PART II.

JOHN, xi. 5.

NOW JESUS LOVED MARTHA, AND HER

SISTER

Tis worthy of remark, that the most

Divine Instructor ever known upon earth, fcrupled not to commend, in the strongest terms, and on the gravest occafions, the upright and the penitent amongst his female as well as male attendants. The Son of God, my brethren, deemed it not beneath his own dignity, or unbefeeming the profeffion of a religious teacher in general, to defcend into common life,

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and address all characters and claffes, through whatever diverfity of circumftances or manners, with a minuteness and a freedom, which could indeed offend none, but the malignant, the illiberal, or the prejudiced. Nor was He at a lofs to discover, any more than flow to approve in the kindest style, laudable and excellent difpofitions in numbers of the other fex. I go farther, and fay, that this sex, sa much depreciated in these days, he was pleased to honour with a particular share of his attention and zeal.

His approbation, it is true, was always regulated by a juft diftinction of characters; neither did he fail to reprehend, where it became neceffary, his firmeft adherents, or his dearest friends. The fame voice, that celebrated the wisdom of Mary, reproved the anxiety of Martha. Our Saviour was well aware, that applause and admonition are equally the language of friendship, as occafion is given for either. He never was backward to beftow the firft when merited,

and to beftow it openly, frankly, affectionately; as, on the other hand, his regard for thofe that loved him was too enlightened, and too pure, to permit his with-holding the laft, when any part of their behaviour rendered it requifite. Yes, my fellow christians, our Mafter was alike fuperior to that littleness of foul which commends reluctantly, with cold reserve, or political caution, and to that fervility or cowardice which remains filent when virtue and faithfulness call to speak out.

After fuch an example, shall any Minifter of religion, of Chrift's Religion, be afraid or ashamed to exprefs, in the most public manner, his refpect for the more deferving of the female fex; to encourage by applauding their virtues, or, by admonishing them, to correct their faults; to enter into the detail of human conduct în fpeaking to human beings, or to draw without disguise the picture of a diffipated and debauched age, whose reformation it is his duty to promote by all poffible means, at F 2

whatever hazard of ridicule from the fatirical, of cenfure from the contracted, or of calumny and abuse from the falfe and the malevolent? Against the miserable, but unwearied, efforts of fuch minds, the proper armour is a good confcience, joined for the most part with a calm contempt.

As for ourselves, indeed, we do not think it requires much fortitude to confess our having felt an early predilection for Good and Amiable Women. It proceeded from an early observation of the modesty which always adorns their deportment, of the elegance and vivacity which often diftinguish their conversation, and of that delightful interest which the tender affections, and attractive manners, found among the most valuable of the fex, are peculiarly adapted to create in hearts of the least feeling. Nor has our opinion in their favour, or our attachment to their society, been leffened, by longer experience, in any greater proportion than there is reason to apprehend the pleafing fenfibilities, and

flattering ideas, of youth on most other fubjects, will naturally be lowered in the progrefs of life.

It is certain, that all advantages are not to be fecured together. If fuperior degrees of inward tranquillity and self-poffeffion are gained, when inclination and fancy become more cool, the objects of the latter will feldom appear fo captivating to the foul as they were wont. Though their intrinsic merit may not be at all abated, they will scarcely strike the intellectual eye with the fame lively luftre.

It must also be acknowledged, that, as we advance through the world, wider views, more opportunities, and maturer judgements, with a variety of unexpected events and unimagined circumstances, often painful, fometimes deplorable, lead to mortifying discoveries concerning a num-, ber of characters in both fexes; neither can it be thought wonderful, if in the prefent condition of our nature we should