to 
doat on the traitors ? Even where their aim is not 
destruction, where merely for amusement they 
flatter or soothe, should ye suffer yourselves to be 
seduced into fondness ? How foolish to be taken 
with those litde superficial attentions, that are so 
easily learnt in the school of fashion, and so fre- 
quently practised to hide a hollow, or disguise an 
unfeeling soi4 ? 

Are }'e ignorant of its being an established sys- 
tem among men of gaiety and pleasure, that yout 
sex have no principles ; that you are designed only 
to serve their purposes ; and that, when you re- 
fuse to do so, it is mere pride or gross dissimula- 
tion? Gan ye think of this, and not be offended? 
Will ye continue to prefer such characters to the 
sober, sTedate, and sentimental ? 

You often behold the wrecks of beauty that has 
been blasted, and of innocence that has been be- 
trayed. Providence allows those miserable beings 
to carry their effrontery so far as to appear with- 
out shame in every public place, the monuments of 
male falsehood as well as female infatuation ; and 
can ye fail of being impressed with salutary ter- 
ror ? 

' Gan ye restrain the spirit of indignant virtue 
from darting out on those men that, in your com- 
pany, dare to speak a language unfit for you to hear ? 
Should not your eyes at least make them sensible of 
tjie affront offered to your ears ? And if they are 
hardened enough not to be ashamed, does it not 
become you ever after to shun their sight, as you 
would shun a bear or a, satyr? lam^ure you will 



44 S^RMQK IX, 

t}iink so» if you consult either the dignity of yjotvur 
!^x, or the purity of your minds. 
. Love grafted on esteem, or fed by it, b a just and 
noble principle. But how has it been disgraced by. 
worthless pretenders! Join, my sisters, with a^ 
your power ^o vindicate its honours. Let the sane? ' 
tity of your conduct serve, as much as possible* 
(o recall the passion from empty form and criminal 
indulgence, from the blind admiration of an out-; 
^ide, and , th^ short-lived gratification of^ youths 
ful desire, to a genuine, holy, and enlightened afr 
fectio^ ; such as springing chiefly from a sympathy 
of honest and generous hearts, shall flourish whei^ 
fancy, youth, and beauty, are no more. 

If women will marry men of bad morals, if 
fropa whatever motive they wiU naanifestly endanger 
their own salvation, by forming so intimate a con^ 
nexion with those who betray a total neglect of 
theirs ; what can ^we say, either, for religion or th^ 
^ex,that will make any impression on those who are 
prejudiced against both ? What can she plead 
that accepts withojut scruple the hand of a man, wha 
is seldom or ever seen in a place of worship, and 
whose compsmions are known to be profane or li- 
centious ? Is this to act, in the greatest concern ^ 
of life, like a person of principle ? , ^ 

It is a common complaint, nor can the fact be de- 
fied, that most of our young gentlemen now a days 
entirely disregard religious institutions. But how 
can it be expected. they shoufd do otherwise, so 
long as they find themselves, in general, no way, 
the less acceptable to the ladies, for such fashionable 
impiety I What a scandal in " women professing 
*^ Godliness !" 

Amidst so much disprder, and so many snares 
on all hands, what can be so wise for you, my 



SERMO!^ XX. 45 

christian ^ends, as to take refuge more and more 
in the sanctuary of Devotion ? — Let us not dissem- 
ble the ^uth. The greater part of either sex study 
to prey on one another? I'he world, in too many 
instances, is a theatre of war between men and 
women. Every stratagem is tried, and every ad- 
vantage taken, on the side of both. On the side of 
the former, strength and daring, are joined to art 
and ambition, in which the latter abound. To 
make a truce they often meet. Even preliminaries 
towards a peace are often proposed. Individuals 
pass over tp the camp of the enemy, and are re- 
conciled. But what shall we say of the contending 
powers at large ? Methinks they resemble this an4 
§ heighbouring kingdom, between which a general 
truce is always short, and a national peace never 
secure. , 

To many young women the preather will seem 
as one that mocks. The men they consider aj9^ 
their best friends ; and a lasting union is what they 
long for as the height of happiness. A union, 
by some means or- odier, will probably take 
place. And if it shall, to ki\6w"tiiat it proved, 
lasting, entire, and happy, as happy as the present 
state permits, would, you may be well assured^ 
give the preacher pleasure. But if from this, or 
any imapnable connexion upon earth, you hope for 
complete felicity ; your hopes will be vain. Im- 

} perfect yourselves, you have nb right to expect per- 
ection from meiir^/ In the most agreeable attach- 
ments, you will still find a mixture. The best * 
characters will sometimes say, or do that, which 
shall occasion pain ; daily intercourse will dull th^ 
fjelish of delight ; and disagreeable accidents, but 
especially severe distress, will not improve the taste 
for it. Devotion, dearly beloved, Devotion wiU 



^ 



46 SERMON IX. 

ever be your surest and sweetest resource. *' Ac- 
" quaint yourselves therefore now with God> and 
** be at peace," 

Even now, I doubt not, some oT you perceive 
that all besides is uncAtain and unsatisfactory. 
Your father and mother have forsaken you by 
death ; or, which is for worse, by unnatural. cruelty, 
or horrible selfishness. You have not perhaps in 
the world a friend to supply their place : Or if you 
have, you cannot but know that human friendships 
are often fallacious, and like other human comforts 
always precarious. Every thing in nature is sub- 
ject to vicissitude ; and nothing more usual than 
for men to adopt a different deportment as their 
circumstances or interests, their opinions or hu- 
mours, vary. There is but one immutable friend^ 
" a friend' that sticks closer than a brother," a lover, 
or a parent. " He is the same yesterday, and 
** to day, and for ever. He will never leave you r 
** he will never forsake you." He has engaged 
himself by his promise ; and " he is not man that 
** he should lie, neither the son of man that he should 
•* repent." 

I have often thought that, in some respects, there 
is not any creature so forlorn or exposed, as a 
young woman, beautiful, unexperienced, single, 
almost wholly friendless, bred to affluence, left in 
dependence, perhaps in indigence, of which some 
wretch curst with wealth is willing to avail himself 
for the vilest ends. While I paint such a situ- 
ation, who^does not see the need of piety ? What 
remains for ^his pretty sufferer, but to hold fast her 
innocence at all adventures, and look up to him 

•* with whom the fatherless find mercy." * Pro- 

* tect me, O my heavenly Father, my only sure 
'and never-failing- friend ; protect thy poor, de^^ 



SERMON IX. 



47 



pendent) helpless creature. From this wilderness 
of life 1 lift up my eyes to Thee ; to thy throne 
of pity I stretch out my arms for succour. Be- 
hold^ I am needy, and feeble, and full of afflic- 
tion. I tread among snares ; I tremble for fear. 
But Thou art merciful. Save me, O Lord, most 
mighty ; save me from evil men, from vain com- 
panions, from folly, from myself. My wants 
supply, most gracious : my weakness strengthen j 
for ever guard the virtue by Ihee implanted. 
Thou art the guide of my youth ; lead mc in a 
plain path, because of my enemies. Let none 
have power to hurt me f may some have the good- 
ness to support my steps. Send down wisdom 
from thy holy heavens that she may labour with 
me continually, and sweedy counsel me in all my 
doings. In Thee^ O God, in thee alone have I 
put my trust : let me never be confounded. Be 
my God for ever and ever, and my guide even 
unto death. I ask it for the sake of my divine 
Redeemer. Amen.' 



SERMON X* 



1 TXV* iu 10, 

'T'frhich becometh •wometfprofetdtig CrotBitimt* 

PROv. xxxi. 30. 

Favour w deceitfiU, and beauty i8 vain / ^^ a woman thatfeafith 
the Lor a. She skaU be prahed, 

iJEVOTION, my beloved hearers, is a busi- 
ness of too much importance and dignity to be yet 
dismissed from our meditation. What has been 
akeady offered on this head, is but a small part o^ 
that which I would recommend to your attention. 
From a former hint you will readily conceive, 
that to present you here with a regular system of 
piety, is not my design. Such an attempt were su- 
perfluous. Of the spiritual kind therQ are books 
innumerable, in which you will meet with all that 
can I)e said on the subject in generaL The Induce- 
ments to Religion, which are more immediatelv 
derived from your sex and situation, together witk 
those £xercises and those Effects of it, that con-^ 
cern you more particularly, are the points to which 
my plan properly confines me. 

I will begin this discourse by removing a bar, 
which has been thrown in our way by such as have 
appeared fond of every opportunity to depreciate 



SERMON X. 49 

the better half of the human species. The devo- 
tiow of women has been considered as nothing more 
than the passion of love directed to a divine object, 
M^hen in reality they longed for an inferior one, or 
happened to be disappointed in their wishes; an 
opinion which has given occasion to some wit and 
more ridicule. ^ 

It seems to have proceeded chi(:fly from two 
causes ; the amorous style which has by too many 
feniale pens been adopted into devotional writings ; 
and the. multitudes of young women who, denied 
originally the opportunity of indulging their natu- 
ral mclinations, or afterwards crossed in the pur- 
suit of them, have flung themselves headlong into 
the gloomy retreats of a mistaken piety, where 
they have been taught to ofier at a heavenly shrine 
those iires which were not suffered to burn freely 
elsewhere. 

But now on the for-mer circumstance I would ob- 
serve, that the language of love has not, so far as 
I know, been admitted into books of devotion by 
female more frequendy than by male authors ; and 
that, in this practice, both have probably thought 
themselves warranted by the example of Solomon 
in his well known Song ; a composition, of whiclr 
I must needs say, that how naturally soever it came 
from a monarch of his character, in those earlier 
days of eastern imagination and eastern ardour, - 
it should by no means be made a model for chris- 
tian writers.. In the New Testament, although 
produped from the same region, we fmd very lit- 
tle of this sort, and that little in the chastest and 
purest strain : at the same time that there we are ex- 
pressly required and taught, " to worship God, 

*' who isa spirit, in spirit and in truth." But when 
Vol. II. . S 



\ 



50 SSRMON X. / 

vre disapprove of the practice as indiscreet, must 
we condemn it too as sensual ; or because in some 
it may have been the ebullition of a lascivious fan* 
cy, shall we pronounce it to be so in all ? Certain it 
is, that among such as have used it, there have 
been not a few eminently distinguished by the puri* 
ty of their manners. 

In the case of those numerous votaries to the 
church of Rome, who by- violence or craft, despond- 
ence or superstition, are immured in convents, 
what can be more natural, more reascmaUe, or in 
truth more necessary, than that being deprived of 
the pleasures of this world, they should ask conso^ 
lation from the next? Or if finding it impossible 
to cultivate one of the strongest propensities 
of the human heart, by that kind of commerce 
which Nature intended, can they be justly blamed 
for turning to an object whose infinite excel* 
lence shall furnish endless scope for the best sen- 
timents and noblest affections of the soul, those 
that are immediately connected with piety? Will 
n6t the same way of reasoning be applicable to 
women living in the world ? I apprehend it wilL 

But, in reality, the opinion we now examine 
would reflect no dishonour on feminine devotion, 
did not those who entertain it proceed upon a low 
idea of the passion referred to. Whatever hold 
that passion, for purposes apparently wise, may 
take at first of the animal part of our frame, they 
are utter strangers to its genuine chariictef, wh^ 
do not know that it is capable of rising tdthh ut- 
most refinement. By pleading the cause of Vir- . 
tuous Love, I shall be able to prove its connexion 
with that which is Divine to be founded in nature ; 
I mean in cultivated nature, where a sense of the 
Divinity obtains. As virtuous love ojierates on 



SERMON X. 51 ' 

both the sexes pretty nearly alike, whast I am going 
to <)bserve of its effects on the men may, d believe, 
. be justly applied to the impressions produced by it 
on the women. 

A man sees in sbrae public place a great, number 
of young persons to whom he never spoke. He 
surveys them all. He is struck with one who is 
really less beautiful than several others present, and 
who is so even in his eyes : in her favour he decideii 
at once. It i^ a common case ; how shall we ac- 
count for it ? I conceive thus : Every countenance 
expresses, or is thoujght to express, a character pe- 
culiar to itself; and that which corresponds most 
with our particular taste in the way of temper, be- 
haviour, ur>derstanding, we necessarily and sponta- 
neously prefer. By this character, therefore, whcf 
ther real or in^aginary, we are determined. As was 
fainted in a former discourse, it is the soul we seek. 
With mind only can mind unite. That which is 
presented to our eyes attracts us merely as an image 
of that which they . cannot perceive. Our senses 
may be said to tie the knot; but, strictly speaking, 
the knot is formed in the soul. Our senses ai'e pro- 
perly the veKicles of our affection ; but to that affec- 
tion they still act in subordination* It is supreme. 
Its power is indeed so great, that were the gratifi- 
cation of the senseSj, in the passion We are now con- 
Bidering, to interfere with the interest of our nobler 
part, or with this exalted sentiment which consti- 
tutes its joy, they would be sacrificed without hesi- 
tation. To virtuous love the spirit of sacrifice is 
essential. What hazards, hsu-dship, losses,, pains, has 
not this generous attachment encountered, widi 
{^ea«ure and evetv with ecsfacy; happy in manifest- 
ing its zeal bv the most arduous proofs ! To men- 
\ tion but one mstance toiongst ten thousand, and 



52 SERMOW X. 

that recorded in' Holy Writ, we are told, that ^^ Ja- 
*^ cob served seven \ears for Rachel, and that they 
*'• seemed to him but a few days." Why ? " For 
^* the love he had to her." 

But now suppose the man we have just imagined, 
to cherish with fondness the sudden impression made 
upon him by a certain appearance ; to be introduced 
to the lad}^, andto admire her more and more for 
those internal qualities which from that appearance^ 
he presumes her to possess. With her looks too he 
is every day more deeply smitten, but still as they 
arc the fancied picture of her mind. This ided 
form follows him every where. Business, compariy, 
amusement, he could not endure but for the thoughts 
of her, which are for ever intermingling. Her con- 
versation, her smiles, her approbation, even the 
slightest marks of her regard, are to him happiness 
unequalled, and such as can only be excelled4>y the 
entire possession of the endearing object : He purs^ies, 
he obtains it. And now suppose him to discoveir 
tliat the character he used to. contemplate with trans<- 
port was merely imaginary : that she is absolutely 
destitute of the dispositions, the sentiments, in one 
word, the soul which he had fondly figured— Need 
I speak the rest ? Ah, what disappointment and 
' misery! Where nOw is his love ? Where the sa- 
cred, fervent, elevated passion, he so lately foster- 
ed as the felicity of his life I Intellectual and mo- 
ral beauty he chiefly sought. He finds it not : and 
because he does not fihd it, what happens ? His very 
senses, though remaining constitutionally the same, 
revolt, are disgusted, and chilled. The enchanting 
face en chants -no more : and why .^ Because it no 
longer reflects the image that inflamed tiis breztst. 
A fool or a tyrant starts up there, where sense and 
softness seemed to reside. 



But Ifit lis reverse this uohappy pait, c^ the scene 
aaMisi^plMose. that the lady's real cLiracter answers to 
lier appearsmoe ; that, instead ^f losing, she gains 
by a more intimate acquaintance 4 -in shprt^ that cer*- 
tain hidden 5 j|;;race8 wiuch no feature, form, or air., 
£0uld fully express^ display themselves as circumr 
stance^ rise to call thepci forth ; what will be the 
consequence ? That th€[ youthful ardour of our 
lover will increase? No, but a better ardour will; 
that of rational esteem, sentimental complacence, 
and seif-congratulation. The other, as he advances 
in -life, will gradually abate, mdatlengdi vaniish» 
What then? Will his tenderness vanish, or his 
affection abated By no means* We have seen that 
from the beginning it was the love of her mind 
principally* it is so now more than ever. It has 
Jess enK>tion ; it has more solidity : it is less eardily ; 
it is n>ore divine* It is love mellowed into friend- 
ship* What sh41 1 say! It is the finest feeling of 
the human heart* And the attraaion grows, parUy 
by habit, partly by the increase of those qualities 
that caused it on her side, and partly hf the im- 
provement of good dispositions on his. The tu* 
multuous and irregular pleasures to wUich, perhaps, 
before he knew her, he was addicted, have now lost 
their relish# /I'he calm, yet interesting joys he 
tastes in her society, occupy all his ^leisure. From 
evefy engageoient, whether of the busy or idle kind,, 
he returns to her with. new delight, glad to shake off 
the interrupting world, and impatient when it com- 
pels him to any long absence* By the lovely sj^m- 
pathies of her gentle bosm, his. cares are soothed,: 
nis labours softened, and his losses rendered easy* 
ts he successful ? His success is triumph, from this . 
thought ; ^^ I shall be able to make her more happy. 

S2 



54 SERUON X. 

*^ whom my soul loveth.'' Is she in pain br-skknca^ ? 
does her health decline ? Will this man look on un* 
concerned ? Ah .! no : he will hang over her hed of 
distress with augmented fondness, with an anguish' 
more charming than all the luxury of sensual in- 
dulgence. Is her bloom withered ? are the allure- 
ments of youth gone ? Will he grow indifferent ? 
No, no ! in his eye: she is handsome still. In all 
she says, and does, and looks, he still beholds, cmd 
still admires, the unfaded and un&ding beauties of 
her soul. 

If any profane or insensible wretch, prone ** to 
" speak evil of the things which he knows not^'* 
and which he cannot know, should affect to treat 
this representation with ridicule, as visionaiy and 
unnatural, I can only pity him. You who are 
disposed to be ingenuous and candid, may rest as- 
sured that it is taken from fife. Those whom it re- 
sembles will own it is true, while they find it im- 
perfect. But imperfect as it is, it will, if I mis- 
take not, be sufficient to prove the point for which 
I have prdduced it. 

Abstmct, my sisters, from that regard to person, 
which in the purest passion between the sexes we 
have acknowledged to be an original ingredient^ 
but which we have found to be oply an inferior ingre- 
dient, and one whose operation is soon diminished ; 
abstract from this, aftd what is there in all the rest, 
that may not be traced to the love of excellence f 
But what else, I would gladly know, is the leading 
idea in the love of God ? Between that First of 
Beings, and the most accomplished of his creatures, 
the distance is indeed infinite. The fairest virtues 
we see around us are at best but faint eman- 
ations from him, who is ** the perfection of 
^'^ beauty." But from these and from the admira- 



SERMON X. 55 

tten tftey inspire, it is tbat we are led up to him, 
as by so many pleasing though scattered streams to 
their fountain. 

' And now suppose that a young woman, pos- 
sessed with the belief of this highest excellence; 
is disappointed in her prospects of an agreeable 
\mion with one of our sex ; she turns her thoughts 
to heaven*. She contemplates truth and rectitude, 
wisdom and goodness, power, mercy, and faithful- 
ness, in their source. She c6nsiders them as all 
working together for her good ; she sees them 
shining through the cloud of disappointment. From 
this cloud she hears, as it were, her Maker thus 
addressing her : * My daughter, give me thy heart. 

♦ Thy supreme affection none upon earth can de- 
^ serve. Human attainments are all defective; 

* <human regards ate often insincere. Put not your 

* trust in the son of man ; he may deceive, or he 

* may change, or he may not be able to protect you. 

• But of this kind you have nothing to fear from 
♦,your Creator. Throw thyself, my child, on my 

• friendship.'— She is not disobedient to the heaven- 
ly call. She prostrates herself in the presence of 
die Most High. To him she devotes that heart 
which he formed ; tp him she pours it out with 
freedom. She adores the perfections of his nature ; 
the frailties of her own, with all the failings of her 
life past, she penitently confesses ; her tears flow. 
Her mind is relieved; consolation pervades her 
soul: out of weakness she waxes strong. Virtue 
never appeared to her half so fair ;, Religion rises 
before her in full majesty ; everlasting objects opeti 
to her view ; solitude and silence begin to charin. 
Converse with her God, with, her Saviour, with 
her Bible, with Herself, yields a pleasure hitherto 
unknown. In the midst of society she longs for 



56 s^RMOir X* 

its 'return ;' Ivom- tbe dnsi^ation of finiusemuito 
•he retreats witb joy; solMenial for the sake of 
God, and goodness, loses *its name ; her duty is her 
delight ; tbr spirit of -sacrifice is felt in aU its noble* 
Bess* She is great, and she is happy*«— rSay^ yt 
sons of railleryt ye sooffers of .female devotion,^ der 
.dare : what is therein att ^i%^ ummturali ircaUona^ 
or in any respect 'unauitabk to the^b^st conceptions 
of the human mind ? . 

From what I have said let none imagine, that I 
mean to insimiate fiCTnale-dovotion'may not be found 
in married as wellras singleUfe ; or that a womaii 
will not have recoovse to piety unless she be dri- 
ven to it by disappointed love. 'This> Uke^ every 
other distress, and mone ..perhaps than, any others 
will prompt a young person of reflexion to turn to 
(he Almighty. . But of worth or ingenuity* those 
surely have no true. feeUng, who think that the 
character of the Supreme cannot^ from a heart weU 
disposed, command an afEu^tionate veneration in 
any condition, or imder any circuco^lance what* 
soever. 

That in fenciale nature thene are certain qualities, 
which seem peculiarly calculate, by the grace of 
God, to dispose it for tho reception and culture of 
this divine principle, I will proceed in the next plac^ 
to demonstrate. , 

That your sac are, in a particular degree, sus- 
ceptible of aH the tender aifections, will, I prc^um^, 
be allowed by most. - Their propensity to : thpse^ 
with which the passion c^ love is more immediately 
complicated, has been chained upon them by many 
,as matter of reproach. Wl»t to. me appears in gene- 
.ral to do . them: honour, is the warmth of their at- 
tachmcnts, and their aptitude to he afiected with 
whatever hat a tendency lo touch :the.h.earjw . Jiut I 



SERMON X, 57 

have always thought that the spirit of devotion 
depends on sentiment, rather than ratiocination ? 
•n the feelings of gratitude and wonder, joy and 
sorrow,, triumph and contrition, hope and fear, 
rather than on theological disquisition however 
proibund, or pious speculation however exalted. 
Religion, it is certain, has been often mazed and 
lost in the labyrinth of school-divinity. Although^ 
in " contending for the faith once delivered to the 
** saints" against the attacks of unbelievers, sound 
criticism and dispassionate argument be undoubted* 
ly the proper weapons, and although to thinking 
minds they be also the naturtil instruments of in* 
formation and conviction ; yet is it not by them 
that the devotional principle is awakened and kept 
alive? 

For unintelligible innpressions, or wild enthusi- 
asm, I am not an advocate. He that is, exposes 
religion to disgrace. Common sense^ calm reflex- 
ion, universal righteousness, a humanity unlimited 
by party, a moderation that tan applaud virtue in 
an enemy ; these, my dear charge, must -never be 
given up on any pretence, or for any persuasion. 
-A faith Without morality, a devotion repugnant to 
reasoti, are not Christianity 5 but hypocrisy, or su- 
perstition. Beware of such as under the mask of 
zeal would seek to remove you from the only 
ground which, by God's blessing, can secure your 
stedfastffess, improvement, tod comfort ; I mean 
a sober evangelical piety* ^ 

In the days of the apostles there were those that 
" lay in wait to deceive ; that crept into widows' 
** houses, and led captive silly women.'' In our 
days their successors are numerous* I say again, 
Of such beware, " lest by any means, as the scr- 
" pent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your 



58 SERMON X. 

*^ minds should be corrupted from the simplicity 
*' that is in Christ/' Remember always, that what- 
ever teacher or teachers would avail themselves of 
the warmth of your passions, or the vivacity of 
your imaginations, to seduce you into any systeoa 
unfriendly to a good temper and a good life, do 
either mistake the true design of the gospel, or have 
an ill design on you. But then on the other hand 
you may he equally assured, that whatever teacher 
or teachers would attempt by dry disputation, or 
cold inquiry, to convert or edify souls, are stran- 
gers alike to nature and to christi^iity* What in 
truth is the latter, but an affectionate and powerful 
address to the former, divinely adapted to take 
hold not of the understanding only, but of the con- 
science, the will, and the passions ; that is, of the 
most vital and operative principles of the heart ? 

