Consider the various tryals that surround you, my brethren, as matter of great joy; knowing this,

that the bringing your faith to the test, produces constancy.

but constancy should be brought to its perfection, that you may be entirely accomplished, without any defect.

but let him be fully persuaded of the lawfulness of what he asks: for he that is diffident about that, is like the waves that fluctuate with the wind.

Let him that is poor triumph in the advantages of being a christian.

happy is he that can stand the tryal: for when he has undergone the test, he shall receive that crown of life which the Lord has promised to those that love him.

Let no man under temptation, say, it is God that tempts him; for as he is incapable of moral evil, he can't influence any one thereto.

every thing that is valuable, every gift that leads to perfection is deriv'd from heaven, it descends from that original light, which knows no change, no shadow, or decline:

'tis he that has voluntarily renew'd us by the oracles of truth, that we might be the first converts of the new creation.

for he that is not dispassionate is a stranger to the practice of true virtue.

throw off then your vices as dregs and scum: and receive with docility that genuine doctrine, which is effectual to your salvation.

whereas, he that attentively considers the perfect law of liberty, and is attach'd thereto, he is not a forgetful hearer, but reduces it to practice, and his conduct is crown'd with hapiness.

if you should respectfully say to the suit of fine cloths, sit you there, that's for quality; and to the poor man, stand thou there, or place your self at my feet:

they who blaspheme that sacred name by which you are distinguish'd?

If, agreeably to the scriptures, you observe that royal law, "thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self," you do well.

for he that violates but one precept of the whole law, is as obnoxious to punishment, as if he had broke thro' all the rest.

he that said, "do not commit adultery," said too, "do not kill." though you should not commit adultery, yet if you kill, you are a transgressor of the law.

for he that has not shewed mercy, shall be condemn'd without mercy: while the merciful shall triumph at his trial.

don't you see his actions and his faith conspir'd, and that his faith had its perfect effect in his conduct?

it was then, that those words of scripture were accomplished, "Abraham believed God, and he was regarded for it as a man of virtue, and was the favourite of God."

you see then, that a man is accounted just for his actions, and not for his bare faith.

was it not likewise for her actions, that Rahab, formerly a loose liver, was accounted as just, for having entertain'd the messengers of Joshuah, and dismiss'd them the securest way?

My brethren, don't affect many of you to be doctors, considering, that those of us who are such, shall be tried with the greater severity.

for we are all liable to frequent mistakes. he that does not give too great a loose to his tongue, is an accomplish'd person and fit to moderate the whole church.

the tongue is a brand that sets the world in a combustion: it is but one of the numerous organs of the body, yet it can blast whole assemblies: tipp'd with infernal sulphur it sets the whole train of life in a blaze.

By that we give praises to God the father: and that pronounces curses even against men, who are form'd after the divine resemblance.

can a fig-tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine figs? no more can the sea yield water that is fresh.

Whoever is a skilful moralist, let him show by his virtuous conduct, that he practises the humble precepts of wisdom.

Degenerate race, don't you know that friendship with vice is hostility against heaven. he that is a friend to the vicious world, is an enemy to God.

or do you imagine that passage of scripture to be insignificant, "does the spirit that dwells in you, incite you to vice?"

address your selves to God, and you will find him present with you: cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, you that are diffident.

Don't, my brethren, treat one another with detraction. he that reflects upon his brother, and censures his brother, reflects upon the law, and censures the law: if you censure the law, instead of obeying it, you set up for a judge.

there is but one legislator, and judge, he that has the power of life and death: who art thou, to pass sentence upon another?

how do you know, what will happen to-morrow? for, "what is your life?" a vapour that just appears, and then vanishes.

your language ought to be this, "if the Lord pleases to give us life, we shall do this, or that."

he then that knows what is virtuous, and does not practise it, is a criminal.

As for you that are rich: weep, and lament the miserys that are falling upon you.

and your gold and silver by rust: that rust shall convict you: that rust shall corrode your flesh like a caustic, which you have treasur'd up against the last days.

the prayer that proceeds from faith, shall save the sick; the Lord will raise him up, and his sins that may have been the occasion, shall be forgiven.

confess then to one another the offences you have committed, and pray for one another, that you may be healed; the fervent prayer of a virtuous man has great influence.

Elias was only a man, as we are; however, having ardently prayed, that it might not rain, it did not rain in that country for three years and a half:

that the retrieving of a sinner from his erroneous habits, is saving a soul from ruin, and cancels a multitude of sins.