NOT without strong reluctance, does the writer yield up these discourses. The wishes of numbers, who are entitled to highest consideration, have been urged in a manner, which he could not resist. Among many expressions of regard, too flattering to be repeated, the following had decisive effect. "In making this request, we think we are not actuated by any improper political bias, nor by any other than a high sense of the value and usefulness of these discourses. Extremely desirous of preserving them in a more durable form than manuscript; we wish to have them in our families, and to leave them to our CHILDREN." Some friends, in whose judgment confidence is reposed, have united in a similar opinion of their good tendency. Cordially reciprocating all the friendly sentiments of the address, and disposed to give to the HEARERS and their FAMILIES Some memorial, however feeble, of his sincere gratitude; he has controlled objections otherwise insupera ble and consents to the multiplication of copies of what was composed very rapidly, amid many pressing engagements; and from utter want of leisure, cannot receive a thorough revisal. Probably some will perceive a few slight alterations, and several omissions.

:

THE PLEASURES, BENEFITS, AND OBLIGATIONS

OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.

SABBATH AFTERNOON, XXVII MARCH.

DEUTERONOMY XIII. 6.

"Thy Friend, which is as thine own soul.”

THE revelation, which God in his infinite wisdom and grace has been pleased to bestow on his rational offspring, confirms and sanctions all the deductions of sound reason. It unfolds many truths, which the human understanding could not have discovered; it prescribes many duties which this never had, and never would have taught. It has defined with certainty, what was doubtful; limited, what was vague; corrected, what was mistaking; rectified, what was erroneous, in the

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schemes of human moralists. Supplying their innumerable defects, it purifies and refines them from the infirmity and corruption with which most or all were deeply tinctured. But it does not annul, what in them was useful and important; it does not repeal, what was of real obligation; it does not condemn, what was innocent or safe.

SHIP.

These remarks may be applied, as far as admitted to be just, in vindication of FRIENDThis has been represented, as one of the "fictitious virtues, which have really no intrinsick merit in them, and are totally incompatible with the genius and spirit of the christian religion."* It cannot be uninteresting or unuseful to examine the justice of this sentence, preparatory to the main object of the present discourse; which is, to treat of the innocent pleasures, the important benefits, and sacred obligations of true friendship. We have all probably formed its tender attachments; most of us fondly cherish them, as

"A View of the Internal Evidence of the Christian Religion": by Soame Jenyns, esq.-Works, Lond. 8vo. 1790, vol. iv. pp. 290. See Prop. III. p. 34, 35, 40, 41. Shaftesbury, whose fine powers were unhappily exerted against the cause which the other would defend, has adduced the supposed omission of this virtue as a capital defect in the code of evangelical ethicks. Characteristicks, I. p. 93, &c.

allowed by duty, while we feel, that they promote our happiness. But precious as is this sentiment, dear as are the delights which it bestows; closely entwined as it is around our hearts, yet if it be a plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted, it must be rooted up. If found to interfere with allegiance to our Divine Redeemer, incorporated as it may be with our inmost soul, it must be torn thence, whatever violence the effort may demand, whatever anguish the separation may inflict. Costly as the sacrifice may prove, it must be still made, and made willingly. Be it the right hand? If in rebellion to Jesus, and his law, cut it off! The right eye? If it rove in indifference, or flash in hostility to HIM, pluck it out! Let no love, alien from Him, be cherished; no sentiment, disapproved by Him, be indulged; no action or enjoyment, unauthorized by Him, be allowed.

What is to be understood by the FRIEND, who is as our own soul? They who undervalue friendship, attempt to justify their censure, by confounding it with the excesses, by which it is sometimes accompanied or followed. The exclusion of this, from the class of real and important virtues, must be chiefly

predicated on a partial definition. The argument begins with a begging of the question. Admit that it is *" narrow and confined, and appropriates that benevolence to a single object, which is commanded to be extended over all;" allow that "alliances in parties, factions, and interests are its usual parents;" and who will withhold assent from the inference, that it is "mischievous and criminal, and consequently forbidden by our pure and holy religion." But we solemnly protest both against the premises and the conclusion. It must be granted, indeed, that like every good it may be, and often is, abused; that, like filial, and fraternal, and conjugal,and parental affection, it may be indulged to a criminal extreme. As "the perversion of the best things is most pernicious," its excess may tend to produce some of the evils alleged; still it is believed and contended that, in itself, it is innocent; in its effects, beneficial; and that, while consonant to the nature, wants, and interests of man, it is abundantly supported and sanctioned, if not by direct injunctions, yet by numerous implied commendations, and the highest examples, in the scriptures both of the Old and New Testament.

* Jenyns, p. 40, 41.