But, as no man knows the heart of another so well as he knows his own, in which he cannot but be acquainted with many things amiss, humility will naturally incline him to suppose the hearts of others are better than his own, and of course to esteem his neighbour better than himself. -The apostle's injunction therefore is given, we see, to people nearly of the same condition, and chiefly indeed respects the heart.

It may, however, in part, have a reference to actions. An action, evidently vicious, is out of the question; but as all actions take their colour from the motives which produce them, no man can judge truly of the motives of others. Of course, he can know as little of their actions. But as he knows his own motives, it is humble in him to think better of the actions of others, which are not palpably wrong, than of his own.

XXIII.

Matt. xxiii. 23.

These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

OUR Saviour applies these words to the Scribes and Pharisees, who neglected the precepts of religion through an attachment to its ceremonies. But the rebuke is equally applicable to all who neglect matters of consequence for the sake of trifles. In the following discourse, therefore, I shall not apply it in a religious sense, but merely as relating to the two points of employment and amusement.

Every man has, or ought to have, some employment in life; and if he be born exempt from the necessity of it, still he ought, in some shape,

to

to find it for himself— that is, he should fill up, in some useful manner, his station in society, and not be what the very heathen thought an abominable character a mere consumer of the fruits of the earth. This employment, whatever it is, should be considered among the things that ought to be done.

But besides the employment, most people have also their amusement, which may be reckoned among the things which need not be left undone, on a supposition it is innocent, and not carried to excess. It has been observed, that however busy our lives may be, we always find some time for a favourite amusement. But the mischief is, the amusement often usurps the upper hand. Thus, a clergyman may be fond of music or painting. Both are liberal and innocent amusements, and may be properly indulged. But he ought always to have in his mind the useful caution of the text. His parochial duties are the things that ought to be done, though he need not leave the other undone. The employment is the object, the amusement the relaxation: but in proportion as the amusement gains too much ground, the employment is neglected. Even science is only an amusement, when it stands in competition

competition with the grand duties of the clerical profession.

In looking into the world, however, we sometimes find, that, contrary to the general bent of mankind, the employment stifles the amusement. One of the strongest antidotes against this general love of amusement, is a passion equally disreputable, and that is, the love of gain. If we examine the generality of employments, we shall find those are the most steadily pursued, and receive the fewest avocations from amusement, in which the emolument depends most on our industry, and the exertion of our abilities. The profession of physic furnishes a strong instance - the law furnishes a stronger and trade the strongest. -While the clergyman- the soldier—and beyond both, the country gentleman, whose incomes depend less on personal industry, give more into amusement. It is a piteous view of mankind, no doubt, that one bad propensity should be corrected by another. But the more we look among men, the more truth we shall find in the Gospel account of the natural pravity of human nature: while one half of the world is immersed in its business; and the other half misled by its pleasures; the moderate in both can hardly find room between.

In the mean time, if we consider things in their true light, we shall see the goodness of God in ordaining business and amusement to relieve each other. Business of every kind, but especially where gain is concerned, has a tendency to contract the mind, and draw it to one point. Amusement, again, on the other hand, has a tendency to relax the mind; or, in other words, to dissipate it. But when they are properly mixed, the bad tendency of each is corrected. A little amusement refreshes the mind intent on business, and loosens the prejudices it contracts from being conversant only with one object; while a proper employment strengthens the mind, and relieves it from that languor which attends constant dissipation.

N. B. This might be wrought into a good clerical sermon, with the addition of a little more Scriptural sanction; and might be preached at a visitation.