LIBERTY, evangelical and so­cial! Jewel of inestimable Price! Thou Blessing, of all Blessings the first! Woo'd and courted by ma­ny; won and wedded by few! Ever near us; yet often at a distance fan­cied! Thro' all the Modes of Faith, by the SAINT pursued; and, in every Frame of Government, by the PATRIOT sought! O thou coelestial GOOD—or rather THOU who art the AUTHOR of all GOOD, terrestrial and coelestial—SUPREME ARCHITECT of the UNIVERSE; who, by our great and SPIRI­TUAL MASTER thy Son, hast taught us the true Way of Liberty—the Way of being free and accepted thro' Him! May I now be en­lightened [Page 6]and enlivened by a Ray from THEE, while I endeavour to shew, that the Doctrine delivered in my Text for the En­joyment and Exercise of Liberty, among CHRISTIANS in general, is what the Mem­bers of this ANCIENT SOCIETY (by whose appointment I appear in this place) have bound themselves by the strongest Obliga­tions to follow, in the several Relations they sustain; viz.

First, in all their Meetings and Communi­cations with each other.

Secondly, in Society at large. And

Thirdly, in private Life, as Individuals glowing with the Love of their Spe­cies; and seeking to promote their Hap­piness, as far Opportunities can reach, or the wide Wish of Benevolence extend.

Upon these THREE GRAND PILLARS, founded on the adamantine Rock of ETER­NAL TRUTH, we profess to support the Fabric of our Labors; convinced that other Foundation than what the great MASTER-BUILDER hath laid, can no Man lay. Did we presume to depart from this, or propose to cultivate a Science, which hath any thing less for its Object than the Contemplation [Page 7]and Imitation of that everlasting Order, Harmony and Proportion which ("in Mea­sure, Number and Weight") HE hath established through all his Works; I should consider our Foundations as laid in the Sand, and our Superstructures raised of Stubble. Whatever Curiosity might have at first prompted me to pry into the Secrets of this Science, the most solemn Obligations could not have engaged my Adherence to it, when found repugnant to antecedent Obligations, which are indispensible, and therefore more solemn.

These were my early ^* Declarations. Many Years have since roll'd over my Head. That Seriousness, which I ever wish'd to maintain on grave and serious Occasions, is now (thro' various Trials and Vicissitudes, public and private) become habitual to me. I would not, therefore, upon this Occasion, or in this sacred Place, rise up to indulge the wanton Sport of Imagination: but my Hope is that, in Discharge of the present Duty assigned me by the Brotherhood, I may be in some Degree instrumental, among all who honour us with their Atten­dance, in that best Office of a Christian Mi­nister —the rendering GOD more feared and more adored, and Mankind more happy and more in Love with each other.

[Page 8] I proceed, then, to apply the Apostle; Doctrine to my first Head of Discourse; and, for that End, it is necessary to recite some preceding Parts of his sublime CHARGE.

‘Wherefore, says he, laying aside all Malice, and all Guile, and Hypocrisies, and Envies, and all Evil-Speaking—’ be ye as ‘living Stones, built up a spiritual House—as FREE, and not using your LI­BERTY as a Cloak of Maliciousness, but as the Servants of GOD.’

For the better understanding these Words it must be observed that, as in our modern Times; so likewise, from the first Stages of the Gospel, its true Purpose, respecting Li­berty both spiritual and temporal, hath been misunderstood or misinterpreted by many.

From the Power of Bigotry, the Strength of Prejudice, a strange Meanness and unhal­lowed Frame of Mind; some, who were first called into evangelic Freedom, had still, rooted in their Temper, a beggarly Hanker­ing after the old abrogated Rites and Cus­toms, both Jewish and Pagan.

Astonished at this, St. Paul, with his usual Fervor of Eloquence, cries out— ‘O foolish Galatians! who hath bewitched [Page 9]you?—After having known God, or ra­ther are known of Him, how turn ye back to the weak and beggarly Elements, wherewith ye desire again to be united?’—Quit this Folly—be persuaded to ‘stand fast in the Liberty, wherewith CHRIST has made us FREE; and be not en­tangled again with the Yoke of Bondage.’

