nvinced of this, than you
who come hither as convicts. You have known by bitter experience, the
unhappy consequences of dishonesty. Have not many of you, for the sake,
perhaps, of a few shillings, unjustly obtained, plunged yourselves
into misery for the remainder of your lives? Several have made this
acknowledgment to me, in their dying moments. Learn therefore,
strive, and pray to be honest. Honesty has its present advantages. An
honest man, however poor, can face this world with confidence.
But a dishonest behaviour, with its constant attendant a guilty
conscience, will always fill the mind with fear and dismay.
[Job. xxiv. 16,17.]

I do not mean, my friends, to reflect harshly upon you for what is
past, and cannot be recalled. I pity your past misconduct; I
sympathize with you under your present sufferings. And therefore I
admonish and caution you to abstain from this course for the time to
come. Let then the troubles and afflictions you have brought upon
yourselves be a warning, to regulate your future behaviour. Learn to be
thankful for what God in his providence gives you, whether it be more
or less. Attend to what our Lord says, Whatsoever ye would that men
should do unto you, do ye even so unto them. And to his apostle's
direction, Let him that hath stolen, steal no more, but rather let him
labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he
may have to give to him that needeth [Matt. vii. 12.; Eph. iv. 24.].
Follow this advice, and you will soon experience the benefit.

IV. Beware of idleness. This is the forerunner of many evils.
Poverty, disease, disgrace, misery, and too often an untimely death,
are the consequences of sloth and indolence. Yield not to idleness; if
you indulge it, you will find it grow upon you. Therefore, be diligent
and industrious in your lawful callings. It is written in the Bible,
and confirmed by experience and observation, The idle soul shall
suffer hunger, but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
[Prov. xix. 15. & xiii. 14.]

V. Be careful also to pay due respect, submission, and obedience to
your superiors. It is the good pleasure of God that some should be
placed in more exalted, and others in a more humble station. And
it is a proof of his wisdom and goodness. The present state of the
world, and the general good of mankind, render such distinctions
necessary. But whether we are high or low, whether called to command,
or required to obey, our duties an