In the concerns of life, they manifest the same disquietudes, the same eagerness, the same anxieties, the same impatience, the same haughtiness in prosperity, the same despondence in affliction, the same self-sufficiency and presumption in their enterprises, as if Providence were but an empty name. Some, when their affairs begin to wear an unpleasant aspect, when disasters threaten, and they can discover no immediate supplies of relief, wear themselves out with solicitudes, or plunge themselves in gloomy melancholy, as if the Lord had not in his hands the management of all human transactions, and as if his goodness could permit any revolution to take place, which is not designed to procure us ultimately some advantage, though our sight be too feeble to descry it. Some seek to make provision for themselves against the day of distress, by secret frauds, overreachings and injustices in their dealings. Some are so eager in their worldly pursuits, so intent on securing what they call the main chance, as to grudge every moment, which they are commanded to employ in meditation, prayer, and other religious exercises; to go to them with the utmost reluctance; when they are over, feel relieved from a burthen; and perform what they do perform of them, with minds principally engrossed by the cares and concerns

Others are seized with

of this lower world. such foolish and desponding apprehensions of being one day or other reduced to want, that, although they possess a decent competence, nay perhaps an abundant income, and must by the course of nature be near the term of life, they give into the most sordid penuriousness, shut their ears against the cries of the indigent, harden their hearts against the impulse of nature, which pleads for their children and relatives, deny others, and deny themselves the comforts, nay, even the necessaries of life, and overwhelm a whole family with wretchedness, from which it will never rise to joy, till they are laid in the grave.

Oh! man, what an infatuation is this to think that any thing can prove a blessing to you, which you seek to enjoy without the approbation of Heaven! When with all these heart-corroding cares, these injustices, this vile parsimony, this inhumanity and cruelty,—when with all this you have amassed riches, what comfort can you hope to find in them? Know you not that the Lord, whose indignation you provoke by your diffidence in his goodness, can, with one slight effort of his power, in a moment reduce to nothing all that you have heaped together? Can he not, though he leave you the possession of it, mingle with it so many sorrows,

as will make it a curse, instead of a blessing; or say to you; Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he who layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God. (Luke xvii. 20.) Truly, my beloved friends, without the friendship of God, without the testimony of a good conscience, and a sense of the divine favour, the most splendid prosperity is changed into the blackness of despair; the highest dignities into infamous degradation; the most inviting pleasures into excruciating tortures.

Hope, therefore, in the Lord, and you shall not be confounded for ever. Let a loving confidence in his goodness accompany all your cares and labours for temporal blessings, and it will inspirit your endeavours, soothe your pains, and make you calm and cheerful in every untoward circumstance. I say, let confidence accompany your cares and labours; for it must not be imagined, that the reflections we have made this day are meant to countenance indolence and inattention. No: you must labour with due diligence; and you are allowed to be moderately solicitous about the things of this world. But the solicitude of a Christian is ever resigned and peaceful. While you pray, as expecting all from the hand of God, correspond

with his goodness by turning your talents to advantage.

In the hours of disappointment, uneasiness and pain, say to your own heart, with holy David: Why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou trouble me? Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him, the salvation of my countenance and my God. My soul is troubled within my self; therefore will I remember thee. With me is prayer to the God of my life. I will say to God: Thou art my support. (Ps. xl. 6.) Yes, my beloved friends, while you are occupied in doing the will of God, in keeping his commandments; while your hearts are filled with love and gratitude for his goodness; depend on it he will be occupied in promoting your happiness. My children, says Ecclesiasticus, behold the ge. nerations of men and know ye that no one hath hoped in the Lord, and hath been confounded. (Eccles. ii. 11.) The Lord, whom you delight to obey, will take you under his protection, and united to him you must be prosperous. These are the assurances given us by reason and divine revelation; treasure them up in your breast, and you will find them a never-failing source of comforts here, and a spring of joys through out eternity.

SERMON XLIV.

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER
PENTECOST.

BENEFITS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE
MEDITATION ON DEATH.

A dead man was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. Luke vii. 10.

If the image of death, which this gospel raises up to our view, were ever present to our minds, we should want no other guide to secure us from the wanderings of error and iniquity, and to conduct us along the paths of righteousness. The most violent, the most impetuous and furious of our lawless passions would subside, would fall back, and be extinguished, at the distant view of that awful moment, which, terminating our earthly career, introduces us into the regions of eternity: that moment, which involves in its consequences the goods or evils of everlasting ages.

When we think on death, our hearts are sorrowful and afflicted; because, being held to this life by many endearing ties, we consider a sepa