Others there were, and still are, in the contrary Extreme; so hardly do Men ever square their Conduct by the golden Rule, re­commended in the Text.

Such were many of the early Jewish Con­verts. The new Law of CHRIST, which promised them Liberty from the ancient spiritual Bondage, they interpreted into a Scheme of such unbounded Licentiousness, as dissolved all Obligations even of their own moral Law, which, he expressly told them, he "came not to destroy but to fulfil." Affecting to consider themselves as the pe­culiar Favorites of God, and under his sole Government, they sought an Exemption from the Authorities of this World, and were for trampling under Foot the Powers ordained, or permitted, by him.

Thus, forgetting the Spirit of the Gospel, and blown up with the Pride of their own [Page 10]Spirit; they treated with Contempt all whom they considered as Unbelievers, or less righteous than themselves. In private Life, they thought that their superior Profes­sions of Sanctity and furious Zeal would atone for all Sorts of ‘Malice, Guile, Hy­pocrisy, Envies and Evil Speaking;’ and, in public Life, would justify Seditions, Mur­ders and the Destruction of their Brethren—

Miserable Infatuation! as if the GOD of all Love and Goodness could be served, by extirpating from our Hearts not only those native Dictates of Humanity which were im­planted to give us some Degree of Happi­ness in this World; but those nobler Les­sons of CHRISTIAN CHARITY, which are our best Preparation for the unbounded Happiness of the World to come!

The Apostle, in my Text, contends ear­nestly against this sad Mistake; teaching that it leads not to the Use but deplorable Abuse of true Liberty; making it a Covering for every wicked Purpose, and enslaving us more and more to those internal Passions, from which our DIVINE MASTER came to set us FREE.

To the like Purpose are we taught by ano­ther great and wise Master.—"SIX Things," [Page 11]says Solomon, ‘doth the Lord hate; yea, SEVEN are an Abomination to Him, viz.’

• First—A proud Look.
• Second—A lying Tongue.
• Third—Hands that shed innocent Blood.
• Fourth—A Heart that deviseth wicked Imaginations.
• Fifth—Feet that be swift in running to Mischief.
• Sixth—A false Witness that speaketh Lies.
• Seventh—Him that soweth Discord among BRETHREN.

These seven Abominations of Solomon, comprehended also by St. Peter under the general Term Maliciousness, must ever be peculiarly hateful to Us, as a SOCIETY OF FRIENDS; linked together by a strong Tie of BROTHERLY LOVE, as well as by every other Tie of RELIGION and Law, for the Advancement of true Humanity, genuine good Humour, undissembled Virtue, rati­onal Liberty and useful Science.

Indeed the whole Doctrine of the Text (calling us to consider ourselves ‘as the Ser­vants of God,’ in the Use of every Thing which he offers for our Enjoyment here) must still be necessary among all Societies of Men, in a World wrapt up in false Peace; [Page 12]trusting too much to external Professions, and where Multitudes have yet to learn— That TRUE RELIGION is something spiri­tual, and design'd to perfect the Soul in Ho­liness, thro' the Fear and Love of God— That she must lie deeper than in Ordinan­ces and Professions— ‘Must reach the inner Parts, or rather take her Rise there, even in the hidden Man of the Heart, where Christ bruises the Serpent, subdues our natural Corruptions,’ erects his Throne within us, and consecrates us Temples of the Holy Ghost.

It is in this Sense only, that Men can be considered as living Stones, built up a spiritual House! It is in this Sense only that they can enjoy Liberty as the Servants of God; with­out "Maliciousness," and without Licen­tiousness!

As to you, Brethren! I hope I need not remind you that if none be accepted among us, but such as strive daily, thro' the Grace of Heaven, to lay aside those evil Passions, condemned by the Apostle; then shall the LODGE be truly denominated a "Spiritual House," and all its Members "Living Stones," hewn out of the Rock of Ages, and adorned with Jewels of unspeakable Value. Then shall they be free indeed! for the [Page 13]great SPIRITUAL MASTER shall have set them free from the Turbulence of Passion, the Stings of Guilt and the Thraldom of Slavery, both of Body and Mind. In WISDOM, BEAUTY and STRENGTH shall they ever appear—

