on the contrary, being able to manage and over-reach others, has fo much the appearance of fuperior wisdom, that men are very liable to temptation from this quarter. It is to be lamented that our language itself, if I may fo speak, has received a criminal taint; for in common difcourse, the expreffion, a plain well meaning-man, is always apprehended to imply, together with fincerity, fome degree of weakness; although, indeed, it is a character of all others the most noble. In recommendation of this character, let me obferve, that in this, as in all the particulars mentioned above, the wicked worketh a deceitful work; but he that walketh uprightly walketh surely. Suppofing a man to have the prudence and discretion not to speak without neceffity; I affirm there is no end which a good man ought to aim at, which may not be more certainly, fafely, and speedily obtained by the strictest and most inviolable fincerity, than by any acts of diffimulation whatever. But after all, what fignify any ends of present conveniency, which diffimulation may pretend to answer, compared to the favour of God, which is forfeited by it? Hear what the Pfalmift fays: Who shall abide in thy tabernacle, who shall dwell in thy holy bill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.-Let us, therefore, add this to the other views of the Prophet's comprehenfive prayer, Remove far from me vanity and lies. For the improvement of this part of the fubject, obferve, 1. You may learn from it how to attain, not only a justness and propriety, but a readiness and fulness in the duty of prayer. Nothing is a greater hindrance, either to the fervency of our affections, or the force of our expreffions in prayer, than than when the object of our defires is confufed and general. But when we perceive clearly what it is that is needful to us, and how much we do need it, this gives us, indeed, the Spirit of fupplication. Perhaps it is more neceffary to attend to this circumftance, in what we ask for our fouls than for our bodies. When we want any thing that relates to present conveniency, it is clearly underftood, because it is fenfibly felt.-There is no difficulty in crying for deliverance from poverty, fickness, reproach, or any other earthly fuffering; nay, the difficulty here is not in exciting our defires, but in moderating them; not in producing fervor, but in promoting fubmiffion: But in what relates to our fouls, because many or most temptations are agreeable to the flesh, we foresee danger lefs perfectly, and even feel it less fenfibly; therefore, a clofe and deliberate attention to our fituation and trials, as opened in the preceding difcourfe, is of the utmost moment, . both to carry us to the throne of grace, and to direct our Spirit when we are there. 2. What hath been faid will ferve to excite us to habitual watchfulness, and to direct our daily conversation. The fame things that are the fubjects of prayer, are alfo the objects of diligence.-Prayer and diligence are joined by our Saviour, and ought never to be separated by his people.-Prayer without watchfulness is not fincere, and watchfulness without prayer will not be fuccessful. The fame views of fin and duty, of the ftrength and frequency of temptation, and the weakness of the tempted, lead equally to both. Let me befeech you then, to walk circumfpectly, not as fools, but as wife. Maintain an habitual diffidence of yourselves: Attend to the various dangers to which you are expofed. Watchfulness of itself will fave you from many temptations, and will give you an inward warrant, and humble confidence, to afk of God fupport fupport under, and deliverance from, such as it is impoffi ble to avoid. 3. In the last place, fince every thing comprehended in the petition in the text, is viewed in the light of falfehood and deceit, fuffer me, in the most earnest manner, to recommend to my hearers, and particularly to all the young perfons under my care, an invariable adherence to truth, and the most undisguised fimplicity and fincerity in the whole of their conversation and carriage. I do not know where to begin or end in speaking of the excellen. cy and beauty of fincerity, or the baseness of falsehood. Sincerity is amiable, honourable and profitable. It is the moft fhining part of a commendable character, and the most winning apology for any miscarriage or unadvised action. There is fcarcely any action in itself fo bad, as what is implied in the hardened front of him who covers the truth with a lie: Befides, it is always a fign of long practice in wickednefs. Any man may be feduced or furprised into a fault, but none but the habitual villain can deny it with steady calmnefs and obftinacy. In this respect, we unhappily find fome who are young offenders but old finners. It is not in religion only, but even among worldly men, that lying is counted the utmost pitch of baseness; and to be called a liar, the most unsupportable reproach. No won der, indeed, for it is the very effence of cowardice to dare to do a thing which you have not courage to avow. The very worst of finners are fenfible of it themselves, for they deeply refent the imputation of it; and, if I do not mistake, have never yet arrived at the abfurdity of defending it. There is fcarcely any other crime, but fome are profligate enough to boast of it; but I do not remember ever to have heard of any who made his boast, that he was a liar. To crown all, lying is the most wretched wretched folly. Juftly does Solomon fay, A lying tongue is but for a moment. It is easily discovered. Truth is a firm confiftent thing, every part of which agrees with, and strongly supports another. But lies are not only repugnant to truth, but repugnant to each other; and commonly the means, like a treacherous thief, of the detection of the whole. Let me, therefore, once more recommend to every one of you, the noble character of fincerity.-Endeavour to establish your credit in this refpect fo entirely, that every word you speak may be beyond the imputation of deceit; so that enemies may themselves be fenfible, that though you fhould abufe them, you will never deceive them. SER. SERMON XXI. SEEKING A COMPETENCY IN THE WIS- BY JOHN WITHERSPOON, D.D. L.L. D. Col. N. C. P. PROV. XXX. 8. Give me neither poverty, nor riches; feed me with food I convenient for me. PROCEED now to confider the fecond branch of the Prophet's prayer, which regard his outward condition, or circumstances in the prefent world. On this fubject he expreffes himself thus: Give me neither poverty nor riches. Do not think, my brethren, that this is a fubject of little importance, or that it is unconnected with the fpiritual life. On the contrary, there are few things of more moment, than to have our defires of temporal bleffings limited and directed in a proper manner. Not only is worldly |