Among the rest I mentioned the passion of Fear. 
We are told by an apostld^ that " perfect love 
" casteth out fear." But, perfect love, in matters 
of religion, cannot, strictly understood, be suppo- 
sed compatible with human frailty. To that is the 
system of Jesus graciously proportioned. There 
the passion I speak of is applied to, in a manner 
the most striking that can be conceived. For what 
purpose ? To damp resolution, or dishearten hope ? 
No ; but to restrain the impetuosity of desire, and 
to prevent he misery of disorder; not to frighten 
you from the mercy-seat, but to show you the ne- 
cessity of taking shelter there. You, my female 
friends, are naturally fearful. A conscious weak- 
pess prompts you continually to seek protection. 
Feeling yourselves, and knowing your sex to be 
helpless, you flee to men for safety. But do you 
always find it in them? — ^Need I point you to a 
sure refuge I I have done it already. Ar^ you 



SERMON X* 59 

mortified at the tiniidity^ of your nature? Are 
ypu depressed by. the feebleness of your frame ? I 
know not that you have cause* I am certain you 
have not ;^ if a sense of your condition hat^e induced 
yoxi to put yourselves under the guardianship of 
Omnipotence. Many of you, it is evident, have 
the art of turning your infirmities to your own Ad- 
vantage, so far as concerns your influence with, our 
sex. . But that pc^wer, which you thus extract fi^om 
imbecilit}'', is often, alas ! by the unhappiness o£ 
your passions, only^ rendered productive of new 
aijd greater weaknesses; whereas, if.yx)u .were wise, 
yo\x might on your natural frailty build an. invinci*^. 
ble strength, by securing the protection, of the 
Almighty. 

Your encouragements to do this,.hy the* practice 
of such a piety as I am now recomnnending^ 
I will consider in the next place ; those en- 
couragements, I mean, which both Providence 
and Scripture present to your sex with an ap^ 
propriation as observable in itself, as it is mercifiil 
to you. 

Nothing can be more plain, than that Providence 
has placed you most commonly in circumstanceai 
peculiarly advantageous for the exercises of devor 
tioni, and for the preservatibp of that virtue, with*, 
out wnich every profession of godliness must be 
regarded as an impudent pretence. The situation 
of men lays them Open to a variety of temptations, 
that * lay out of your road. The bustle of life, in 
which they are generally engaged, leaves them oftea 
but litde leisure for holy offices. Their passions 
are daily subject to be heated by the ferment of 
business ; and how hard is it for them to avoid 
being importuned to excess, while sometimes a 
present interest, frequently a pressing appet^e, and 



60 SERKOK X« 

yet more fremently the fear of ridicule, stimulates 
them to comply ! How very hard for a young man 
to withstand 

•* The world** dread laqgh^ 
*' Which scarce the firm philosopher can scorn !" 

In the case of our sex, do we not often see ranked 
on the side of licentiousness that reputation which 
ought to attend on sobriety alone ? Is not the last 
openly laughgd at by those to whose opinion giddy 
young men will pay most respect, their own com- 
panions ? Is not its contrary cried up as a mark 
of spirit ? And if, in their unrestrained conversa- 
tion amongst a diversity of hutnours, they meet 
with affronts, are they not constandy told, that the 
maxims of honour require them to take revenge ? 
Is not all this extremely unfavourable to the reli- 
gious life, of which so great a part consists in pu- 
rity and prayer, in regularity and coolness, in sei& 
command and mild affections ? But from such 
snares your sex arc happily exempted* 

In many instances men are attacked by foUy^, 
before they surrender ; whereas women must gene- 
rally invite it by art, or 4:ather indeed take it by 
violence, ere they can possess themselves of its 
guilty pleasures. So far the Almighty, in consider- 
ation of their debility, and from a regard to their 
innocence has raised a kind of fence about them, 
to prevent those wild excursions into which the 
other sex are frequently carried, with a freedom 
unchecked by fear, and favoured by custom. 

Corrupt as the world is, it certainly does expect 
from young women a strict decorum ; nor, as we 
have seen before, does it easily forgive them the 
least deviation* Add that, while you remain with- 



SERMON X. 61 

iQut families of your own, few of you ai*e necessa- 
rily so engaged, as not to have a large portion of 
time with daily opportunities for recollection, if 
you he inclined to improve them. I go farther, 
and subjoin^ that your improving them by a piety 
the most regular and avowed, if withal unaffected 
and liberal, will be no sort of objection to the men, 
but much the reverse. 

A bigoted woman every man of sense will tare- 
fully shun, as a most disagreeable, and even dan- 
gerous companion. But the secret reverence, which 
that majestic form Religion imprints on the hearts 
of all, is such, that even they who will not sul^mit 
to its dictates diemselves, do yet wish it to be re- 
garded by those with whom they are connected in 
the nearest relation. The veriest infidel of them all, 
I am apt to believe, would be sorry to find his sister, 
daughter, or wife, under tto restraint from religioiFs 
principle. Thus it is, that even the greatest liber- 
tines are forced to pay, at the same instant, a kind 
of implicit respect to the two main objects of their 
profligate satire. Piety and Women ; while they con- 
sider these as formed for each other, and tacitly 
acknowledge that the first is the only effectual means 
of insuring the good behaviour of the last. Let 
them talk as long, and as contemptuously as they will, 
^bout that easy credulity, and those superstitious 
terrors, which they pretend to be the foundation of 
your religion ; something within will always give 
them the lie, so long as they perceive that your re- 
ligion renders you more steadily virtuous, and more 
truly lovely* 

But let us turn to scripture, and see what peculiar 
incitement you have from tnence to the profession 
and pract ce of godliness. How encouraging to 
Vol. IX T 



62 'SERMON X. 

reflect, that the very first promise mside to the hu- 
man race distinguished your flex with a mark of 
honour, as signal as it was unexampled ! Need I 
explain Inyself by saying, that the greatest person- 
age who ever visited our world, he who came on 
the most important design, and who executed it in 
the most wonderful manner, none other ^nd none 
less than " the Son of God, who was manifested 
•* to destroy the worlcs of the devil," and on their 
ruins to raise an empire of righteousness and hap» 
piness, elevated as heaven, and lasting as eternity 
—that He, I say, was from the beginning predicteid 
under the singular and interesting character of 
** the flced of the woman r** How exalting a cir- 
cumstance' for your whole sex, that the Sa%'^iour of 
men, the admiration of angels, and the prince of 
heaven, was accordingly " in the fulness of time 
*' made of a woman !** And Oh, my young 
friends, what dignity will it for ever reflect oti 
maiden virtue, that " a virgin conceived and bore 
" a son, the only begotten of the Father, full of 
*' grace and truth f" Where is the religion, or the 
philosophy, that has lifted your nature so high, or 
placed the beauty of female purity and excellence in 
a light so conspicuous and noble. 

Nor must we forget to take notice of the par- 
ticular honours, with which individuals of yoiir 
sex have had their memories transmitted to posteri*. 
t}^ by the sacred records. Not to insist on the fe- 
males of the Old Testament, that '* through faith 
" have obtained a good report ;" it merits your ob- 
servation, how many we read of in the Nenv, 
who for the duties of devotedness to their Saviour, 
the liberalities of respect to his person, and 
even the heroism of zeal in his cause, are mark- 



. 



SHRMOir X. 65 

•d out witbt a pre-eminence perfecdy di&tinguisl> 
ai^le. 

When of hi$ apostles the most sanguine had de* 
nied, had even forsworn, and all the rest had for- 
saken him and ^ed ; we End those faithful and gen- 
tle creatures surrounding his cross witli lamenta- 
tions, which they were neither ashamed nor afraid 
to avow« Never sure did female tears appear more 
graicefuU Nor were they merely that transient flow 
oi mecl^mical grief, so easily furnished, hy too many 
«ye&, where die heart has little or no share' in the 
.4Qft effusion* The love which those devout daugh- 
ters of Jerusalem bore to their nvaster, nothing 
xould extinguish* Wlio has not read that affecting 
Mory Qf the visit to his sepulchre, paid by the pious 
Marys ajK< their little company, together with the 
kind^ generous^ and^ as it ^ight have proved^ very 
Kasu^rdo^js purpo^ which produced it? Their s^et- 
ting out silpne, aA so early an hour, i^hile it was yet 
dArk^.tQ engage in so splenin a scene, afforded a 
strikmg prooi of the courage and constancy with 
which their piety had inspired them, amidst sdl th^t 
spirits like theirs must havf^ suffbred from so many 
^circum^tance^ of sorrow. In theii* countenances, 
words, and gestures on that occasion, I think I 
read the pmnful, yet anfuahle emotioKts, that wrought 
in their tei^der throbbing hearts, I am particularly 
charmed with, thjj eag^ anxiety, and beautitul dis- 
tress of Mary Magdijene, whose gratitude for jLl>e 
transcendant mercies she had reqeived, did then 
^ame out with such uncommon fervour. While I 
contemplate the whol^ transacUo^i wirfi the con- 
duet that pr^eded it, I canr^ot but adix^ire that 
justijce which, in preference tp all others^^ honoured 
ihpse excellent womeii with l^ing the. first wittvesses 

md piiWi#ber§ of Christ's iresiwr^ctiop,. o|\ as m 



6'4 SBRMOK X. 

ancient writer has expressed it, Apostles to the 
Apostles themselves. A very natural, as it is hn 
effect a most memorable attachment, and unconquer- 
able fidelity ! Surely it was not in vain, that the 
annals of inspiration have registered those pleasing 
facts with such particularity. There they stand, 
und will for ever stand, illustrious monuments of 
female worth, in a conjuncture most peculiarly try- 
ing, and of the extraordinary approbation it met 
with from him, in whose sight devotion and per- 
severance, affection and faith will always outshine 
the more showy qualities that fill the world widi 
history and wonden 

I should have mentioned before this, the friends 
ship of Jesus to the sisters of Lazarus, his ap- 
plause of the woman of Canaan, and his pathetic 
address to the women who followed him weeping, 
'while he carried his cross. It is likewise worthy 
of remiirk that of all the disciples, he who seems^ 
'in a certain divine sweetness of disposition, to have 
i*esemhicd him most, directed one of those epistles 
which make a part of our scriptures to a Lady, a 
person of distinction much respected by him and 
all the believers of that time for her eminent piety, 
and that of her children. 

And now, if with encouragements like these ta 
the love of God and of your Saviour, any of yon,. 
my fair auditory, should It ve iiil' forgetfulness of 
both ; what shall we say of such, but that they 
are destitute of true ambition, and totally insen- 
sible to the most distinguishing favours of heaven ? 
But perhaps we shall be told, that the perpetual 
flatteries which many of you meet with from men 
on account of its inferior gifts, such as youth, 
beauty, fancy, sprighdiness, preveftt or destroy 
those hetter sentiments which you might be- others 



SJERMON X. 05 

wm dUpp9^ to: cultivate; I doubt it tiot. But 
do ye. plead this as au exQuse i Your $itu^tioi3, we 
have granted all along^. sulijects you to temptatioi^s 
inpaiticula)i^in9tatlces*. But we have now seen, that 
U &ee$:you ftoirii.pliier very dangerous snares^ and 
kidud^s the ^(^st powerful attractivesto your duty. 
Whskt' ^tQuyOiVk to infer from the whole, but that 
yqjLi'ougbyttOf avail yourselves of these advantages, 
for fortifying and guarding you wherever you lie 
exposed ? , 

r I have just Darned what appears to me your sex's 
weakest^side. To acm you on that I have had op- 
portunities of offering a variety of precautions. I 
now add, and it shall be niylast consideration on 
this occasion, that Revelation concurs with reason 
to furnish the strongejst weapons of defence against 
tbat adulation, which is so great an c^nemy to youp 
souls. 

That your soida are immortar is probable fronv 
reason,, and certain from revelation.. But the ar- 
guments' from either I hold it unnsepes^ary to pro- 
pose here.. To attesftptcthe conyiqtion of female 
infidels, feltsr.not iwithin: n^ pises^nt desigpi. Indeed 
I feat it were a hopeless undertaking. The pre- 
pofiterpai vanity, together with the, open or secret 
profligacy, by which they have.beere warped inta 
scepticism, would in aU likelihood, baffle any en- 
deavours of mine. If ihey be. not however so far 
gone ill that unhappy system, as to be resolved 
against all. sober inquiry, I would, earnestly re- 
commend to their perusal a few of the manv ex- 
cellent, writings, rwiiich this age and country' h^ve 
produced in favour of religit:)n both natural and re- 
v«kd. At the same time I would just remind 
tfaemv that the daring and disputatious spirit of un- 
belief is utterly repugnwatito female softness, andi 

T2 



66 SEKUOV ». 

to that sweet docMhj whtdh, 'in 'thenrMKcae^ k^n^'Sp^ 
eidlarl}' pleasing to ours; 'not to mention, ^thttttfrom 
an infidel partner a man caq 4»^^ no ^pfofifpect ^rf* 
-consolation in those hours of dht^elssv cwiMn the 
hopes of futurity *can akme adminitftei* vdtelU-^To 
you, my christian hearers, 1 was going ^ dbsenie, 
that the stedfast and serious bdief ^ immottality, 
as pointed t>trt in your frame, and ^brought sto >lt^it 
by die gospel, fi^Ill -excite «u^« mghiycpncem i» 
secure its grand interests, such a high «ense ^ 
your intemsil dignity, «uch a«pFedonMnant ambitiion 
of being acceptable in his sig^t, who can tmtkefom. 
happy or wretched for ever^ as must neoessardy 
lessen in your esteem every «xtevnsA and ^rsshiojg 
advantage. 

If you be really posstsssed -by those pi^incipies, be 
that from spiritual and everiasting «fb}Qcts ^vould 
turn your chief regard to skia-deep and short^iv^d 
allurements, v^ill surely^ m a ^moment of- recollec- 
tion at least, be -looked upon liyyou as a tempter to 
be shunned* That 'pmde c^^life, which in ithe «ye of 
foUy swefls intK> s«iehimpoi>iaiice,'W]ii€hriffk and fade 
away into its native idleness 'in 'hervyiew, iwiuse 
thoughts are often entertained with the magnrficence 
and splendour of <temjll things* Ta d^jrt Yomxg 
woman who, like her of Bethany, -**' has choaen the 
♦* good part," who meekly pensive^its at the feet rf 
Jesus, and with delighted re verensc'liearsihis woodsy 
the insinuation of the 'Vttious, impertinence of die vain^ 
in short, wiialevaer would robherof her^rlAon, oriob-p 
struct her enjoy ing it, will not, i think, be aver pleas* 
ing. To her die cett*e of her salnatton ^ the one thing 
needful. Compiired widi thavt, even Che best^hings Y>f 
this world appear, what ia truA they are^^ut tMat ^ 
in which, because the condition ^ofmortfilHty makes it 
unavoidable, «he «har^es with* (ilieerfuhiess, but kl 



*^ wiuafe'vvGffld, and lose 'bis onv&ispufc^f T&i qnes^ 
jtion vsasjaaiked by l|im, wh{);kDew ri^t w^lrtfae imfai^ 
ii{)bodi. Mad be a&kjedy ^^WbatiAk^lit^preifiita ^o- 
^iman^ rif sbe 'shall ^atn^the. whole ivwdrM^ imd-iosv 
i^hhar io;ii9nsQ»tl:?^^ wovdd'the :state of the <|Qe6tionvhiHve 
*bem.^teyed? ¥c»i will not say k. Weighed against 
9usofdl,tke empireiofifchefartb wcredmt i0tke)bakmoek 
Whsit d[ien Ahail'\\iet:all ihose tbMi|(Si» forArhich sih)- 
ineiffs vnee-dsafy ior&itmg thektstdvatioii ? T«U me, 
.<ye^flattered/£Ar imies^ what is ilihe'V!Qrtli>9f psaiBe> or 
adnuffaiionifcaaui kjiai^B, ior i&otti'ifoob, for whidt io 
onai^'erf you Jure readt^ to focfeit^urs f . Yetlati^;b- 
Ttensjof VsiEU^, te& rot vriaat wffl tdr'^sa, or show, or 
tgaiety of amy Jnnd, whece God and rgoodnessxarte 
HQegbxted^-^^iproiit in Ae ikiy of wroth ? " la thattdar 
aof ^cojmery and -deciaioa nchait will appearances 
.2Kcspli<--£GiYe me -backllieBB l|i$t asatenicefl : I had.fow 
jgovicn I Dress^ show, :gaie^v appearaDoes, wiU isie 
(diea^BO Aiore.-*-Butrhoy ^ before iFfiC jb^ so tsu* let 
us see fludsiat^ey' caaf>aFfdnn:t)onv^. 

They can attract attention ; they can allure de- 
sire ; they can excite encomium, deceive the un- 
warj^ and captivate the weak, for a little. But in- 
form us, ye boasted beauties, who are told every 
day of your power, what permanent essential good 
can it procure ? Bring it to the proof. Bid the sun 
that measures your days, stand still ; command 
the current of time that hurries you along, to stop ; 
say to wrinkled age, to fell disease, Approach me 
not, ye frightful forms. Alas ! they are deaf as 
the adder, and stubborn as the rock. Try then 
V your influence in some smaller thing. Make the 
experiment on the head-ach : enjoin it to be gone. 



68 



StRMOi^ X. 



It goei not. Botep6fh9tip» die heatt-aGh nrnylniir, 
and obey: ydorinwxrd feelings at least shonld be 
uiider yo«n- control. But yoo- have given them the 
rein $ nor wSldiey be cheeked on a sndxien. Wlule yoti 
have thought dnl^'of conquering ^other beartsv yoa 
have suffered heachtioii^ f^assiokis td conquer ^our 
own* Summon - then your worshippers, and ovdef 
them to interpose ; see if by ^l their incense, and all 
their zeal, they can keep you young in spite ofyears^ 
or make ifou g^ad . in spite of afiiction. They are 
silent. Ask them, if they will . undertake to die 
.for you? They retire. Call after diem— •" Will 
^ you answerfor us at the judgment day ?"-^Agaiit 
diat awful period rushes on die mind. Ah, my 
friends, what will ye do then without religion? 
The ^thought is big with horror. Then, diea it 
shall be seen, with ' an evidence bright and terriUe 
as die funeral fire of Natui-e, that ^^ beauty is de- 
^ ceitful, and favour is vsun.'^— *But what means 
that universal shout of Imman and angelic voices f 
What words are diose, which I hear resounding^ 
through the assembly of the^ tmiverse ? ^^ A womaxu 
*^ that feareth the Lord, She shall be praised T' 



•j:^ • 



•O-; 



SERMON XL 

OK FEMALE PIETY. 

1 TIM. ii. 10. 

— tfTiick iercmrtft vomen prtifeaitig Corifinlgfc 

VKov. xxxi. 30. 

Fa/Btur it deceitfvt, and beauli) it vain .- iut a waitiaa 'Hat 
jeareth the Ltrd, She thail be praited, 

If from what baa been advanced concerning 

Female Piety, you be as 

and neceesity ; you will i 

proceed, witbout any p ' 

what manner it may be c 

It IS difficult to say whe 
ties of religion, as they are usually termed, hive 
been more misrepresented by superstition and hy- 
pocrisy on oneband, or- by vicious refineniant and- 
vain philosophy on the other. By the former they 
have been extolled, as if they were the wliole of 
religion t while the latter have decried them as vul- 
gar, unavailing, and insignificant. The real truth is^ 
that they are not only a part of religion, but an es- 
sential and important part of it; essential, as ex- 
pressing its several affections, and important, as 
nourisMng aiul' mdntaiinng; ^m ; essential, as a 
direct compliance with the ^vine authority, and 
important, as renderiBg such complKutce more ready 
and hat»tual. 



r 



70 SERMON XI. 

Haliita, we all know, are formed by many reile- 
rated acts ; and if these be discontinued, those will 
in time be lost. As good impressions are at first 
produced by proper attention, so if this be stispend- 
cd, they will soon fade from the mind ; and the 
sooner, no doubt, that many of them at least were 
. produced there in opposition to appetite, fashion, 
and the masims of the world. Even friendship 
itself, which has oiiginally so powerful a hold of 
the human heart, is not to be preserved alive, with- 
out that interchange of words and actions, if the 
parties be near ; or that commerce of thoughts and 
wishes, if they be not, to which it paturaliy inclines. 
What could vou expect from him, who should pro- 
fess to emertain an afiectiM) Sor vou, and yet U»i 
tify no desire of your company, take no delight in 
your conversMion, or if absent never inquire aft^ 
me Fcieodship, to be be- 
suiae nutmirr vfiHi (bftt 
\g sUowjtitce still foe tb« 
the CrvQte^ ^nd th« i^^ 
px Spirit all pureand. pe^r 
J embodied amd fVaiU 
ship which vQu wisbi^d tQ 
ou would often atep 4Pide 
from the crowd »o enjoy the freedom of undisturbed 
converse } you would ky open your heart with qop- 
Metlce to the object beloved, listen to each cosimu- 
aic^tion with plca'iure, enter mure »nd morq in(9 
tiw Bsnte conception^ exchange every possible njark 
of Qstet^m, and,, in . the ea^ est^i^ a union of 
iateceet^ and of . sixils alike close wd tender. Now 
here wc bave some; res«mW»nce qi private devo^ 
«on. It is KOt i»y despgn to pumuo thiB. re«imblanct: 
through it* flqvifidi |»ii-toi neither do I pFetend to 
Myi.ll»titboldfl:mjn)4ttijfji«cytiryQfle of ib«»: b«it 



the gfdund is tkai* t<i her who believes in an omni- 
fitesetit Deity, and ktrt>\^B that between itiitids there 
trtay be an i&teretyurse itodcpendent of the senses. 
^'he at9]!»licattoii can only be learnt by practice, and 
liftuch ptlActic^ too. 

It wlli n6t be leirnt by those who have no reRsh 
for fetirett^tvt* I'he Almighty's voice must be 
oft^ attended to m the silence of the passions, and 
Hife secrecy of the soul. '1 hode are yet strangers 
to their Maker, Who cannot endure to think of him, 
or do not love to turn to liitn, when alone* Is the 
Inverse of this, my dear hearers, your case ? Are 
your meditations 6f God-sweet ? Does your heart 
go out after him, as its best and greatest object? 
Is it your joy to pour it forth into his paternal bo* 
jsom f Do you frequently find the exercise so de* 
lightful, as to quit it with unwillingness ? Do" you 
generially perceive your sentiments raised and refi- 
fied by it, your ideas of your duty quickened and en* 
larged, your detestation of the contrary confirmed 
and height^aed, your resolutions in'.ngOrated of 
course, your gratitude, humility, meekness, resig>- 
nation, and good aflfections of every kind improved ? 
Then are you a true worshipper. These are some 
of the genuine workings of piety. 

I inquire not, whether they be the result of 
longer or shorter prayers, of studied forms or ex- 
tempore address, of more or fewer stated seasons 
for such offices. In these particulars, different minds 
require a diversity, or a different education occa* 
^ions it. But she, I suppose, will be the greatest 
proficient in the Spirit of Prayer, who is at the 
greatest pains to be so ; I do not mean in the way 
of science or art, but in that of earnestness and 
pei^evcrance. 



72 SERMON XI. 

Beside the regular, invariaUe^ 40^ solemn per- 
formance of your morning and evening devotions, 
it would be well if now and then, especially on the 
day of sacred rest, you took repeated opportunities 
of entering into your closet, shutting your doinr, 
and praying to your Father who sees in secret ; ac- 
cording as you found yourself in a happier disposi- 
tion for such employment, or were prompted to it 
by some peculiar occurrence in your situation, or 
exigence in your souL And if at certain times of 
the year, pointed out by teUg^ous custom, or fixed 
upon by person^ choice, you were to consecrate a 
whole day to holy retreat and devotional exercises, 
joined with prudent fasting ; you would, I am 
persuaded, find it as highly beneficial in your own 
practice., as it comes strongly reconmiendied by the 
experience of the saints. 