That WISDOM which descends from on high— ‘a pure Influence flowing from the Glory of the Almighty—which is the Brightness of the everlasting Light, the unspotted Mirror of the Power of God, and THE IMAGE OF HIS GOODNESS— more beautiful than the Sun and above all the Order of Stars—pure, peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated—which whosoever findeth, findeth Life—’

That STRENGTH, which depends not on the Arm of Flesh, nor delights in Oppres­sion and Confusion; but is a Refuge to the Distress'd, a Band of Union among Breth­ren, and a Source of Comfort in our own Hearts—

That BEAUTY, which shines forth in the Ornaments of Holiness, the Jewels of Mercy, the Cloathing of Humility, and the Practice of all Religious, Moral and Social Duties.

[Page 14] In Conclusion, therefore, to this first Head of Discourse; let me, in the Fullness of my pledged Affection, exhort you to remember, in all your Meetings and Communications, that you are Brethren; although free, yet on the Level; bound to keep within the Com­pass of mutual Good-Will; and to frame your Conduct by the Square of Doing as you would be done by. Keep an open Heart to every suffering Brother, ready to receive him as a Tempest-driven Voyager into a Port of Safety; seeking among you that Relief and Shelter, which he sought in Vain, while toss'd upon the restless Ocean of common Life.

Be of one Mind. Avoid all Levity of Conversation. Be sober and temperate; abstaining from every Excess that would enervate the Body, debase the Understand­ing, cherish Strife and dishonour your Call­ing. Study to be quiet, and to do your own Business with your own Hands; as knowing that ‘a wise Brother's Delight is in the WORK OF HIS CRAFT.’ Learn when to be silent, and when to speak; for ‘a Babbler is an Abomination, because of the unspeakable Words, which a Man may not utter,’ but in a proper Place.

[Page 15] These are fundamental Principles, and Practices of immutable Obligation in our Society. Flowing from the Fountain­head of Antiquity, they have roll'd down to us, in pure and uncorrupted Streams, through the Channels of Time; and, we trust, will still roll, broader and deeper, until the dread Order of this TERRESTRIAL FABRIC shall be consummated in the endless Order of ETERNITY. While we draw from such sacred Sources, our true Mem­bers, as in Times past, so likewise now and in Times to come, in different Climes and Ages, shall be able to silence ‘the Tribe of Scorners;’ and to convince them that the only Qualities we wish to honour are those which form good Men and good Citi­zens; and the only Buildings we seek to raise, are Temples for Virtue and Dungeons for Vice.

The other Societies of this World—Em­pires, Kingdoms and Commonwealths— being of less perfect Constitutions, have been of less permanent Duration. Although Men have busied themselves, thro' all Ages, in forming and reforming them, in casting down and building up; yet still their La­bours have been vain! The Reason was— [Page 16]hear it and be wise, ye BUILDERS of the present Day—the Reason was, that THEY daub'd with untemper'd Mortar, and admit­ed into their STRUCTURES the base, dis­cordant, heterogeneous Materials of Pride, Ambition, Selfishness, ‘Malice, Guile, Hypocrisies, Envies and Evil Speaking’ — which WE reject. Hence their Fabi [...]es, unable to support themselves, tumbled to the Foundation, through internal Weak­ness, or were shaken to Pieces by external Violence.

The EGYPTIAN, the BABYLONIAN, the ASSYRIAN, the PERSIAN Empires; the Commonwealths of ATHENS, of SPARTA, and of ROME, with many more of later Date—Where are they now? "FALL'N— FALL'N—FALL'N"—the weeping Voice of History replies! The Meteors of an Age, the Gaze of one Part of the World; they rose—they blaz'd awhile on high—they burst and sunk again, beneath the Horizon, to that Place of Oblivion, where the pale Ghosts of departed Grandeur fleet about in sad Lamentation of their former Glory!

