in time, otherwife there is danger that the weeds growing up, may choak the good feed that was fown. Our Saviour fays of certain counterfeits and lukewarm Religious who have no fpiritual fervour, but only an exterior humble habit, with an inward affection of honour: Every plantation which my heavenly Father hath not planted, fhall be rooted up. (Matth. 15: 13.) He that does not build his house upon a firm rock, that is, his life upon Christ and true humility, as foon as the wind of vain glory begins to blow, he will fall from the ftate of interior devotion to exterior occupations, and into many temptations of the devil. From which evils may Jefus Chrift the Son of God mercifully preferve us; who by word and example has taught us to converfe humbly with our brethren, and to keep peace with all, without pretending to be what we are not; or neglecting to be what we really fhould be. Amen.

SER

SERMON

II.

The Praife of a good Congregation of Religious.

PROV. 18: 19.

A brother affifted by a brother is like to a Arong fortified city.

M

Y brethen, note these words which were wifely spoken by Solomon for our profit; and keep your place with conftancy in a good fociety. Support one another with mildness and humility, by which you will avoid many dangers, and merit great rewards at the hands of God. A congregation of good Religious is like to a castle well fortified against the enemy for there, a man lives more fecure, where he is affifted by many; and if at any time he is vexed by one, he is comforted again by another. He who defires to ferve God, will make a greater proficiency among thofe who defire to ferve God in like manner, and ftand his ground more firmly. There, a man is

better

better exercifed and proved in virtue; there, he is often admonished of negligence. There he is invited to what is moft perfect, both by word and example; there, he is compelled to confider and bewail in himfelf what is imperfect. There, he is excited by another's fervour; there, he is taught by another's humility; is moved by the obedience of one, and edified by the patience of another. There, he blushes to be worfe than others, and is afhamed to be flower than the reft. There, he finds fome to fear and others to love, and fo receives benefit by all. There, another's correction is his admonition, and in another's danger he fees and bewares his own. There, one guards another, and one improves another in patience. There a man fupports others, and is fupported by others; there he hears and fees many things, by which he is excellently infructed. There, the rule and holy inftute preferves him in all good; there confeffion and difcipline amend his exceffes. There, the good are commended, that they may be encouraged to advance in virtue; there, the negligent are reproved, that they may return to their fervour. There

you

you are not permitted to flacken, nor to act according to your own pleasure, but are obliged to ferve the fpirit, and refift the defires of the flesh. There are many different employments, and many good offices of charity are done. There, all things have their time, and each one goes to his work by obedience. There, no one is permitted to be idle, but a certain measure of work is enjoined to every one. There, the weaker is fupported by the ftronger, and he that is in health vifits the fick, and rejoices thus to ferve Chrift. There, when one fails another fupplies his place; there, the members that are found, are folicitous for thofe that are infirm. There, the active labours for the contemplative; there, the contemplative prays for the active. There, when one reads, many are edified; and each taking his turn by the week, relieves another of his fatigue. There, a man has many to pray for him, and protect him against the devil at the hour of his death; there, he has as many friends, as he has companions to affift him in his neceffities. There, he dies happily in our Lord, and by the prayers of many is the fooner delivered

out

out of purgatory. There, after his death, 1 he leaves God's fervants to be heirs to his virtues, who will often remember them, and the good works they do after his example will be his joy in heaven. There, thofe who fucceed to others, are obliged to pray for their predeceffors, and to thank God for the good they receive from their benefactors. There, all the good works which are done by the living, are believed to be meritorious to all who lie there buried. There, thofe that furvive are folicitous for their deceafed brethren, that they may be released from their pains, and thofe who are reigning with Chrift interceed for those who are pilgrims, that they may perfevere, while thofe who are ftill living defire to be joined to the company of their happy brethren. There, the good of each member is the good of the whole community; there, a temporal good paffes into an eternal one. A great good, therefore, it is, a happy life, for many devout religious to dwell together. who in fuch a holy congregation fhall persevere to the end, although he may be fomewhat imperfect, yet through the prayers and merits of thofe who are more perfect,

He