If you might be advised by me, you should in 
prayer neither trust wholly to your single fund of 
thought and expression, supposing it even rich and 
various, no|' confine yourself entirdy to forms, by 
whatever man or set of men composed ; but use 
sometimes one, sometimes the other, and sometimes 
a mixture of both, just as the attraction of your 
mind seems to lead at the moment, or as any of 
these methods may on trial be attended with most 
satisfaction and advantage. In effect, I am con- 
vinced that of those who, in this kind of commerce, 
limit themselves to their own unassisted stock, the 
greater part will often, particularly in circumstances 
of bad health or spiritual dryness, be reduced to 
such straits as may produce a poverty of devotion 
which they could not suffer, did they proceed on a 
larger foundation. On the other hand, I cannot 
conceive, that, even amongst those who are most 
devoted to forms, any sincere worshipper should 



QOt by die swdiing of sendment, and die current of 
<lew>uocty be frequently carried away into a fr^er 
9iid Suiieir effusion of the heart. 

As lo the length of those duties, I would only 
«»y^ lliat.you" TOUst be governed by your condition 
lK>th outward and inward ? that you are to avoid 
eveiy thing . careless, er formsd, whether with X)r 
without preconceived words ; that little intermissiotis 
are often extremely useful to relieve the mind, and &t 
it for new exertion of its. powers : but that on diie 
pther side, by praying in continui^, the soul is 
o£ben warmed into life and energy,' till that exercise 
arhich was. begun with languor is concluded with 
affection. 

When I speak of affection, let me warn you not 
to mistake the effervescence of fancy for ]t;he spirit 
of devotion* They are two thiiigs^ widely different, 
*' By their fruits ye shall know them." I he fluency, 
tears, and rapture, produced by the first^ are me- 
chanical, superficial, and ineffective ; engendering 
only tke confidence of Enthusiasm, or wasting them 
in the scrupulosity of Superstition. The last, thou^ 
freqixently accompanied with fluency, tears, and rap^ 
.ture, at least in. minds of much sensibility, is yet often 
not so; but then it leaves the heait better, however 
•this may. not be discerned immediately. She who 
.sometimes perhaps, like the s^f*abased publican, is 
^k only to sigh out *' God be merciful to me a 
" sinner," may in that all-seeiug eye be as accepta- 
ble as the most eloquent petitioner that ever ad- 
dressed the throne of heaven. We read of " tliie 
" Spirit's helping our infinnities" in this very exer- 
cise, *^ and making intercessions for us with groan* 
^^ ings that cannot be uttered*" 

Mentid prayer, and silent ejaculation, I wiU not 
now con9>ider. They are theattainments of petsoas 
Vol. n. U 



74 SERMON XI. 

far advanced in devotion. By pursuing the track 
I.' point out, you may hope to reach them in one 
degree or another ; and some experience in them 
wiU lead you to more. Those who can abstract and 
concentrate their minds, so as readily to place diem- 
selves in the presence of CkkI, wherever diey are^ 
and to converse with him even in a crpwd, whe- 
ther by coiitinued contemplation, or by sudden dart- 
ings of pious affection towards him on the point of 
a vigorous thought, certainly possess a very noble 
secret, fruitful alike of edification and enjoyment ; 
such too a^ renders them much less dependent on the 
accidents of their situation, since let their? business 
or other engagements be what they will, they may 
be still with Ggd, calm, self-possessed, and hap- 
pily disposed to " pray always :" a state of spiri- 
tual life, which tliere is reason to fear is known by 
few. 

There, is a kind of middle practice, which is pro- 
bably less uncommon, as It is certainly move easy i; 
that of praying with a repressed voice, or one not 
in the least audible to a second person, while yet 
the words are distinctly and deliberately spokep by 
the worshipper, who by such means preserves his 
ideas from dissipation, and impresses them more 
deeply on his own heart. I said deliberately j be- 
cause, in this as well as in every other method of 
prayer, hurry and precipitation are utterly incom- 
patible with the spirit of devotion, , • ' 
Of even the strongest and most retired minds 
it may, I believe,, be affirmed, that they never 
think at all^ on whatever occasion, without the 
secret or internal use of language, although they 
seldom attend to it. Be that as it may, I am 
satisfied that vocal prayfer, whether more or less 
artJLcuiate, will be found in general, by far the most 



SERMON XI. 7'5 

propOrtioHcd to' the human and particularly to the 
female faculties. . Of the manner liast mentioned 
we have 'a remarkable example in thfe mother of Sa- 
muel. It is a beautiful passage, ^strongly expres- 
sive of the .workings of a devout but sorrowful 
spirit, and at the same time of tlie power of de- 
votion ta turn sorrow and sighing into joy and 
praise. ... 

- One thing ' we may boldly pronounce, as a ' 
majum which will never fail ; that she has? wor- 
shipped to purpose, in whatevet* mode she has 
worshipped^ wh6 comes away improved or es- 
tablished in worthy dispositions, whether these be 
attended with much emotion w" with none, with 
much delight or with little, at the time. Tliis 
remark I judged peculiarly nepessary here, con- 
sidering how easily you, my ydtiftg friends, may 
be misled on this stihjett by that atxiour of passion, 
and that vivacity of fancy, which are sb natural to 
you J and which, wherever devotion is concerned, 
are so f>rone to. assume 4ts name^ ^hen at the very 
best they can only aid its flights. 

On the flame principle^ i wfeuld irafulion you not 
to lose yourselves in generalises ;j Which, hoWevei- 
they, may Jchance to engrtge the understanding, or 
entertain the imagination, sddbm- ^oijteh the con- 
science or interest tfe heart. Iificoftversing with 
a virtuous and inti mate frieiicb,' > yo^U > would cl loose 
certainly to dwell ^oti those matters ^ihat aflected 
you mo&t nedirly^ or to throw 'but th6«fe refle^xions 
that most dfeily oocurred; In this higher rorre^ 
spondente, youshould do the 4ltmb ; only with 
more. Bblettmity, and greater abstraction from secu- 
lar objects^ .:•,'.- ' 

Noting can be morb erroneous ^ than the com- 
mon opimon^ that;rthe ieveml parte of pirayer^ as ihef 



N 



76 SBRMON XI. 

arc usually termed, ought to enter into every lon^* 

er act of devotion^ What is this, hut to reduce 

into a mere trial of skill, or to i^estrain within the 

trammels of a system, and-therehy degrade into a 

laborious and jguf^e piece of formality, that whichr 

ought to be free aiird unaffected, natural and noble? 

— -' I am going intp the .company of a bosom friend* 

*• Let me settle beforehand the whole plan of otir 

t conversation ; -that I i^ay be strrd to introdttce 

^' *- such and fiUch topics, in order to discuss' them 

' ' severally one after anotlier, at full length, and 

• V with dislie coniieiion*'— rHe who should talk in this 

\ nanner would discover, metbinks, very little ac* 

A ufttntance- with the- spirit of frieodship^ In that^ 

n^' y sister^, and in true devotion, there is hodiing^ 

I ei J^ve me, artificial,, nicely mana^d, or daborate** 

\y studied. . Esteem, sentiment, coniidence, a 

sva 'ps^thy of-, sioul, and the 6verflowfngj5 of the 

heal t, are^ A\ in all* I think not at pi'esent of die 

publj ic office^ of religion, where^ ia those who: lead 

them \ m^re. regularity: and Accuracy, are no doubt 

requi: red. 

On the whplef, ; when! )^u address the seat of 
mercy , ypU.^ght to .speak what you feel most 
strong IV" ati.tliat particular season^ to follow, 
withoi: . it sc^ui^e the inward attraction beforemention- 
ed ; to i^si^ on those things of a spiritual nature^ 
that ari t tlten attended with the greatest relish ; to 
continv te ycfwr attenx^oa X& them calmly, but fixed^ 
ly^ wh lie that .relish remains ; ^en to pass on^ if 
ame ai id other circumstafaces permit^ to sofnethmg 
ehe, SJ till li^rithoujl ariy agitatibri or violent effort i 
nor d< vemdiTg it . oeces^jiry . to follow out this new 
track, should another present itself that seems 
more piDmislagg ;<9r th^ lies more |»aralk-l to 
the c* jurse.irf \^y<»tr/ tbougJktdl./^^ occaskm 5 



\ 



\ 

t 



dftie% tonccrdfed to keep alive tfee aehse of that 
/gi'eJit presence in which you arc, of those want'i 
and wesdoiesses under which you labour, 6f what 
you owe tcy others as wdl as to yourselves, and 
of that divindy efficacious ititercession, through, 
which alone you wish and hope to be heard and 
accepted. ;...*..-. 

A composed, affectidnaCe, arid steady atfeiitioft 
to theisre and such like rules (fbrl caiinm norw eilter 
into the ftiH detail) will; if the not greatly mista- 
ken, prove one effectual mean of cuhivating the 
life and powfer of religion within, you, t nttd hot 
add, whelt you have been told times wKhout iiuTti^ 
ber, and what your own hearts cannbt on thie fea^ 
reflexion fail to repeat ; that^o prayers can be ef- 
fectual for this or any one good 'pufposey which 
2tt^ not accompanied with a correspondent watch- 
fulness and feithftal discharge of every Othf^i* 
duty. ' • '♦■•-• */•-•»■. 

But it may be necesisary to subjoin," tfiiElf'tfite 
practice of devotion,^ now recommended, canrtrit 
take plac^' without much preparation from time to 
time ; of which one well knowti part is the Reading 
of the Scriptures. On this a very few observations 
thaHtl suffice. . ' 

For acquirmg what is generally styled Religidiis 
Knowledge, reading the scriptures throughout^ atid 
often large* portions at a time, may be perfedtly 
proper. -For improving in that which those scrip- 
tures speak of chiefly underthis denomination, I mean 
a practical and vital sense of things divine and 
everlasting, a different method, as I conceive, should 
be followed. 

Short and select passages from* both Testament*, 
btH: especially the new, and more particularly from 
the history attd sermons of our Sainour^ should fee 

U2 



79^ SEKMON XI. 

pefuscd aod pondered at leisure, first wjtliout aiiy 
cpmme^ntaiy at all, and so indeed for the most part^ 
except where there is a manifest difficulty : in doing, 
which, you should with awful reverence and chi\d«» 
like simplicity lay your mjnds open to the native 
jijQQjpr^ssions of the truth, and to the secret teach- 
ings of its Author. ' When, in this way, you meet 
with one ojf more verses, th?it strike you with pecu- 
liar conviction or delrght ; close the book, revolve 
them ag^in and again, look up to heaven, and im- 
|jore. the .Father of Spirits, to write their meaning 
on ypur hearts, as "* with the point of a diamond* 
.|lead nothij^g niore at th^t time, nothing at least 
that has not. a near relation to the ideas and afTec- 
lioxis they excite* . Give these an easy unstudied 
vent in prayei;* The pleasure and the benefit will 
.be unspeakable. . Only suffer not the tincture there- 
.by left upon you,. to be lost in tjie succeeding scenes. 
Next morning review the same passage ; endeavour 
.to recall the same sentiments, and with your pencil 
jnark it for j^ur future benefit. 
f A.' young Ija'ly formerly of my acquaintance, 
who is HQW reading the character and wiU.ofbei* 
Creator in the light of the beatific vision used daily 
to follow this practice. Her bible was infinitely 
prized by her ; whatever was most excellent in it, 
she l^ad thought and weighed all over. Its sacred 
contents were engraven on her soul ; or rather her 
soul was delivered into the mould of it. She lived 
in' innocence and died in triumph. 

Is it necessary, my beloved disciples, that I 
:«hould urge you to the study of a book which, 
while it tends to make you wise to salyaUon, is 
oilculfited also to convey the most affecting views, 
and awaken the sublimest sensibilities^ on a thou- 
mnd topics ? A book it certainly is fu^ of enttrtSMO- 



^mMt.9B well ad instruction^ qompoBed Iqt ar.^gy^ 
diversity of authors, and alLof them divinely taught* 
I think; I see then), one ^i^ter another, presenting 
for your improvement their respective writings^ 
wilh an aspect of dignity and sweetness combined, 
.the dignity of truth, and the. sweetness of beo^vo* 
lence; both derived, frona him, who inspired 
them to be the teachersi of mankind, and who,. in 
order to gain the .more belief and. veneraticM}^ 
invested many of them with a command ever Nar 
ture, and a knowledge of Futurity, which non^ 
bu^ the God of Nature, said the spirit of Omni- 
science could impart/ I think! hear the^ sev^r 
rally ^ddres^ing you, in the name of God, with a» 
autnority that can only be equalled by their mildness^ 
on subjects the grandest and mpst important, in -a 
Jiappy variety of styles, ^midst a uniformity .of 
oentifnents, and an agreement in facts, which, the 
multiplicity of diem > considered, must ever appeal* 
truly admirable ! What shall I say more ?— rl will 
not desire you to read this book called the Bihlq, if 
you caa ^how me another containing so much to in- 
form, impress, and delight reflecting minds, laid 
together in a manner so extensively adapted to their 
various turns of understanding, tasite, and temper; 
which people of different and dis^tant. countries, 
through a long succession of ages, have held in so 
much reverence, and read with so much advantage ; 
where it is so difficult to determine which are most 
distinguished, ease and simplicity, or sublimity and 
force, but where all are so beautifully united ; where 
there is so litde to discourage the weakest spirit if 
docile, and so much to gratify the strongest if candid ; 
where the fancy and the heart, to the intellect and the 
conscience, are applied to by turns with such fami- 
liarity, and yfit such . maj<;i>ty ; ia fine, where the 



80 sznuo^ Jt. 

frsSSk!^, 'dbbfdersv iitid'dhiresses of huttiairtiatimrr 
are d! sd feelingly' bid open, taid the Remedies 
vhkhr he&Vietti' has provided^' so ttenderly applied. 
But to proceed 1 

Of hooks in Divitiity I'dO'«6t ^ish yoM t© read 
very many; Those in the way of Kieligiotis ContJ<>- 
Versyj as it is called, but ^hich are freqacntly writ- 
ten in a most irreligioas s{)irit, that is, without any^ 
icandour of fairness, I do' not wish yoti to read at sM*- 
Mere argumentative theology I have li^Vcr kso^ 
tt> improve the temper, or regulate tfhc conduct; but 
often to hUrt both. Happily for you indeed, the 
female taste very seldom lies m that w^y ; never, I 
tfiink, where there is female sweetness* By a goOd 
providence you have been taught " the truth as it i^ 
•' in Jesus*'* Be ityour ambl^on to practise, riotto 
^spute about it. Enjoy your fiiith in modest si*^ 
knee, tod think well of those who differ from y^U 
in opinions, if they agree in morals : but learn to 
despise the futility^ while you discourage the impu^ 
dence, of such' as would pretend to talk you out of 
your religion. Be assured they are often empty, 
and alwa]^8 worthless. If they attempt it in the 
style of banter, they offer you an affiant. If they 
affect to seera in earnest, to be sorry for your pre*- 
judices, and solicitous to remove them by conversa- 
tion, and by books which they are ready to lend 
you ; a hundred to one, but they are actuated by 
the worsts designs. Flee them my fair pupils, 
flee them with horror, as tempters and ravagers at 
the same instant; ^ 

By ntaking conscience of smcerely obeying die 
precej^ts of the gospel, while you meekly emfbrace 
its doctrines, as ihey appear to you set forth in the 
s<iriptures^ you will have the witness of its cfivinity 
within yourselves^ ^From thence you- iviH bfc dis* 
posed to choose and to adhere to those writers, of 



wkatever comrnumon, that are calfculatedto nmk^ 
you mast Jin iove with ycmt Ss^yhoxir and yaur doty^ 
The formal and frigid 'y,oiir will .ncfturall^r dislike i. 
the uncharitable aiSdJlliberai you. will noWy detfcftti 
the trifling and superficial you will very easiiy eont 
tennf. Thoseboofcsv how well soever recommeod- 
•d, that even in yo»r gravest hours do mot a^i«£t 
and persuade ^ou, (I.noW Buppose you pfous,) y» 
Will readily pferceiv© are n6t the. books 'for you* 
Such as do both, in a greater or less degree, it id 
apparent, are ndapted to yourci&sft of.miQd^ Those 
ifi short will be y^ur fayourite aiitthol*fl9 whtsthev 
in verse or prose, whom you find nK>st iiie^^ntly 
new and interesting ;* who preaettt the knost patfi^ki^ 
pictilres of tMs^ ^vorid and the next; whf) t6\\y^i$. 
arfGfstxorivtncifigly what you are, and what ycmovt^ftt, 
Jio be ; who, in a word, seem to aiidrefts ^thejIV^ely^ 
wldi thd greatest power to the spirit i^ kngenuit^^ 
humility, contrition, aelfrdenial,, so&l '^irtney and 
Bifedtionate derot%>n« / • ' <! , .4 , 

I take it for granted you attend on i^e Pufelte 
.ItistkutioBs of religioa* Tbe sufierior iiegaiftrit|r 
of your sex in this respect the men^ lx»^ -sir iim 
jtrutft, show very little inclina^tion to dispute^ 
May the ^omen take care td oosvince^hemr th«t 
it is '8on:>ethiftg moa^ethRn mere wsgul^ity i .In thte 
me^n. time 1 am ^lire, thdt they wlaOcfferfonm.thek 
first duties, are much more Hkely to perforito Jtheit 
Becond olB^i than they wkcr cb 0Dt» . . \ 

! Let your attenda^e. be .tnore thdiii. what* ti|U( 
world oalk decent : kt it , b^ pMtnctuaK -. - Site , ibat 
becomes deficient in p(liijctua]itr>^ • will isoou; becoine 
indti«reiit about thtfrwhole. Having » tunittisd hor 
duty unnc^daaitly om:evja 9to^Rfd,:iaBd« a 'ttiird tiune^ 
Bhe'wi}l pmkiit the 'i0fttiti|h <wajth ies&jDompwic^kin | 
and or^bmg Wjii|!be/rQ«dy:i)Q sieg^ct k.iwitkQU^iiny^ 



§2 SERMON^ Xi. 

4 

II 18 wonderful, how soon a sense of futurity dies 
fponi' the 6ouK Hare you ever known ft to live, 
after the Sabbath was grown into contempt.. Whitt 
multitudes have been forced to. date their ruin from 
thstt period ? * . 

But not to speak if the openly profenc, do thos« 
sawciify the sabbath to whom it is not*a delight^ 
whorrisit the house of God without preparatior*^ 
and worship there without devotion ? What shaJi 
we say of many a young woman who passes for 
good and pious, although she cannot for an hour 
together behave with sedateness or- composure, in 
the immK^diate presence of the Most High ? That 
jftiind muse be voiatile indeed, which the sotemni* 
ties 6f 'a chfnstian assembly cannot fix for a little. 
Do we wish ybu then to disfigure your faces like 
the "Pharisees, to hang your heads like a bulrush; 
or to practise religious gr-imace of any kind ? No; 
Is even thfc gravest lOok, or most recollected man* 
ner, a certain sign of piety I It is n6t : and yet 
wili jiou say, that such a ; lAok and manner are of 
BO importance on such an occasion ; that they are 
not naturally suited to it; or that the spirit of 
ptety may very probably dwell in her heart 
whose countenace^nd^arriage even on* that occasion 
d<>not bfear t^frH^pirks of it, who even then tsannot 
Testrain: the 'foiling eye, Ibrget the conscious air, or 
ieavJe the fluttering dehieanour I ■ 

Believe me, ladies; a different -behaviour would 
appear muteh'lnore 'be<»ming. Men of sense and 
Scrbricity 'woiild efntertain a tiiuch better opinion of 
y^^r principidi' ; nor would it be any disadvantage 
to? ydur persons* tNever perhaps • does a fine wo* 
itian strike more deeply, than when composed into 
pioii^ reeollec^dn, and . possessdd with «he ^obleist 
coi^idersitimi^ )8l^,:^asi^iamesf ^mhout knowing it, 



SBRMON XI. 83 

superior dignity and new graces; so that the 
'beauties of holiness seem to radiate about her^ 
and- the by^standers are almost ' induced to fan- 
cy her already worship(>ing among her kindred 
angels. 

'.BulE to return to the point immediately befbue 
us.; I say, that the habit of seriousness and clevo^ 
tion- in church, will produce very desirable effiect^ 
on your temper aJKl conduct out of it^ By beg^ii* 
ning the week well, you will retain thrctogh the re- 
mainder a certain impression of goodness, that will 
follow you every wher^ ; at the same time that, by 
such avowed testimonies of respect for your Maker 
and Saviour, you will ensure the continuance of the 
divine benediction and assistance. 

The gr^at advantages arising from a diligent at- 
tention to the preaching of the word, and also 
from an early, frequent, and devout participation 
of the Lord's supper, I will not now 'enter on. 
They are abundantly obvious, and have been fre- 
quently enforced. But I cannot quit the subject of 
tiie sabba^th without observing,, that to those^ who 
join in the public services of that day, its utility is 
often totally defeated by their resigning the even- 
ing to company and recreation ; the, general tenden- 
cy of. these being to efface any serious impressions 
made in the preceding part of it. For such a 
practice yoii; my fair charges, who have commonly 
so nujch leisure, upon your hands, cannot plead the 
least excuse* 

Very hard it is, if those who give so ri^any othec 
evenings, to amusement, cannot End in their heart 
to give this or a part of .it to God. Biit, alas! k 
18 that very, passion for amusement, which prevents 
or dulls the taste for devotion. To her indfeed, wIk) 
will not be persu^ed to ic^iou^ so ^mall a portioft 



84 S£&MX>N. xt. 

of hc^r timo from the ^gaietieft of the world fop 
^he 'purposes of h^r saWatiQiiy we cfini)$)t hope to 
•Ay aay ^hu>g th^t will be of u^e* She wh<^ cannot 
^oy the <;pm^9iiy of h^ Cr^fitar fiw* an hour or 
two, remote from all other company, was neyeE 
initiated into the mysteries of'dkine fvitndahip ; 
she is yet in her ains, ^^jali^n^led fwm the life o^f 
♦^ God, d^aid while she Uve8,!Vi«a ^puritiial senae 
dead) alive a»ly to amoml nature ;aRd die- tHmui- 
tvkous dreaina of a distempered mii:id; iu shorty, a 
poor ^dy worthless ere^ure, ineap^ble of wbat-^ 
ever is fvisie or happy* 

** O^ ! lost to virtue, lost to sffhtr thought, 
** Lost to the noble sallies of the soul, 
•* Who think it solitude to be alone. 
. «< Communion sweet ! oommofiion lutfi*e and l^gb 1 
•< Our reason, gtiardian ftngel, aud our God !. ^ 
*' Then nearest these, wlien others most remote ; 
%* Arid all ere long shall be.remote bin these. 
** How dreadful thert- to nieet<tbem hH akme, 
** A ajtraoge^* vmcknowtedg'd, uiMj^rov'xl J" . 

