ing it to themselves an occafion of fall-DISc. ing. Some think it a proper subject of laughter, and Solomon tells us who they are not remarkable for their wisdom" Fools," fays he, "make a mock at sin." For what is there in fin to make a mock at? It is thought a very serious matter in heaven, and will be found so in hell. Why then should it be made a jest of upon earth? It ruined mankind, and brought death into the world. And is there any thing humorous in that confideration? As little merriment can there be in the nature of confeffion and repentance, whereby the finner is delivered from the wrath to come. In the primitive ages such a subject was never touched upon without concern and grief. But now, people have much ado to keep their countenances, and forbear laughing. So strangely are the times altered; in other words, ignorance has taken place of knowlege, and folly fits in the throne of wisdom. XVI. VOL. III. a Others DISC. XVI. Others there are, who, when they hear of a finner discovered and exposed, bless themselves to think, how good and righteous they are; ready to cry out, with the Pharifee, "God, I thank thee that I am " not as other men are." May be not, though we have only your own word for it, which many, perhaps, will not take. You are not indeed brought to shame or punishment; but, have you never deserved to be so? Recollect a little. If not, have you ever been in the same circumstances of temptation? or, are you fure, that, in those circumstances, you should not have fallen? Who is it that hath preserved you all this time? Give the glory to God, and learn to have pity, like him, on those, whose strength failed in the day of trial. Otherwise, under the shew of great zeal for virtue and religion, you may display as much pride, uncharitableness, and hypocrify, as the Scribes and Pharifees did of old, when they brought the woman before our Saviour, only that they might enfnare him. But XVI. But let us not be deceived as they were. DISC. God is not mocked. He knew their craft, and faw through their design. Their hearts were open to him, and he viewed distinctly all that was passing there. It was not his intention to destroy the law of Mofes, for he came to fulfil it; nor would he condemn sinners, for he came to save them. At the same time, he would teach these men, that there were fins known to God, which the law did not reach to punish here, and that those ought to be avoided as well as these; fince there was nothing fecret which would not be known at the last day: that people who were fond of accufing and punishing others, or of feeing them accused and punished, should therefore look at home, and examine how matters stood in their own breasts, how they should like to have the story of their lives told aloud, and the thoughts of their hearts revealed to the world. This would foon cure that defire, with which so many are infected, of knowing and publishing the faults of their neighbours; it would make them Aa2 DISC. them treat their weak and fallen brethren, XVI. as they themselves would wish to be treated by the Judge of all the earth. Such being our Saviour's intention, he seemed at first to take no notice of what was said, but stooping down, he wrote with his finger on the ground. They now thought they had perplexed him, and that he knew not how to answer their question. They pressed him therefore more earnestly, and continued asking, till at length he raised himself, and thus addressed them" He " that is without fin among you, let him "first cast a stone at her." 4 As if he had said, in other words "You have brought before me a person "taken in a grievous crime, and you tell " me, Moses in the law commanded, that " fuch should be stoned. If he did com" mand this, why do you come to me? "Truly for no reason, but to tempt " and ensnare me. You would appear to " be good and holy men, haters of fin, " zealous XVI. "zealous for the honour of God and his DISC. " law. But your design all the while is to "entrap, to perfecute, and flay me, an in"nocent person, sent from God to be your " prophet, your priest, and your king, the "promifed Meffias, the Saviour of Ifrael, "The woman, it is true, is a finner; but " her accusers are no faints, and the world " is impofed upon, when it takes them for "such. I know the rottenness of your "hearts, and can, when I will, shew it to "others. I shall not condemn the woman " myself, for it is not mine office. You 66 may do it, if you will affirm yourselves " to be those righteous men which you de" fire to be accounted. But this you dare " not do before me, a person who, as you " well know, can prove the contrary, and "give the by-standers such a history of "what you have been, and what you are, " as will make you ashamed to shew your "faces. And therefore it is, that I chal" lenge and defy you to proceed-He that is " without fin among you, let him first cast " a stone at her." This faid, Christ returned |