XVI..

SERM. fpring up in that too luxuriant foil, require the hand of adversity 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 selfish heart, and humanizes the temper to feel for the woes of others.

Many have

had reafon to fay, 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 fay unto God, Depart from us, for we defire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty that we fhould ferve him? But when they are bolden in cords of affliction, then he fheweth them their work and their tranfgreffions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to difcipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity †. Is his cafe to be deplored as highly calamitous, who, by forfeiting fome tranfient enjoyments of the world, purchases lafting improvement in piety and virtue, and exchanges a few of the good things of this life for the better things of another?

* Pfalm cxix. 71. + Job, xxi. 12.-xxxvi. 8.

IN

INFLUENCED by fuch confiderations as these, let us look up with reverence to the great Disposer of events; and under any diftrefs with which he is pleafed to vifit 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 those 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 themselves furrounded with fufferers; and find that they are only drinking out of that mixed cup which Providence has prepared for all. "I will reftore your daughter again to life," faid the Eastern fage to a prince a prince who grieved immoderately for the loss of a beloved child," provided you are able to

engrave on her tomb the names of three 66 perfons who have never mourned." The prince made inquiry after fuch perfons; but found the inquiry vain, and was filent. Y 4 -To

SER M.

XVI.

SERM.

XVI.

To every reasonable perfon, who retains the belief of religious principles, many alleviating circumstances, and many arguments for patience, will occur under every diftrefs. If we reft on this firm persuasion, that there is a wife and just Providence which disposes of all events, we shall have reason to conclude, that nothing happens to us here without fome good defign. Trufting that a happy termination fhall at laft arrive to the disorders of our present ftate, we shall be enabled, amidst all the varieties of fortune, to preferve that equanimity which befits Chriftians, and under every trial to say, It is the Lord; let him do what feemeth good in bis fight.

SERMON XVII,

On FRIENDSHIP.

PROVERBS, Xxvii. 10.

Thine own friend, and thy father's friend, for fake not.

WHATEVER relates to the beha- SERM.

viour of men in their focial cha

racter is of great importance in religion. The duties which spring from that character, form many branches of the great law of charity, which is the favourite precept of Christianity. They, therefore, who would separate fuch duties from a religious fpirit, or who at moft treat them as only the inferior parts of it, do a real injury to religion. They are mistaken friends of

SERM. piety, who, under the notion of exalting XVII. it, place it in a fort of infulated cor

ner, disjoined from the ordinary affairs of the world, and the connexions of men with one another. On the contrary, true piety influences them all. It acts as a vivifying fpirit, which animates and enlivens, which rectifies and conducts them. It is no less friendly to men than zealous for the honour of God; and by the generous affections which it nourishes, and the beneficent influence which it exerts on the whole of conduct, is fully vindicated from every reproach which the infidel would throw upon it.—In this view, I am now to difcourfe on the nature and duties of virtuous friendship, as clofely connected with the true spirit of religion. It is a fubject which the inspired philofopher, who is the author of this book of Proverbs, has thought worthy of his repeated notice; and in many paffages has bestowed the higheft eulogiums on friendship among good men. As ointment and perfume rejoice the heart, fo doth the fweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. As iron fharpeneth iron, fo a man fharpeneth

the