Such have been the Changes and Revolu­tions which, as a Fraternity, we have been. [Page 17]From the Bosom of the LODGES, (seated on an Eminence) its Foundations reaching the Center and its Summit the Sky; we have beheld, as upon a turbulent Ocean at an immense Distance beneath us, the States of this World alternately mounted up and cast down, as they have regarded or neglected the Principles described above; while, sup­ported by them, the sublime Fabric of our Constitution has remained unshaken through Ages—and, thus supported, it shall still re­main, while the Sun opens the Day to gild its Cloud-cap'd Towers, or the Moon leads on the Night to chequer its starry Canopy. The Current of Things may roll along its Basis ^*; the Tide of Chance and Time may beat against its Walls; the stormy Gusts of Malice may assault its lofty Battlements, and the heavy Rains of Calumny may descend upon its spacious Roof—but all in vain. A Building, thus constructed and supported, is impregnable from without; and can then only be dissolved when the Pillars of the Universe shall be shaken, and ‘the great Globe itself, yea all which it inherit, [Page 18]shall, like the baseless Fabric of a Vision,’ pass away before the ALMIGHTY ARCHI­TECT!

But altho' we have seen those Changes, Convulsions and Dissolutions; we have not seen them with Insensibility, nor without Heart-felt Grief and a sympathetic Tear. And this brings me to my—

SECOND HEAD, which was to shew— That our Love to God and Man leads us to cultivate the same rational and evang lie Use of Liberty in Society at large, as in our own subordinate Societies.

This, we know, is a more arduous La­bor; because the same watchful Care cannot be so easily applied to the Admission, Re­jection or Government of Members, in large Societies as in small. Nevertheless, if every Man, first in his own House, and then in all those lesser Societies of Brethren with whom he may be connected, would learn, in the Apostle's Use of Liberty, to subdue every evil and discordant Passion; the blessed Ha­bit would easily be carried forth into Soci­ety at large. Individual States would not only be happy, durable, and free from in­testine [Page 19]Broils and Convulsions; but ‘Na­tion would no more rise against Nation’ in dreadful Havoc and Oppression. The whole World would be as ONE HARMONI­OUS LODGE, knit together in Brotherly Love, and obedient to the Will of the great HEAVENLY MASTER!

Such a glorious Aera many believe to be promised, and hope it may yet come. Our Principles lead us to cherish this Hope; and, as the best Means, under Providence, for its accomplishment, to resist Violence, and to support Justice, Truth, Freedom and Happiness in the Governments to which we belong.

The Doctrine that One Man's Grandeur, or the Grand ur of a Few, is to be the Mi­sery of All, can have no reception among us. We can acknowledge no absolute uncon­troulable power upon Earth; and can form no Conjecture whence such power could come, or be pretended. From GOD, the supreme Fountain of all Power, it could not come; without supposing he granted it to dishonour his own Perfections, deface his Image in his Works, and debase his whole Creation. From MAN it could not come; [Page 20]unless we suppose him, voluntarily and in his sober Senses, consenting to his own im­mediate Misery and Destruction.

In our Estimation, therefore, "no Go­vernment can be of divine Original, but as it resembles God's own Government; round whose eternal Throne, Justice and Mercy wait. And all Governments must be so far divine, as the LAWS rule; and every Thing is ordered, under God, by free and common consent."

To contend for such Governments, with a holy, enlightened, and unquenchable zeal, is the highest temporal Glory. Wherefore, we dwell with Rapture upon the Records of former Renown, and con­template with Veneration those transcend­ent Scenes of Heroism; in which we behold the BRAVE 2nd the FREE wearing upon their Swords the Fate of Millions—while the divine GENIUS OF VICTORY, espousing their Cause, hovers o'er their Heads with expanded Wing; reaching forth the immor­tal Wreath that is to surround their trum­phant Brow; and smiling upon the decisive Moment that is to fix the Happiness of future Generations!

[Page 21] They who (from a Sense of Duty to God and their Country, seeking that LIBERTY and PEACE which Heaven approves) have thus acted their Part, whether in more ele­vated or inferior Stations, form the first Class in the Roll of Worthies. And when they descend again into private Life, casting behind them vain Pomp and fastidious Pride, to mingle with their Fellow-Citizens in all the tender Charities and endearing Offices of Society and Humanity; their Characters, if possible, become still more Illustrious. Their very Maims and Scars are nobly Honourable. The Respect which they command, grows with their growing Years; and they approach the Horizon of Life, as the Sun in serene and setting Glory, with Orb more enlarged and mitigated, though less dazzling and splendid. Even their gar­rulous old Age, while it can only recount the Feats of former Days, will be listened to with Attention: Or should they survive all the active Powers both of Body and Mind, yet still, like some grand Structure, tottering and crumbling beneath the Hand of Time, they will be considered as majes­tie in Ruins, and venerable even in Decay!

