XIX.

of the grave, the wicked ceafe from trou-SER M. bling, and the weary are at reft. There, the prisoners reft together; they hear no more the voice of the oppreffor. The fmall and the great are there; and the Servant is free from his master *.

THE reasonableness of prayer as a duty, and the advantages attending it, being fuch as I have now endeavoured briefly to fet forth, there is no wonder that fo many repeated recommendations of it occur in the facred writings; and that we are enjoined to be fervent in prayer, to be inftant in prayer; nay, to pray without ceafing+.—By fuch precepts I do not understand that we are bound to frequent repetitions of long and tedious prayers. Our Saviour, in his excellent difcourfe on this fubje&‡, has fufficiently cautioned us against the hypocrify of those who use vain repetitions, and think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. But befides the stated times of both public

* Job, iii. 17-19. † 1 Theff. v. 17. Matth. vi.

and

XIX.

SER M. and private prayer which we ought devoutly to obferve, there is a habit of devotion, in occafional elevations of the foul towards God, which highly deferves to be cultivated. A thousand occurrences which happen when we are engaged in the affairs of the world, and a thousand objects which present themfelves to our view in the earth and the heavens when we are folitary and alone, may fuggeft matter of devout ejaculation towards God. By cherishing fuch a habit, we preserve on our minds the native spirit of prayer. We correЯ thofe evil difpofitions which intercourse with the world is always apt to introduce; we improve our contemplation of the objects which furround us, into an act of devotion; and either from the crowded city, or the folitary field, can send up to Heaven that homage of the heart, which is no lefs acceptable to the Almighty, than if it arofe in vocal form from the midft of the temple. In this fenfe I understand the injunction given to pray without ceafing. And furely, my brethren,

when

when we confider the high value of S ER M.

XIX.

those bleffings for which we depend on

Heaven, it must appear to every reflecting mind, that we cannot be too carneft in our fupplications to obtain them. To what purpofe tend all our prefent folicitude and care; all the application of the thoughtful, and all the industry of the active and diligent? Is it not in order to pafs through life, contented, easy, and happy? But can you pafs through life with contentment and happiness, unless you enjoy peace within, a good confcience, and a comfortable hope of a future existence? Are not all these things directly and immediately the gifts of God, imparted by him to the fouls of men? And can you, expect to receive fuch gifts, unless you confefs your dependance on Him who bestows them, and implore them from that gracious God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not?

SERMON XX.

On the Laft Judgment.

SERM.
XX.

2 CORINTHIANS, V. IO.

For we must all appear before the judg-
ment-feat of Chrift, that every one
may receive the things done in his bo-
dy, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad.

TH

HESE words prefent to our view the great event which is to determine the fate of all mankind. No article of Chriftian faith is more clearly afcertained in Scripture, is of greater importance in itself, and more wor-` thy to dwell upon our minds than this, of the final judgment of God. It adds folemnity

i

XX.

folemnity to every part of religion;- SERM it introduces an awful seriousness into our thoughts, by placing in the most ftriking light, the clofe connexion between our prefent behaviour and our everlasting happiness or mifery. In the Gofpel, it is defcribed with fo many circumftances of awe and terror, as

may, to many,

many, render the confideration of this subject dark and difagreeable. But we must remember, that though religion be often employed to foothie and comfort the diftreffed, and though this be one of its moft falutary effects, yet this is not the only purpose to which it is to be applied by minifters of the Gospel. In the midft of that levity and diffipation with which the world abounds, it is neceffary to awaken the giddy and unthinking, by fetting before them, in full view, all the dangers they incur by their conduct.Knowing the terror of the Lord, adds the Apostle in the verse immediately following the text, we perfuade men.In treating of this fubject, I fhall, in the first place, ftate the arguments

which