us, as long as it serves to guide our path; but forsakes us, as soon as it becomes noxious to the eye; and salutary darkness is appointed to close the scene. Thoughtless and stupid must that man be, who, in all this furniture of the human mind, in this exact adjustment of its several powers to the great purposes of life, diseerns not the hand of adorable wisdom, as well as of infinite Goodness.

In the second place, Let us contemplate the same wisdom as exhibiting itself to us in the moral government of the world.We are informed by revelation, that this life is designed by Providence to be an introductory part of existence to intelligent beings; a state of education and discipline, where creatures, fallen from their original rank, may gradually recover their rectitude and virtue. Under this view, which is in itself perfectly consonant to all that reason discovers, we shall find the general course of human affairs, confused as it may sometimes appear, to have been ordered with exquisite wisdom.-It was necessary to such a state, that all the active powers of man should be brought forth into exercise, and completely tried.It became proper, therefore, that there should be a mixture of characters in the world, and that men should be shewn in a variety of situations.* Hence that diversity of tempers and dispositions which are found in society; those inequalities in rank and station, which we see taking place; and those different talents and inclinations which prompt men to different pursuits. By these means, every department in society is filled up; and every man has some sphere prepared for him, in which he can act. He is brought forth as on a busy stage, where opportunity is given for his character to display itself fully. His life is, with great propriety, varied by interchanges of prosperity and adversity. Always prosperous, he would become dissipated, indolent and giddy: Always afflicted, he would be fretful, dejected, and sullen. There are few persons, therefore, or none, whose lot shares not of both these states; in order that every disposition of the heart may be explored, and every mean of improvement afforded. As man is ultimately designed for a higher state of existence than the present, it was not proper that this world should prove a paradise to him, or should afford him that complete satisfaction which he incessantly pursues. Disappointments, therefore, are often made to blast his hopes; and, even while the comforts of life last, they are always mixed with some troubles; in order that an excessive attachment to this world may gradually be loosened. The course of things is evidently so ordered by Providence, that occurrences shall be always happening, to bring down the most prosperous to a level with the

* See Serm. LIV.

rest of his brethren, and to raise up, in their turn, the low and the distressed.

In the midst of those vicissitudes, which are so obviously conducive to improvement, both wisdom and goodness required, that the Supreme Governor of the world should be seen to protect the interests, and favour the side of virtue. But in the degree of evidence, with which this was to be shewn, it was no less requisite, that a proper temperament should be observed. Had virtue been always completely rewarded, and made happy on earth, men would no longer have had a motive for aspiring to a more blessed state. In the case of every crime, had divine justice interposed to bring complete punishment on the head of the criminal; or had all the felicity which is prepared for the just in a future world, and all the misery which there awaits the wicked, been already displayed to the view, and rendered sensible to the feelings of men; there would have been an end of that state of trial, for which our whole condition on earth was intended. It was necessary therefore, that at present, we should see through a glass darkly. A certain degree of mystery and obscurity was, with perfect wisdom, left on the conduct of the Almighty.*-But, amidst that obscurity, sufficient encouragement and support are in the mean time given to virtue; sufficient ground is afforded for the full belief, that it is what the Deity loves, and will finally reward. His approbation of it is signified to every man by the voice of conscience. Inward satisfaction and peace are made always to belong to it; and general esteem and honour for the most part to attend it. On the other hand, the wicked, in no situation of life, are allowed to be truly happy. Their vices and their passions are made to trouble their prosperity; and their punishment to grow out of their crimes. Let any one attentively recollect the material incidents of his life; and he will, for the most part, be able to trace the chief misfortunes which have befallen him to some guilt he has contracted, or some folly he has committed. Such is the profound wisdom with which Providence conducts its counsels, that although it does not appear to interpose, men are made to reap from their actions, the fruits which they had deserved; their iniquities to correct them, and their backslidings to reprove them; and while they suffer, they are forced to acknowledge the justice of their punishment. These are not matters of rare or occasional observation; but deeply interwoven with the texture of human affairs. They discover a regular plan, a formed system, according to which the whole train of Providence proceeds; and which manifests to every serious observer the consummate wis

• See Serm. IV.

VOL. II.