[Page 22] And when at last the Messenger DEATH, who comes to all, shall come to them; un­daunted they will obey the Summons; in conscious Hope of being speedily united and beatified with their Com-patriots and Fore-runnners, in the Mansions of endless Bliss!

Such, to name no more, was the Character of a CINCINNATUS ^* in ancient Times; rising "awful from the Plough" to save his Country; and, his Country saved, return­ing to the Plough again, with increased Dig­nity and Lustre. Such too, if we divine aright, will future Ages pronounce to have been the Character of a **********; but you all anticipate me in a Name, which Delicacy forbids me, on this occasion, to mention. Honoured with his Presence as a Brother, you will seek to derive Virtue from his Example; and never let it be said, that any Principles you profess, can render you Deaf to the calls of your Country; but, on the contrary, have animated you with intre­pidity in the Hour of Danger, and Huma­nity in the Moments of Triumph.

True Courage consists not in any Thing external to a Man—in the Trappings of [Page 23]Dress, the Parade of Office, the Pride of Looks, a quarrelsome Temper, or loud-sounding Boasts; but in a Soul serenely fix­ed on Duty, and unconscious of Guilt, as knowing that Death has no Terrors but what he derives from Sin. For it hath been well said on this Subject, that ‘Fire may as easily be struck out of Ice, as Valour out of Crimes; and he has the chance of most Valour who lives best.’

True Religion, therefore, is a Man's Glory and Strong Hold in every situation of Life, whether Public or Private; and this brings me to my—

THIRD HEAD, Under which it was pro­posed briefly to remind you, as a Fraternity, of the Principles by which you profess to regulate your Conduct towards Individuals in private Life; which still having that great Commandment of our HEAVENLY MASTER, Brotherly Love, as the chief Corner-Stone; every Thing raised upon it should be superlatively Grand and Fair.

Hence, therefore, we must seek to ex­pand our Souls to the whole human Species; ever striving to promote their Happiness to the utmost of our Power. Whatever is il­liberal [Page 24]partial and contracted—a selfish and unfeeling Heart, coiled up within its own scanty Orb—we must reject from among us. Looking far beyond the little Distinc­tions of Sect or Party (by which too many seek to know, and be known by, each other) we should labour to imitate the great Crea­tor, in regarding those of every Nation, Re­ligion, and Tongue, who ‘fear Him, and work Righteousness.’

Such Conduct becomes those who profess to believe that when our MASTER CHRIST shall come again to reward his faithful Workmen and Servants; He will not ask whether we were of LUTHER or of CAL­VIN? Whether we prayed to him in White, Black, or Grey; in Purple, or in Rags; in fine Linen, or in Sackcloth; in a woollen Frock, or peradventure in a Leather-Apron? Whatever is considered as most Convenient, most in Character, most for Edification, and infringes least on Spiritual Liberty, will be admitted as good in this Case.

But although we may believe that none of these Things will be asked in that Great Day; let us remember that it will be assur­edly asked—Were we of CHRIST JESUS? ‘Did we pray to him with the Spirit and with the Understanding?’ Had we the [Page 25]true Marks of his Gospel in our Lives? Were we "meek and lowly of Heart?" Did we nail our rebellious Affections to his Cross, and strive to subdue our Spirits to the Rule of his Spirit? But above all, it will be asked us—Were we cloathed with the Wedding-garment of LOVE? Did we recog­nize our HEAVENLY MASTER in the Suf­ferings of those whom he died to save? Did we, for his sake, open our Souls wide, to the Cries of HIS DISTRESSED POOR? ‘When they were Hungry, did we give them Meat? When Thirsty, did we give them Drink? When Strangers, did we take them in? When Naked, did we clothe them? When Sick, did we visit them? When in Prison, did we come unto them,’ with Comfort and Relief?

