Maker: And, with regard to others, there should be a strict Enquiry, whether we have been guided by the Laws of Justice and Charity, and done by others as we would be willing, in like Circumftances, to be treated. Whoever would examine their Actions, if they have in any refpect violated the great FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF JUSTICE, must be fenfible of the Guilt which adheres to all fuch Acts of INJUSTICE. They who have been unjust, unmerciful, uncharitable, and cenforious, could never approve of their past Ways, but muft be filled with Shame and Confufion. So, with regard to ourselves, we fhould enquire whether we have lived by the Laws of Temperance, Sobriety, and Selfdenial, or in what Inftances these may have been broken. Thefe are the THREE GREAT IMPORTANT BRANCHES OF DUTY which should be the Subject of Enquiry, when we apply ourselves to think on our Ways; God bath fhewn us what is good, and what be requires of us, That we do justly, love Mercy, and walk humbly with him. And the Apostle plainly informs us what 'tis the Grace of God teacheth, that is, To deny Ungodliness, and worldly Lufts; to live foberly, righteously, and godly. You fee by this of what extenfive Nature this Duty is which is recommended by the Authority of the Most High. They, therefore, who have lived in the Ne

glect

glect of this Duty ought to retire, and confi der their Ways, because God fo folemnly requires this, and will avenge the Contempt of his Authority.

3. Mankind fhould think on their Ways, because by these we shall be judged at the Laft Day. The eternal States of all will be decided according to their Actions: And can there be a more weighty Reafon given than this? The great Enquiry hereafter will be, What have been our Ways, and Actions? ---Will this be the Rule of Judgment; will this be the Subject on which the everlasting Condition of Mankind will be determined? Let all who are capable of Thinking meditate on this Reason and Argument, and they cannot but fee the Force of it immediately. I. Cor. v. 10. For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Chrift, that every one may receive the Things done in his Body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. If there was never any Account to be given of our Actions, it would not avail whether we did think on them or no: But fince we are affured that there will be a frict Enquiry made, in the Great Day of the LORD JESUS, concerning our Ways and Actions, can there be any greater Reafon poffibly afforded, to move and determine all Mankind to pay a Regard to this too much neglected Duty?

The

The Actions of Rational Beings, who are therefore refponfible, and accountable, will be brought into Judgment; the Secrets of all Hearts will be disclosed; the Springs and Principles by which any have been actuated will be examined. 'Tis not only the Actions will be judged, but chiefly the Aims and Intentions by which we have been govern'd in doing them. Thefe are known to the Judge of all, and he forms his Estimate of Actions according to these Intentions, whether good or bad. If an Action be seemingly good to Appearance, but the End of doing it be vicious and finifter, it will entitle to no Reward from him who judges not by outward Appearance, but by the Heart. Since, then, there will be a ftrict Examination and Scrutiny made hereafter into the Ways and Actions of Mankind, and the Principles and Aims by which they have been guided, and which do either raise and encrease the Value of Actions, and entitle them to a Reward, or depreciate and fink their Value, according as the Intentions of the Agent are good or bad; fince a Sentence of Absolution or Condemnation will be paft on all according to the Nature and Quality of their Actions, inclusive of their Principles and Designs, is not this a very folid Reason to move all fo to think on their Ways that they may be abfolved and acquitted hereafter? For, whether

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we

we think on them or no, God will call to a ftrict Account for them.

This would lead me, in the third Place,

III. To represent the happy Fruit and Confequence of a due mature Thoughtfulness of our Ways: But this thall be the Subject of the following Discourse.

Of Thinking

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Of Thinking on our Ways.

PSALM CXix. 59.

I thought on my Ways, and turned my Feet unto thy Teftimonies.

N treating on thefe Words I propofed

IN

the following Method. I. To fhew in what Manner, and with what Difpofition of Mind, we ought to think on our Ways. II. Why Mankind are obliged to comply with this important and neceffary Duty. III. The happy Fruit and Confequence of it: By the Divine Bleffing this will be attended with a fincere Converfion and Reformation of Life and Manners. IV. Make fome practical Inferences.

I have discoursed already on the two first of thefe; and proceed now to the third Thing proposed, which is,

III. To represent the happy Fruit and Confequence which, by the Bleffing of God,

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will