31

† See Serm, LXIII.

dom of its Author.-As thus in the constitution of human nature and in the moral government of the world, Divine wisdom so remarkably appears, I must observe,

IN the third place, That in the redemption of the world, and in the economy of grace, it shines no less conspicuously. The subject which opens to us here is too extensive to be fully illustrated at present; but the great lines of it are obvious.*-In carrying on a plan, by which forgiveness was to be dispensed to an offending race, wisdom required that the authority of the legislator should be fully preserved, and no such relaxation be introduced into government, as might give licence or encouragement to offenders. Accordingly, the most admirable provision was made for these important purposes by the interposition of the Son of God, suffering and dying for sinners. The sovereign awe of justice is maintained, while justice is tempered with mercy. Men are bound to righteousness, under the highest sanctions; and ample security and consolation are, at the same time, afforded to the penitent. By the instructions, and example, of their Saviour, they are instructed in their duty; and through a Mediator and Intercessor, they are encouraged to offer their worship and prayers to the Almighty. They are assured that, in whatever is too arduous for human nature to perform, they shall be assisted by a Divine spirit; and under all trials and difficulties, they are supported by the express promise of that eternal life which is brought to light by the Gospel.-It is not possible for the understanding to conceive any method of salvation, planned with more goodness and executed with more wisdom, than what is shewn in the gospel of Christ. The consideration of this constitution alone, gives us full reason to join in that exclamation of the Apostle: Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !↑

FROM this short survey which we have taken of Divine wisdom, as discovering itself, in the whole complex frame of the moral world; in the constitution of human nature; in the government of human affairs; and in the redemption of the human race; we cannot but perceive how much reason we have to prostrate ourselves before God, and with all humility to worship and adore. -When we view that immense structure of the universe in which we dwell, when we think of Him, whose wisdom has planned the whole system of being; whose mind comprehends, whose counsels direct, the whole course of events, from the beginning to the end of time; by whom nothing is so inconsiderable as to be overlooked, or so transient as to be forgotten; who attends to the concerns of the poor man in his cottage, while he is steering the

See Serm. V.-Serm. XX.-Serm. XXX.-Serm, LV. † Rom. xi. 33.

sun and the moon in their course through the heavens; into what astonishment and self-annihilation do we fall! Before him all our boasted knowledge is ignorance and our wisdom is folly. Where ever we cast our eyes on his works and ways, we find all things adjusted in number, weight, and measure; and after all that we can survey, Lo! these are but a part of his ways; and how small a portion is heard of him!

It is the power of God, which produces among the multitude of men any impressions of religion. When thunder roars in the heavens, or an earthquake shakes the ground, they are struck with awe, and disposed to worship an invisible power. But such impressions of Deity are occasional and transitory. The lasting reverence of a Supreme Being arises, in a well informed mind, from the display of that infinite wisdom which all the universe presents. Its operations are constantly, though silently, going on around us. We may view it in the peaceful and sedate state of the universe, as well as in its greatest commotions; we behold it in every insect that moves on the ground, at the same time that we admire it in the revolutions of the celestial bodies. Happy for us if the contemplation shall nourish that temper of habitual devotion, which so well becomes dependent beings and is so intimately connected with all virtue.*

But the chief effect that ought to be produced by meditation on the divine wisdom, is perfect resignation to the Governor of the universe, and entire trust in his administration. Our private misfortunes and disappointments are too often the subject of querulous complaints, and even of unjust suspicions of Providence. But when in the whole natural and moral world, we behold an arrangement of things which plainly discovers the most consu:nmate wisdom, can we believe, that in the arrangement of our petty concerns, this wisdom is dormant and neglectful? How much more reason is there to think, that our ignorance of the Divine plans misleads our judgment, than that the wisdom of the Almighty has erred in directing our private affairs?—Divine wisdom, as I observed in the beginning, is an exertion of Divine benevolence. It has, it can have, no other scope than to accomplish the best ends by the most proper means. Let the wisdom therefore, and the goodness of the Deity, be ever conjoined in our idea. Let every new discovery of Divine wisdom, be a new ground of hope, of joy, and of cordial submission, to every virtuous man. Let him be thankful that he lives in a world, where nothing happens to him by chance, or at random; but where a great, a wise, and beneficent Mind, continually superintends every event.

* See Serm. XLIX.

Under the faith of this great principle of religion, let us proceed in the course of our duty, with steadfast and undismayed mind. Let us retain faithful allegiance to our Creator and our Redeemer; and then we may always hope the best; and cast our care upon him who careth for us. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Although thou suyest thou canst not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.-Let us begin every undertaking with an humble dependence on his assistance for enabling us to prosecute it to the end. When our undertakings are finished, and the close of life approaches, with praise to him let us conclude all our labours.

Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen