they do not prize, nor do juftice to, thofe whom they ftill enjoy. That fuch charges. may not be brought against us, that the endeared remembrance of the righteous, with all its happy effects, may be preserved, let me exhort you to review their history, and dwell on their worth, on particular occafions. The following, you will allow, are natural and proper feafons for this purpofe. Remember the righteous with affection, and talk of them with honour, When fimilar characters claim your regard: When you know or hear of the fame lofs fuftained by others, that you experienced on the removal of your dear friends: When circumftances fimilar to thofe which distinguifhed their worth return: When the celebrating of their character promises to have happy effects on those around you: When by doing justice to their reputation, you filence afperfion and confound the malicious and the wicked. On fuch occafions as these, it will be highly useful to meditate on the worth, and to publifh the honours of the righteous.

WE obferve, in the next place, You will continue

continue to hold the righteous in endeared remembrance, by introducing them and their worth into your acts of devotion.

THE great advantages derived from the company and advice, the affistance and example of good men, are not the only bleffings we are in danger of overlooking, and not duly prizing, because they are not connected with the thoughts of God, and the exercises of piety. If we reflected more on our dependance on GoD, and his goodness in bestowing and preferving our enjoyments, we would value them more highly. By carrying them in our minds when we appear before GOD, and bless GOD for them, their worth is enhanced, our gratitude is heightened and perfected. And, have we not to remark, in particular, that the devout fentiments you feel and express to the giver of every good and every perfect gift, for bleffing you with the knowledge and the friendship of the righteous, will revive and heighten your value for them; for thofe excellent perfons, whofe highest and deareft object was to bring you by good example, good advice, good education, and number

lefs

lefs endearing good offices, to the knowledge of the Father and of the Son, whom to know is life eternal.

I EXHORT you, Thirdly, To preserve an honourable remembrance of the righteous, by imitating that worth and excellence you admire and commend. It is in this manner only your praise is proved to be fincere. It is thus you profit most by their excellence. It is thus you most effectually preserve their endeared remembrance, and perpetuate the power of their example. In the words of the apostle, I beseech you to do "what you "have feen and received, and learned of "them." Be followers of them in all their worth. Be imitators of them as they are of CHRIST. Beware left in commending them, you be not found condemning yourselves.

THERE are marks of respect and grateful remembrance, which in certain circumftances may be decent and proper, and useful, but which may be given, and perhaps have often been given, by custom, by oftentation, by selfishness, and not by affection. Sincere regard cannot be expreffed by all in fumptu

ous monuments, and the parade of mourning. Imitation of worth is in the power of all, and close imitation is the highest teftimony of unfeigned affection and refpect. Be then, my friends, what the righteous were. In the language of warfare, of which you know there is frequent ufe in the facred Scriptures, Have they fallen who stood in the first ranks, fupporting manfully and fuccessfully the cause of religion, fighting the battles of the LORD, of order, of truth, of worth, of happinefs? Fill ye up the breach: repair ye the lofs: complete ye the ranks: use their weapons: fhew their skill: maintain their advantages: quit ye like men," like the champions of righteousness, “and "be strong."

I SUGGEST to you, in the laft place, That it will have the happieft effect on your preserving the endeared memory of the righteous, to meditate on the honours conferred on them and awaiting them, from heaven; in this world, and in that which is to come.

WHOEVER is truly righteous, is highly honoured of GOD, whether the world believe

it and perceive it or not. They bear his image: they enjoy his favour: they belong to his family: they are united to all the great and good, and venerable, in heaven and in earth: but, has not the LORD the Judge of all, often diftinguished his righteous fervants, and caufed men to take knowledge of the objects of his favour and approbation? He has raised them on high: He has enrol led their names in the lifts of glory. See in what ftriking inftances, in how many memorable occafions, providence has marked them the care and charge of Heaven: See his light fhining on their tabernacle: See his interpofitions in their behalf. In refcuing them from impending ruin, in beftowing and fecuring precious and unexpected blessings: in over-ruling and controlling what is formidable and hoftile, and from which no way of escape seemed poffible: in bringing good out of evil, and caufing the machinations. and malice of enemies to produce more than the wisdom and exertions of friends: in fuch difpenfations we are made to fay, "Verily "there is a GOD that rules the world, that "loves and honours the righteous."