I tremble at the thought. Nor will ft avail you^ 
tn this case, to plead even the utmost exactness an4 
constancy in your' attendance on the sanctuary. 
Tlvat alotie will prove n<ithing. Enibertainment 
may still he the idol which you worship, and wor- 
ship even in the teinple of Jehovah* If you say it 
is not, let us bring you to the test. When you re*, 
turn home from ^e house of God, can you retuv 
with pleasure to your closets, impose silence on your 
fancies^ commsind your passions to be stilly exclude 
^vci*y thought of dress, and diversion, company, 
and adn^iration ; review what you have been doing, 
4%call' \vhat you have heard, make application if it 
«dmit Off Boxy ; (diere are few discourses that admit 
Slot of 4ome ;) and then casting yourselves down 



7^ 



sMM'tj^ XI. 85 

at the 'footstool oY the the throne of God, pour out. 
yoiir iiearts b^fo^e *him, 'confess with shiiplichy rttid 
sofrow your sins txtid cbiTtiptions, implore the 
gr^ce.of repentance and remissidn fbr what is past, 
bi disceniment to Jcnow your duty for the future, 
anid of fortitude to do it, forming at the same time 
unfeigned resaltitions to that put-pose ; joining to 
fh'p .whole the' adoration df the divrn6 attributes, a?f 
fliey siicce'ssively or' jointly tiseto j'-our view ; and, 
AnaHyi^'tht-owing youraelvea oti the divide mercy 
through ■ CHH^t Jesus ?— Can you do this? Is it 
your" favourite And habitudl cmploymenft, in the 
evening' tyf that day which God has made for him- 
self!* To hef'Avho c^n honestlj^ toswer in the af- 
fii'tfiative, I will acknowledge fteely that, next to 
the daily tetiof of k 'conduct uniformly christian, 
^he gives oiic of the best pirpcfe df sincerity in hei 
fellgious profession ; r.or ii* there any thing excel- 
lent in that, which I should not expert from a 
practice so wise and piqus. But what is to be ex- 
petted of thbsfe who know notliirtg of this ? Or 
whqtt can be &aid ,bf their intentions in going to 
church, who' the moment they leave it, leave every 
reflexion Which it ought to hav*e imprinted, and re- 
solve to thii'ik of religion that day no more than if 
tfheyliad not heard or mentioned a syllaiile relating 
to it ? St. James will inform you whom they are 
like. They are " like unto a man behold'mg hiB n:\- 
^' tural face" in a glass*, for he beholdeth himself 
" and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth 

*' what manner of man he was.'* -Do nicti then 

so readily lose the image of themselves ? No ; but 
£he apostle must be understood to sqicak of some 
thoughtless creature, who, on looking accidentally 
into a glass, and observing certain spots or stains in 
. Vol. 11. ' X 



86 SRRMON XI. 

his face, which he ought inataody to wipe, off^ turns 
away in haste without availing himself of the dis-^ 
coviery, and, in the, pursuit .of other objects, en- 
tirely neglects, a circumstance that deWan^ed his 
immediate attention* I leave you to apply . the re- 
mark, and only add in general, that the clQ9£t j^fujst 
enforce what die pulpit has suggested ; that as, like 
^ydia, you should attend, diligently to the, things 
which are . spoken in the name of. God, so, like 
Mary, you should keep and" ponder them in your 
hearts ; and that as. Jesus himself, digmissihg the 
multitudes together with his disciples," went iip 
" into a mountain apart to pray^".,sp ypu, disen- 
gaging yourselve% from ^ the intprriiption' of a 
crowd, and the company, even of your-mo9t^.inti^ 
mate connexions, should step aside, more. particu-. 
larly at the season, Jn question, • to conyerse witH 
his Father and your Father, with his .God and 
your God. \ { 

Think not from any thing I have s^id, Ithat I want, 
to subject you to the rules of Jewish rigour, under 
the mild dispensation of the Gospel.,^ lyhat 1 pi:p- 
pose will render the Christian sabbath.no Ic^ss plea- 
sant than improving. Nor do I mean to preclude 
on that day the cheerful reciprocations, of holy 
friendship ; which they diat have a. taste for .them 
will easily distinguish from the unseasonable pas- 
times aiid promiscuous visitings, in which many 
fine ladies of the presentage.pass their Sunday even-, 
ings. \. ,, ' , ' .^._ 

llnis I an) brought tp say something of Religious 
Conversation. An attempt to discuss so important 
atopic would carry me too far. To manage reli- 
gious conversation with px*Dpriety and advantage, 
is for the pnpst part an affair of great delicacy. In 
the more retired intercourse of congenial minds. 



SERMON Xl. 87 

^ell taught and well furnished, it may not be difficult. 
But such, I fear, are not often found ; and even 
where such have the happiness to meet, grave dis- 
course will require to be frequently varied; relieved, 
and suspended, in order to keep up its relish. 

Much sentiment is apt to overwhelth. The soul 
quickly seeks relaxation. The bow cannot be long 
bent without having its elasticity impaired. In 
general company, subjects of devotion and morality 
would, as the world goes, be utterly improper. 
Good' Lord ! to what is this generation sunk, that 
even amongst characters otherwise decent, a man can 
seldom oi* evet introdtice a solemn reflexion, without 
incurring the imputaition of cant Or impertinence ? 
When shall it be the mode to converse like immortal 
beings ? Where is the fashionable circle now, in 
wiiich a serious observation can be prudently ha- 
zarded, if not stolen upon them with art and insinua- 
tion ? ' Neither is this a part for you to take upon 
yotrrselves. 

Fcniale modestv is often silent ; female decorum 
is h'e\^er bold. Both forbid a young woman to 
lead the conyei-s^tion ; and true religion dreads 
every thin^ that might lopfctjst^ntatious. The most 
prudent course you can ]kirsue is to associate, as 
'much as possible, with those' that from real princi- 
ple loVe^the shaie." With theni you may safely un- 
bosom yourselves on the best subjects, without the 
danger of 'ridicule, or the suspicion of aifectation. 
When the -children" of Wisfdom asstmble, out of the 
«ight and 'din of Folly ? what improvement and fe- 
licity crown 'tbie s'cene ! How delightfully do 
they then mingle souls! Nor does their parent 
disdain to sport with her offspring. I mean, that 
genuiti^ piety knows liow to blend recreation and 
smiles with sentiment and gtavitj% 



B8 SERMON, XI. 

Having: m&nuoned Sentiment so oftex^ I will now 
once for all ofltr yov\ a caution, on which I lay a 
pai cicular stress. It is tills ; not to mistake the 
capacity of thinking justly, or of. talking \reU, fo» 
the same thing with a disposition to act wisely^ 
'i'he truth is, that people are not >vise in conse- 
quence either oi' profound knowledge, or vast leani^ 
ing, or beautiful notions, or the most cultivated 
taste, or the greatest ability in displaying these t 
but by virtue of a few plain notiopa settled into 
principles of conduct ; even as people are not healn- 
thy by feasting on rich dainties,, or indulging a top 
nice palate, but by living on simpler fare, where 
temperance does not wisK fpr much variety, ajEid 
where hunger does not want it- 

Nevertheless, there is not perhaps any tWng that 
flatters the human mind more than depth- or filiiency 
of remark, than compass or facility of convevsacioi)* 
In effect^ they are talents not oft^n possessed^) an^ 
such as confer a superiority felt by all, however i$. 
may be acknowledged by few, Wheu U is acknpw- 
leciged, such praise transports ; ^nd. those wha re- 
ceive it set themselves dowq for every thing ;^hat 
is great and accomplished*' Alas!, they forget, 
that these are still at best but it> the aecond class of 
excellence; that in a moi^al view. they are of no 
value ; and that iine discourse and a fine^cbaracter 
are things totally distinct*. 

In reality, your best .ulkers ^re very , seldon^ 
your best livers. From their encojpiuaps op virtac, 
and their declamations ag^insifo vice^ tl^y often 
neceive such high pleasure as witl^ them ^s^sses^for 
love of the one, and abhorrence of tl^e other »' whei^ 
it is only perhaps s^ vain complacetKic in th^ir o^n 
powers, joined to that natural sense qf ri^^ and 
wrong, which is common to them, with all others* 



Ift th'» lhe}r mtty well soiMftgd^ to fea^e fe« ^tlliei^ 
the kas sfaow^Tt an«i itiof^^ f|f<iuble«;(»m patft^ whi)(:lk 

fireqaeiiitty sm eftemy,. in tke $d<ii6 nsatmeir ^ &*< 
inUiairity id ta respecc* 

Reiigionv bttlpiredr is a img^si^c fovm ^^v^eifsi to 
bee treated witk rr^srctio^ ^ with «fl(ictk»i» ittov ^ 
confess, to bekig likewifse an ataiabk foitiw Bwr 
this^ affeaton resembks tbait wMdb ar wiBci suljec^ 
ttouM siiow fbr IlKts prince^ nn& wkode fir?ic«tMkbif>i 
h« found hvmsrdf grackmsfy" admitted. Budi^ a mmt 
w&ald nerer forg;^ \m ovm Mtterdtrntuso ^id' Imt^ 
a» t6 drof) tke reriermce dae to rcffali^^ Hr Mb 
prince condescended to treat him with the openness 
of confidence, and the caress of joy ; yet still 
would he bear in mind, that he was only a subject, 
and every freedom on his side would be tempered 
with respectful modesty. 

Perhaps there is nothing so uncommon as to 
speak of divine objects with the proper veneration. 
How have I been shocked to hear the sanctimo* 
nious, yet audacious, prate- of some pretenders to 
religion ! Those that have tlie strongest percep- 
tions of it will be most struck by its sublimity, r»nd 
most conscious how far they fall short of so high 
a standard. By consequence they will profess it 
with the greatest modesty, and mention it with the 
utmost caution. Those that are most intimately 
acquainted with God and themselves, will be most 
deeply impressed with his grandeur and their own 
•littleness, will most clearly perceive the difference 
between knowing his will, and performing it, will 
feel most sensibly how much easier it is to descant 
on all his perfections than to copy one of them. 

In conclusion ; let me beseech you beyond all things, 
tocQuverae nvuch with your Maker and yourselves ; 

X 2 



-1 



90 



SERMON Xr. 



to study his character aod your own ; to trace bxs^ 
attributes wherever diaplaiyed.; to learn his coun^^ 
sets however revealed ; to examine your consciences^ . 
chiefly by the written word ; ta canvasjs your past 
actions, present pursuits, and prevailing views ; 
to approve or ccxidemn, as under his eye ; to as- 
eertadn. your interest in the friendship of your Divine 
Sovereign, and cherish, an unalterable Faith in his 
Spirit, and Providence, as ever ready to assist your 
honest though feeble efforts ; together with a joyful 
assurance, diat if you are not wilfully wanting to 
yourselves, you shall at last attain immortal ex* 
ceUenoe and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord^. 



■*. ' 



SERMON XII. 

r ' ' ' ' t '* ^ 

ON GOOD WORKS, 



1 •• 



•1' ' 

■r 



f i ' . 



1 Tiiif. li. 8, g[,10. ' ' ' '• ' ^ 

•^ foiti-^thm 'ivofneii adorn tfUmselves iri niodest 'ajtparel, -with 
mamd^gjc&iines&. and wbriety : Hot ttfUh drtid^ed hnt'Pi w'gold, 
-or pearls f 'or costly array, Hut (jMch ^efometh -women profysmte 
gpdtiiiess) -with Good Worker ^ -"; -'■ ^ '^'^' ^; 

. . ' ■* "'■• •. ■',*.*^..*- 

' t ■' • i ' I . ' . t * ...,.' '^ '. i 4 ' ^ ' i 

Y- - " f-i . \ ;. . : .-•■■. - . :^ . :,. - . .. 
QU have seea. a. venerable matrpfi es^Gircied,, 
with a r^ce ijf loy^y daugjiters, all differient. fmin, 
qoe another, yet all marked wida an air of a>\jtu^ 
resembla^e, and taking joinUy after their honoiirA 
«d parent, to whom frpm time t^. tinjie they .direct 
their looks with dutiful attention ', while she smiles 
on each by turns, superintends their behaviour, 
and prescribes their several occu'|.,ations, encourages 
them in every thing praiseworthy, and,, with a: 
pi-oper regard to their: respective talents and dis- , 
positions, trains them to growing excellence. Iix 
her^ my fair onfes, ypu behield an eml?lejn.of R^i- 
gion. Thus is that , mo^ dignified . of all forms, 
surrounded by the Virtues, her beautiful offspring f 
thus.d^ they bear the lineaments jof t|ieir common 
descent,* Mnd near affimtyf and thus— But 1 leave 
you to trace the paruculars; of th<s^miHtude. . : :1 he^ 




the leading priuci^^ of ^jj thatjfcJi^^apQ^le incijj^t^ft 
on vmtmn, i iMtmm^^Wr. BJJof^^g . .fi^WPtpiif jf 



92 SEBiMON XII. 

he addresses ithem: and whatever a consistency 
with that ])rofe8sion demands, he would be under- 
stood to enjoin* He menuons particularly modest 
apparel, shamefacedness, sobriety, and Good Works. 
It now remains to enforce the fast of ttiese, to- 
gether with thos6 Kind AfFectfonis which they pre- 
suppose ; and to touch as we go along on their 
connexion with the Religious Principles which 
gave them birth* 

But before we' fyroceed, thjth requires one 
mortifying ohservationr 1% is this, that amongst 
the many women professing godliness, the number 
of those that practise ft i^ compa^tively siii^fl- 
In all professions the mere pretenders will ever be 
numerous. They will be most so, in those thair 
ar« at once rcputafole and dtlficrult* ^ That of l^trf. 
glon, as was ftJrtnetly reimtfrked, is afpprovedbf 
iw yout* sex ^en by such as laugh at k in duria. 
At the same time it 15 certain,' that mhen the' 
habits of piety hatve not been very ^arly ae<piired, 
and Vefy happily directed, by means of a wise' 
edacation, the rarest a$ well as the greatest of 
blessings, the forming of thetn afterwards witt 
^ways pVove » task too arduous, and- painfbl, for 
the generality of those who are bred to d^patioki 
and pleaslrre. 

But then, on the othei^ haml, where this divine 
prititrple is • cultivated with* care and judgment, it 
is no less certain, that we ftiay expect from it tfee 
Tttost valuable fruits. And fw>st; I feay, ^t a 
jroung iH'tmxan professing godliness wlth'utKl^rw 
standing, and fhira choree, w31 nejreh be Naming 
itithe gredt article ef PllM Duty* On«this sabject^ 
2tsf oti' tnany titffei^y 'tfete'' inbiilty'^ sf?H*cttfetion has 
pfet case*, whieli tH^* i^ Itele pi^babmiy <^ tep- ' 
penitfgr'm Hfe. i 'IKif ^'wHer^ 'iitdttisft^ is mfiti^^cB^ 



«ary, it U upt ta be kutt(ul, by involvifng :tiiQTnmd 
in perplexity aud distress^ ^f wtwdrpiAgMdne- heart 
from that rectitude and simplicity^ whlci\>»ext ito 
the immediate illuminatipn o£ l>eaveiv are.die surest 
guides to a worthy conduct,, s ,. .. 

Of filial divty in all i%<^ bratich^&.she^vriUj^attnmily 
acquit: herself best, >^ho has. the det^iisA ^nse o£ 
religion, /vl^eiep thy father'^ c©mmaiodim«ntv.aHd 
^\ forsake not the law of thy motbeft'i Biad thaiii 
^^ continually upon <(hine ti^tart^ and tie thena^about 
^^ thine nepk. W>^n tbo«, .^c^U it. shall lead 
" thee ; when thou sleepest, it shall kde^i- tbse ; and 
'^ .\yhen thou wakest, *it »ba]yLtalk*\rith*tlac«ri AVhoso 
^^ revikth bis fathe;^ or hb micHher, his ksn^^shatt 
be. put. put jn obscure daricj^ess. > ;The eyeithat 
mocketh his fatheiT, and deapiseth to. obey hm 
*^ mjpther, theraven»of the valley «rhall pick; it .ouiii 
^V and the young eagles shall tsit it.". Jesus. iJ^asi 
fubject uijito his parents* ^^ ChiUrens^ obey youp 
^' plarents in the Lord j. for this is rightt , -Hotioiir 
^' thy father and. mother (which i* the first cawi^ 
" mandment with. promb4)<that it may be welk 
tf yfitih thee, andthqu mayt:;stUYelong.oii the earthJ^^ 
'All,ttUj5 a- christian daughter has read with atteor 
tipn, and r^ifieQts ^on with awe» It corresponds, in 
substa^ce^ with r the instinct of natlire, which it 
c^ti^but^^ at orice ^to corroborate and 'exalc# 'She 
\y\^^ truly iirevereQces. her parei&tt lit heaven y. \tould 
tttiffiblp at the thought:! of ! di^OBouring his re# 
|]^r^^l^ativ^ &ik^ ear^h*. .Frgmi their authority she 
}w^ «CfiMi*'ed thc:. i<ka of his 5/ and this last,;^^ 
eluding all U)atiCa:«k be conceived of great and goody 
is the..,^^mniaodinfiridt'!a< ofther life, if your pa- 
rent*. be iiideed pjaus* aodiyou hiEure ptc^ted by> 
liheir ^$i|rHctio^and e;3^%nlplc4 jjowwiil yo'ur nata* 
ral r^^ect f^jr. them, her; -heightened by religi^owa 






94 SERMON XII. ^ 

gratitude!' You will think of them with -secret 
rapture.^ the instruments of a happy and immortal 
existence.^ your devoutest prayers for 'their prfc- 
servanioivand oi^mfort will daily asceild to the'throne 
of God. Those prayers will, at the same instant, 
cherish die.aife^^tioas by whteh the}'' are prompted, 
And strengthen your resolutions never, for ^ any 
eonsidePRtton, to transgress the laws df filial piety. 
For how could they bear to be the 'wilful authors 
of fteun to those for whose feiicity they ari led by 
^verynaotivJB to present every day the most fervent 
supplicaidioi]^ ? ; . " ' • ' 

-Dut-'many Gf:^yoU'ihav€ not the happiness of sdcli 
parents ''as I havt: supposed; I am heartily sotry 
£{>r.iit. But the M^nt df principler in your parents 
will not dissolve- the tiesf of duty, however it maj^ 
a^ct .the seotinients • of -tisteem : and if you think 
rightly, it' will only excite your ettd&avoUrs^ by 
«v«ry winning; ; respectful wayj to piH>mote their 
refioffmatioii;, for which ryou wiil at- thd same tilrie 
offer* up^. from the^ depth of. rcitiremeat, your sighs 
ihd/vows to hitBt -who. has thel h^earts of all ill his 
hand. Ia tru|h, I am iacUHed^ to^^ bfelieve* th^t* if 
there be any one thingiiti^ire-likdy'thatvafeotteir^^fo 
draw down the grace of coiwi^rMon on -a"* pHrtint, 'it 
is such a cociduct in a- child. Ah, my young" fi*ieflds'i 
what honour and joy would in tWs d«se t^' j^ 
What a nobW siipmori^y tothos«^ Unfedmg^ cf^a^ 
tUEes of your ' aex^:who» sh^w^'to • solicitude' wirti 
reganl to. their pohents, but howt^ ofeCain froftj^hterti 
some« new article of dress or othei: ^gmti£<3iatic»^ 
9^" wbich tliey have fixed- their fodiish ^anci^ ! ^ - 
But some of< y^bu complaii^^ that 'i^ourpiarents iare 
cruel , and^ t5framiiGal. < I sympathize, with you yet 
moir0,\if yourcom|>lamt.be just^ But what-do jr^od 
nfteauUy CrUel and Ty^rkmwcal?^ Tha* they^li^ill noc 



indulge your extrayagant, vanity, , or thfit they;- 
choose to restrain frctm .pursuits, \yhich they ar^ 
apprehensive would be hurtful ? It is a wise and 
kind sevierity, if severity it mu^t be termed. How. 
iiiuch are you ir>^ebted tb'them, for preyentiiig, . biy 
a little tenipprary mortification, real and permanent 
infelicity ! Not to say, that a sp[iall degree pf delicacy 
arid cohsideratioi;! would teach you to spare them i?v 
ppints, where your stations and their circumstances 
cpncur, it^may b^^ \q reride-r }^ur requests particu- 
larly improper;. ; ^ V . . r . ,; 

. But .1 will suppose the yrorst, that' they, are: really 
hardhearted^ and unnaturally rigid. , It is a mighty 
trial. To bear it well' will, require ^1 the fortitude 
of faith. Here then is aii o{>portunity for display- 
ing your ' 'principles in their, utmost power. You 
are called fQrth tq. the conflict, ?is. into a fijcld of 
bjattle, where even >our, sex may reap immortal 
laurels. She is a heroine indeed, whose regard for 
her parents no uniindness of theirs can conquer,, , , 
But they would force you to sacrifice your happi- 
ness to a man whom you cannot loN^e." There vouf 
submission must Stop. No rules of duty cau oblige 
you to involve yourselves in misery and temptation, 
by entering into engagements to Jove and to honoun, 
where vour hearts withhold their consent. — Barba- 
rous wretches, and base, to. offer -thus to dispose 
of your children, as }^ou would of your cattle, tq. 
the Highest bidder; to attempt, against every max- 
im of Nature and Religion, to drag the reluctant 
victims to the altar, and compel them, in the most 
solemn manner, to profess what they do not mean^ 
and to vow what they cannot perform ! 

I cim willing however to believe, that such com- 
pulslcti^is^ used but seldom- The greatest danger 
is lest you, my unexperieniced friends, should be 



96 SE-RMO!^ '^H. 

tempted to 'f?)rm the xtmkt impprtant of all coii- 
R^isionSj witho^ut the appTobati6n of your parents. 
tVhat shall -^e say m such "a case? Where the 
resoKition is once formed, he Vho should under- 
totke, by ^ny methods df dissuasion, to prevent its 
feeing executed, might as well pfropose to check a 
towent fashing from the top of a mountdti. But 
We would address you wliile in jnour sober senses, 
before your imfagination is prerverted and inflamed^ 
Assure yourselves, my young: trearer^, the step in 
question is very seldom taken but it is^$incere;ly re- 
pented ; with this bitter liddition, that such repent- 
ance can do no gt)od. " The passion fhat guided and 
kwrried the parties is (juitkly al^atecl. I'here. is no.- 
thitig 9(y transient, ds iftie emhusrasttj of .mere youth- 
fal lovers after marriage. And now that rbnexron 
take^ place, and consequehces begin to press 4 a 
tttoUsahd improprieties, fears, and disquietudes, un- 
thought of befca'C, rise up to view, and quite disen- 
chant our romantic adventurers. It is indeed won- 
derfifl, what appearances of firmness and satisfac- 
tion a woman in such a situation will wear before 
the world, in ordei- to justify her choice* But 
sorely unhappiiiess is not lessened by being de- 
voured in secret, and in public disguised. Perpe- 
tual restraint IS perpetual wretchedness — . Allow me 
to repeat it. Under tlie immediate impulse of a 
violent attachment, I shoiild hardly give you or, 
mj'self the -trouble to argue : but while ^^ou are dis- 
engaged and calm, it may not be amiss to remVnd 
you, that a parent, generally speakitig, is much 
more$ikdy to judge with soundness for a daughter, 
than she is for herself; that Fancy alone is too 
sanguine a counsellor to be a prudent one ; that 
protestatrons of eternal fidelity, of uninteFrupted 
affection, made in the heat of blood,hav'e no solid 



SERMON XW. 97 

basis.; in a wprd, th^t thiHBeliberate advice, which 
is dic^at^d alike, by the leti^of day?, ^^^^o^JedgC' of 
t^ wory, aqd earnest SQlicitij4e fora cfiild's wel- 
fare,, oi^ght .fo be relied, upon, rather th^ the haat)f 
conclusions of juvenile desire. 

After all, it is certain, that the wisest parents 
iKxay ba miBJta%en about the man with whom they: 
wish a- daughter to be connected- Bvtt she that- 
marries with the sanction of their countenn^ce, will 
from that, and from their continued or even aug* 
melted kindne$s, derive in the case of disappoint- 
Uient a copsoktion which she could not enjoy, bad 
she brought it on^ herself by her own indiscretion 
and obstinacy. 

One thing here must not be forgotten ;• that the 
reflexion of havitig ac|ed uftdutifuily, in this; or 
any other instance of imppt^tance, to those who gftve 
you. birth, were alone su£^nt to poison .the whole 
pleasure of life ; that, is, if you be not lost tp 
every ingenious inipression; but especially should 
their death put it forever out of your power to make 
atonement". The hprtors of guilt that in *such a 
circumstance are. apt; to haunt and distract the mind^ 
more particularly if the parents Ajrere uncomnKxnly 
worthy, I have had repeated opportunities of ob- 
serving, but have no adequate language to express ; 
so profound is the conviction implanted by nature 
of the sacredness of filial piety !-r- Need I add, that 
this extends so far as to demand submission in 
every case, - where your duty to God or your peace 
of mind does not interfere ? 

But it is not submission alone that is demanded ; 
nor will she prove in any relation an amiable 
character, who does not show herself an affection- 
ate daughter. On the other hand, when a young 

Vol. II. Y 



V 



93 SEHMON XII* 

woman behaves to her •'plirerits in a manner parti-* 
cutarly tender and respectful, I mean ft*cm prmci^ 
pie as welt as nature, i^ere is nothing good <£»" 
gentle that may not be eiEp^ted from her, in what- 
ever condition she is placed. Of this t am so tho- 
rougMy persuaded, that were I to advise wiy 
friend of mine as to his choice of v wife, I knoV 
not whether my very first counsel Vould not be, 
*■ Ijodk out for one distinguished by her attention 
* and sweetness to her parents*' '^The fund of 
worth and affection indicated by such a behaviour, 
joined to the habits of duty and consideration there* 
1^ oontracted, being transferred to the married 
-^tate, will not fail to render her a mild jand obliging 
companion* 

Your situation in life, which keeps you more at 

home than sons, together with the turn of your 

. education, and the softness of your frame, that fit 

you for a thousand little soothing offices, as well as 

domestic services, which they cannot properly per- 

forun, seems to point out to you a peculiar sphere 

of filial excellence.— And here I please myself 

with die thought, that some ef your bosomrs are 

at this moment throbbing with tenderness towards 

a sick or aged parent, whom heaven, willing to 

furnish a field for 4he exercise of all your gratitude 

arid zeal, has at last thrown upon your care. I 

shrink I see you, my charming friend, like some 

guardian angel, tending day and night the bed of 

an honoured father, who Iras lost your mother, and 

who is worn out with toil, and years, and pain. I 

see you listening, in deepest silence, to catch the 

least intimation of his wislies* I see you watching 

eagerly every look, to learn his wants before he 

speaks them ; now gently raising his languid head 

to smboth the pillow, or minister some ' reviving 



SERMON XII. 



99 



cotdial ; aad then lyiping from his rcNxrend face the 
cold sweats that be gio perhaps to anoounee the ap- 
proach of his end; His groans are aoswercd by 
thesig^s stealing from you, but suddenly suppress- 
ed^ for fear of adding to his anxiety on your ac- 
count. To be the instrument of imparling to him 
a minute's ease is rapt^re• Mean while the good 
old man's e} es are now turned to you, with all the 
uniHtenible fondness of parental love, melted by 
^thdse marks of duty ; anon they are lifted to heaven 
ha thanfcs^ving for auch a child, and supplicatioti 
. for eiserlastSng Uessitigs on your head.^—— -Great 
God ! iwhat must a mind like yours experience in 
cius conjuncture? Where is die daughter of dis- 
obedience or folly diat ever felt in the gayest hour, 
a satisfaction, a. transport to be compared with that, 
ifrhich cmiscious piety difiuses throughfyour bleeding 
; heart? Nor wiBl these exalted sensations be at aU 
diminished, if (Provitience having denied the sup- 
plies which' aJBuence gives) your virtues—has^ 
:pnH¥ipt(rd you by yt^n* hib<mr or Tngfenuity, or, it- 
ainay be, by parting with some adm^ed ornament 
woFo inr^your hetter days,- to. procure for a parent iu 
' tiboM dn:uiaslalQiceSy Jiecessary support or seasonable 
cl'efresfan^nU 

.< Let jnQ.> next say somewhat concerning sisterly 
affection. ^^ Behold how good and how pleasant it 
*' is for bticdiren,'' and sisters, " to dwell together 
*^ in uxHty i'^ Pieciolis ointment is not more grateftil 
to the siiiell, nor morning dew more refreshing to the 
sight, . than domestic love b to the soul. Represent 
tayoursjelves a numerous .young famity, free from 
-oaire lasd omxaaoisity, full of reverence for their Ma- 
ker and ihcdr parents, aml»tk>us to please and to ex- 
:eeti in a word, {hous, duufal, friendly, happy; 
wliere the good hunaur and good sense of each cof- 



-«! 



100 ^SERMON XII, 

iribute to the ease and eiiteitammciit of ail ; while 
those agreeable xhvKvsitie^ of temper and under- 
htaoding that take place amongst them serve, like 
discords iiii music, to carry on die intellectaal har* 
mouy. Who would not wisH-to be acquahited in 
such a house ; . who would *aot consider it as the 
abode of felicity ? I hope, I paint . no unusual 
sctnet ■ . . . • ' 

Where the members are l>ut few, felicity pethaps 
is not so often found ; unless it be in the more shad^ 
walks of life, wliere love .and innocence delight to 
frequent. And .why ia it not ? When I see two sis- 
ters, both of them plelising and' both esteemed, 
Jiving together without jealousy or envy,' yieldi»g 
to one another without affeclation, and generously 
contending who shall do most to advance the con» 
sequence'and happiness of her friend, lairn -higl#f 
delighted : dare I add the more .highly, that such 
characters are not very common \ And why- atse 
tjdey not ? I'he loye of a sister for her brothers in 
n\udi ,raare usual. Wixence does this too ptoceed ? 
E^Kamipe your own. hearts on these (several pomts* 
Possibly they cs^ncigJain; to lyou the diffeTenos^ «d 
observable where there is a eonapetkioB^ and whei^e 
there is none, or where any tendenciiesi. towards 
it are happily lost in ' the iavoluti©ns:t of » a larger 
number. ^ ' 

Martha of Beth?my was on the whole a worthy 
woman. She certainly loved her Saviour with-sin- 
cere devotion. Her solicitude to entertaih himr i^ the 
best manner . she csould devise, was die result of 
her respect. But it was canaed to an extreme/; 
and her sister's conduct should h«ve talQgkt^ ter 
wisdom. Instead of Ais, sh^a giJQRK55 pf^visb^^Httl 
complains of that . sister. She ia admoni^ed^ ^f 
. her fault, while Mary is commended for' her better 



behaviour. *^ Martha, Martha, iihm art careful 
^« and troubled about many tjiiinga '. but qm thing 
" is oeedful ; and Maiy hath cb^en that good part 
" which shall not be taken aw^y from her.'' What 
pify that any tincture of ill humour, under wbat- 
•wtx disguise, sbouM have place in a^iy breast wher^ 
Jesus is revered! Surety there is nothing more 
beautiful in a christian woman than good tempeir 
and kind affection upon all occasions* 

I WHS once acquainted with a lady, who seemed 
to be held upr by Providence, as an example of the 
joint power of these and of divine |»inciple« She 
lost her father early. Her mother's wafttof health 
naade it necessary for hex |o exert herself with dou« 
ble assiduity and attention^ in a family by no means 
amall, of which she was die eldest child* She was 
natursUy active, tO' a degree very uncommon in 
on^ of her disposition, which wa^ the softest and 
meekest that cau be conceived* She had imbibed 
from her infancy the deepest sense of devotion, 
ihat I have ever kaow^B* It was 9 devotioQ of 
that kind, which meeting with a he^it originally 
upright, produces uniform excellence. Sudi exr 
oelience was hers. When, in the course of a few 
y«»rs, her extiaoirdinary character recommended 
her to ^ choice of a young i»^n of singular worth, 
and good fortune ; $he did nQt>, with the selfbhness 
common on such occasions, forget her mother or 
ttie £unily she had left behind her ; but continued^ 
w\A the entire apprtibation and cardial concurrence 
0I her husband, to manifest her filial and sisterly 
regards in ijbe rsaost effectual manner* Sh^ was^ 
udne of those oairow^souled women, who no soon-^ 
er stiep into houses of their own,, thau they seem 
to have all their affections and ideas absorbed in 
their new con^dition i relinquishix)^ at oQige t|>e be&t 

¥2 



102 SERMON Xtl. 

companions of their youth ; dropping the pen ef 
friendly correspondence, and shrinking up into a 
little wretched circle of anxieties, that exclude every 
liberal sentiment, and every enlarged connexion. 
When the mother of this lady died, ^lich happened 
not long after, she became a mother to the hdj^ess 
orphans, superintended their education, watched 
over their deportment, promoted their settlement 
in the world, and sympathised with them in all their 
distresses. When they also spread out into families, 
she acted like a parent to their children* — To her 
own, of whomC she had many, blessed Lord, wiiat 
a parent! Was it fJbssible for them not to love <hic 
another, witl> such a pattern before them,' and with 
such instructions as she gave them f For they 
too were deprived of their father, while tlvK 
greater part were very young. Her instriicticnss 
were pious and wise : but it was her exampie, it 
was that ineiFable charm of humble worth and mo- 
dest dignity, of maternal complacence and mildness 
almost unparalleled, which rendered them irresisti« 
ble, and diffused amongst all about her the. spirit 
of anSity and the smile of happiness. You witt 
hot be surprised if I subjoin, that there were 
m^ny other families who shared in her labours 
of love, and among the rest a very large otie^ 
the Poor ; whose blessings attended her through 
life, 'and whose tears followed her to the grave ; 
for, when she died, they also had lost a mother. It 
is hard to say upon the whole, whether she was 
most beloved j or venerated, by those who knew he«» 
But I used to think, that wherever she appeared, 
her presence inspired sensations^ somewhat like 
those we should pr6bably feel, if we beheld a good 
angel. • 

^ And thus I com^ naturally to speak tjf Good 
Works in a comprehensive view ; that iSf those 



SEAMtXK XII. 103 

^•Mch' proceed' from- kindness and compassion ia 
generaU When sudi dispositions .predbminate, let 
it be observed, in the first place, that they are in* 
genkms to discover, and diligent to improve, those 
veays and means of beneficence, which pass unre-* 
garded by the giddy and unfeeling*' Many of you, 
my honoured audience, have it not in your power, 
tlnrough the obscurity of 3itour situation, and the 
straitness of your circumstances, to indulge the 
generous propensions of your nature. While thou- 
sands of your sex are inflamed with the emulation 
of beauty, or agitated by the conflict of rivalship, 
or miserable because they cannot be gratified with 
such an article of show, or admitted into such a 
paity of pleasure; you are sighing, because not 
able more extensively to succour indigence, or 
more effectually to comfort sorrow. Your sighs, 
beloved, are heard in heaven 5 your wishes are re- 
gistered there under the head of Virtues ; the wil* 
ling mind is accepted now and shall be recompensed 
. at the resurrection of the just ; your least good 
deed shall not be forgotten by him, who marked 
and applauded the widow's mite. " Whosoever shall 
*^ give to drink" unto a follower of Jesus '^ a cup 
** of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, 
** verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose 
" his reward." You shall be estimated by the 
largeness of your hearts, not by the size of your 
fortunes. " The liberal soul, that deviseth liberal 
** things," that executes what it can, and stops only 
where it must, or rather goes on panting and prat- 
ing for that happiness to.the human race, which it 
cannot have the joy of imparting ;— how honourable 
in the sight of God ! 

Let me remind . you farther of what ought also 
to solace you amidst all your kind Cc^res. Human 
happiness is made up of many. little iugrcUicnts, 



104 SZXItOlf XMt. 

with a few prinetpsl ooet ) 9xtA nexib .to* Vftfjg^k^ii^ 
those in reality conAribute U> it m^ftt largely^ whf» 
^ve the grefttett cofi^obtion byth^ir ^mpai^y^ 
and the groa^at pleaaure by lli^ir fr ieqd^ip. Fri«»^ 
ahip and sympathy, when thoroughly awak^, 9r^ 
constantly employed in numberkss pleasing ^aeiv 
vices, and amiable attritions, to which language 
cannot appropriate names ; hml which die heait of 
the person obliged feels, and which rebounds witli 
redoul:ded light on the heart of the person obliging^ 
I go farther and say, that the very idea of your 
being disposed to oblige is obligation ; because 
it is in itself agreeable, and we are indebted to 
every one that supplies iis with a^ agreeable idea. 

Who has not likewise remarked, that in doing 
benevolent things there is, both as to the time ana 
the manner, a propriety which gives inestimable 
value even to the least ? The manner, in . par» 
ticular, is of marvellous effect* A charitable action 
gracefully done is twice done. To some people 
one would be willing to owe almost every thing, 
so handsomely do they confer a kindness ; while 
from others a favour, for the opposite reason, ia 
a load. But who so capalile of delighting, by the 
manner, yet more than by the deed itselff as a 
lovely young woman, whose words, and smiles, 
•and softness, are, to the last of these, what a 
beautiful symphony and judicious accompaniment 
in nmsic are to a well manjiged Voice ? 

But, in truth, the advantages which your sex 
and age afford you in this divine employment of 
doing good, are not to i>e expressed* Wojuki ta 
God your zeal were but in proportion to it !— P'or** 
give me, Protestants, if on this occasion I remark 
with concern, how far many of you are outdone 
by multitudes in the cburdi of Roncke, especialljr 



SERMON XII. T05 

amongst her female votaries. Their frequent visits 
lb the aboHes of ttiisfortUTte afid pain, 6f poverty 
and sickness, theit' getitle Ttiidistratlons to 'the. S^fifei*- 
ers, their*stoopihg'SO nieeklj^ to' th'e rneaiiest' o^ces 
6iP compasrsioii^ offices of whrcK'ttel fe6st ' clfetiint 
'thought would shock* tlie false, refirieiliept ■ <^f, a'^a^ 
lady, have* to nie, 1 mtlst own', notv/ith'sta^cfing all 
th6 errors of their faith, still placed theiii in a poiiit 
of l%hthighfy respectable anid engaging. WTio can 
help me to a feason^ xvhy'a.p^ctiee so christlik^' is 
riot adopted in this ' xodtitry-," whe're th? gosbi&l ' 4s 
ptSD'fesstfd in so much; ptirity 7 are Ve 'afraw of 
being' thdiighftO'e/hbrace the doctrine of merit By 
good works, entertained in that'chur<^h ? It caniiotbey 
amongst those Who have lear'nf? the* truth as' it is ih 
Jesils. None surfely- was^^ver more s'elf-deniiid oh 
this^head thkft St.^P^ul5 yet St. P^ul was ^•flatn,^ 
'of charily. In • his doctrinc^V^^^^^i^ his coi'tyucty 
grace aiSd virtue, faith' arfd good workfe, went' hdnd 
in hand, inseparable arid triumphant, -y "' *' ; ' 
' Ah ye faiT ones of "Britarn,' wh<> Boat on ' the 
parade of public assettibliesj and saH'alon^ in the 
full blovrn pride 9f fashionable attire, of which the 
least appendagp or circ'timstanrde must not be dis- 
composed.; thpughtle.sjs jpf^ human wo; insensible 
to modest ;.worth at that moment pining in many a 
solitary restdehte "cff waht— ^y e' gaudy flutterers, 
" with hard hearts under soft raiment ;" how much 
more brilliant and beautiful^ wo^u'kl ye appear in the 
eye of saints and angels, were ye now and then 
to exchairge th&sei.'scdnes of ^^libh splendour for 
the i?loom>f dwellincs of, wretcliedness, in order 
to light th^vn. ^up^ by. your pjty and^, beneficence! 
I hhish^^&ir^maiiy af^ in.y.'jCOuntf^ womfen, possessed 
of fortune, who have never yet learnt its noblest 



106 sEtMow xn.. 

and happiest use ; ia whose ears the circuUtc^d 
whiaper of a well-dressed frowd adii^riag their 
appearance, is a more gprateful sound ihuu the prai&e 
of widows and orphan^ sharing their bounty ; who 
prefer, the empty )>rjeatb of adulation to, the blessings 
of them that were ready to, perish* 

God be thanked, there are esceptip^f. Among 
the rest I recollect, with peculiar pleasure , one lady 
jof rank, whose name is never nieiuionedby diiose 
who know her, without calling up the image of 
chajrity, who having no fan^ly of. her owi^v has 
adopted the indigent and deserving; vrhqse. wtbole 
life^ not a short one, has been devoted. t(> munifi- 
cence : who, in a word, seems to regard her wealth 
merely as a fund depipjuted in her hands by the Al- 
migiuy;» to be laid out with the strictest fmthfulness 
for .the g^'ike pur]>pse of niaktpg dKWs^j^nds h^py*. 
Exalted creature ! how ^honourable, independent oi^ 
thy birth; how blessed, to understand s,o.' well the 
destination of riches J. A rare^ and^ as it should 
seem frotn -this .circunosiance, a difficult science ! 
Justly nugbt the p9e.texclainil, 

J 
• • -* t 

** The rich mnst 1?ibour to possesfli their o\r)\^ ,^. 
. ** To fecr their great abuiKlance; and request 
** Their Iittmble fprends tt» heip ihem t^\h bJest ; . ^ 
"To 4siee tljeiT tife^surea^ hew tl»ei[ir«|Fkiry tolcb^ 
** And aid Uie^rel died iiiBi>otei^,^,^pt»^«'' 



He adds id4^«»dt 



L t 



,.\ .. 



(( 



ButaotBie, ^^at jididfl! »m1 tauetMivitli.wsrbtU 



** Give gpict a price^ and teacii;: i'U beamii to shine, 

*' AH iToarded treaJsilres thev reputfe'k lAad; ' 

•* Nof thii)k their AVaOttUtheirow^ fril5.weilfi»fcfco«ry5*» 1 



. f'.'l 07^ "• 



J ;i ■ - .■ • • I -' J ^.r. 



S^KMON 5c;ii. 107 

• Amongst ^le/propemes of the V4rtubus Woman, 
in ^that celiebrated paissage fcfrvfkttly surveyed, it is 
9^c^>>^ 3lie stirctcheth Ibrtti her hand to the poor, 
^^ and reacheth her hatid«o the needy :'' On Which 
it lias l)een remarked, dial after her industry for the 
acquiring of weakh Is described, her hberality is 
oeit mentioned) a& b^ing thie princi))al use she 
made of it^ and {Hrecedes h^r providing searlet 
fsff her hou^hoid, or fine lineii and purple 
for herself* *" Wl^t 9M& we cair tfiose women, 
rAix^ either MVes* thirik of the poor at all, or 
never till th^y bftve first $acrifieed to superfluity 
and pride ? 

Wher^ are those female penitents of this land, 
that, lil;0 her of Judea>, convert ^ instruments of 
their former foliy and extravagance ihtp matter 
of bumiliatoon and piety ; limt consecrate, so to 
s^eak, the spoils of Vice, by oflfering t^^ at the 
feet <}rf their Saviour, while. they prostrate them- 
selves there in deep eont^ion ?— — The poof 
you have always with yOT; and by showing 
mercy to them you .may at once show your re- 
spect for him, and help to ensure mercy for 
yourselves* 

It is worthy your observation, that rn the list of 
female names recorded 5n scripture with renown, that 
of Tabitha stands marked with a particular note of 
approbation, as " a disciple who was full of Good 
** Works, and alms which she did." What a glo- 
rious memorial ! And what additional honour does 
it receive from the account immediately following ! 
This excellent woman dies. An apostle is in the 
neighbourhood, Ke is sent for in haste ; he 
arrives ; he is conducted to the chamber of the 
deceased. Her female friends stand by him " weep- 
" ing and showipg him the coats and garment* 






/ 






103 SERMOiN Ml.'. 

" which she had n3rad^"'for the poor* Hi>^:tiatilral 
a elf cumst^ince ; and how eloquent! He felt it ;. 
kneeled dowiv aad; prayed v apd .turiiiog> hhn to 
the body said," lyith a voice of pow<^i *^»Tabitha, 
*' ari^e j" working, a ■ miracle to r«jstore a life so 
useful. Frpni this amiable persdn^s being denomi«»; 
nated in the history a Disciple, I would o^ly remark^ 
that in those days a,. Christian was known and ch^-^ 
racterised by real excellence s whereas* every., thing 
now is .a christian, not ejteeptipg. her who never, 
but when forc-cd, wont into the hous^ pf mourn- 
ipg J never knew the Joy of giving purely for the 
love of God, without expecting any thing again ;. 
let gie add, neyer denied herself One trapping of 
Tanity .to clothe the naked, nor .one indulgence of 
luxury to feed the hungry. Ala^ ! myrpooi* friend, 
what wilt thou say for thyself at . the, tribun^ of 
Jesus? .1 leave with thee that q[u«qstion.: answer it 
to thy conscience, as in the presence of thy judge, 
you haye read the process .;wliich he will observe, 
nor can you have forgot it. 

On these points it were easy to enlarge at great 
length, and with exact method. I am, willing how- 
ever to hope that, by the grace of God, a few hints 
thus thrown out with plainness and affection, may 
suffice to every mind that is. open to the sentiments 
of humanity ; but especially to every heart that i^ 
impressed with the principles of religipn.. It is 
these principles, my honoured hearers, .that, serve 
beyond ever^ thing else to enlarge and inspire those 
sentiments. It, is the love of God, the faith of 
Jesus, and the hope of immortality, th^t chiefly ex- 
pand .affect^o^, and animate zeal. Thp. divine 
character is the sovereign standard of benevolence, 
the christian institution its brightest display, and a 
happy futurity; its blgliest reward. /Can you worship 



SERMON xn. 11)9 

lilt Universal Father, and not feel for his family ? 
Can you believe in the Common Saviour, and not 
live to those for whom he died ? Can you contem- 
plate yonder world of friendship, and not anticipate 
its joys, and not cherish an ambition that your 
works of charity may praise you in the gates of 
heaven ? 



Vol Hi 



SERMON XIII. 

ON FEMALE MEEKNESS* 



1 P£T. ill. 3, 4. 

If'hose Oflortiin^, let it not be that fmttoard adorning qf plaiting 
the hair, findo/rvearingofe'old, or of putting on of apparel : but 
let it be tfie hidden man of the heart, in tfMt -which i8 not corrupti' 
Me, even the ornament of a Mieek and Quiet Spirit, -which is in the 
sight of God of gi^eat price, 

JL HE apostle of die Circumcision, like him of the 
Gentiles, seems to have been no stranger to female 
nature, or to what becomes it. Both were suf- 
ficiently aware, that ornament was a favourite object 
with women ; and both were too well acquainted 
with the arts of persuasion, to think of combating 
the general idea. It was their business to make the 
best use of such a handle. Accordingly their con- 
verts of that sex might continue to study embel- 
lishment as much as ever; only those inspired 
teachers wished them to direct it right, by turning 
their chief care to that which was of gi-eatest value 
and longest duration, namely, " the hidden man of 
"the heart.^' 1 he doctrine of St. Paul on this 
point we have examined very fully. That of St. 
Peter, now read, we propose for the ground-work 
of our concluding discourse, with a view to com- 
plete the plan which we have prosecuted thus far. 
We have reserved it for this place, as believing, 
that Meekness, cultivated on christian principles, 
is the proper consummation, and highest finishing. 



SER'MON XHI. Ill 

of female excellence* The subject being so impor- 
tant, may we not hope to be still honoured with your 
attention ? 

