and discover in the character of those SERMON among whom you live. By lifting your view to so high a standard, you will be preserved from descending to those futile and corrupting employments of thought, which occupy the idle, the vain, and the malignant. It is incredible, how much time and attention are thrown away by men in examining the affairs of others, and discussing their conduct. Were their time and attention thrown away only, the evil would, in some degree, be less. But they are worse than thrown away; they are not merely fruitless, but productive of much mischief. Such a habit of thought is connected with a thousand vices. It is the constant source of rash and severe censure. It arises from envy and jealousy. It foments ill-nature and pride. It propagates misunderstanding and discord. All those evils would be prevented, if the reproof which our Lord administe s in the text came oftener home, with proper authority to the reflection of men: What is that to thee? Each of us have more material and important business of our own to fulfil. Our task is assigned; our part Vol. IV. M allotted. SERMON allotted. Did we suitably examine how that VIII. part was performed, we should be less dis posed to busy ourselves about the concerns We should discover many a SERMON IX. On our present IGNORANCE of the JOHN, xiii. 7. Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter. THE IX. HESE words of our Lord were oc- SERMON casioned by a circumstance in his behaviour which appeared mysterious to his disciples. When about to celebrate his last passover, he meant to give them an instructive lesson of condescension and humility. The mode which he chose for delivering this instruction, was the emblematical action of washing their feet. When SERMON Simon Peter saw his Master addressing IX. himself to the performance of so menial an "this instance, may seem unaccountable "to you at present; but you shall after"wards receive a satisfactory explanation of the intent of that symbol which I now employ." The expressions of a Divine Person, on this occasion, can very naturally and properly be applied to various instances, where the conduct of Providence, in the administration of human affairs, remains dark and mysterious to us. What I do, thou knowest not now. We must for a while be kept in ignorance of the designs of Heaven.' But this ignorance, though necessary at present, is not always to continue. A time shall come when a commentary should be afforded on all that is now obscure; when the veil of mystery shall be removed; and full satisfaction be given to every rational mind. Thors shalt 5 shalt know hereafter. This is the doctrine which I purpose to illustrate in the following discourse. I. OUR Saviour's words lead us to observe, that many things in the conduct of Providence are at present mysterious and unintelligible. The truth of this observation will not be called in question. It is indeed very readily admitted by all ; and ever since the beginning of the world has been the foundation of many a complaint, and of much scepticism concerning the government of Heaven.-That human affairs are not left to roll on according to mere chance, and that Providence interposes in them to a certain degree, is made evident by various tokens to every candid mind. But the perplexity and trouble of the thoughtful inquirer arises from observing that Providence appears not to pursue any regular or consistent plan. An unaccountable mixture of light and darkness presents itself to us, when we attempt to trace the affairs of the world up to any wise and righteous administration. We see justice and order begun; SERMOV IX. |