Thine own wickednefs fhall correct thee' " and thy backflidings fhall reprove thee "know therefore and fee, that bitsise an evil

thing and bitter, that thou haft forfaken "the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not “in thee, faith the Lord God of hofts." Jer. ii. 17, 19.

My mind hath often been affected with forrow, in beholding a wrong application of the gifts of our heavenly Father; and those expreffions concerning the defilement of the earth have been opened to my understanding: "The earth was corrupt before God, and "the earth was filled with violence." Gen. vi. 11. Again, Ifaiah xxiv. 5. "The earth. "alfo is defiled under the inhabitants there"of, because they have-broken the everlafting covenant."

The earth, being the work of a divine power, may not as fuch be accounted unclean; but, when violence is committed thereon, and the channel of righteoufnefs fo obftructed, that"in our fkirts are found the blood of "the fouls of poor innocents; not by a fe"cret fearch, but upon all thefe." Jerem. ii. 34:

When blood, shed unrighteously, remains unatoned for, and the inhabitants are not effectually purged from it; when they do not wash their hands in innocency, as was figured in the law, in the cafe of one being found flain;

*

S 4

See a caution and warning to Great-Britain and her colonies, page 31.

flain; but feek for gain arifing from scenes of violence and oppreffion; here the land is polluted with blood. Deut. xxi. 6.

Moreover, when the earth is planted and tilled, and the fruits brought forth are applied to fupport unrighteous purposes; here, the gracious defign of infinite goodness, in these his gifts, being perverted, the earth is defiled, and the complaint, formerly uttered, becomes applicable: "Thou haft made me to ferve "with thy fins; thou haft wearied me with "thine iniquities." Isaiah xliii. 24.

REMARKS.

REM MARK S

O N

SUNDRY SUBJECTS.

First printed in London, 1773.

CHA P. I.

On loving our Neighbours as ourselves.

WHE

HEN we love the Lord with all our hearts, and his creatures in his love, we are then preferved in tenderness both toward mankind and the animal creation; but, if another spirit gets room in our minds, and we follow it in our proceedings, we are then in the way of disordering the affairs of fociety.

If a man, fuccessful in business, expends part of his income in things of no real use, while the poor employed by him pass through great difficulties in getting the neceffaries of life, this requires his ferious attention.

If feveral principal men in bufinefs unite in fetting the wages of those who work for hire, and therein have regard to a profit to themfelves anfwerable to unneceffary expence in their families, while the wages of the others, on a moderate induftry, will not afford a comfortable living for their families, and a proper education for their children; this is like laying a temptation, in the way of fome, to strive for a place higher than they are in, when they have not flock fufficient for it. →

Now I feel a concern, in the fpring of pure love, that all, who have plenty of outward fubftance, may example others in the right ufe of things; may carefully look into the condition of poor people; and beware of exacting on them with regard to their wages.

While hired labourers, by moderate induftry, through the divine bleffing, may live comfortably, raise up families, and give them fuitable education, it appears reafonable for them to be content with their wages.

If they, who have plenty, love their fellowcreatures in that love which is divine, and in all their proceedings have an equal regard to the good of mankind univerfally, their place in fociety is a place of care, an office requiring attention; and, the more we poffefs, the greater is our truft; and, with an increase of treafure, an increase of care becomes neceffary.

When our will is fubject to the will of God, and, in relation to the things of this world, we have nothing in view but a comfortable

living equally with the reft of our fellowcreatures, then outward treasures are no farther defirable than as we feel a gift in our minds equal to the truft, and strength to act, as dutiful children, in his fervice who hath formed all mankind, and appointed a fubfiftence for us in this world.

A defire for treasures, on any other motive, appears to be against that command of our blesfed Saviour, "Lay not up for yourselves trea"fures on earth." Matt. vi. 19.

He forbids not laying up in the fummer against the wants of winter; nor doth he teach us to be flothful in that which properly relates to our being in this world; but, in this prohibition, he puts in yourfelves: "Lay "not up for yourselves: treasures here on "earth."

Now, in the pure light, this language is understood; for in the love of Chrift there is no refpect of perfons; and, while we abide in his love, we live not to ourselves, but to him who died for us; and, as we are thus united in spirit to Chrift, we are engaged to labour in promoting that work in the earth for which he fuffered.

In this ftate of mind our defires are, that every honest member in fociety may have a portion of treasure, and share of trust, answerable to that gift with which our heavenly Father hath gifted us.

In great treasure there is a great truft.

A great truft requireth great care.

But the laborious mind wants reft.

A pious