your brethren should do to you. Doubly excruciating is the pain inflicted by the arrows of adversity in those, who have to reproach themselves with the hard-heartedness, of having, when it was in their power, refused to shew kindness to their fellow-creature.

But now to invert the scene; if you be in a state of affliction, sorrow and pain; if all your prospects be overcast with gloom; let the reflection on human mutability be to you a source of consolation. In the first place, it inculcates to you, that no state of things in this life is of sufficient importance, to be suffered to affect your spirits, and deprive you of a tranquil, even and steady mind. In the second place, it gives you hope, that ere long the light will shine out of darkness, aud that some relief, though now unforeseen, will be administered to you. In this hope you are moreover supported by the assurances given in the sacred oracles, that a change shall take place in favour of the sorrowing heart, that trusts in the Lord; and that the sigh and the groan vented from the afflicted breast, shall reach the ear of the Father of mercies, at whose right hand are delights eren to the end. God is faithful, says St. Paul, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. x.

12.) O Lord, says the royal prophet, thou wilt feed us with the bread of tears; and give us for our drink tears in measure. (Ps. lxxix. 6.) In measure, that is, as St. Austin interprets it, tribulations enough to correct, but not to oppress our souls. Nay, and not only will his benignity abridge the number, and shorten the duration of your griefs, but pour into your hearts inex pressible sweets and consolations. According to the multitude, says holy David; according to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart, thy com forts have given joy to my soul. (Ps. xciii. 19.) Not to mention now the comfort that must arise from the knowledge we have, that the suffer ings of this life are so favourable to our im provement in all the virtues that lead to everlasting bliss. We glory in tribulations, says the apostle, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience trial; and trial hope; and hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured abroad into our hearts, by the Holy Ghost who is given to us. Rom. v. 3.

Lastly, let the uncertainties of this life induce you never to defer till to-morrow, what you know it is your duty to perform to-day. You cannot know what to-morrow will bring with it; nor whether you shall live to see it. Yielding to a procrastinating spirit, many persons cannot be so properly said to live, as be always

about to live. This disposition is highly detri mental to men's temporal interests: and, what is infinitely more deplorable, frequently betrays them into miseries that are irretrievable and eternal. Oh! if there be in your conduct any thing which you ought to correct; if there be any headstrong passion which you have to subdue; any dangerous connexion which you ought to break off; do it instantly; or the angel of death may descend, and executing his commission, carry you away in the midst of your ineffectual purposes. If now you be in health and tranquillity, improve these advantages for discharging every obligation incumbent on you, as men and as Christians. You may not long enjoy such favourable opportunities. Alterations may be coming on. New public or private troubles may prevent you from doing the good that is projected in your mind. To-day, therefore, if you hear the voice of God, be docile to it, and obey his will.

Thus shall you be every day prepared to meet whatever changes may ensue. The best preparation for all the uncertainties of futurity is a good conscience, and a cheerful submission to the will of Heaven. However the scenery may shift around you, be it your constant aim to do judgment, and to love mercy, and to walk carefully with your God. (Mich. vi. 8.) He

shall meet to-morrow without fear, who can meet it without the upbraidings of guilt. A firm trust in the divine favour and protection is a rock, on which, however tossed about by storms in the course of life, we can still securely rest. Acting our part with fidelity here, we shall pass through the varieties of life, with manly and unbroken minds, with a noble superiority to the fears and expectations, the cares and sorrows, which agitate and engross the multitude; we shall stand erect amidst the crush of all earthly power; looking forward to a place prepared for us through the mercy of Jesus, in the eternal mansions of untroubled peace.

SERMON XXXIV.

FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST:

ON THE VICE OF PROFANE SWEARING.

He that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil.-1 Pet. iii. 10.

THERE is implanted in our nature a strong inclination to society. We are endowed with social principles, with affections of benevolence and sympathy, which, when properly cultivated and brought into action, serve most valuable and beneficial purposes; excite us to a constant intercourse of good offices; lead to all that is right and beautiful, and improve and sweeten human life.

But the misfortune is that the social principle, like every other gift of heaven, is frequently perverted and abused. It has a tendency to establish a general harmony of opinions and conduct; but then it often begets a conformity to vicious customs and manners, gives a sanc