degree, be thus characterized, we have no doubt. But where fhall we find the national character of a people under this description? In early days, when chriftians were of one heart, and one foul, we may suppose, that heart, and that foul were truly chriftian. But as christianity spread, its ties loosened by degrees; and an oppofition foon took place between the fpirit of the world, and the fimplicity that is in Chrift. This fimplicity was in a degree tainted, even before the miraculous powers of the church ceased; and we may be affured the mifchievous fpirit, which then appeared, has not been idle through fo long a tract of time; but hath continued extending its influence in fome countries more, in others lefs, according to the various circumftances of each. The New Teftament is the record of the fimplicity of the gofpel: and modern history, but above all ecclefiaftical history, is the record of its corruption.

The apostle of the text is writing to the converts of a trading, and opulent town; not barbarous and uninformed; but enlightened by all the philofophy, and worldly wisdom at that time in efteem. He forefaw what temptations their peculiar circumftances would draw them.

into. Worldly ideas of various kinds-vanity, pride, and ambition-avarice, profufion, and fenfuality; in a word, all the arts of raising a fortune; and all the arts of confuming one, he knew, would be continually operating before their eyes and how the fimplicity of the gospel might be able to oppose these fascinating delu, fions, was the object of his fear.

Again, it might be in equal danger from the refinements of philofophy; and the acute reasonings of learned men; who trying its fimple prin ciples by canons of human invention, and rules of logical exactness, would from these pronounce boldly on its inconfiftences, and defects.

I

The fimplicity of the gofpel might be power fully opposed too by the ridicule of men of wit; who, taking their topics of comparison from the fashions, and practices of the world, might difplay the folly, and abfurdity of fuch doctrines, as they were inclined to discountenance.

All this was perfectly eafy: for as christianity and the world were at variance; arguments drawn from the world, and addreffed to the world, were fure of being favourably heard.

That these were the motives of the apostle's apprehenfion, is very plain: for he tells his

converts, he fears, they fhould be corrupted, as the ferpent had beguiled Eve. To know therefore how that matter ftood, we need only turn to the record of the fatal deed. When the woman faw that the tree was good for food; and that it was pleasant to the eye; and a tree to be defired to make one wife, fhe took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.

Short as this account is, we find in it a combination of intereft, pleasure, vanity, and a falfe taste for knowledge, all co-operating, through the wiles of the devil, to impofe upon our first parent. With thefe delufions fhe was corrupted; and with these delufions we conclude the apostle feared his Corinthian converts might be cor rupted alfo.

How far our cafe may be fimilar to that of the Corinthian converts, I fhould rather leave as matter of inference. All I wish to establish on this head, is, that we are affured, on the authority of an apoftle, that the fimplicity which is in Chrift, may be corrupted by fuch temptations, as certainly do abound amongst us-in our manners-in our amusements-in our literary pursuits; and in our general modes of intercourfe with each other.

II. As the minifters of the gospel make a part of this tainted mafs, we must not flatter ourfelves, that we are not, in a degree, corrupted alfo. We read, in early days, of deceitful workers transforming themselves into the apostles of Chrift; and we cannot conceive, that these deceitful workers are more uncommon now, or thefe transformations more rare. I mean not however at present to purfue fo ingrateful a theme; I should rather with to inquire, how far we have it in our power to counteract fuch corruption.

Even to oppose this torrent, with any fuccefs, no doubt, may be difficult enough. To reftore the fimplicity of the gofpel is a vain thought. For that great event we must wait devoutly for those times in the womb of prophecy, when all offence fhall be done away.

Some things may be wrong, which the legislature only can rectify: and though we acknowledge the difficulty of moving thefe facred foundations; yet favourable opportunities may perhaps arife, in future time, when a few things, which are now rather offenfive, may be brought nearer the fimplicity of the gofpel. Many of our ableft churchmen have freely expreffed their wishes on this head; and as thefe wishes become more

general,

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general, they will of course obtain more weight. Establishments, however, after all, neceflary as they are, must neceffarily bring on their attendant evils; which ferious men may bemoan-and in part may rectify; but, on the whole, they will ever have caufe to lament, that the nature of things, in this corrupt ftate, is mixed with eviland that the nature of man will turn even his bleffings into mischief.

We have also greatly to lament, that the manners of the great, are, in general, fo far removed from the fimplicity of the gofpel; because the manners of the great will ever be the principal fource of national manners. It is a happiness however, that in general these vitiated scenes are removed from the eyes of the people and yet enough fometimes gets abroad to astonish those, who happily live at a diftance from them. There is one day particularly, on which the great, and little world are, in fome degree, on a level; and one place, in which they meet on an equal footing. We have it ever to lament, that fo pleasing a harmony-an inftitution fo delightfully calculated to infure benevolence by united devotion through the whole mass of the people, should be fo generally difregarded. Even the