you;

who advises you when doubts overwhelm who smooths the brow of care, and partakes in all your afflictions? Have you a friend of this character? Or, if you have parents who reared you with the utmost tenderness, to whom you were dear as life, what affections do you feel arifing in your breafts when you think of them? Are they not those of love, and of gratitude, which is nearly allied to love? It is just as natural to expect these in every human mind in fuch circumstances, as to expect from a field properly cultivated, warmed by the kindest influences of Heaven, and watered by its gentleft fhowers, a plentiful return of that feed which is fown in it. Is it not reasonable then, nay, is it not unavoidable to love men, when they are confpicuous for good difpofitions and acts of beneficence?

Suppofe, now, that the sphere of man's influence were extended, and that the imperfection which attends him through all the steps of life were removed, would he not thus be rendered more amiable, and confequently be the object of the greater love? As God, therefore, is not only the most powerful and the wifeft, but likewife the beft of beings,

whose

whofe goodness is infinite, and whose tender mercies are over all his works", does he not juftly challenge the utmost degree of love? This truth is no fooner propofed than it is acknowledged by Chriftians. But to make not only the understanding to perceive it, but the heart also to feel it, let us more particularly confider that perfection of the divine nature, and thofe exertions of it, which are fit for inflaming the affection. And, O Father of mercy, while I humbly attempt to delineate a portion of thy goodness, let thy grace influence all our hearts, so as to produce that love to thee which is the ornament of man here, and in which confifts his perfection and happiness hereafter.

As I fpeak to an affembly who profess themselves difciples of Jefus, I fhall at prefent omit the arguments that tend to establish thofe facts of which you already are fuffici ently perfuaded. Let us then, my brethren, ftretch our imaginations to the utmost, and contemplate, as well as our narrow faculties will permit, that exalted and infinite Being who has no wants to fupply. View him from

b Pfalm cxlv. 9.

from eternal ages, enjoying perfect felicity, and incapable of any addition of glory. Yet behold at once an act of the most unexampled power, and of the most disinterested goodness. He commands, and numberless worlds arife, replenished with life, and stored with the means of happiness. Those worlds which his power and his goodness at first formed, his goodness and his ftill power preferve; and from the inexhaustible fource of his bounty, all the bleffings that are poffeffed by the various orders of beings, through the boundless extent of space, are folely derived. Could the eye of man furvey all these worlds, or his understanding comprehend them, how reasonable is it to expect that they would all confent, both in declaring the glory, and proclaiming the goodness of their Author! But as it is only a small part of his works which we can comprehend, let us, my brethren, consider that small part with which we are best acquainted, and take notice of some of the most obvious inftances of divine goodnefs.

Obferve how the influences of the fun, and the rains which defcend from Heaven, cooperate with other means in occafioning that H

never

never-ceafing fertility of this carth, by which provifion is made for the neceflities of man, and of every creature that inhabits it. Does not reafon, as well as religion, teach us to attribute this to the continued energy of nature's fovereign? Both inform us, that the eyes of all things wait upon God. That he openeth his liberal hand, and fatisfieth the defire of every living thing. The grateful variations of day and night, the time for action, and the time for repofe, he conftituted them.The useful changes of the feafons are of his appointment. The mutual connexion and fubferviency of the different animals, and their general subjection to man, proceed from his contrivance. Were I able, or did time permit, what an ample fund for discourse is here? All the works of nature, the air which we breathe, the light which directs us, the earth which yields us food, the water fo neceffary for our refreshment, fo useful for the commerce of life; all, when confidered in connexion with the living creatures for whofe fupport they are intended, prefent us with so many distinct proofs of the goodness

of

Pfalm cxlv. 15, 16.

of their creator. Marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty. The Heavens and the Earth fhew forth thy praife. In their continual revolutions, their voice to him that hath understanding is, The goodnefs of our author and preferver is unfearchable. But I haften to trace fome of the marks of it with relation to man in particular. Who, then, bestowed upon thee, O man, that living and immortal foul of which thou art poffeffed? Did not the Almighty give it; a ray of his own lustre, a particle of divinity to dwell within thee, and direct thee? What conftant exertion of the fame goodness, my beloved brethren, has been requifite to preferve thofe fouls with which God has indued us? Through the journey of life, who has cared for you, and conducted you? When you first saw the light, you entered upon a scene befet with temptations, furrounded with dangers, and expofed on every side to storms and tempefts. To all thefe, by your ignorance, inexperience, weaknefs, rashness, you have been a thousand times laid open. A fhip this hour lies fafe in the harbour; the failors are all asleep: by