SERM.

X.

Such are the conceptions of the great God, which fill with veneration the heart of a devout man. His veneration is not confined to acts of immediate worship. It is the habitual temper of his foul. Not only when engaged in prayer or praise, but in the filence of retirement, and even amidst the occupations of the world, the Divine Being dwells upon his thoughts. No place, and no object, appear to him void of God. On the works of Nature, he views the impreffion of his hand; and in the actions of men, he traces the operation of his Providence. Whatever he beholds on earth, that is beautiful or fair, that is great or good, he refers to God, as to the fupreme origin of all the excellence which is fcattered throughout his works. From thofe effects he rifes to the firft caufe. From those ftreams, he afcends to the fountain whence they flow. By thofe rays, he is led to that eternal fource of light in which they

centre.

DEVOTION

X.

DEVOTION implies, fecondly, fincere SERM. devotion to God, for all his benefits. This is a warmer emotion than simple veneration. Veneration looks up to the Deity, as he is in himself; gratitude regards what he is towards us. When a

devout man furveys this vaft universe, where beauty and goodness are every where predominant; when he reflects on thofe numberlefs multitudes of creatures, who in their different stations, enjoy the bleffings of existence; and when at the fame time he looks up to an Universal Father, who hath thus filled creation with life and happinefs, his heart glows within him. He adores that difinterested goodnefs, which prompted the Almighty to raise up so many orders of intelligent beings, not that he might receive, but that he might give and impart; that he might pour forth himself, and communicate to the fpirits which he formed, fome emanations of his felicity.

The goodness of this Supreme Benefactor he gratefully contemplates, as difplay

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SERM. ed in his own ftate. He reviews the X. events of his life; and in every comfort which has fweetened it, he difcerns. the Divine hand. Does he remember with affection the parents under whofe care he grew up, and the companions with whom he paffed his youthful life? Is he now happy, in his family rifing around him; in the fpoufe who loves him, or in the children who give him comfort and joy? Into every tender remembrance of the past, and every pleafing enjoyment of the prefent, devotion enters; for in all those beloved objects, it recognizes God. The communication of love from heart to heart, is an effusion, of his goodness. From his inspiration, defcends all the friendship which ever glowed on earth; and therefore to him it juftly returns in gratitude and terminates on him.

A

But this life, with all its interefts, is but a small part of human exiftence. devout man looks forward to immortality, and discovers ftill higher fubje&s of gratitude.

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X.

gratitude. He views himself as a guilty SERM. creature, whom Divine benignity has received into grace; whose forfeited hopes it has restored, and to whom it has ed the moft glorious profpects of future felicity. Such generosity shown to the fallen and miferable, is yet more affecting to the heart, than favours conferred on the innocent. He contemplates, with aftonishment, the labours of the Son of God, in accomplishing redemption for men; and his foul overflows with thankfulness to him, who loved us, and wasbeth us from our fins in his own blogd.-What fball Irender to the Lord for all bis benefits? Bless the Lord, O my joul! and all that is within me, bless his holy name; who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and healeth all thy feafes; who redeemeth thy life from deftruction, and crowneth thee with loving kindness and with tender mercies.

DEVOTION implies, thirdly, the defire of the foul after the favour of the Supreme Being, as its chief good, and final reft.

X.

SERM. reft. To inferior enjoyments, the devout man allots inferior and fecondary attachment. He disclaims not every earthly affection. He pretends not to renounce all pleasure in the comforts of his present ftate. Such an unnatural renunciation humanity forbids, and religion cannot require. But from these he expects not his fupreme bliss. He difcerns the vanity which belongs to them all; and beyond the circle of mutable objects which furround him, he aspires after fome principles of more perfect felicity, which shall not be fubject to change or decay. But where is this complete and permanent good to be found? Ambition pursues it in courts and palaces; and returns from the purfuit, loaded with forrows. Pleasure seeks it among fenfual joys; and retires with the confeffion of difappointment. The deep faith, it is not in me; and the fea faith, it is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold; neither shall filver be weighed for the price thereof. Its place is not in the land of the living.

True hap

piness