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XVI.

whom we may expect much comfort? Ifs E R M. our bodies are afflicted with fore disease, have we not reason to be thankful that our mind continues vigorous and entire; that we are in a fituation to look around us for whatever can afford us eafe; and that after the decay of this frail and mouldering tabernacle, we can look forward to a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens?—In the midst of all diftrefses, there remains to every fincere Chriftian, that mixture of pure and genuine confolation, which fprings from the mises and hopes of the gofpel. Confider, I beseech you what a fingularly happy distinction this makes in your fituation, beyond the ftate of those who, under the various troubles of life, are left without hope, and without God in the world; without any thing to look to, but a train of unknown caufes and accidents, in which they fee no light nor comfort.-Thank the Father of mercies, that into all the evils he fends, he infuses this joyful hope, that the Sufferings of the prefent time are VOL. IV.

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SERM. not worthy to be compared with the glory. that shall be revealed in the end, to the virtuous and good.

IN the fifth and laft place, as the evils which we suffer are thus alleviated by a mixture of good; so we have reason to believe, that the evils themselves are, in manyrefpects, good. When borne with pa tience and dignity, they improve and ennoble our character. They bring into exercise feveral of the manly and heroic virtues; and by the conftancy and fidelity with which we support our trials on arth, prepare us for the highest rewards in heaven. It has always been found, that the prefent conftitution of human nature cannot bear uninterrupted profperity, without being corrupted by it. The poisonous weeds which fpring up in that too luxuriant foil, require the hand of adverfity to extirpate them. It is the experience of forrow and distress that fubdues the arrogance of pride, tames the violence of paffion, foftens the hardness of the fel

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fish heart, and humanizes the temper to S ER M. feel for the woes of others. Many have had reason to say, that it was good for them to be afflicted*. When men take the timbrel and the harp, and rejoice at the found of the organ, they are apt to say unto God, Depart from us, for we defire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty that we should ferve him? But when they are holden in cords of affliction, then he Sheweth them their work, and their transgreffions that they have exceeded. He openeth alfo their ear to difcipline, and commmandeth that they return from iniquity. Is his cafe to be deplored as highly calamitous, who, by forfeiting some tranfient enjoyments of the world, purchases lasting improvement in piety and virtue, and exchanges a few of the good things of this life for the better things of another?

INFLUENCED by fuch confiderations as thefe, let us look up with reverence to the

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Pfalm cxix. 71.

+ Job, xxi. 12-xxxvi,8.

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SER M. great Disposer of events; and under any distress with which he is pleased to visit us, let us utter no other voice but this; Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and fhall we not receive evil?-Men are too often ingenious in making themselves miferable, by aggravating to their own fancy, beyond bounds, all the evils which they endure. They compare themselves with none but thofe whom they imagine to be more happy; and complain that upon them alone has fallen the whole load of human forrows. Would they look with a more impartial eye on the world, they would fee themfelves furrounded with fufferers; and find that they are only drinking out of that mixed cup, which Providence has prepared for all." I will restore your daughter again to life," faid the eastern fage, to a prince who grieved immoderately for the lofs of a beloved child,

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provided you are able to engrave " on her tomb the names of three per"fons who have never mourned." The prince made inquiry after fuch perfons;

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but found the enquiry vain, and was fi- SER M, lent. To every reasonable perfon, who retains the belief of religious principles,

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many alleviating circumstances, and many arguments for patience, will occur under every diftrefs. If we rest on this firm perfuafion that there is a wife and just Providence which difposes of all events, we shall have reason to conclude, that nothing happens to us here without fome good defign. Trusting that a happy termination shall at last arrive to the disorders of our present state, we shall be enabled, amidst all the varieties of fortune, to preferve that equanimity which befits Chriftians; and under every trial to fay, It is the Lord; let him do what feemeth good in his fight!

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