I begin with observing, that the virtue in ques- 
tion has its foundation in the softer composition 
of tlie sex. That there is a sex in minds was hint- 
ed before. This original distinction has never, I 
think, been better understood than by our great epic 
poet. As in his admired work of Paradise Lost 
he has with equal judgment and delicacy marked, 
throughout, the sepamte characters of the First 
Pair J so, in two lines, he has happily express- 
ed the principal objects of their respective destina- 
tions : 

*' For contemplation He, and valour form'cl j 

" For softness She, and sweet attractive grace.'* 

The virtue of meeknes^ it is true, our religion 
requires of all without exception. Moses is cele- 
brated for it in an eminent degree ; and our Saviour 
characterizes himself by the epithets of Meek and 
Lowly. The disposition, in general, may be con* 
sidered as Charity's first-born, appearing in all the 
mildest attitudes of forbearance, gentleness, and 
peace* But still in men, it may be often found con- 
nected with the greatest boldness, and most un- 
daunted magnanimity. Much for the honour of 
true courage, it has been observed, , that the bravest 
minds are commonly the most humane, generous, 
and forgiving. These several qualities ar£ beauti- 
fully blended in many parts of the history of. that 
man of God just now mentioned. Nor can you 
have forgotten the calm heroism of our divine de- 
liverer, together with that dignity of goodness which 



112 S£RKON XXXI. 

dwek s^xmt bim, in circums^nces of the deepest 
humiliation and sorrow* 

As for you, my fair pupils, we no doubt wish 
you to possess such fortitude as implies resolution, 
wherever your virtue, duty, or reputation, is eon^ 
cemed* But along with that we expect to find« on 
Dtber subjects, a timidit\' peculiar to your sex ; and 
al^ a degree of complacente, yieldingness, and 
sweetness, beyond what we look for in meh» Nei* 
dier do we, so far as I know^ ever .rank amongst 
feminioe qucdities, valour, strictly so caiUed. A 
woman heading an arnKy, rushing into the tlnckeat 
of the foe, spreading slaughter arid death around 
her, or returning from the field of battle covered 
with dust and blood, would surely to a civilized na- 
ture suggest shocking ideas. " 

Your best emUem, beloved, is thc^ smiling form 
of peace, robed in white, and bearing a branch of 
olives liike the apostles and first christians, your 
hi^est glory is to conquer by benignity, and tri* 
iim|^ by patience. RoUghness,»and even ferocious^ 
ness, in a man, we often overtook, aod are some- 
times diverted with^ In a woman, we ^re aiway^ 
hurt by them. A loud voice, a bold gpesture, a 
daring countenance, every mark of bravery^ shall 
please in the former^ when his Courage is particu** 
larly called forth : but in a female We wish nothing 
to reign but love and tenderness^ and whe#e 
they do reign, they will pr^docte very diiferent 
effects* 

No, my friends^ 5^oa were not made for scenes 
of danger and opposition^ I repeat il rigaiti ; feaif- 
fulness to ^ certlun degree becomes yOu f ilot that 
cowardice^ whioh many of you sh6w.y and .s(^me of 
\:ou affect, on every trifliiig OGtasian^ and f];:equene- 
ly without any occasion at all. Such behaviour is 



ih' fcm, childish, and to us unihteresting; if not^ati! 
dbject of contempt. But a worthy womanY ^shrink- 
ihg from manifest hazard, or threatened violence,, 
we are always forward and prOud to protect ; while, 
on the other hand, an intrepid female seems to re- 
nounce our aid, and in. some respect to invade our' 
province. Wfe tuijh away, and leave her to her*^- 
Self. 

Let It be likewise observed, that in your sex: 
manly exercises are never graceful ; that in them a 
tone and figure, as well as an air and deportment,. 
6f the masculine kind,\we always forbidding ; and 
that men of sensibility desire in every woman soft: 
featui^s, and a flowing voice; a form not robust,, 
and a demedthour delicate and gentle. I'hese are- 
considered as'alike requisite and natural ; I mean^ 
where there is any tastfe for elegance. I am inclined 
even to believe that, supposing other circumstances 
dqual, the coarsest clown would be better pleased 
with them than with their bpposites*^ 

Yet ferthef, the aptitude observable in all the 
better kind of women, to commiserate and comforty* 
to melt into tears at the sight or hearing of distress,. 
to take thfe care of children, to play and prattle witb 
those pretty innocents^ to mingle in all the*' mild 
sympathies and tender charities of life ; the won*- 
derful dexterity with which they disarm fierceness, . 
and appease wrath ; the powerful eloquence they 
display in assuaging the cares, and calming the sor- 
rows, of tliose men with whom they are connected ;: 
their strong propensity to a union of hearts, and< 
Aeir unutterable fondness where it takes place -^ — 
these lovely peculiarities in their temperament; these 
finer tunings of their mind, seem additional proofs, , 
that softness is your proper attribute. Womanish^ 
SoftB^se, as it is fl^tyled, has never be^i imputedi 

Z 2 



114 SERMON %nu 

to POkj man by way of repro^, without f^ tacit 
acknowledgment of this truth in your favour* la 
the male composition, it is certainly a blemish 
wherever found ; in the female, a beauty. 
. From these remarks, I think it appears, that the 
basis of the virtue we now i^commend is ^ laid m 
the original make, or specific charaqter of .the sex. 
The superstructure which Christianity raises, upon, 
it, or, in other ^vords, the ImprOvenients itteeeivea 
from religious principles, shall be our next consi- 
deration. 

The gospel is, in truths ihe religion of human 
nature ; building charity and all viitue c»i whatevep 
is kind, ingenuous, or praiseworthy in that j cor- 
recting its disorders, mitigating its distresses, sap- 
porting Its weaknesses, and from each educing good, 
by turning them into matter of huipility and cir- 
cumspection, of faith and resignation, of dociliQ^ 
and meekness. These are all connected together ; 
but the first and last are neai'ly allied. They are 
twrn^sisters. Humility is eve» disposed to serve ; 
and' she affords ^the otfier singular assistance. 

They that have a just sense of their own infirmi- 
rits and failings, will be naturally of an unpretend- 
ingi a forbearing, and a forgiving temper. The 
reverse of this is the genuine offspring of pride» 
A proud character was never a meek one ; whereas 
there is no act of kindness, no instance of conde** 
scension, which the-selfrdiffident are not ready to 
perform. They enter thoroughly into the spirit. of 
those precepts that require christians to " be cour- 
'^ teous, to condescend to men of low estate, and in 
^' honour to prefer one another." 

Picture in your own minds ayoitnglady, lively, 
agreeable, caressed ; as yet unacquainted with h^r 
Maker, with herself, .and with the claims which 



5fiAMaj^.XIII- Ills 

sckc^ety ba& 00 ever^re^sGnoabl^ hej^githnt.isrjBmill 

by- vanity, timbitic^, and hope^ , <:reaiite3 . a: im^ '. -of 
wprld within, to which sh^ fondly refers th^t.wijh- 
0ut, as always su\x>rdinlkite, and. chiefly subsqri^ient* 
{&: this little ' empire ^^ she sits as q^eetn,: afiii'^ith 
" in her hoart, I shajl see no sorrow,". a«d .drdam 
of, <:9nque5t »5gid triumph, of spIendM. houses iatid 
shining ?qvkipoges, of pi^saSonate lovers aftd di^sfapf? 
pointed rivals, iwith n^imeleas encl^anting visidm 
more, which may. never be realized, but wbilih sb^e 
r€;gards as dxe most certain realities ; sp ,qertai»4 
th^t he who should attempt to undeceive her would 
run the risk of being hated as her greatest en^my. 
This world of phantoms, it is true, is always 
fluctuating; the gay and the gloomy iwcceed by 
turns. But in each our conceited &ir one is stilUhe 
principal figure ; and the vaju^ of every thing i» 
measured, according as it contribute? to her. impor- 
tance and elevation. Hence innu^i^r^ble iUusiptis, 
an(i ungoverned passions ; the swelling of self- ^^if- 
ficiencyt and the stateliness of disdain j violent re- 
sentmentvor suU^n discontent, if not treated with 
the respect she supposes to be her due ; in fine; a 
total inattention to the expectations of others^ and 
absolute insensibility to whatever is beautiful in an 
unassuming, or noble in a disinterested behavu.>vur. 
Now whaft is it that can dispel this visionarv scpne 
and disabustj the mvich deladed- sorceress ? Nothing 
so effectual as Christianity. .-..,• 

If it should please the Almighty to impress upq^i 
feer heart its sacred doctrine,s^ they will show h^r^^in 
ihe most affecting lights, her own Uttlepes^^ the 
degeneracy and misery of ©orrupted naHir^ .thf 
emptiness of temporal and the reality of eternal 
things, the duty she owes to her Maker, her Re- 



116 Btumo^ ^tn\^ 

AenMr, idd%>er fetloW'^cmfci^tuii^^i with di« «r<^ 
tinsttf ^ seeufitig Ae dWtoe £lt«»Ur^ V d Ivf^ c^ 
feith^ t«ntti(iotai, mid ehai4ty« By s«k^ yi^Ws^ the 
Amtflsfus fttruttat-eft of prkle ii^iU b« i)re9eMly brought 
dowti $ abd on their ruind VhepUin and itiodettf , bat 
^ettitig s^ grateful fabric^ of tneekn^ss^ will be 
«Mily raised. T& spie^ wkl^i^it ia' mct&phdf : Shd 
wUi be delivered frofn the c^hief copses of HI huminir ;. 
sach, for S»stanee^ as the dbftttoacy of s^lf^-will, th^ ex* 
CKfbitJttce of Ml^ve, a ])a$%ion for thoa^ gratiiScatiotis 
fkaa nt^act dis^ppoim iEiiid enertrate, and, finally, the^ 
etptttaitioti of too mijich homage, and toom^Uiy com-^ 
plianoiss. The salvation of her doiil, and the spine 
of ht^r S^iviour^ will betolne her principiil otyects : 
*very virtue cotinei^ted with dic8C, will be her habitual 
i]tudy ; and atAoAg the rest ** peace, long suffering, - 
♦* gendeftess, goodiiess, meektie^." With such a 
temper ishe wifl not be apt to think herself affronted j 
that nevengeful dtfipOfeition, of .which your sex have 
beeti accused feven to a proverb, will be her abhor* 
rence ; fehe will not dare, for a moment, to with- 
held from' others that forgiveness, which she is 
tionftcious of wafitlttg from the great God to herself; 
and as for her behaviour in general to those about 
her, it will breathe that winning mildness, which 
seems to me the most distinguishing lineament in 
the image of Jesus. 

He, my listers, war the perfect model of kind* 
litss and courtesy. The Friend of man Was his cha- 
racteristic. He conversed with those whom the 
Vrotld despised $ he stood still to hear the cries, and 
relieve the miseries, of the wretched; he even 
looped (astonishing goodoessf) to Wash the feet of 
hii own disciples ;• " the son of man \^me not t<r 



SERH^iT XI XI. 117 

'* be miDistered unto, biit to imoister." The gttSiU 
ii«ss of liumility, and the beauty of compaslflion, he 
exeniplified on all occasions* He showed, by hi$ 
own practice, that there is nothing more becoming 
than the tear of generous sorrow, nothing so sooth* 
iug as the language of a benevolent heart* Jesus 
weeping over the grave of Lazarus, consoling has 
mournful sisters^ and instructing the solemn circle ia 
|he ideas of immortality, with the means of attaining 
it, is surely an object by infinite degrees more tni- 
teresting and glorious, than all the conquerors of 
the earth crowned with laurels, and riding on the 
ear of triumph, with numberless cdptives in. their 
train. 

His institution is of a piece with his character. 
It includes the grand principles of universal humani- 
ty* Every wall of partition between the nations 
it throws down ; abolishing the narrow distinction of 
Jews and Gentiles, and exploding the illiberal op^ 
position of Greeks to Barbarians. The spirit of 
conquest for die sake of power it discourages, while 
it proclaims, enforces, and inspires ^*' peace on earth, 
*^ and good-will toward men ;" whom it teaches to 
consider and love as brethren, forming one great 
family under one common parent, held together by 
charity as the bond of perfection, and of such ac« 
count with the Supreme, that he gave his oidy 
begotten Son to save them. 

Need I labour to prove how sweetly such dis- 
coveries as these coincide with the dispositions to 
modesty, sympathy, generosity, the desire of plea- 
sing, the dread of violence, the horror of barbarity, 
the promptness to cherisi) tender sentiments, and 
form endearing connexions, which are so natural to 
the worthiest part of your seH ? 



118 SERMON XIII. 

The virtues of a Roman Matron, in the t)etfcr^ 
tiiT^es of that republic, appear on some accounts to 
have been greatly respectable. They were such as 
might be looked for, from her education amongst 
a people where ideas of prowess, patriotism, and 
glory, ran high ; where, in effect, these things 
were regarded as the summit of human excellence 
and felicity. But ncrt to insist on the national pride, 
and ungenerous prepossessions, on which those ideas 
were founded ; it is manifest to me, that whatever 
force or grandeur the female mind might in other 
views derive from them, such advantage was over- 
balanced by the loss or the diminution of that gen- 
tleness and softness, which ever were, and ever 
will be, the sovereign charm of the female charac- 
ter. Nor do I wish the women of Great Bri- 
tain, who profess a system so much more just, 
amiable, and happy, to adopt for the regulation of 
their temper any standard different from that in my 
text. 

Some of the most agreeable and iniportant con^ 
sequences of a meek and quiet spirit in your sex, 
let us now proceed to survey. Where nature has 
bestowed any kind of personal beauty, be it ever so 
inconsiderable ; how early is it known, and at what 
peuns are the generality of the too conscious pos- 
sessors to display it, on all occasions, to die utmost 
advantage ! But Nature has endowed the greater 
part of the sex with a constitutional softness, 
which, under right direction, would render them 
unspeakably more pleasing than any possible at-' 
traction that is^ purely external. Yet how few of 
you seem acquainted with its proper use, so as to 
turn it to any valuable account. What esteem might 
you not procure, and what happiness communicate ; 
if, instead of employing this softness, merely to 



SERMON XIII.^ 119 

ibster passion in yourselves or others, you made it 
subservient to all the amiable purposes of a mild 
and obliging behaviour ! How preposterous to thipk 
of any allurement^ rather than that which would 
chiefly adorn you . as women ! 

The gift I speak of is imparted in different de- 
greeS). and wiitx various mixtures ;. nor will any 
culture, prevent a diversity from appearing in indi- 
viduals^ with regard to this, as well as other fea- 
tures of the female mind : neither indeed ought it. 
Such diversity is not only beautiful in itself, but 
agreeably adapted to the various and different tastes 
of men. But still some portion of tlie quality un- 
der ^consideration is absolutely essential to feniinine 
excellence. Like every other one, no doubt, it re- 
quires, the guard of Virtue, and the guidance of Dis- 
cretion. 1 he truth is that any good disposition you 
can name, how laudable or how eminent soever, if 
you could suppose it to be found alone, would con- 
stitute a character extremely jmperfect, and product 
effects sufficiently hurtful. Where an easiness of 
temper is particularly prevalent, and the heart un- 
commonly susceptible of warm emotions in the way 
of love and friendship ; there, without question, a 
peculiar strain of prudence and fortitude is required, 
to prevent a young person's being betrayed into 
great inconveniences and dangerous tendernesses^ 
But while I consider meekness as the crown- 
ing ^^race of . a woman, it will be naturally 
understood, that some, share of the virtues and 
accomplishments before recommended is presup- 
posed, t 

A cultivated mind and delicate spirit, together 
with strict principles of conduct, will te^ich you to 
make . the necessary distinctions amongst those you 
converse with, to join cautipn with freedom, and, 



190 sermon' xifi« 

wliile with a graceftfl case you ^[Ive to others wh^ 
their characters daim, widi a modest firivQess to 
support your own. There are few things, perhaps, 
more contemptible th^n an undisttnguisning fen^sde^ 
who can smile alike upon ail, who seems prepared 
for every address, who looks s^s if the freest would 
not be unwelcome, who s^patters herself amongst 
promiscuous objects ; who, if I may be indulged 
the expression, prostitutes to every vagrant eye^ 
and every new comer, any mental charms she inay 
possess, instead of preserving them for die intima- 
cies of virtuous love, or of sacred friendship. 
You will readily conceive, that the deportment f 
would enforce is something widely diflferent. 

In effect, were religious and moral consider- 
ations set aside, such women would not be very 
pleasing on the footing of female softness alone. 
Ck)quettes have commonly bijrtiitde sensibility. Their 
natural graces, if any diey had, are lost in levi^ 
and affectation. While they court the re^rds of a^ 
they have none to bestow upon any. Let what was 
said long ago be here remembered, that a forward 
appearance, and light demeanour, immediately dis^ 
gust a man of the least delicacy^ who, if he be 
weak enough to love the courtsMp, has commonly 
however so much peh:eption as not to approve of 
her who offers it. But good-nature, under the 
government of good sense and real wordi, will en- 
gage our esteem without flattering our folly, and 
reach that just standard of the female character, 
wbi<^ consists in a fine composition of gendeness 
and dignity, of sweet complacence and virtuous re- 
serve, the happy medium so hard to hit between 
prudery and its opposite extreme. 

As the former of diese is most directly repugnant 
to tfcat lovely quality which we are now considering^ 



I wis ptoce^ to oflfer a few: reiiaarka upoii it ; will- 
ing to rectify the notions were it but of one of 
your sex, on a subject which, in the present age, 
HSay be reckoned^ by severe judges^ least of all ne- 
dess^ IB discoursing to youisg women. 

That a prudish bd^tviour is niever sihcere, I 
will not take upon me to affirm* It may arise 
9&mettmesr from an original fri^dity^ or strange 
ihsenstbility of make. I\speak not of the dislikes 
tfiat women conceive to particular men^ while from 
others they are by no means ^insusceptible of kind 
impressions. Neither do I speak of those females 
whose first address is frequently forbidding, occa- 
sioned by a peculiar reservedness of manner rather 
^n temper, not at all incompatible with good affec- 
tion ; since it evidently wears off in a little^ and 
that excessive bashmkiess gives plac^, on pro- 
per encouragement, to a carris^e equally courteous 
and modest. But where a woman bears amongst 
candid spirits the x:haracter of a prude, there f must 
confess myself tempted to doubt both her honesty 
and her uiiderstandtng. 

This we are sure of, that it is very common for 
people to aflfcct mOst the appearance of those virtues 
which they least possess. What they want in reali- 
ty they would fain supply in show, afraid of sus- 
picion, where they are conscious of guilt ; whereas 
those that are sound at heart, are seldom apprehep- 
sive of being suspected. " A good man shall be 
** satisfied from himself,'' andgeneraliy leaves others 
to collect his principles from his practice. An honest 
confidence in the rectitude of his own intentions 
begets a simplicity of manners that despises os- 
tentation in all cases, and supersedes profession in 
most. I do not mean Religious Profession, which 
a good man will never think unnecessary, though 

Vol. II* A » 



1^92 s£&iiaN XIII* 

he will alw)ty6 make it with imxlestjr. In 6h6t$^ 
true viitue, whether male or female, is like the sutiy 
best seen in its own light* 

Of a defect of sense I look on prudery as an in*, 
disputable proof. It never succeeds in its attempted 
to impose. A woman of this character is consider- 
ed by our sex as a hypocrite, by yours as a hypocrite 
and a spy at the same time. Both are incited to a. 
keener inspection into her conduct. On the least, 
fiulure, both are provoked to sharper refN'^oachr; 
and should the tmgracious dt^emUer at last dro(> 
her disguise altogether, the triumph over her is. 
universal: nor does the world ever forget a niis-» 
carriage which was preceded by pretensions to, sil- 
perior strictness. In any case she is a disagreeable 
creature, whom none can love, and whom mosjt 
will shun. How just the words of an elegant writer, 
on this Jiubjcct ! 

- " Virtue is amidble, niild* serene,; 
" Without all beauty, and all peace within : 
** The honour of a prude is rage and storm j 
" *Ti8 ugliness in its most frightfulform.** 

Should such a woman live to grow old in the. 
single state, she will be regarded with a noixture of 
hatred and contempt. When. I say this, every one 
will recollect the imputation which has been so fre- 
quendy brought against unmarried females at that 
age. Is it an unpleasant idea ? The inference is 
plain : Let it be your care to lay in now such a 
store of good humour arid chrisdan meekness, as, 
mingling with other agreeable acquisitions, may 
prevent the advance of life from spoiling your cheer- 
fulness, or robbing you of that benignity which 
communicates a grace to every condition, and of 
th^t consequence which jrouth and beauty ^ne can- 



1 

SESMONXIXI. 123^^ 

net 'pcrscrve. Establish it betimes as a certain 
tnaxim, that to be married is neither the one nor 
the chief thing needful. Are aU in that state happy ? 
^Or must she be necessarily unhappy, who is not in 
that state? May not a single woman be wise and 
vhtuous ? and if wise and virtuous will she not b^ 
contented ? and if contented, is she not happy in the 
best sense, as much so as can be expected in tlie 
mixed and variable lot of mortals ? Is there any 
thing wrong in this reasoning ? If it be right now^ 
-will it not be right tcn^ fifteen, twenty years hence i 
And in the mean while do you not see women in 
"die situation supposed^ who from the goodness of 
their temper, breeding, and understanding, are 
objects of tender regard ; a regard so much the 
Hiore valuable, that it is entertained by the worthiest 
•of their acquaintance, that it is no longer a tribute 
^levied by the power of beauty, or aided by the influ- 
"cnce oi custom, but the pure reward of genuine 
inerit ; a merit tried by time, and xhatured by re- 
flexion ? 

But do ye imagine, that those only are disregarded 
and avoided who are peevish, fretful or suspicious 
irom age ? Depend upon it^ that such dispositions 
are always disgusting ; were she that indulges them 
blooming as the spring, or beautiful as the day. No 
hjeart was ever won by disdain ; no lover was ever 
Vept by coldness. A man, whom the extravagance of 
his passion has weakened, may submit for a while 
to the petulant airs, aiid even insolent treatment, of 
a female that is handsome and young. Nay, such 
is the debility sometimes produced by this passion 
in men of little spirit or low understanding, tliat 
bad usage, blended with fits of kindness, shall ac- 
tually m^e them iloat the more. But what shall 
we say of that woman, who finding a man in her 



134 SERMON XIII. 

power sports with his hearty and to show her domi-^ 
nion plays the tyrant ? Alas ! she knows not tbat 
true greatness consists in generosity, that a graceful 
compliance is inexpressiUy pleasing, and that a man 
of worth may be forever obliged by a noble franky 
ness. 3he forgets too how soon an immoderate 
fondness is cured by connubial familiarity, and what 
severe revenge may be taken after manriage by hin|L 
whom she treated ill before it, were he disposed to 
retaliate* 

But you want to maintain your dignity ; and why 
not ? Would you do it in the most effectual man.- 
ner? Worth and understanding are the proper 
means. Haughtiness is always Tittle, violence imK 
potent, and peevishness the infirmity of a child» 
Worth and understanding confer a ccHisequence 
tiiat is seldom in danger of being despised. She 
who shows a just sense of what belongs to her as 
a woman, and a& a christian, will engage respect 
without seeking to command it» From her a word^ 
a look expressive of virtuous disdain or' pioufr 
indignation, will dash the boldest offender, if not 
uncommonly obdurate indeed. Nor can she pro- 
baWy be often obliged to bear the company of a 
wretch, who is proof against the lightning of ex- 
cellence provoked. Be assured, on the other side,, 
that good nature well placed will never lessen your 
value. , 

Look up, my fair ones, to the First Ilady of this 
land, and learn aiFiability ; learn to know, that 
however grandeur may secure external reverence, it is 
goodness only that inspires heart-felt esteem ^ that 
royalty itself derives , lustre from meekness ; and 
that the highest prerogative, of rank is the power of 
imparting felicity more largety. Happy prince \ 
thus to have found a companion, by whose cheerful 



Ifttn^r Atid gentle manners the careii of government 
lire softened) and that satisfaction is enjoyed at hom^ 
which the splendour of a crown eannot confer* Illus* 
tripus pair! live long blessed in each other ^d in 
your children, bright examples of nuptial sanctity, 
|)arentsd aifection, and domestic joy.— -The person- 
age I speak of seems so thoroughly good, so natu« 
rally obliging, that 1 cannot doubt but she would 
have proved such in any station. But certain it is, 
that from those who are placed in the higher walks 
of life, a little condescension, a little favour, gives- 
great delight. Is it not wonderful that women of 
birth and fortune should not please more generally, 
Iftrhen they might please at so cheap a rate ? 

