SER M. inward troubles. His time is not loft;

nor his temper fretted by long and anxious confultations. One light always fhines upon him from above. One path, the path of integrity, always opens clear and diftinct to his view.-But this is not his only advantage, to be freed from embarraffments, by having placed himfelf under the charge of one constant guide. He is also rewarded with the fense of having chofen his guide well and wifely. He is delivered from all inward upbraidings, from all misgivings of mind, from all alarms founded on the dread of discovery and difgrace. A good confcience enables him to look back on the part which he has acted with fatisfaction; and to look forward to the iffue which it may bring, without It is in the cafe of one iffue only, that the man who acts from worldly intereft can enjoy fatisfaction; that is, when his designs have fucceeded according to his wifh. But it is the felicity of the man, who acts under the direction of

concern.

integrity, that in every iffue, he has fomething

fomething to comfort him. Though S ER M.

confolation

fuccefs has failed him, the
remains of having done his duty, and
studied to approve himself to God.

THIS reference of all his actions to divine approbation, furnishes another fource of fatisfaction and peace. He looks up, with pleasing hope, to a Protector in the heavens, who loveth righteoufnefs, and whofe countenance beholdeth the upright. The man of worldly wifdom is confcious of having no title to the favour of that high administration which rules the univerfe. By quitting the path of righteousness, he has left that straight road, in which God hadappointed him to walk. He has taken the direction of his way to himself; and chofen to be his own guide and master. To his own abilities, therefore, fuch as they are, he must truft; and is become wholly responsible for the iffue of his conduct. But the man of virtue hath committed his way to the Lord. He follows the divine fignal. He co-operates with

XV.

the

XV.

SER M. the divine purpose. The power which sways the universe is engaged on his side. By natural confequence, he has ground to expect, that any feeming disappointments which he may now incur, shall be over-ruled at the end to fome falutary effect. Hence, that peace of God keeping the heart, to which worldly men are ftrangers. Hence a degree of firmness and resolution in conduct, which it is impoffible for them to poffefs. Efpecially when we add,

IN the fourth and last place, that he who thus pursues a course of integrity, has always in his view the prospect of immortal rewards. That furely is the wifeft direction of conduct, which is most amply recompenfed at laft. But what recompence can worldly wisdom bestow, comparable to what is promised by the gospel to them who, by patient continuance in well doing, look for glory, honour, and immortality?-The recompence indeed is distant; but the hope of it is prefent; and hope is one of the

moft

L

XV.

most powerful principles of human ac- SER M. tion. Let a man be firm in the belief that he is acting under the immediate protection of Heaven, and that through all eternity he shall be rewarded for what he now performs; and, as far as this belief is prevalent, his conduct will be steady and determined. Wherever religion directs him to hold his course, he will advance with intrepidity. He will fubmit to restraints without reluctance. He will meet dangers without fear. To every motive which reafon fuggests in favour of virtue, the hope of eternal life adds fupernatural ftrength.-Accordingly, in the behaviour of many holy men, under the most trying circumftances of diftrefs, we behold this effect eminently exemplified. It appears, with much luftre, in the fpirited and magnanimous fentiments of the Apostle Paul, when he had the prospect of death before him. Behold I go bound in the Spirit to Jerufalem, not knowing the things that Shall befal me there, fave that the Holy Ghoft witneffeth that bonds and afflictions

XV.

SER M. abide me. But none of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto mySelf, fo that I may finish my course with joy*.-I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight; I have finished my courfe; I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteoufness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, fhall give me at that day.

ance.

THUS I have endeavoured to fhew in what manner the integrity of the upright guides them; and what the advantages are of placing ourselves under its guidIf it be the line of safety, or the line of honour, which we chufe to purfue; if we confult our present comfort, or look forward to future rewards; in all these respects, the course which integrity points out is by far the most eligi

ble.

It is a great recommendation of the guidance offered to us by integrity, that it is easily understood by all men. Plans

of

* Acts xx. 22.

t2 Timothy iv. 6.