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SER M. things, connected with misery. We bid him trace the hiftory of any one, with whose conduct he had particular occafion to be acquainted; and observe, whether the chief misfortunes which pursued him were not brought upon him by his own misbehaviour. We bid him remark in the hiftory of nations, whether public virtue has not always exalted them; and whether licentioufnefs and crimes have not paved the way for their ruin. These are testimonies to the truth of religion, which cannot by any fophiftry be evaded. This is a voice, which speaks its warnings loud and strong to every

heart.

The system upon which the divine government at present proceeds, plainly is, that men's own wickedness should be appointed to correct them; that finners fhould be fnaredin the work of their hands, and funk in the pit which themselves had digged; that the backflider in heart should be filled with his own ways. Of all the plans which could have been devised for the government of the world, this ap

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proves itself to reason, as the wifeft and S ER M. moft worthy of God; fo to frame the conftitution of things, that the divine laws should in a manner execute themselves, and carry their fanctions in their own bofom. When the vices of men require pu-nishment to be inflicted, the Almighty is at no lofs for ministers of justice. A thousand inftruments of vengeance are at his command; innumerable arrows are always in his quiver. But fuch is the profound wisdom of his plan, that no peculiar interpofals of power are requifite. He has no occafion to ftep from his throne, and to interrupt the order of nature, With that Majesty and folemnity which befits omnipotence, He pronounces, Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone * ; He leaves tranfgreffors to their own guilt, and punishment follows of courfe. Their fins do the work of justice. They lift the fcourge; and with every ftroke which they

* Hofea iv. 17.

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SER M. they inflict on the criminal, they mix this fevere admonition, that as he is only reaping the fruit of his own actions, he deferves all that he fuffers.-From what has been faid, I might take occafion,

IN the third place, to show the injustice of our charging Providence with a promifcuous and unequal diftribution of its favours, among the good and the bad. That unequal diftribution takes place in appearance only, not in reality. The whole conduct of Providence fufficiently marks, which of thofe claffes of men it blesses and protects. The profperity of finners is no more than a deceitful fhow. The great materials of happiness are provided for the virtuous; and evil never fails to pursue the wicked. I shall close the discourse with obferving,

In the fourth and laft place, the neceffity which plainly arifes from our prefent condition, of looking up to God for direction and aid, in the conduct of life. The refult of the whole doctrine I have

now

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now delivered is, that man's happiness S E R M. or misery is, in a great measure, put into his own hands. In vain he com-. plains of Providence. If his heart fret against the Lord, it is only because his foolishness had perverted his way: for on

himself, and his own behaviour, it depends, to be free of thofe miferies which harrass the wicked.-But alas! when we say that this depends upon man, on what uncertain ground do we place his fecurity? Is man, when left to himself, equal to this high trust that is reposed in him, this important charge that is committed to him, of attaining happiness, by wife and irreproachable conduct? Inconstant as he is in virtue, variable in his resolutions, foft and yielding in his nature to a thousand temptations; how fhall he guide himself through fuch flippery and, dangerous paths as those of human life; where many hidden precipices surround him; many false lights lead him aftray; and where the confequence of every ftep he takes may be deftruction and

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SER M. ruin -Thankful let us be to heaven, that in this fituation, a merciful guide ftretches out his hand to aid us; that a celestial light fhines upon us from above; that a divine Spirit is promised to illuminate and strenghten us. Let us humbly request of Heaven, that this Spirit of the Almighty may ever be our/ guide; never prefumptuously trusting in our own wisdom; but listening attentively to the voice of God; and in all our ways acknowledging Him who only can direct our steps.-Upon the whole, let us hold fast the perfuafion of these fundamental truths;-that in all his difpenfations, God is juft and good; that the cause of all the troubles we fuffer is in

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ourselves, not in him; that virtue is the fureft guide to a happy life; that he who forfakes this guide, enters upon the path of death; but that he who walketh uprightly, walketh furely; and that he who keepeth the commandment, keepeth his own Soul.

SERMON