But not to dwell on these accidental distinctions ; 
what man is not charmed with an amiable cour- 
teousness in any young woman, especially if dther- 
■wise attractive ? Even common civility is grateful. 
But would ye be resistless ^ Acquire a habit of 
fixed attention. It is a sort of silent flattery truly 
exquisite, and withal perfectly innocent. To the 
most attentive person in company you may observe 
the conversation almost always directed ; while by 
interruption, lisdessness, or a vacant look in those 
that are present, every creature that offers to speak 
is sure to be mortified. As a small degree of know- 
ledge entertains in a- woman ; so from a woman, 
though for a different reason^ a small expression of 
-kindness delights, particularly if she have beauty. 
But, in truth, without uttering a word, she has it 
in her power by this single mark of good-breeding 
to captivate more than 1 can tell. In short, listen- 
ing to the person who speaks, with a recollected, 
tnild, and steady aspect, which nothing fnvolous 
can divert, is pexliaps the most valuable secret in the 

A ft3 



126 SERMON XXII. 

^'hole science of genuioe politeness* From an 
^igiVcable young woman to an intc^Uigent man it is 
incredi'oly soothing* 

If to your natural softness you join that ehris* 
tian meekness, which I now preach ; t;>oth together 
will not fail, with the assistance of proper reflexion 
and friendly advice, to. accomplish you in the best 
and truest kind of breeding. You will not be in 
danger of putting yourselves forward in company, 
of contradicting bluntly, of asserting positively, 
of debating obstinately, of affecting a superior!^ 
to any present, of engrossing the discourse, of lia- 
tening to yourselves with apparent satisfaction, of 
neglecting what is advanced by others, or of inter* 
rupting them without necessity* 

When these are not the effects, of mere youthful 
folly, and even then they are displeasing, it is plain 
they proceed chiefly from pride and vanity. But 
we said before, that meekness is nearly allied to 
humility, and mightily assisted by it. If you be 
truly humble, you will manifest a noble forgetful* 
ness of yourselves, with a becoming, respect for 
others ; a diflidence of your own sentiments, with a 
deference to theirs in doubtful points, or in such as 
they are entitled to know better ; a readiness to 
team of every one, with a disposition to give each 
an opportunity of appearing to advantage, and 
thus to make all happy in their turn. Where the 
prevailing modes happen to be innocent, you will 
not affea.to display the refinement of your taste, 
or the strictness of your principles, by a scrupulous 
singularity, or a saucy contempt of the opinions 
and manners of others. Nor will those contests 
and differences about precedency, form, and fashion, 
which inflame so many of your sex, interest minds 
that have learnt the dignity of yielding, and tiisit 



SERMON %ui. 127 

^e^ptse; the littleness of pride. In a word, the 
most important branches of christian breedings you 
will practise with ease and pleasure, from an inter* 
tiai principle. A meek deportment is the natural 
and spontswieous growth of a lowly mind* Polite^ 
ness in you will be the offspring of the heart. 
How much preferable to that specious, but hollow 
coiiiplaisance, studied by the fashionable and the 
false, which consists in an artful disguising of their 
own passions, and a flattering application to those 
of others, in a supple framing of the face to all 
occasions, in professmg the greatest respect without 
feeling the least, and in hiding very often the worst 
designs under the smile of familiarity, and the show 
of friendship. 

1 I used the phrase Christian Breeding ; that kind 
o( courtesy, which I .point out, being expressly 
enjoined by one of the writers of the New Testa- 
fnent. Perhaps you think of St. Paul, that acconv- 
plished apostle, who himself became all things to 
all men, that he might gain some. Such a precept 
might have been readily suggested by his early edu- 
cation in a seat of learning, and would have come 
very naturally from the hand that drew so divine a 
picture of Charity, the parent of Meekness. But 
the fact is, that it feU from the pen of an illiterate 
man, bred to the roughest of all employments. It 
was St. Peter, the inspired fisherman, that said, 
*' Be courteous :"— to intimate that the religion 
which he had learnt from the meek and lowly Jesus, 
was able to soften the keenest, and subdue, the hot- 
test temper, and even give gentleness to one train- 
ed amongst winds and Waves. 

What strangers to the ■ spirit of the gospel ate 
those women who have never controlled their own 
huniours; whose looks are contempt, and whose 



words are fiirogance; who^e general demeanotcff 
unksa when they are propitiated by adulation, dr 
soothed by^ submission, is big with insolence and 
acorn ! How shall we eitpress our horror at those 
female furies that, lost to decency and every mild 
feeling of their sex, can abandon themselves to 
^ all bitterness^ and wrath, and anger, and clamour, 
"and evil speaking, and all malice f* " It id 
•* better, says Solomon, to dwdl in the comer of 
** the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a 
** wide house ; ^ might have added, or in a mag^ 
nificent palace. In so doing, he would have proba- 
bly spoken from experience ; since it may be pre- 
sumed that some of those eastern ladies, who had 
by their beauty enslaved the unhappy monarch,^ 
were willing now and then by their tongues to con- 
vince him of their prerogative. The saying of the 
son of Sirach, on the same subject, is yet stronger, 
as well as more ironical. " A loud crying woman," 
aays he, *' and a scold, shall be sought out to drive 
** away the enemy .^ That spirited writer satirizes 
the female vices in general with great freedom; 
but there is scarce any of them which he more fre- 
quently or more severely exposes, than this of un- 
quietness and ill temper. 

When a woman of such dispositions enters into 
the nuptial state, what wretchedness can equal his 
to whose lot she falls ? To be tied for life to a 
being, whom neither reason can convince, nor pa- 
tience win, nor any thing conquer but main fcw^e ; 
a domestic plague, a bosom fiend, .from whom only 
her death or his own can deliver him— -mysterious 
Providence! who can unfold the reasons of thy 
procedure, when such is the portion of a good man ; 
who, mild himself and amiable, would have given 



r 



SERMON X^III. 129 

and received peculiar felicity, had he been connectied 
with some gentle female ? . 

But let it be remembered^ that violence is not 
necessary to constitute ill temper. Obstinacy alone 
will do it. Let me conjure you,^by all that is dear 
and lovely, to guard against that. Be assured there 
is not a man living, whose affection it does not chill, 
let him be otherwise ever so warm an admirer. 
There may be those who, during the short reign 
of beauty, will support it. But that being over, 
and the fascination of appetite dissolved, a disputa- 
tious, perverse, and stubborn female, will always 
offend; and, where there is. any manhood left, will 
often provoke to a dangerous degree. In the mean 
time, every one who is not in love will be disgusted ; 
nor can any charm of understanding, or of person, 
compensate in a woman the want of soft compliance, 
and naeek submission. These the men are taught 
by nature, by education, and by custom, to consi- 
.der as your duty, and their right ; neither will they 
be easily brou^t to dispense with it. Some of 
them you may subdue ; but you can persuade none 
of them into a different system. If yet, after all, 
you will place your glory in despotic rule instead 
of kind attraction, choosing rather to tyrannize 
over dastardly slaves under the form of husbands, 
Aan to influencie those husbands as tender friends ; 
what can we say, but that we pity them much, 
and you more ? For the idea of a little paltry 
.power assumed without title, and exercised with- 
.out discretion, to give up the worthiest triumphs 
. of your sex, how mean and*how miserable ! *' Tell 
" it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of 
" Askelon ; lest the daughters of the Philistines re- 
" joice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised trt- 
^^umph." 



r 



SERMON XiV. 

OK F£MALE Meekness. 



1 PET. iii. 3, 4. 

* . . . - ■ *■ 

'If^hote atlofnifUr^ let it not ie that tkitakttdiidturnU^ ofplaHb^ 
the hair, cuiaofioeunngof&otd, or. oj^ putting m of apparel: but 
let it be the hi*lden mdn of the heart i m that -which ;> 7wt corrupS^ 
ble, even th^ oniunient of a Meek and ^fliet 8pirit,i»hiekU^ ^ 
Might of God of great price, 

JrxS a frieDd to your sex, I cannot forbear teimenl- 
ingy that so many of them should lose* their conse- 
quence, by building it on qualities insufficient ta 
support it. Dress and show will never long capti- 
vate any hMt superficial minds. The reign t)f youth 
and beauty is necessarily short. Mere vivacity may 
amuse in a girl, but in a woman cannot give lasting 
delight ; and trifling accomplishments are all too fee- 
ble to fix the h^art* Yet such things, I am sorry to 
say it, are the only sources from whence the gene- 
rality of young women at present seek to derive 
their power. In this pursuit the unmeaning ap- 
plause, or momentary admiration of a few, is sUp- 
t)Gsed to found a superior and permanent importance 
with all. What are the effects ? From that me- 
ment, female softness is forgotten ; christian conde- 
scension is held mean ; humility, the parent of al- 
most every excellence, i» utterly despised; and 
hence a perpetual aim at proud domiiriion, instead 
of that obsequious majesty ascribed by the poet to 
innocent Eve — an aim, indeed, frequently thwarted 
in these her daughters, and, when successful) pro*< 



J 



S£RliiOK xrv{* 131 

ducttveof.a triumph sdways disgusting, to U3 hei^ 
lionfr-— H^nce ta axt unnatural compouad of conceal 
ed allurement apd affected prudery^ iuiplac^ of thc^^ 
|;etiuine attractions which are attexbclant on modesty 
and sw^ttiess: henc;e^ to say . no more, rivalship 
in figure, and quarrels for conquest, witlK)Ut end* 
How often, alas, have we^aeen these.things di^;race 
the sin^ stale ! Nor. need we wonder, that from 
habit they sore often cariried into the copjugal ; with 
this difference, that the folly and presumption, be^ 
fore diffigis^d and practised on all, are now, per-* 
.haps, concentsred and turned upon the husband* 
Would you, rfy ^ar charge, avoid a conduct so 
indecent and uehappy? Would you secure, in 
both conditions, an influence equally just and amia« 
ble ? To all odier virtues and attainments befitting 
yowt seXy kam : to join meekness* Meekness is 
followed with every honour^ while she anrogatef 
none* * Female Meekness the better part of man^ 
kfed have always conspired to crown with never-fin 
ding wreaths of love and of. praise. It is, thine^ 
thou fair foitn, to command by obeying, and by 
yielding to conquer. In/ the family of r^ligioii^ 
** many daughters have done virtuously, but thou ex? 
** celltjst them all." 

• The merits of this most lovely grace I have en# 
gaged to display, its importance in the . married 
state I mentioned in the close of my last discourse^ 
Let me press that consideration, and then proceed* 
In the passage from which we have taken our 
text,' the apostle exhorts christian women to be in 
subjection to their own husbands, adding, as 
motive which deser\^ed their regard, " that if any 
** obey not the word, they also without the word 
** may be won by the conversation of the wives, 
** while they behold your chaste conversation, cou- 
** pled with fear ;*' and so he goes on to recommend 



ii 



132 SERMON XIV. 

tliat meek and quiet spirit, which ought to be their 
principal ornament. With relation to the pnticuliir 
case hf him supposed, his meaning evidently 19^ 
that those his female disciples might, by a pious and 
exact deportment, full of sweetness and modemtioii, 
gain their husbands over^to a religion which they 
had not yet embraced, but which they would be. no 
longer able to resist, when they behdd and experi- 
enced its happy effects on the tempers asid mannerB 
of their wives. To every excellent woman, that 
in this way has. been instrumentsd to, save a soul 
from death, we may address, though in a lower $<ense, 
those words whidi were spdceh by. Gabriel to the 
Virgin Mary on a great occasion, *^ IJail, thou 
^ that art highly favoured, the Lprd is with, thee : 
** blessedart thou among women." 

I cdnnot do justice to this part of -my argument 
without remarking, that there is reason to fear 
much of the worthlessness of many married men^ 
as well as much of the unhappiness both of them 
and their partners^ must be imputed to the uirtm- 
lent passions, or uncomplying humours of ^e 
latter.' Such is the safneness of the matrimonial 
state on one hand, such its cares on the other, 
and, it is but fair to add, such the indisposition of 
numbers of tnen to be long ddighted ; that, to pre- 
serve the attadiment of a husband unimpaired, the 
utmost attention and the mildest complacence are 
commonly requisite on the side of the wpmant , 

«, E'en in the happiest choicp, where fav'ring heav'n 

•« Has equal love and easy ftjrttme given, 

•• Think nut, the husband gairiM, that all is done, - • 

** The prize of happiness must still be woa{ 

" And oft, the careless find it to their cost, 

*« The lover in the husband may be lost : 

«* The Graces might alone his heart nllure j 

** They and the Virtttous meeting must secure." 



f 



stnMoii XIV* 133 

I ato asfonbhed at tbc folly of many women, 
<Mio are still reproachifig theilr husbands for leaving 
them alone, for preferring this or that company td 
theirs, for treating diefii <vith this and the other 
mark of disregard or kidifierence ; when, to speak 
the ti*qth, they have dieniseivcs in a great measure 
to blame. Not that I would justify the men in any 
thing wrong on th^^ir part. But had you behaved 
to them with a more res'pectfdl observance, and 
a more equal tenderness; studying their hu- 
mours, oveiiooking Aeir mistakes^ submitting 
to their opinions in matters 4bdi!ferent, passing 
by litde instances of tmevenness, caprice, or pas- 
sion, giving soft answers to hasty words, cotri- 
{Aaitiin^ as selctem as possible, and making it your 
daily care to relieve dneir ^niietles,' and prevent 
tJieir wishes, to enliven liie h^ur of dulne^s, and 
call up the ideas of ftliciiy t hsi& you piirsued. this 
conduct, I doubt ndt but you would have main^ 
tained and even incn^ased their esteem, so far as to 
have secured every d6g!*ee of influence ihat could 
conduce to their Virtue, or y^ur mutuaf satisfaction j 
^nd your house might at this day have been the abode 
of dom^itic 'bliss. 

ITiere may, it is true, be some husbands whom 
ho goodness can impress. We owned it before ; 
but, still we have ground t6 bcKeve, that of men 
who would have turned tout better, had they met 
Vith disdrfeet and obliging women, multitudes have^ 
been lost by the inattention aind neglect, as well as 
hot a few %the impcrtidience and perverseness of 
their wives. Little do many of you think howeasilj^ 
the heart may be alienated. A generous readiness 
to make every kind allowance for what mj»y be amiss 
}n others, is perhaps the rarest qliality in the world t 
it; is however one of the most necessary,^ in the se- 

Vot. II. B b 



/ 



134 S£^M9K XIV* 

veral connexions of s(»:iet]f9 but^ei^aallj^iMi, ^ 
nearest of all conoe?;ion9. And yet how few hu^ 
bands, comparatively speaking, have th^ good nature 
to exercbe it towards die companions of tbetr life! 
How soon after > marriage does it often t^app^fi, that 
every error is magnified into a fault, every fault into 
a vice, and often a single look is construed into I 
know not what enormity ! Qne great source of this 
misery is, that most menxxpeict too iituch from the 
women they niarry, expect to l>f sdways received 
with smileS) and cherished, faj^ endc^ments, forget- 
ting, that they do npf always deserve tbem>.that tho^ 
women, are like themselves imperfect, that even the^ 
best temper will be hurt by circumstances, and that 
the brightest sky cannot for ever jemain unclouded. 
But, notwithstanding all this, it continues true, .th^ 
women might often do much moi:e to please*, .Thek 
4rop{nng to the husband, as we haye fre^uendy seen, 
tiiose engaging manners which they practised on the 
lover, is impiety and distraction at tjhe same Instant i 
asif the solemn vowj they made at th^ alts^ were 
words of course, and their only concern ^vas to be 
married, not to oe happy, or to gain a heart^.^not to 
ke^p it. They are apt also to forget in i^ir turn, 
that the complacence aiid obsequiousness of court- 
ship seldom ei^tend into ^v^edlock ; that the raptpir^s 
bf a common passion SM*e necessarily short ; that an 
attachment without tendefness, or at n^st an. direc- 
tion witlumt delicacy, is as muph . as . c;an ,be, hope^d 
from the ordinary run of husbands ; .jujd that to pi:f<* 
serve even this, requirj&s both vigilance ^d g^a* 
tieness. .^ \ / 

But that vigilance which is forced, will l)e fre^ 
quently suspended ; and that gentleness which i^ put 
on will be. always precarious. Therefore we wish 
ypu to acquire early the. habits of js^lf omtrotl, mA 



f ■ 



$?BliMON XIV. 1S5 

» 

to cultivate from principle a meek and quiet spirit. 
This ydu' wiil do with s^iecess, if imploring and de- 
pending on'« the grace of God, you make consci6nc6 
of curbing betimes the irascible passions of nature, of 
submitting calmly to the daily mortifications of life, 
of generously yielding to those about you, and par- 
ticularly of condescending to persons of low estate. . 
I have never seen a woman eminent for the last 
of th^sc qualities, who was not excellent in many 
'6ther ways. Respect to superiors may be enforced 
by fear, or prompted by interest, and is therefore 
no' demonstrative j>roof of a good heart. But 
habitual mildness to those of inferior rank, is one 
of its surest indications. That young lady cannot 
•have a bad mind, who readilv enters into the 
'distresses, and affectionately contribute^ to the feli- 
city of those i^hom Providence has placed beneath 
her. . In reality there is no such discovery of your 
tempiers aS your treatment of domestics. She is 
always the worthiest character, who behaves best 
at home, and is most liked by the servants. '^Fhey 
are the truest judges of a woman's dispositions, 
because to them disguise is laid aside, and diey see 
her in all lights. An unaffected propension to use 
them well, without paniality and without caprice, 
argues a confirmed benevolence, ^hose who use 
them otherwise, will urge indeed their mercenary 
spirit, their want of gratitude, diciV want of worth \ 
and. such complaints may in many instances be 
too well founded. But humanity is noble, and will 
ri$e above tittle considerations ; Christianity is di- 
vine, and will not be overcome of evil, but will 
overcome evil with good. A faithful servant is a 
treasure, entitled to every possible mark of regard ; 
and some siich there certainly are in this country. 
'Bat it must be cotifessed, the generiality of that 



136 SXRKOK Xlf* 

class aa*e often highljr provdkmgt ^jr are tvet 
ready to 'corrupt one another ; and there; can be 
little attachment where there is no ptinciple* Never?' 
iheless, I am persCiaded that treating theta ifith 
tenderness when sick, and with gentleness at other 
timesy without making them confidants, would^ 
joined to a wise and pious example, go far to gain 
and reform many of them* At any rate, cond^ 
scension and generosity to those of lower station^ 
will always give satisfaction to that mind in which 
there is real superiority. 

Your behaving handsomely to your friends, and 
eourteously to all with whom you converse, 
though not so certainly characteristic of the virtue I 
paint, will yet he a natural and agreeaUe effect, of 
. it. Meekness is like the light, which spreads it* 
self every where : though, like the light lOO, . It 
pleases most where it is least looked for. To carrjr 
on the resemblance ; like that it.wiU be som^Ui^e^ 
obscured, but like that also, we cannot b^jar its 
being long absent. Starts of petulance may be for* 
^iven to ^prosperity ; fits of fretfulness are, natural 
to affliction ; but what can be pleaded for harboucixig 
a passionate or a peevish temper, easily provoked 
and hardly pacified ? 

When I havp seen a woman in rage, I have n)[* 
ways wished tor a mirror at hand, to show her to 
herself^ How would she have started . J^ack from 
her own image^ if not an absolute Demon! To 
those of such a stamp I have nothing to say bill: 
this, that a place awmts them where tku&ir rage will 
^have its full scope for ever. But some are of $i 
calmer strain, sour, splenetic, and suUen ; not lesjs 
unchristian,, or less un&male than th9» others, and 
on one account much worse. In those t|)e storm 
breaks and clears; in these all is sett)f4 H^^^^^ 



i 



5EEM0N XIV. 13? 

• 

tfiat aiimits no sunshine, that pisesents no prospect 
of the cheerful kind* For vulgar and unenlightened 
spirits, thus continually overcast, there may be^ 
some excuse, from the want of better instruction^ 
that might have helped to corrject their natural, in* 
felicity of temper. But what shall, be said for habi- 
tual rancour, deep resentment, and cool malignity iil 
those women whd, together with understandings 
originally good, (for some such there are,) hav«^ 
eigoyed the advantages of books, and conversation, 
of elegant breeding and knowledge of the world i 
In truSi, their heads seem io have starved thenr 
hearts ; and the talents they possess serve , only to 
render them completer fiends. 

It is a strange mistake of many who think, that, 
provided they do not indulge in one particular pas- 
sion, they may give a loose to all the rest : as if a 
woman could offend only by incontinence ; or as if 
. her not committing a sin to which perhaps from th^ 
coldness of her complexion she has no propensity, 
or from which she is restrained by the dread oT 
immediate infamy and ruin, would atone for the 
commission, of others without number j for vanity ' 
and arrogance, for selfishness and envy, for suspi- 
cion and revenge, for unbounded censoriousness, ou 
the blackest malice. I am sufficiently aware that 
pride may not comprehend the rem irk, and that 
tincharitableness may not forgive it : but no candid 
hearer will mistake me, when I say, that, however 
scandalous and however destructive the lusts of the 
flesh may be, those of the mind are much more 
heinous^ being the proper and peculi^ image of the 
worst and wickedest being in the universe ; in one 
word, they are infernal. . 

B b 2 



138 3ERM.0K XIV* 

Our Master understood the distinctipn weQ, xus^ 
was not afraid to show that he uiiderstoocl it. In 
the capacity of a teacher he conversed freely with 
publicans and sinners ; he treated then^ tenderly j ha 
came not^ as he himself said^ ^^ to call the righteous 
** but sinners to repentanct^'' What gentleness did 
he not display to the poor creature taken in adultery ! 
What forgiveness of the well-known female penitent^ 
who but a little before had. been plunged in disonder 
and shame 1 Such he declared should enter into Uie 
kingdonvof heaven more readily than the Scribes and 
Pharise<is, in spite of all their ablutions and prayers, 
their ifrequent fastings and specious demeanour ^ 
a proud self-justifying^ and roost unmerciful ^et of 
men, whom he scrupled not for these reasons, to 
pronounce " the children, of the deviL" Let ^m* 
persuade you, from the example of your Saviour^ 
to learn pity towards such as have gone astrajf^ 
How ungracious in women not to show mercy to 
women! Let me prevail with you never to ^^cpres^^ 
a supercilious contempt, or unforgiving siev^ity^ 
on the subject of those hapless beings whose misery 

* pleads for commiseration yet louder tj^^a their 
crimes csJl for censure. Which of you can b^ sure 
that you would not have yielded to the same temp- 
tations which overcame them ? Where are thost 
perfect characters that can answer for their own 
stability I . Who made you to dii&r from Ae 
wretchedest of human kind I BeUeye me, cbris^ 
tians, the most genuine virtue |s always the roost 
humble, and the most £baritable«-r-Merciful heaven^ 

^ may the best gifta of thy providenpe, and the sweets 
est influence of thy grace, descend everoiore on 
that blessed establishment, which has opened n 
sanctuary for wretched females weary of vice, an^ 
wiltibg to reform* May all its benefactora obtain 



■• / 



'ttiercy in- the day of the Lord. What superior 
honour does sach an establishment^ with its sister 
institution, that happy asjium for the helpless 
young^ creatures of your sex who are yet uncorrupt- 
ed^ reflect on this nation ! They are truly the most 
distinguishing glory of Britain ; the fairest flowers, 
if 1 may so say, in all the garland of English ha- 
manity. 

. But let me recommend, to you candour with re* 
gard to your sex in general, as well as compassion 
towards the unhappy part of it. Ah, my fair clients^ 
wh^t shall we say in your behalf to those men who 
are always teliing^ us of your ill-natured remarks, 
or illiberal innnuations tp the disadvantage of one 
another f Such as resign themselves, without con* 
crol, to this accursed passion, we give up at once 
•with indignation and abhorrence* Those wilful and 
deliberate destroyers of reputation are of their ** fe- 
^ ther the devil, who was** an accuser, and '" a 
f * murderer from the beginning ;" nor, while thejr 
do his. works, will it avail them aught, though like 
him they coidd in other respects " transfor«> them-t 
^ selves into angels of lig^t*." No lustre of beauty, 
no brilliancy of understanding, can,, even among 
the warmest friends of the^ sex, make compensation 
fer the spirit of censoriousness in a female, for 
my own part, I consider good nature and candid 
sentiments as so peculiarly indispensable in every 
woman, that, when I want to estimate the charac^ 
ter of any young lady,. I take the first opportunity 
©f comiimending highly some person of her own sex^ 
and about her own. age, but rather younger, whom 
she knows, and who is deservedly a favourite with 
the men. If without hesitation, reserve, or a 
single But, if with apparent pleasure aad cordiality 
she joins in the praise j I am willing from that mo- 



140 SSRMOH %it. 

metit to form a favourable opftiion of her heart. I 
may be mistaken : it may be all artifice ; but, for 
the moat part, 1 think not. If on the contrary—* 
tnit I need not express the rest. Inform us^ ye stu- 
dents of human nature, what it is in the female mind 
Aat, without thp restraints of superior worth, in-^ 
clines it so strongly to the lov^ of scandal.^ I 
am disposed to hope that, besides the competilsoiii 
formerly explained, it may be often owing to lite 
acrimony produced hfy disappointment, and often to 
the habits contracted by associating with those whof 
having no fund of entertainment in themseWeay 
are forced to seek it at the expense of others. Be-k 
owing however to what it will, one thing is certain^ 
that a proneness to indulge it is always detestaUe ; 
as on the other hand, she who has the generosity 
to approve most, will have always the satisiactioa 
of being most approved ; and fcwr- the best of- quali^ 
tiesi an amiable temper.— —No, my fair ones, no- 
thing can make amends for the want of that. It h 
Kke wisdom ; " It cannot be valued with the gt4d 
»**of Ophir, with the precious onyx or the sapphirev 
" The gold and the crystal cannot equal it^ and the ' 
^•* exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold* 
** No mention shall be made bf coral or of pearls : 
** for the price of it is above rubies. The topai of 
•♦ Ethiopia shall not equal it." Preserve it, dearlf 
beloved, and cherish it forever. . 

