SER M. and if his justice rule the universe, does IV. he allow fuch infamous perfons as the

records of history often prefent, to have a place, and even to make a figure in his world? Why fleeps the thunder idle in his hand, when it could fo eafily blast them? What shall we think of one who, having the power of exterminating them always at his command, permits them to proceed without disturbance; nay, fometimes appears to look on them with complacency?—It becomes highly worthy of our attention to confider what anfwer can be made to these objections; to inquire whether any reasons can be given that ferve to justify this difpenfation of Providence, in allowing a mixture of bad men to continue on the face of the earth until the end of time. This inquiry fhall make the fubject of the prefent discourse, together with fuch reflections as naturally arife from furveying the state of human affairs.

BUT, before entering directly on fuch

inquiry,

inquiry, it may be proper to take no- SERM. IV. tice, that, in our estimation of who are the good, who are the bad, we are often in hazard of committing mistakes. The real characters of men are known only to God. They frequently depend on the fecret and unfeen parts of life. As in judging of themselves men are always partial, fo in judging of others they of ten err, through the imperfect information which they have gathered, or the rafh prejudices which they have formed. They are too apt to limit the character of virtue to those who agree with them in fentiment and belief; and to exagge rate the failings of those against whom they have conceived dislike, into great and unpardonable crimes. Were it left to the indifcreet zeal of fome to extirpate from the earth all thofe whom they confider as bad men, there is ground to apprehend that, instead of tares the wheat would often be rooted out. At the fame time, we readily admit the fact, as too manifest to be denied, that a multitude

of

SER M. of grofs and notorious finners are now

IV.

mixed with the followers of God and virtue. Let us proceed then to confider how far this is confiftent with the juftice and wisdom of the Governor of the world.

IT is a principle in which all ferious and reflecting perfons have agreed, and which by many arguments is confirmed, that our present state on earth is defigned to be a ftate of difcipline and improvement, in order to fit human nature for a higher and better state which it is to attain hereafter. Now, this principle being once admitted, we say, that the mixture of virtue and vice which here prevails, is calculated to answer this purpose better than a more unmixed and perfect state of fociety would have done.

FOR, in the first place, the crimes of the wicked giye occafion to the exercise of many excellent difpofitions of heart among the righteous. They bring forth

all

IV.

all the suffering virtues, which otherwife SER M. would have had no field; and by the exercise of which the human character is tried, and acquires fome of its chief honours. Were there no bad men in the world to vex and distress the good, the good might appear in the light of harmlefs innocence; but could have no opportunity of displaying fidelity, magnanimity, patience, and fortitude. One half of virtue, and not the leaft important half, would be loft to the world. In our present imperfect state, any virtue which is never exercised is in hazard of becoming extinct in the human breast. If goodness constantly proceeded in smooth and flowery path; if, meeting with no adverfary to oppose it, it were furrounded on every hand with acclamation and praise, is there no ground to dread that it might be corrupted by va→ nity, or might fink into indolence? This dangerous calm must therefore be interrupted. The waters must be troubled, left they should stagnate and putrify. When

$ERM. When you behold wicked men multiplyIV. ing in number, and increasing in power, imagine not that Providence particularly favours them. No; they are fuffered for a time to profper, that they may fulfil the high defigns of heaven. They are employed as inftruments in the hand of God for the improvement of his fervants. They are the rods with which he chaftens the virtuous, in order to rouse them from a dangerous flumber; to form them for the day of adverfity, and to teach them how to fuffer honourably.

In the next place, the mixture of the bad among the good ferves not only to give exercise to the paffive graces, but alfo to improve the active powers and virtues of man. It inures the righteous to vigilance and exertion. It obliges them to ftand forth, and act their part with firmnefs and conftancy in evil times. It gives occafion for their virtues to fhine with confpicuous luftre; and makes them appear as the lights of the world amidst furrounding