in

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fome headstrong paffion, which they SERM. defign to fubdue; fome bad habit, which they purpofe to reform; fome dangerous connection, which they are refolved to break off. But the conve nient feafon for thefe reformations is not yet come. Certain obftacles are in the way, which they expect by and by to furmount; and therefore they go on peace for the prefent, in their usual courses, trufting, at a future day, to begin their defigned improvement. In the mean time, the angel of death defcends; and in the midst of their diftant plans, executes his commiffion, and carries them away.-Guard against delufions of this kind, which have been fatal to fo many.Thou art now in tranquillity, in health, in poffeffion of a calm mind. Improve these advantages, for performing all that becomes thee, as a man, and as a Christian; for who can tell how long thou shalt be permitted to enjoy them? New alterations of fortune may be juft coming forward; new troubles in public, or in private life, about to arife; new exigencies ready to throw

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SERM. throw thee into fome condition, which
shall leave thee neither leisure nor op-
portunity, to execute any of the good
purposes thou haft at present in thy
mind. Wherefore, trifle no longer with

what is fo ferious, and what may be fo
critical; but to day, while it is called to
day, liften to the voice of God, and do
his works. Do now, as the Wife Man
advises, with thy might whatsoever thy
hand findeth to do; for there is no work,
nor device, nor wisdom, in the grave whi-
ther thou goeft.*. Inftead of delaying
till to-morrow what ought to be done
to-day, let me exhort you,

IV. To be every day prepared for
whatever to-morrow may bring forth.
There is a certain preparation for the
viciffitudes of life, in which the multi-
tude are fufficiently bufied; providing,
as they think, against whatever may
happen, by increasing their riches, and
ftrengthening themselves by friends,
connections, and worldly honours. But
these bulwarks which they erect, are to-
tally infufficient against the dreaded
ftorm

*Ecclef. ix. 10,

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ftorm. It is to fome other quarter we SER M. must look for our defence; for when it is the world itself, whofe changes we have reafon to dread, the world, and the things of it, cannot afford us protection. The beft preparation for all the uncertainties of futurity confists, in a well ordered mind, a good confcience, and a chearful fubmiffion to the will of Heaven. You know not what fhall: be on to-morrow. But there is One who knows it well; for his decree hath fixed it. To him look up with reverence; and fay, "Not my will, but thine "be done; what thou appointeft is ever "wife, and juft, and good." Seek to fulfil the part which he hath affigned you; to do the things which he hath commanded you to do; and leave all the reft to him. Whatever to-morrow brings forth, let it find you employed in doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with your God; and then you fhall meet to-morrow without fear, when you meet it without the upbraidings of guilt.

If it shall bring forth to you any unexpected good, prepare to receive it with

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SERM. with gratitude, temperance, and modefty. If it fhall bring forth evil, prepare to receive it with manly fortitude. Let no events of any kind, derange your equanimity, or shake your conftancy. Contract your defires, and moderate your hopes. Expect not more from the world than it is able to afford you. Take it for granted that what is naturally mutable, will one day change; that what was defigned to be tranfient, will pafs away.-Look forward to futurity without impatience. Be not defirous to know it. It belongs to God. Let him bring forward the events of the world, in his own way. Imagine that you continually hear those words, which our Lord once addreffed to Peter, when he was enquiring about what was to happen to a fellow-disciple, What is that to thee? Follow thou me. Amidst all the uncertainty of future events, this road of clear and plain duty lies before you; follow Chrift, and inquire no farther. Seek no crooked path, in order to avoid impending dangers. Turn not to the right hand, nor to the

left;

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left; but commit thy way unto the Lord; SERM. truft alfo in him, and he fhall bring to pass the defires of thy heart.

V. BUILD your hopes of happiness on fomewhat more folid and lasting, than what either to-day or to-morrow are likely to produce. From what has been faid, you may clearly perceive, that he who refts wholly upon this world, builds his houfe upon the fand. This life, by means of wisdom and virtue, may be rendered to a good man, a tolerable, nay, a comfortable, state. But he who expects complete happinefs from it, will be greatly deceived. Man, in his moft flourishing condition, were much to be pitied, if he was deftitute of any higher hope. Rolling from change to change, throughout all the days of his life, with a dark and unknown profpect always before him in futurity, what would avail a few fhort interrupted glimpses of happiness, which, from time to time, he was permitted to enjoy? Can we believe, that only for fuch a ftate as this, man was

defigned