this world, we often behold good men de-
preffed, and the wicked profpering around
us. Our beft deeds meet with unjust re-
turns from an ungrateful world. Sincerity
is over-reached by craft, and innocence falls
a victim to power.
But let us not on fuch
occafions fay within ourselves, that in vain
we have cleanfed our hearts, and washed our
hands in innocency. Let us reft on the af-
furance, that these disorders extend not far
in the kingdom of God. They affect only
the first stage of existence. They relate to
difcipline and trial, which will foon be
finished. In that permanent state which is
about to open, a new and better order of
things fhall arife. When dejected with the
evils of life, let us look upward to that happy
multitude who have come out of great tribula-
tion, and now ftand before the throne. Un-
til the day arrive which shall join us to that
bleffed affembly, let us fhew ourselves wor-
thy of the hope that is before us, by sup-
porting, with a conftant mind, the trials of
our fidelity. Be patient; stablish your hearts.
The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

VOL. II.

T

From

IX.

SERM. From the prospects which the text has afforded, we may likewife learn what the fpirit is which fhould regulate our life. Sanctity of conduct, dignity of character, elevation of affections, become those who expect to mingle with angels, and spirits of just men made perfect. I mean not that such prospects should carry away our whole attention from the prefent world, where undoubtedly lies the chief scene of human action, and human duty. But while we act as inhabitants of the earth, we ought at the fame time fo to remember our connection with a better world, as not to debafe ourfelves with what is mean, not to defile ourfelves with what is impure, not to entangle ourfelves among what is enfnaring, in the prefent flate. Let neither its advantages elate, nor its difappointments deject us; but with an equal fpirit, with a mind full of immortality, let us pafs through all the changes of this mortal life.

Finally, let the difcoveries of future happiness infpire us with fuitable gratitude to God and Chrift; to the eternal Father, who originally

originally decreed fuch rewards for the
righteous; and to the Son, who acts in the
high character of the Dispenser of the divine
mercies, and the great Reftorer of the fallen
race of men. Particularly, when approach-
ing to God in folemn acts of devotion, fuch
as we are at this day to perform, let gratitude
be alive and ardent in our heart. The com-
memoration of our Saviour's death is in a
high degree fuited to awaken
every emotion
of tenderness and love. It brings before us,
under one view, all the obligations which
we lie under to this great benefactor of man-
kind. When just ready to fuffer for our
fake, he instituted this holy facrament, and
faid, Do this in remembrance of me.—Whom,
O bleffed Jefus! fhall we ever remember, if
we are capable of forgetting Thee? Thee,
to whom we owe the forgiveness of fin, and
the restoration of divine favour; our victory
over death, and our hope of life eternal!
Thou haft enlarged our views beyond these
territories of diforders and darkness. Thou
haft discovered to us the city of the living
God. Thou fetteft open the gates of that
T 2

new

276 SERM. new Jerusalem; and leadeft us into the path

On the Happiness of a Future State.

IX.

of life. Thou from age to age gatherest out of every nation, and kindred, and people, that multitude which stand before the throne. Thou bringeft them out of great tribulation. Thine are the white robes with which they are invested; thine, the palms which they bear; and by Thee they are placed under the light of the divine countenance for ever.

SERMON X.

ON CANDOUR.

R

I CORINTH. xiii. 5.

Charity-thinketh no evil.

ELIGION and Government are the SERM.

two great foundations of order and comfort among mankind. Government reftrains the outrages and crimes which would be fubverfive of fociety, fecures the property, and defends the lives of its fubjects. But the defect of government is, that human laws can extend no farther than to the actions of men. Though they protect us from external violence, they leave us open on different fides to be wounded. By the vices which prevail in fociety, our tranT 3 quillity

X.