barrassments and vexations often attend it; and long experience has shewn, that tranquillity is far from being always found among the rich. Nay, the higher that men rise in the world, the greater degrees of power and distinction which they acquire, they are often the farther removed from internal peace. The world affords so many instances of miseries abounding in the higher ranks of life, that it were needless to enlarge on a topic so generally known and admitted.

Assuming it, therefore, for an undoubted truth, that the mere possession of the goods of fortune may be consistent with the want of inward tranquillity, we must look around for other more certain grounds of it. We must enquire whether any line of conduct can be pointed out, which, independent of external situation in the world, shall tend

to

THE first direction which I have suggest is, that we imitate the character the man who is described in this Psa as walking uprightly, working righteous and speaking the truth, as he thinketh in beart; that we study to preserve a c conscience, and to lead a virtuous honourable, at least an inoffensive innocent life. Of such a man only it be said, that, doing these things, he s never be moved. So great is the power conscience over every human being, t the remembrance of crimes never fails overthrow tranquillity of mind. Be sured, that he who defrauds his neighbo who has ensnared the innocent, has v lated his trust, or betrayed his friend, sh never enjoy within himself undisturl quiet. His evil deeds will at times red

even this, I say, is sufficient to create much uneasiness and disquiet to the heart. Let him, therefore, who wishes to enjoy tranquillity, study, above all things, to act an irreproachable part. With comfort he will rest his head on his pillow at night, when he is conscious that throughout the day he has been doing his duty towards God and when none of the transactions of that day come back, in painful remembrance, to upbraid him. To this testimony of a good conscience, let him be able,

man;

In the second place, to join humble trust in the favour of God. As, after the best endeavours we can use, no man's behaviour will be entirely faultless, it is essential to peace of mind, that we have some ground for hope in the divine mercy, that,

of another world, which if not allay are sufficient to banish all tranquillity fro the heart. Our religious principles mu at the same time be sound and pur and carefully preserved from the taint superstition, whose gloomy horrours, taki possession of weak and ill-informed min convert what they mistake for religio into a source of misery. Moreover, it necessary, that we be able to place trust God, not only as our future judge, but the present Governour of human affair So uncertain is the continuance of eve earthly comfort, that he who reposes confidence in the Supreme Disposer events, must be often disquieted and d jected. He alone possesses firm tranqui lity, who, amidst all human vicissitude looks up, with settled trust, to an Almight Ruler, as to one under whose conduct 1

be both pious and virtuous, and yet through some defects in the management of his mind and temper, may not possess that happy serenity and self-enjoyment, which ought to be the portion of virtue and piety. Instances of this will occur to every one who is acquainted with the world. We too often behold persons, whose principles, and whose moral conduct, are in the main unexceptionable, leading an uncomfortable life; through fretfulness of temper, peevishness of manners, or sullenness of disposition. There is, therefore, some discipline to be studied; there are some subsidiary parts of character to be attended to, in order to give piety and virtue their full effect for conferring tranquillity.

* Psalm cxiii. 7.

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