ves in sin. No--It
increaseth their guilt and will increase their condemnation. The Jews
flattered themselves "because they had Abraham to their father; but
many came from the east and from the west and set down with Abraham in
the kingdom of God, and the children of the kingdom were cast out"
--Yea, having filled up the measure of their sins, wrath came upon
them, to the uttermost, in this world; and in that to come, it will be
more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha than for them.

* * * * * *

SERMON XXIV.

The Character and Supports of Widows indeed.

1 Timothy v. 5.

"Now she that is a Widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God and
continueth in supplications and prayers night and day." *

* Preached at the house of one made a widow by her husband's
desertion; who left her in straitened circumstances to provide for a
young family.

Timothy was ordained a bishop of the church at Ephesus; and this
epistle was written to him by St. Paul, his spiritual father, to teach
him "how to behave himself in the house of God, which is the church
of the living God."

The former part of the context contains directions respecting the
treatment of widows; and especially poor widows who belonged to the
church, and were supported at their expense. He is first directed
to "honor widows who were widows indeed." Here the apostle explains
his meaning, by designating the character intended. Now "_She that is
a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in
supplications and prayers night and day_."

Every widow did not answer to this description. There were some who
answered to no part of it, as he shews below. These Timothy was not
required to honor--not directed to provide for them, or employ them in
the business of the church; though certain poor and pious women were
then used to minister to the sick, of their own sex, and discharge
other charitable labors among them.

In discoursing on our subject, we shall _make a few observations on
the sorrows of widowhood; then glance at the duties of it; and the
supports which God hath provided for widows indeed_.

A widowed state is naturally desolate, Most widows pass many solitary
hours--a lonesome and melancholy situation;--especially after having
known and enjoyed the social intercourse of connubial life. The value
of all our comforts is best known by experience; more especially by
their loss, after a temporary possession.

But the conjugal connexion