is the common instances which I have drawn out of life, are too
notorious to require much evidence. If any man doubts the reality
of them, or thinks it impossible for a man to be such a bubble to
himself,--I must refer him a moment to his own reflections, and will
then venture to trust my appeal with his own heart.

'Let him consider in how different a degree of detestation, numbers of
wicked actions stand there, tho' equally bad and vicious in their own
natures;--he will soon find, that such of them as strong inclination
and custom have prompted him to commit, are generally dressed out and
painted with all the false beauties which a soft and a flattering hand
can give them;--and that the others, to which he feels no propensity,
appear, at once, naked and deformed, surrounded with all the true
circumstances of folly and dishonour.

'When David surprized Saul sleeping in the cave, and cut off the skirt
of his robe--we read his heart smote him for what he had done:--But in
the matter of Uriah, where a faithful and gallant servant, whom he
ought to have loved and honoured, fell to make way for his lust,--where
conscience had so much greater reason to take the alarm, his heart smote
him not. A whole year had almost passed from first commission of that
crime, to the time Nathan was sent to reprove him; and we read not once
of the least sorrow or compunction of heart which he testified, during
all that time, for what he had done.

'Thus conscience, this once able monitor,--placed on high as a judge
within us, and intended by our maker as a just and equitable one
too,--by an unhappy train of causes and impediments, takes often
such imperfect cognizance of what passes,--does its office so
negligently,--sometimes so corruptly,--that it is not to be trusted
alone; and therefore we find there is a necessity, an absolute
necessity, of joining another principle with it, to aid, if not govern,
its determinations.

'So that if you would form a just judgment of what is of infinite
importance to you not to be misled in,--namely, in what degree of real
merit you stand either as an honest man, an useful citizen, a faithful
subject to your king, or a good servant to your God,--call in religion
and morality.--Look, What is written in the law of God?--How readest
thou?--Consult calm reason and the unchangeable obligations of justice
and truth;--what say they?

'Let Conscience determine the matter upon these reports;--and then
if thy he