JOHN IX. 4.

I must work the Works of Him that fent me, while it is Day: The Night cometh, when no Man can work.

W

HAT is the Caufe, that the former Days were better than Thefe ?" was long ago cenfured as an unwife Enquiry: And I will not say, that there would be at present either more Pertinency in the fame Question, or more Juftice in the Complaint implied in it. Yet, how rash foever it might be, to pronounce peremptorily concerning the comparative Goodness of different Ages or Countries upon the Whole; We fhall, I prefume, in view of their prevailing Modes of Thinking or Acting, find Room enough for diftinguishing them from each other. And, to bring this Reflection nearer to ourfelves; If our own Age and Country may,

(as

(as I hope it justly may,) claim fome Advantage on Account of the fashionable Exertion of a few really amiable Qualities; Its proper Character, I fear, will be found yet more ftrongly marked by others of a lefs reputable Kind: Such as, a Love of Ease, and Fondnefs for fenfual Pleasure; an Averfion from ferious Thought, and Impatience of almost any useful Employment.

A Tafte this, which hath for fome Time been fpreading, not among the gay and fprightly alone, but even among the grave and fedentary (I had almost faid, the ftudious) Part of the Nation. For otherwise, whence comes it, that the Writers of the Times fo generally find it expedient to accommodate to This not only the Entertainment, but the Inftruction, they are pleased to provide for us? In Fact, Diverfion is become at least one principal Bufinefs, and Skill therein an important Branch of Science, in our Days. A general Relaxation in Principle hath been gradually introducing a propórtionable Careleffness in Practice: "Till, from a fceptical Unconcern about the future, We are but too naturally funk into a moft unmanly Self-Indulgence for the prefent. "What We shall do in the End hereof," is a serious Enquiry; and would deferve to be as seriously confidered,

confidered, were it not already too probably refolved; by Wretchedness, Disorders, and Tumults in the Country; by Decay, Murmurings, and Complainings in the City; by unsuccessful Enterprizes and other mortifying Occurrences abroad; I wish we could not add, by (Those constant Concomitants of expensive Pleasures) Corruption, Greediness of Gain, and Want of Feeling for the Publick, almost every-where at home. But, leaving Effects of this Sort to be estimated by Others; it may concern Us to confider, What might be the Confequences of indulging a like trifling, indolent, luxurious Humour in Places of Education, and even among the Sons of the Prophets. Now, Wisdom is not born with any of us; nor is it to be acquired, where it moft abounds, without attentive Obfervation, and painful Search for it as for bid Treafure: And, if, from a general Difufe of fuch neceffary Means of Improvement, Thefe Lights that are among Us should become Darkness, how great must be that Darkness! If, instead of aspiring after Skill in ancient Languages, and Acquaintance with ancient Customs; after Readiness in the Art of right Reasoning, and Acuteness in detecting fallacious Pretences to it; after Depth in useful Sciences, and above all an early Know

ledge

ledge of the holy Scriptures -- the younger At+ tendants upon the Inftructions here offered fhould fit down contented with Accomplishments far more easily attainable: The original Records of our Holy Religion will in proportion be neglected: Its Evidences will lofe much of their Clearnefs and Efficacy: Its genuine Doctrines and primitive Polity will be misunderstood: The Obligations It lays upon Its Profeffors to Unity in Faith and Communion in Worship will be little attended to; whence Advantage will be taken, on one Hand to ftrain them too far by Those, who charge Us with Apoftafy; and to explain them quite away on the other by Thofe, who envy Us the Privileges of our Establishment. And, if ever those well-tryed Principles, upon which, while ftudied and underftood, our National Church hath been most fuccessfully defended, and hath hitherto been an impregnable Bulwark of the Reformation, fhould be laid afide and forgotten; found Learning and useful Science, and with them real Virtue and rational Piety, would (I am perfuaded) foon give Way to Barbarifm and Superstition : --- That Superstition most probably, against which We profess to entertain the warmest Zeal; and against which

our