whofe fight the Heavens are not pure, because he turned his view to his good qualities, rather than his faults; and because he estimated his worth, not from God's law, but from a comparison with others. In one word, I really cannot difcern a vice in human nature which levity does not fofter: and I am not fenfible that there is any one vice which reflection and confideration would not at first tend to restrain, and by degrees to cure. faid likewife, that recollection and religious retirement tended to improve us in every virtue. By proving remedies for vice, they effect this in a confiderable degree, but they have still a more direct tendency.

I

Every one is fenfible, that refolutions to be virtuous have great influence to form a virtuous character. But refolutions entered into in retirement, and upon reflection, are thofe to which we moft fteadily adhere in action. In retirement we can beft collect, and most deliberately refolve to apply the maxims which the knowledge of the world is calculated to teach. Then occur all thofe religious and moral confiderations which prove the fences and guardians of virtue. Confideration difcovers the many failings and

errors

errors of which we have been guilty; and thus it promotes charity towards others, the forgiveness of injuries, at the fame time the strictest circumspection over one's

commanding

fituation he furveys the beauties which the cheerful fpring or fruitful autumn fpreads around him, feels the moft pleafing emotions diffuse themselves over his whole frame? While walking along the founding fhore, does agreeable amazement fill the foul at beholding thefe inanimated forms erected by the Almighty's hand, the towering precipices, the vaft ocean, or the boundless canopy of Heaven? If these things are fo; and that they are, let experience atteft, how reafonable is it to believe that the religious mind, contemplating the everlasting Nature, before whom the fun is darkness, the earth an atom, and who treadeth upon the stars, should feel an expansion of its powers inconceivably great? And in this fituation, will not he that delighteth to dwell in the upright and pure, manifeft himself as he does not to the world? more especially, when the foul is enraptured with furveying the miraculous fcheme of redemption,

demption, admiring the infinite love of that Saviour, who, though rich, yet became poor; though high, yet humbled himself; and by a course of actions moft grievous and painful, opened the gates of glory to his followers. When we view him fuffering, dying, rifing again; when, as Elisha beheld his master, we behold him taken up into the superior regions, and are ready to cry out, My God, and my Father, will he refufe that a double portion of his Spirit fhould reft upon us? When piety prompts fuch expreffions as thefe, My foul thirfteth for God, for the living God: As the hart panteth after the water brooks, fo panteth my foul after thee, O God; is it not reasonable to think that prefent experience fhould confirm this truth? The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous; his ears are open to their cry. I do not deny, my brethren, that much has been advanced about this doctrine of communion with God, with more zeal than knowledge. The manner in which the Spirit operates, we have the best reason to conclude, is often concealed from us, and inexplicable by us. But speaking the words of truth and fobernefs, it appears quite reafonable to ascribe the greatest part of that peace,

joy

joy and elevation, which the truly religious man feels in his retired and devout hours, to the fecret, though not lefs immediate or powerful, operations of that Spirit.

Having shewn the usefulness and the pleafure of religious retirement; if I were not convinced that with mankind often, where more generous and noble arguments fail, pleas from neceffity engage to action, I should fcarcely urge, as an argument to comply with the advice in the text, the unavoidableness of fuffering retirement often, of being often obliged to reflect by many of those accidents and afflictions, which are the lot of humanity.

The fun of profperity has as yet fhone upon you. But think ye, will he never be overclouded, or will he never withdraw his beams, by which means levity will be banished from your foul; and reflection, from which you fled as from an enemy, be forced upon you? Will that river on which you defcend, and which terminates in the ocean of eternity, be always equally placid and ferene? Are there no rapid ftreams where will find the greatest difficulty to manage that fmall fkiff in which you are conveyed?

you

Are

Are there no water-falls, many fathoms deep, where you will be in the utmost danger of being overwhelmed? Will no violent gufts, defcending from between the hills, be ready to overfet you? In that period of time, which is confumed in the voyage of human life, will there be no ftormy days, nor dark nights? Will there be but three seasons in the year, and those of the gentlest kind, fpring, fummer, and autumn? Or will never winter appear, furrounded with all his ftorms? Vain mortal! Man that is born of a woman, is of a few days: they are full of trouble. Though you have as yet always attended the house of feafting and mirth, yet you know not what forrow may remain behind. At the table of the former, I know reflection is feldom admitted as a guest, and men who frequent their house, rarely ever retire; or when they do, they are taken up with the pleasures, or the business of tomorrow. They never confider their hearts, their lives, or their tempers. Even in the houfe of God, which they frequent for cuftom's fake, or perhaps to prevent their being alone, their affections and their defires are still with the world, ruminating upon the