This Day, my Brethren—nay, a few Moments hence—will furnish you with an Opportunity of laying up in your own Con­sciences, and sending before you to Heaven, an Answer to those important Questions, against the awful Day of final Retribution.

Hark! do you not this instant hear— amidst the unavoidable Calamities of your Country, the deep Distresses of War, the extreme Rigour of the Season, the unusual Price and Scarcity of the chief Necessaries [Page 26]of Life—BREAD, CLOATHING, and FUEL, — Hark! I say, Do you not, amidst these com­plicated Distresses, this instant, hear the loud Cries of many Hungry, Naked, Cold, Sick, and almost ready to Perish?—

I know you hear them, and have come, with open Heart and open Hand, to relieve them. This was the chief Purpose of the present Solemnity; and I have your Instruc­tions to press it Home, as the best Exercise of those Principles, in which you profess most eminently to shine. Nor will your Practice, I trust, ever fall short of your Profession; or give Room to apply the Pro­phet's sarcastic Rebuke, either to your­selves, or your Preacher— ‘Lo! thou art unto them as a very lovely Song, of one that hath a pleasant Voice, and can play well upon an Instrument—for they hear thy Words, but they do them not.’ No, Brethren! you will never suffer this to be justly said of you; but, on the contrary, that you are always as ready to do as to hear.

Many of you will remember, that near the fourth Part of a Century—a Period that hath been big with important Events and Revo­lutions— hath passed away, since our last Meeting in this Place, on a similar Cccasi­on. [Page 27]Let the POOR, then, have reason to consider our present Meeting, as a JUBILEE to them rather than to us.

And while I Address You on this Subject, I would, at the same time, beg leave to Ad­dress the whole of this numerous and re­spectable Auditory—for CHARITY is the concern of all; and we are peculiarly called to its highest Exercise at this particular Time.

But a few Days have past, since we were joining together in the SONG OF ANGELS; giving Thanks and ‘Glory to God in the Highest’ for the BIRTH OF A SAVIOUR, and the Spiritual Deliverance accomplished by Him. In a few Days ^* more, we are again, by special Appointment, to offer up Thanksgivings to God for whatever temporal Blessings and Deliverances we have received through his Goodness. On both Accounts, one of the best Sacrifices of Thanksgiving which we can offer, is—to raise the drooping Mourner; cheer the lonely Heart of Woe; and be the Instruments of Heaven for en­creasing the Number of the Thankful.

This is the Return of Gratitude which CHRIST peculiarly requires; namely, that, [Page 28]from the Consideration of his unbounded Love to us, our Heart should overflow with Love to each other. Such Love is justly stiled— "the fulfilling of the whole Law," —the Sum and Substance of all Obedience. For true Religion being an Emanation from on high, cannot but shed Light upon the Understanding, and Love upon the Heart— even that Love, which, when genuine, will gradually consume every Thing that is gross and earthly within us; and mount up our Affections, at last, in a pure Flame, to the omnipotent Source of all Love.

Deeds of Love are the chief Employment of the Angels of God; and, into a Soul which overflows with Love and Charity, Heaven may be said to have descended, while on Earth. The other Virtues and Graces bring us nearer to God, as it were, by slow approaches; but, by the Divine Virtue of Charity, we are borne into his direct Pre­sence, as in a siery Chariot! This is the on­ly Virtue which we can carry with us into the other World: Our Faith, after Death, shall be swallowed up in Sight, our Hope in Enjoyment; but our CHARITY, when we shake off this Mortality, shall then only be­gin to have its full Scope, enlarging itself into unbounded Dimensions, as the main [Page 29]Ingredient of our Happiness, in the Regions of ETERNAL LOVE!

But I will detain you no longer, Brethren! —You all pant to have a Foretaste of the Joy of Angels, by calling forth into im­mediate Exercise this heavenly Virtue of CHARITY; whereby you will give *At the Word "GLORY," the BRETHREN rose together; and, in reverential Posture, on pro­nouncing the Names of the TRI-UNE GOD, ac­companied the same by a Correspondent Repetition of the Ancient Sign or Symbol of Divine Homage and Obeisance; concluding with the following RESPONSE— GLORY to the THRICE BLESSED THREE, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one God over all!

"AMEN! So let it ever be!"