the ftate of the world, prove it in a manner too plain to be denied. We not only see that those, who are born and educated from their infancy in the higher ranks of life, are moft prone to neglect the duties of religion; but thofe who, from a low or mean condition, are remarkably raised in the courfe of providence, do often change their temper with their ftate, and fhow the unhappy influence of riches in leading them to a forgetfulness of God. Are there not fome who were regularly in God's house when they but barely fubfifted, who have not time for it now, when they are bufy, and wealthy? Are there not fome families, where the worship of God was conftant and regular in early life, while they were undiftinguifhed, and now it is no more to be heard in their fumptuous palaces and elegant apartments? Shall I fay, that any worm of the earth is become too confiderable to fall down before the omnipotent Jehovah?

I may add, as being of great importance in the present fubject, that fuch changes do often take place gradually and infenfibly, very much contrary to men's own expectation; fo that we really do not know ourfelves, nor can we de-. termine before trial, how far we would refift or yield to the force of temptation. The prophet Elifha foretold to Hazael the cruelties he would be guilty of when raifed to an higher ftation; tó which he replied with difdain and abhorrence, What, is thy fervant a dog, that he should do

this great thing? And Elifha answered, the Lord hath fhewed me that thou fhalt be King over Syria.' The conduct of the children of Ifrael in their profperity is but an emblem of the general conduct of the children of men. • But

Jefhurun waxed fat, and kicked. Thou art waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered "with fatnefs : Then he forfook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the rock of his falvation.'

What hath been faid might be fufficient to fhew the propriety of the Prophet's prayer; for if fuch hath been often, or generally, the influence of worldly greatnefs upon other men, why fhould any be fo confident as to prefume it would be otherwife with themselves? But perhaps it may afford matter of useful inftruction to enquire a little further into the fubject, to trace the caufes of this effect, and fhew how, and why riches become an inducement to irreligion and profaneness, for this will best enable us to apply the remedy. When I speak of examining the causes of this effect, I confefs that no reason can be given for it, but what reflects great difhonour upon human nature in its prefent ftate. Were we to judge of the matter by the dictates of found reason, we fhould naturally expect to find it directly contrary. God is the author of every bleffing which men poffefs, and his gifts fhould lead us to gratitude and acknowledgment. It seems natural then to suppose, that those who are most highly favoured in the course of providence,

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vidence, fhould difcover the greatest fenfe of obligation, and be ready to make every dutiful return. One would think, that though the poor fhould be impatient, furely the rich will be content and thankful. Is not this reasonable? Had any of you beftowed many favours upon others, would you not expect that their gratitude should bear fome proportion to the number and value of benefits received? Had any of them been remarkably diftinguished from the reft, would you not expect from them the moft inviolable fidelity and attachment? Strange, that our conduct fhould be fo directly oppofite in the returns we make for the goodness of our Maker! That those who are diftinguished from others by the largest poffeffions, and the greatest fulness of all temporal mercies, fhould be the most prone to wickedness of all forts; but especially, that they fhould be peculiarly inclined to forgetfulness and contempt of God. Yet fo it is in truth. But however difhonourable it is to human nature, let us fearch into it a little, and perhaps we may discover the caufe of impiety in perfons in affluent circumftances, and the danger the Prophet would avoid, by attending to the following obfervations:

1. An eafy and affluent fortune affords the means, not only of pampering our bodies, but of gratifying all our lufts and appetites. They are as ftrong probably in perfons of inferior stations; but providence has rendered the gratification

more

more difficult, and in fome cafes impoffible. Many work through neceffity, who would be as idle and flothful as any, but for the fear of want. These will be the first and readieft to reproach the rich, and call them idle drones, who revel in that abundance for which they never toiled; and to put to their own credit that which is wholly owing to the reftraints under which they are laid. Many are generally fober, because they cannot afford the charges of intemperance, who want nothing but the means, to riot in the most brutal fenfuality. But to perfons of great wealth, the objects of defire are always placed in full view, and are evidently within their reach; fo that the temptation has uncommon force, and few are able entirely to resist it.

-2. The indulgence of pleasure infenfibly induces a habit, and leads men to place their happiness in fuch enjoyments. Habit, you know, is very powerful, and while the habit acquires ftrength, the power of refiftance is gradually weakened. 'Thefe gratifications confume fo much time, that there is little left to reflect upon God and our relation to him. I reckon it none of the least temptations to perfons of high rank, that not only their self-indulgence, but the attendance and obfequiousness of others fo engroffes their attention, and wastes their time, that they have few opportunities of calm and fober reflection; or, at least, can eafily efcape from it, and take refuge in company and amufement. Add to this,

that

that a great variety of fenfible objects and enjoy. ments render the mind, not only less attentive to things of a fpiritual nature, but indeed, lefs able to understand them.

3. Observe further, that when the better part is thus neglected, and no care taken of the cultivation of the mind, every vice will fpring and fhoot up in the foul, as briars and thorns do upon uncultivated ground. Sin, my brethren, is natural to us; it is the produce of the foil; if it is not destroyed, it will not die; if it is but neglected, it will thrive. Now, whenever perfons fall under the power of vice, they begin first to excufe, and then to vindicate it. Thofe who are under the government of luft, foon find it would be their intereft that there was no fuch thing as religion and virtue. Whatever we wifh, we are easily led to believe to be true. Loose and. atheistical principles then find a ready admittance, and are swallowed down greedily. This is a fhort sketch of the fteps by which people in affluent and easy circumstances are often led to deny God, and to fay, Who is the Almighty...

that we fhould ferve him, and what profit ⚫ should we have if we pray unto him?'-Loose principles are, at firft, more frequently the effect, than the caufe of loofe practices; but when once they have taken deep root, and obtained full dominion in the heart, they have a dreadful and fatal influence on the devoted vic-... tim.