ftate of being. For this life is no more SER M. COLE SIX. than the beginning of the mighty and extenfive plans of Providence. The feeds are only now fown, of what is to 7 i ripen and come forth, at the harvest of N 1 Cor. xxiii. 10, 12. Pfalm xxxvi. 9. of 1 IX. BERM. of good men is completed; and the intention of those fteps of education, which once they could not comprehend, now becomes apparent.-Why this man was prematurely carried away from the world in the beginning of a promifing courfe; why that deferving family were left overwhelmed with grief and despair, by the lofs of one who was their fole benefactor and fupport; why friendships cemented by tender ties were fuddenly torn asunder by death : These are inquiries to which we can now make no reply; and which throw a dark gloom over the conduct of the Almighty. But the fpirits of the just above, who are admitted to a larger view of the ways of God, see the reafons of fuch counfels. They fee that one man was feasonably taken away from dangers and evils to come, which unknown to him, were hovering over his head. They fee that Providence was in fecret preparing unexpected bleffings for the family who appeared to be left difconfolate and hopelefs. They fee that it was time for friendships to IX. to be diffolved, when their longer con- SER M. Let us wait till this promifed hereafter arrive, and we shall in like manner be fatisfied concerning the events that now disturb and perplex us. We shall then know why fo much darkness and mifery have been fo long permitted to remain on the earth, and so much oppreffion and tyranny to prevail among the nations. We fhall fee rifing, as from the ashes of the old world, a new and beautiful ftructure; new heavens and a new earth; wherein dwelleth righteoufnefs. As wide as is the difference between the appearance of the world, when it lay in its primitive chaos, without form and void, and the appearance it has now affumed, when refplendent with the light of the fun, and decked with the beauties of nature; fuch is the difference between the divine plans N 2 in IX. SERM. in their beginnings, and in their full completion. At the conclufion, and not till then, the glory of the Lord fhall become manifeft to all; and, as it is defcribed in the book of the Revelation, a voice shall be heard from every creature which is in heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, faying, Blessing, and honour, and power, and glory, be to him that fitteth on the throne. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of faints*. APPLICATION of the doctrines that have been illuftrated may be made to two claffes of men. Firft, To fceptics; who, from the present mysterious conduct of providence, haftily draw the conclufion, that no government is exercifed over human affairs, but that all things are fuffered indifcriminately to come alike to all men.-I have shown that from * Rev. v. 13.XV. 3• IX. from the inadequate views which we SERM. are at present able to take of the general fyftem, fuch mysterious appearances of Providence must be expected to take place. Not only fo, but I have alfo shown, it to be fit and neceffary that this mixture of obfcurity should now remain; as a full difplay of regular justice and order would be inconfiftent with the moral improvement of men in this life.-Let me defire the fceptic to look to the state of the natural world. When he thinks of the order and magnificence that prevail in it, he will, perhaps, be unwilling to pronounce it the mere production of chance. He cannot but recognise the hand of Intelligence, and acknowledge it to have proceeded from a defigning Caufe. I ask him, Whether in the natural world he difcerns not as many myfterious and puzzling appearances as are to be found in the moral world? Are not deftructive ftorms, burning mountains, uninhabitable deferts, as dif |