Chastity.

THIS virtue relates principally to the conduct of the sexes towards each other. It is not confined to our actions; but extends to our words, and even to the disposition of our minds. In order to maintain this virtue, great watchfulness is necessary; and when temptations to violate it are presented, our only security is immediately to withdraw from them for this reason the Apostle Paul gives these cautions; "Flee youthful lusts;" "Flee foruication."

The violation of the laws of Chastity, is attended with the most serious consequences, both to the bodies and souls of mankind; and although custom, vicious custom, has diminished the loss of reputation on the part of the men; yet, we have no reason to doubt that the crime is equal in both sexes; and when we consider the infamy which the female character sustains, by the breach of this moral duty, that consideration alone ought to be a sufficient reason for checking a vice, which often degrades a Being, the most amiable of all the works of God, below the most abject part of the brute creation for what is there, in all the pres

ductions of nature, so loathsome and dis gusting, as some of those abandoned females, who, particularly in large towns, frequently obtrude, themselves upon our view? But when we trace their situation to its source; and consider the cause of the miseries of many who may not have arrived to the same degree of hardness; when we thus examine the origin of these evils, and find it generally to exist in the depravity and seduction of the men; how ought we to guard against the first attacks of a vice, which is productive of consequences so lamentable.

Much, however, depends on the conduct: of women for preveuting the evil now under consideration. Were their conduct regulated by that modesty and sobriety, recommended in the Holy Scriptures, the propensity to this vice would be greatly checked, and its extension much diminished. Their disposition, their manners, their dress, and their general deportinent are of great importance, and require a greater degree of eaution than is frequently exercised. It is, indeed, deeply to be, regretted, that the, following admonition by an Apostle of Jesus Christ, should be so little attended to, as there is reason to fear it is, by many who call themselves Christians: "I will also that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness aud sobriety; not with,

broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but, which becometh women professing godliness, with good works,"

I wish to say as little as possible on this. subject, remembering that the vices alluded. to are such as the Apostle says, should "not be once named among" Christians. But by this expression he might mean, that they should not be named, as existing among them; or that they should not be, as they too often are, subjects of light, and even of public conversation, to the violating of the apostolic injunction, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth: but that which is good, to the use of edifyfying." One or other of these constructions seems necessary, to reconcile the Apostle's advice with his practice; for he has named some of the violations of Chastity, in all, or, most of his Epistles..

When it is considered how much the Holy. Scriptures have pointed out the necessity of purity or chastity; row strongly they have. inculcated this virtue; and how forcibly they have represented the evils attending a violation of it; it is strange that, among a people professing Christianity, Chastity should be so little esteemed and insisted upon, as it is by many who make this high.. profession. How little are these admonitions attended to: "Walk not as other /

gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, who being past feeling, have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul." In the first of these passages we find a striking contrast between the purity of the christian religion, and the impurity of that of the Gentiles. Their very religion was contaminated with lasciviousness; their deities, their worship, their laws, all conspired to promote this vice; and their degradation to every kind of obscenity is too gross to be particularized. But we have not SO learned Christ." No; Christianity is a pure religion it not only teaches to abstain from the commission of these crimes; but it even checks them in their first conception. "He that looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. Keep [then] thyself pure;" remembering who it was that said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

But it isot in the New Testament only, that Purity and Chastity are recommended, and their opposite vices condemned. The Old Testament contains inany excellent advices on this subject, and some examples

are related, from which we may draw much profitable instruction. When Abraham, with a very condemnable timidity, exposed his wife to the temptation of a neighbouring king, the sense which he manifested of the sin of adultery, is worthy the attention of many, who ought not to stand in need of such examples. The warm remonstrance of Abimilech with Abraham, is indeed highly creditable to his character. "What hast

thou done unto us? and what have I offended thee, that thou hast (or wouldst have) brought on me, and my kingdom, a great sin? Thou hast done deeds unto me that ought not to be done. And Abimilech said [further] unto Abraham, what sawest thou, that thou hast done this thing?"

The example of Joseph, when he was a confidential slave in the house of Potiphar, and was tempted by his wicked mistress, is generally known; but the answer of this virtuous young man to her solicitation, will still bear repeating: "Behold, my master wotteth not, what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand. There is none greater in neither hath be kept back ́any thing from me, but thee, because thou

this house than I,

art his wife. How then can I do this wickeduess, and sin against God?"