Printed by THOMAS WRIGHT, for the AUTHOR; and fold
by Mr. T. WILLS, near Stationer's-Hall, Mr. JOHNSON,
St. Paul's Church-Yard, Mr. BUTTON, Newington-
Causeway, London; Mr. SPENCE, York; Mr. BINNS,
Leeds; Mr. SMITH, Sheffield; and the Bookfellers in
Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, &c. &c.
-1788.

[ PRICE EIGHTEEN-PENCE BOUND. ]

Entered at Stationer's Hall, according

to Act of Parliament.

TISH

MUSEUM

PREFACE.

N compliance with the earnest folicitations of a few felect friends, for whom I have the highest efteem, the enfuing difcourfe is, with diffidence and humility, fubmitted to the candour of the public. I am confcious of many defects, in it, and wish they may not be found of fuch confequence as to prejudice the good caufe which I defire above all things to promote. The fubject is important, and it is hoped the author's aim in treating upon it, will be deemed laudable. Those who know his circumstances, may perhaps be difposed to make some kind allowances for the inaccuracies they may here meet with, and perufe these pages with christian fimplicity, rather than the severity of criticism.

The intelligent reader will obferve, that I have availed myself of many hints and obfervations of the most valuable and approved authors, which I thought pertinent and striking. I have fometimes forborn to mention the names of those authors; not that I might appropriate their labours, or ufurp their honours; but that I might not crowd the pages of this diminutive performance by oftentatious quotations. I hope this general acknowledgment A 2

will

will be deemed a fufficient apology for the liberty I have taken in this behalf.

It is not to be expected that many things can be advanced on moral fubjects entirely new. The finest and most beautiful thoughts concerning the government of our paffions, and the regulation of our manners, have been carried away before our times; and little is left for us but to glean after the ancients, and the most approved of the moderns.

I hope it will appear that it has been my endeavour through the whole, to advance nothing on the fubject but what is confonant with the facred oracles, the infallible rule of faith and practice; and that my defign is to promote that meekness, benevo lence, peace and love which are the brightest ornaments of the chriftian character.

Brearley-Hall, near Halifax,
Oct. 30, 1788.

INTRODUCTION,

INTRODUCTION.

UNGO

It is

GOVERNED anger is a fruitful fource Gove to human of mischief to human life. Many of the fcenes of public calamity and private distress which strike us with astonishment and horror, have originated from this direful fpring. this which hath overspread the earth with blood and flaughter. It is this which hath fo often filled the poisoned bowl, loaded the murderous pistol, and pointed the affaffinating dagger. It hath, through fucceffive ages, furnished ample materials for the poet's tragic muse, and the orator's pathetic declamation..

The wrath of princes hath embroiled kingdoms in war and blood-fhed. It hath subjected nations to continual frights and loffes, and made death and terror continually to walk about in their most horrid forms. Then, what defola

tion reigns! Reft is difturbed, property deftroyed, families are broken, friends are fufpected, enemies are feared, laws are trampled upon, commerce is ruined, bufinefs is neglected, cities are wafted, and filled with heaps of flain.