SERM. fleeting scenes of this life are to be conXII. fidered as no more than an introduction We to a nobler and more permanent order of things, when man fhall have attained the maturity of his being. This is what reafon gave some ground to expect; what revelation has fully confirmed; and in confirming it, has agreed with the fentiments and anticipation of the good and wife in every age. We are taught to believe, that what we now behold, is only the first stage of the life of man. are arrived no farther than the threshold, we dwell as in the outer courts of existence. Here, tents only are pitched; tabernacles erected for the sojourners of a day. But in the region of eternity, all is great, ftable, and unchanging. There the mansions of the just are prepared: there, the city which_ hath foundations is built; there is established, the kingdom which cannot be moved. Here, every thing is in ftir and fluctuation; because here good men continue not, but pafs onward in the courfe of being, There all is ferene, fteady XII. steady and orderly; because there re- SERM, maineth the final reft of the people of God. Here, all is corrupted by our folly and guilt; and of course must be tranfient and vain. But there, purchased by the death, and fecured by the refurrection of the fon of God, is an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. There reigns that tranquillity which is never troubled. There shines that fun which never fets. There flows that river of pleasures, which is always unruffled and pure. Looking forward to those divine habitations, the changes of the present world disappear to the eye of faith; and a good man becomes ashamed of fuffering himself to be dejected by what is fo foon to pass away. SUCH are the objects you ought to oppose to the tranfient fashion of the world; Virtue, and God, and Heaven. Fixing your regard on thefe, you will have no reason to complain of the lot of man, or the world's mutability.--The defign of the preceding reprefentation SERM. which I gave of the world, was not to XII. indulge vain declamation; to raise fruit lefs melancholy; or to throw an unneceffary cloud over human life. But to show the moderation requifite in our attachment to the world; and at the fame time to point out the higher objects both of attention and confolation which religion affords.—Paffing and changable as all human things are, among them, however, we must at prefent act our part; to them we must return from religious meditation. They are not below the regard of any Christian ; for they form the scene which Providence has appointed at prefent for his activity, and his duty. Trials and dangers they may often prefent to him; but amidst these he will fafely hold his course, if, when engaged in worldly affairs, he keep in view those divine objects which I have been setting before him. Let him ever retain connection with Virtue, and God, and Heaven. By them let his conduct be regulated, and his conftancy fupported. So shall he XII. he use this world without abufing it. He SERM, fhall neither droop under its misfortunes, nor be vainly elated by its advantages; but through all its changes fhall carry an equal and steady mind; and in the end fhall receive the accomplishment of the promise of scripture, that though the world passeth away, and the luft thereof, he that doth the will of God fhall abide for ever.* 1 John ii. 17.` SERMON SERM. PSALM XV. 5. -He that doth these things fhall never be moved. T RANQUILLITY of mind, or, in the words of the text, a mind not moved or difquieted by the accidents of life, is undoubtedly one of the greatest bleffings that we can poffefs on earth. It is here mentioned as the reward of the man, whofe character had been described in this pfalm, as leading a virtuous life, and discharging his duty towards God and |