in

able objects muft furely move compaffion every humane breaft. We are fenfible of the honour done us by your Royal Highness's prefence; and especially by that condescending, yet princely, behaviour, which cannot fail to engage all hearts. Nor could We expect less from the Son of a PRINCESS, whofe amiable conduct hath justly rendered her the univerfal object of British esteem; From the BROTHER of a PRINCE, whofe fhining example and distinguished humanity give him a place in every Englifhman's affection: and of whom we might fay the highest things, without the leaft fufpicion of flattery, as we hope the greatest things, without the leaft apprehenfion of disappointment.

We flatter ourselves, that your Highnefs's kind representation of the happy ftate of fo many of our gracious Sovereign's people, reftored from the most confummate diftrefs, from idleness, vice, and early ruin, to industry, virtue, and life, will diffufe a pleasure through your Royal

Royal Family, but especially through our beloved Monarch's breaft; anxious as He is, we know, for the preservation of his people; and will gain his approbation to so benevolent a design. A defign, allow me, SIR, with pleasure to remark, conducted by Gentlemen, perfectly convinced of the happiness of the prefent glorious establishment; and honoured, peculiarly, by the Prefidency of one, whofe valuable and excellent qualities, fo well known to your Royal Highness, it would be impertinent in me to mention. As on every other account we think ourselves happy in Lord HERTFORD's attachment; fo particularly, for that he was pleased to introduce Royal Highness amongst us.

your

fa

EDWARD is a renown'd and a f vourite name in British story; no lefs fam'd for martial than for munificent virtue : that your Royal Highness may, under the constant guidance of Heaven, nobly unite, in yourself, both these characters, and advance into action, amidst the concurrence of every favourable circumftance; and that under the continued protection of il

your

luftrious

luftrious House, our land may long enjoy its present great felicities, is the fincere wifh and most ardent prayer of,

A

SERMON, &c.

St. LUKE xix. 10.

FOR THE SON OF MAN IS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.

C

HE reasonableness of its precepts, and

THE

2..

neceffities of mankind, are clear evidences of the Truth of Chriftianity, and fatisfactory proofs that it comes from the Father of Wifdom, and the God of all Mercy. Let every religion, which pretends to divine revelation, be examined in this view; the Heathen, or Mahometan, or whatever other oppofite perfuafion; and they will be found wanting; offensive to the best reafon, and inadequate to the most preffing exigency of human nature; That I mean, of pardon and reconciliation with an offended Deity; of forgiveness and peace to the wounded confci

ence;

ence; of affured grace and favour to the repent. ing and returning Sinner.

This was a discovery, a glorious and heavenly manifestation referved for, and truly worthy of that Son of God, and Saviour of the world, who came to feek and to fave that which was loft; who came to raise the Penitent from the gloom of defpair to the light of enlivening hope; who. came to rescue Sinners from the bondage of fin; at once, to set them free from the anguish of a wounded conscience, and to direct their feet under the guidance of gratitude and grace, into the happy paths of Obedience and Virtue.

We will briefly confider the Chriftian Religi on, in reference to its great defign; and then fhew, how much comfort may be deriv'd from hence, to YOU especially, who have fought the shelter of this hofpitable dwelling; which, like Heaven, opens its friendly doors for the reception of afflicted and returning Penitence: and which, of consequence, well deferves that regard and protection, which it finds, and, we truft, will continue to find, from the most virtuous and the moft noble: from fouls most enlarged by religion, from hearts moft tenderly influenc'd by humanity.

10

10

I. With an eye then to this good undertaking, let us confider the great and leading principle in

the