Let " the law of kindness" be in your tongue* 
** A froward- mouth and perverse lips put far from 
** you." Guard against every word, against every 
hint that would give pain unnecessarily to- any crea- 
ture. Beware of mistaking pertness for vivacity^ 
or petulance for spirit. Tremble at the thought of 
sacrificing friendship to a jejjt. Indulge in no case 
* pro|)ensity to conti'a^tioii, or the itchof critl* 



r 



Gisni« Be not hasty to draw chavactei'S) in g$aers^ 
coj]Qpames,especially« Whenever you do, b« sure 
to touch on what . is^ praiseworthy : something 
praise worthy there is in every character* Ov^r 
what is culpable throw the veil of charity as ofteri 
^jpvican. As well in this as in other respects, 
fe^ parity shall hide a multitude ot sins." Wh^q 
l|ie absent are condenmed, justify their conduct, if 
pos^lUe i extenuate it, if not : some circumstauce 
of extenuatioQ/may be almost always fouqd. If in 
your judgment of human actipps you must frequent- 
ly car, let Jt ever be on the favourable side^ and 
remember, that one of a noble . nature had much 
]psa;her i)e thought humane thaii witty^ simple than 
^evere#;> Shoyr youjrselves- pleased^ as of^en as you 
f^ally aresa; and you will seldom fail of pleasing* 
Join to ail the rest the magnanimity of applauding 
Itreely iQ odier women that beauty, and those ac- 
compU^hmeots, whicti youyourseU'e^ may chancy 
UQX to pQ$se6$, or' to possess only i^ an infiM^ioF de<^ 
gr^c.--^How lovely and greait will you appear by 9a 
UPaQTected attention to 9uch maxims ! J be spflyrklin^ 
of wit^. or the splendour of for(:vme in others, they 
amuse ajod dazzle for a time.; but you shall secure 
solid^ and lasting esiteem* Your 'society will b« 
sought, as easy and safe ; your friendship will b# 
priced, as sincere and affecti<»iate ; in your tendeir 
bosoms your acquaintance will lat>g to repose their 
Ji^^arts ; and from your sympathetic manner of ea* 
tering iaito their concerns, they will receive consOf 
lation^ 

But i3 there no danger of sinking into insi* 
pidity by ^ such a behaviour f Not the least ; if it 
be accompanied with thpse other qualities which 
women ought; to cultivate. And what should hinder 
Ihe softest spirit of : VOUT sex from acquiring, if sh§ 



J4 



142 6£RlilOK XIV. 

wtU, any one virtue or accomplishitient propoirtioti- 
ate to iier c&pacity? It is possible indeed, that 
audi a cast of mind may be attended with less re'^ 
solation in dificultiea^ whh less endurance of nfflic^ 
tion, with less acuteness of wit, or less force 4f 
underst^ding ; 4xit by due pains taken with htn* 
self a woman of this sort will, I apprehei^d^ beyoiM 
all odiers, improve into that form of character whfeh 
we would wiilingly convince you is the mo»t beatl^ 
ful in a female« There are, I.will' adcno^edgei 
now and then income of a different monld, cer* 
tain little caprices^ or lively sallied and starts of 
humour^ that are not nnpleaaing on particular ot»- 
casions. But then they require to be bounded by 
decency, and blended with sense ;i^or* must t^ 
great principles of g4i^ affection be evei" l^rgot* 
ten, •';-•'-'■ -y ■ . 

Amongst. the many other advantages re^ulthig 
from female meekness, I must not omit to mentioii 
how much it will conduce to personal attradtioft. 
As it commonly implies calm passions^ so it natiiral* 
ly produces, or happily prorootes^ that serene man- 
aer which is always engaging, (a flutter, never is,^ 
and which, meeting a sentimental mind, i^^fihes 
very readily into a gracefulness of mien, more real 
than any that is acquired in gay assemblies,' and to 
sgn observant eye mueh more- alluring; Imagine a 
circle of handsome young women, where one id 
distinguished above the rest by a flowing yet com- 
posed affability i by a meek look, and modest car* 
riage, in which there appears no consciousness of 
beauty, no return upon herself, no study to beconie 
the object of the company, no visible attention to 
her dress or person, iDut a recollected mr, and'steat^f 
regard to those about her ; what superiw pleasur^ 
and respect will her preasence necessarily In^kef 



SiBRKON XIV* 143 

Suppose, her, if you w31, entirely silent, from ^ 
fjisposition to give place to^ others who may seem 
more desirous of talking ; will not her very silence 
interest ? But when, on finding room left her to 
share in the discourse, she delivers herself with 
that sweetness of voice which often accompani^ 
inild affections, expressing io gentle unstudied ac- 
Ijepits such sentiments as are worthy of her charac- 
t^r ; I leave you to guess the effect on every sus^ 
peptib^ by-standen Alas ! my friends, what is all 
the momentary lustre you are continually labouring 
to give those lips, compared with the permanent 
beautiep of a lovely mind, breathing from them in 
figreeaUe conversation? Let me add, where the 
:grace of meekness has the soul in full possession, 
it wiU b^ l>fte]a seen beaming in the eyes with a 
blaiid sensibility, and sporting on the countenance 
in placid 'smiles^ more soft than the softest glow 
X)f a summer evening ; especially, when the mind 
is at any time exalted into livelier emotions of be- 
nigiHty and joy. Or once nK>re let u» suppose, that 
affliction) has given to such a face a cast of solemni<» 
ty and languor ; it will still retain a kind of sober 
charm that is inexpressibly affe<^ngk In truth, 
Jbeauty never touches the heart so deeply, as whea 
.with a sweet unreluctant. surrender it seems ready 
to fainit under the shock of misfortune, or the load 
of sorrow* Sut to proceed* 

I would take the liberty to observe, that christiait 
nt^eekness will be of particular use to prevent the 
lortful. behaviour so frequently complained of in wo^ 
men^and Ui many instances so justly. 71ie com^ 
plaint, I confess, comes with an ill grace from those 
men, whose daily study it is, in one shape or ano« 
Aer, .to impose on the sex; nor can I doubt' but 
WBOfiy cff tbe latter would have- more sincerity, if 



> r," 
. . \ . ; 

144 y $F SERMON XIV. 

Ae 0Cher» had less design. They probably think 
themselves justified in J^fflmgart by art ; and from 
the science of defence and resistance, they are too 
mpt to pass to that of stratagem and attack. It is 
marvellous indeed to what lengths many of them 
carry it, till they become mere compositions of hypo-» 
crisy where each ingenuous feeling is lost, and every 
wordt look, motion, and minute proceeding, is a 
lye. Whether it be that Nature has g^ven them 
more subtilty, or that education has taught them 
more disguise, or that their condition' affords theth 
.greater leisure to think of such things, or that th^ 
are willing to make up in wiles what they Want ia 
sjtrength ; whether it be owing to one, or to all of 
these causes, I know not: but the fact i§ this, that 
there are very few men« able to contend WS^ a pun- 
sing woman in her own way. 

Nevertheless, I must inform such dissembleHs^ 
tfa^ cunning is not true ability ; it H at best butieft- 
iKmded wisdom ; it carries with it an obliquity, and ' 
A& impotence, that- a noble mind will, and that ^ 
capable one ought to despise. I need not say, th^ 
it is diametrically opposite to . the simplicity of tht 
gospel, which admits our being *' wise as serpents," 
only so far as is consistent with our being ^^ faarm*- 
** less as doves,^ The maxim of a virtuous pru^* 
cbnce are comf^ichensive ; and she who has learnt, 
with a humble reliance on heaven's direction^ td 
apply them as occasion requires, will nevtr want 
^^ assistance of artifice, in shorty artifice is veirf 
often a feeble auxiliary, and almost ccms^dy betrays 
ing those that trust to it. Foiid prepossession, or un^- 
suspecting casidour, may no dqUbt be easily deceived 
by female disguise ; but it is difficult to act aj^art long* 
Dissimulation will sometimes let fall; the nwisk ; 
w^dhe hag not the spirit of ft mabyWtlo iioeVl^cM 



I 
t 



SSJUMeN XIV. 



Itbhor and scorn tlie detected impostor. IM 
while, what a laborious task is hers ! Ho-.y anxi : 
ignoble, and wretched! Prom this, iwyfairdii 
pies, native goodness and christian meekness * 
save you. By being what you ought to app: 
you will be under no temptation of appearing m 
you arfe not. An obliging conversation, and ' 
deportment, will proceed from you freely as fr 
a living fountain. Having no bad passions to c 
ceal, your thoughts and manners will be transport 
Truth will be your prompter, while discretion 
your guard. In you virtue will wear her mild 
aspect, without constraint and without study. 1 
baseness and barbarity of inviting and encourag 
addresses, which you mean not in the end to accc 
you will avoid and detest. A proffered heart j 
will refuse %vith civility and gratitude, whfere j 
cannot return your own; or where you can s 
ought, you win accept with generosity and affecti 
Let me add upon the whole, that as every mode 
dtssimulation is equally injudicious and unbecomi 
so she will always be the most attractive, while ! 
is the only honourable character, who cultivates 
nuine worth instead of artificial forms, ^nd pi^ 
tises undissembled sweetness instead of fictitic 
courtesy. 

Such a one was Isabella, the darling of all \^ 
knew her* It is tru^, she lived where virtue is i 
eclipsed by fortune, and where depravity of m: 
ners did not prevent the admiration of excellen 
Her mind was very early accomplished ; it was ti 
of a woman, when she was yet but a child, 
shone in her face widi a generous warmth, ^md 
the same time a calm inteliigence, seldom seen i 
countenance so young ; it produced in her wh 



146 SERMON XIV. 

deportment a mixture of softness . and dignitf , 
which she. alone did not perceive. In company, the 
merits of others, not her own, engaged all her at- 
tention* She was never pert. Her diffidence kept 
her too frequently silent : when shef spoke, it was 
with sweet simplicity and smiling respect. Her 
voice was melody itself, without that frivolous 
whine which is often occasioned by dissembling, 
imd often by afFectatioti. Among her intimate 
companions she was sprightly and playful ; for them 
she felt the enthusiasm of friendship. Her pen 
flowed, in a stream of sentiment alike tender and 
exahed ; . it was the interpreter of her heart. Every 
duty becoming her station, and consistent with her 
years, she fulfilled from instinct sanctified by piety ; 
a piety, in which meekness still presided. Heaven 
beheld ^so gendc a spirit with complacence, and took 
her away from the evil to come ; took her to itself, 
in all the purity of untainted virtue. . She was 
seized on a sudden : I then saw her : she was no 
way alarmed. Young and beautiful, admired and 
happy, she surrendered her soul with a placid re- 
signation ; she smiled in her last moments ; the 
smile remained on her clay-cold visage for sonae 
time after the informing mind was fled. She was 
lovely and pleasant in her life, and in her death 
an object of universal and affectionate lamenta- 
tion. Her little story furnishes a proof,, that sen- 
timent and meekness conjoined, are superior to all 
other allurements ; and that dispositions at dnce 
mild and virtuous require, neither disguise nor 
heightening. \ 

I presume you know, that the language qf in- 
spiration represents the internal character under the 
notion of a person or living form, which it styles 
the old or the new man, according as the principles 
^f sin or of holiness have the agcendant. By the 



SERMON XIV. 147 

same figure of speech, the inward graces and deco* 
rations of a christian are here termed " the hidden 
*' man of the heart, in that which is not corrupti- 
*' ble ;" to contrast them with that corporeal beauty, , 
and those external embellishments which are im- 
mediately palpable to the senses, and like them sub- 
ject to decay and corruption. Thus it is that Su 
Peter would call off your too anxious attention 
from inferior, outside, and short-lived attractions, 
whether original or assumed, to such as are of su- 
preme value, being in their nature spiritual and 
immortal* Nor does he simply rest there, but far-' 
ther recommends the latter as highly acceptable ta 
vour Maker, *' even the ornament of a n>eek and 
*' quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of 
** great price." 
. Such a spirit, indeed, bears a near resemblance 
to his own itiost merciful and blessed attributes, to 
his well beloved Son and our divinejy benevolent 
Saviour, to those good and happy creatures that 
constitute the angelic world, and to all the excellent 
ones of human kind, both on earth and in heaven, 
that belong to the same great family of love. Such 
a spirit proceeds directly from the common parent, 
and cannot but be pleasing to its author. What 
says St. James? " The wisdom that is from above 
" is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to 
** be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits.'' 
Such is the temper of Christianity, and such are its 
effects^ 

To cherish them in j^ourselVes let all the prece- 
ding considerations incite you ; but above them all, 
be engaged by the divine ambition of being appro- 
ved by the sovereign judge and rewarder of excel- 
lence. Wh^t can be added to such an argument ; 
or what can we ofier upon it, that will be any 
way answerable to its (jUgnity I To appear beautifui 



148 SERMON XIV. 

in tlie eye of God ; to be beloved by the monarcli 
of the universe J to be admitted, if I may use the 
phrase, as so many fair and shining pillars into his 
temple below ; while he contemplates each with a 
pleasing aspect, and purposes to remove them in 
due time to his sanctuary on high, where they shall 
remain his everlasting delight, as well as the never 
ceasing admiration of . surrounding cherubim- 
Great Creator ! what can equal such exaltation and 
felicity ? And can any of you, my hearers, be so 
destitute of every nobler sentiment as not to aspire 
after privileges like these ? Unmoved by such ideas, 
can you turn away with impatience, and run to scenes 
of dress and show with the same little inglorious 
passions as before ; preferring to the approbation 
of the Eternal the slightest regards from the silliest 
mortals ? Go, thou senseless creature, and boas^ of 
being admired by the butterflies of a day : See 
what they will do for thee, when he whose &vour 
thou neglectest, and for such things, shall cause thy 
*' beauty to consume like a moth, and diy heart tor 
sink within thee like a stone* Imagination shudders 
at the thought of that day, when thou shalt enter^ 
trembling, forsaken and forlorn, those., dismal re- 
gions which the voice of adulation cannot reach, 
where nothing shall be heard but sounds of reproach, 
and blasphemy, and wo ; where, stript of every 
ornament that now decks thy body, and stript of 
that body itself, thy mind must appear without shel- 
ter or covering, all deformed and ghastly, niangled 
widi the wounds of despamng guilt, and distorted 
by the violence of envenomed passions, while de- 
mons shall mock at thy misery. Save us, almighty 
Redeemer, save these young people from a doom 
so dreadful ! 

Would you concur to prevent it ? Begin with 
restraining the love of bmamcnt : car rather, turn 



. 



r 



. SERMON XIV. 

that dangerous afTection into a higher channel, 
let it flow : it vrill then become safe, useful, nc 
Here you will haye scope for .tJie largest fancy, 
the adorning of your character we wish you tc 
no bounds. In dressing the soul for the comp 
of saints, of angels, of God himself, j^ou cai 
employ t(>o much time or thought* In stud] 
and cuUiyati^g " the hidden man of the hej 
you wijl every day discover new charms^ that 
Improve wiiii s^, bloom in sickness, live in dc 
survive the desolation of the grave, ascend 
umphant to the world of perfect beauty, 
continue to brighten under the smile of hes 
for ever. In a word, all the best beings in 
creation, together with the Creator him 
concur in loving and honouring a beauteouis mii 
Nor is this a distinction, for which you n 
contend with too itiany competitors. Carry the 
,sion for dress almost ever so high, you will 
have the mortification to find some one or o' 
outshine you in taste, or in niagnificence ; but 
palm of wisdom you may bear away froni the gre 
part unenvied, if you will only allow them the 
pcriority of fashion. Oh ! that I knew ho^ 
awaken on this subject the spirit of ambition 
those who are so prone to indulge it on a thous 
others. Happy preacher, cpuldst thou behold 
hearers filled with emulation to excel one anotl 
in oil the modest graces and mild aecomplishm< 
that , can adorn their sex! Happy Britain, ^A 
this the aera in which religion, with her whole ti 
:Qf virtues, might rise into repute amongst thy c 
dren ; in which thy sons might be ^' as plants gr< 
" up in their;yQutb," and thy 'J daughters ^s < 
'^ ner-stones a^id polished after the simUitiide c 
" palace !" 

C c 2 



conclusion; 



1 HE preacher can readily suppose, that tiiany 
things advariced on the subject of Wom^, in the 
course of these Sermons, will be deemed by the ge- 
nerality of his own sex too soothing, while by die 
majority of yours many will be judged too severe ; 
»uch is the force of prejudice on both sides, lliat 
he himself is quite impartial, it is impossible for him 
to be certain. He can only say, that he has honest- 
ly endeavoured, according to the best of his capaci- 
ty, to hold the balance even. Throughout the whole, 
he had but one single point to study ; which was, to 
advance what he believed to be true, and what he' ho- 
|)ed at the same time might be useful. He knew, and 
considered, that he is accountable at a* higher tribu- 
nal than any upon earth. If he has wished to please^ 
it was from a solicitude " for your good to edifica- 
"^ tion.'* If he has happened to offend, it was with- 
out nialignity or design. He should be sorry to be 
counted your enemy, for telling' you the truth. But 
his concern in that case would be for you, not for 
himself; he is ambitious of your approbation, but 
he is much more so of his own. 

'His happiest days having been chiefly past in the 
conversation of woitien of worth and understanding, 
tt is certain, that for such he has ever entertained a 
peculiar esteem. He pretends not indeed, that even 
amongst them he has found any jewel without a flrfw. 
But ndtwithstahding their imperfections, justice exi» 
acts from him thtt testimony, that, when^they have 



CONCLITSIOK. 151 

m any tolerable degree sqpproached, to the standard of 
>i^hai we have so often styled female excellence, 
theyli^ye appt^ared $o.,hMn, with a few exceptions in 
favour of the other sex, by far the devoute^t wor- 
shippers, the waritvest friends, and the i^ofit senii- 
tnental as. well as entertaining companions. What 
he ha3 .principally )o lamijnt is his meeting with so 
saiall a number, who have had elevation enough to 
practise an entire simplicity of manners, sense enough 
whoUy to forget their persons in the company of 
men, and meekness enough to be quite content when 
not the objects of immediate attention* 

If the prieacher has endea^O|*red, uppn the prin- 
ciples of candour, to account for .some passions in 
the sex that seem at first sightless innocent, or less 
excusable J it was under, the sanction and impression 
of that great evangelical law, " Judge nOt, that ye 
' "be not judged. For with what judgment ye 
*^ judge, ye shall b^^udged : and with what measure 
** ye mete, it shall be measured to you again," If 
he has addressed those young persons who formed 
^ his audience, in a styk of peculiar tenderness, the 
reason, in plain terms, was because he felt it; nor 
does he think, that either as a man, or as a preacher, 
he ought to suppress, if he could, an affection which 
nature has implanted, and which^ kept within pro- 
per bounds, religion does not projiibit* 

If he has attempted to insinuate instruction under 
the smiles of complacence, or to enforce admonition 
with the fervours of iriendship ; say, ye censqrs of 
the age,, is he really to blame .^ Is an austere coun- 
tenance the proper face of zeal, or a distant forma- 
lity the genuine mark of holin^sj^ ? To disgust by 
rudeness, or to discourage by rigour — ris that the way 
to wir^ souls ? Was it the wa^. of the Apostles, or 
«>f their Master'? JMEerciful Saviour ! what worijs 



r 



152 CONCLUSION. 

can paint thy benignity, into whose lips grace Was 
poured, who didst "not break the 1>ruised reed, 
"nor quench the smoking . flax," whose character 
was like that of thy Father, love ! I touched before 
on the spirit that breathed in his teaching :- let nic- 
just add here, that his parables, which madfe so 
great a part of it, were pointed to the imagination 
no less riian to the - heart ; presenting the strongest 
pictures of life and nature, at the same time tHat by 
these very means they impressed the noblest lessons 
<rf piety and truth. To speak iti general, will any 
one say, that the severity of ci*n6ure must. never be 
softened, nor the awRilness of solemnity tempered ; 
not even when the preacher has the youthful and 
the gay for his hearers ? Those surely are strangers 
to true wisdom, who suppose her monitions incom- 
patible with cheerful images or joyful ideas ; surely 
those 'are unacquainted with the human mind, who 
hope to reform its errors, without conciliating its 
affections, or think that the tutoring of teiTor alone 
will produce the Im^e of goodness. 

In some sentiments which I have offered to your 
consideration, I should not be surprised if I have 
beerl taxed with idle refinement. We live in an 
age when whatever is held by the few tnbst solid 
and valuable, is by the many derided as visionary, 
or decried as insignificant. In the present age an 
accomplished feijaaie is apt to be shunned under the 
notion of a learned lady ; and the virtuous woman of 
the Proverbs would be in danger of being ridiculed 
as a composition of affectation. In this age the 
subject of dress and ornament, I am ' ready to ac- 
knowledge, is better understi^ tfiail formeily ; 
but in the«e how often are niodesty, frugality, and 
simple elegance, given up .to levity or fashion, to 
vain competiticHi er mists&eh appearance ^ ' In -this 



CONCLUSION. 153 

age the Tstrictness of female decorum, and the re- 
tirings of female reserve, must expect to be con* 
'strued into ignorance of the world, if not intp hy- 
pocritical airs of female sanctity. In this polite age. 
I had almost asked, where is the man that believes 
^any woman to be modest at heart ; and where is 
the woman that dares to be superior to the follies 
of her sex ? A passion exalted by generosity, and 
refined by sentiment, in which the man, not the, 
equipage, was regarded, in which the highest grati- 
fications of sense were the lowest objects of affec- 
tion— rsuch a passion is now considered by the gene- 
Tality as romance. Such lovers might exist in tha 
days of old, or possibly may be yet found in the 
obscurity of, retreat ; but in. the gay worlds where 
all is tainted with sensuality, and sacrificed to show, 
they would appear too uAgenteel to be res[3ectable, 
and too insipid to be happy. Here, alas, how few 
:have the fortitude to live to their own heartsk the 
worth to cultivate the joys of friendship, or the 
soul to seek conjugal felicity in conjugal .esteem ! 
Amidst the hurry and dissipation of diversions* 
the profligacy or insignificance of play, die futility 
or frivolou3nesa of formal visiting ; what regard or 
what room is left for self-possession or mutuid con-j 
fidence, for rational conversadon or improving stud}', 
for the pleasing cares of a family, or that amiable 
mixture of minds without which social life is mo- 
dish disguise or mean indulg-ence I Is it necessary 
to add, how scanty a portion of time is now given 
to private devotipn ; how little the sabbath is made 
a day of rest fi*pm the toil of pleasure, or the tu» 
inult of passion ; smd to what banter from the li- 
centious of both sexes she is. exposed, who would 
fill up the duties of that day with seriousness, re» 
vcrcnce, and constancy? Let me only subjoin^ 



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/^ 




3 9015 00824 7788 






.«» 



DO NOT REMOVE 



OR 




CARD