have had of the goodness of the Almighty, and the ground which this affords for trust and hope in him now. Recal to remembrance all the promises he has made to good men; as the words of Him who changes not; who is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent. Recollect the general tenor of that Providence, whose course it has ever been, since the creation of the world, so to chequer the life of men with unforeseen vicissitudes, as often to make unexpected goods succeed evils; nay, to make them spring from evils. Recollect, that whatever fortune may rob you of, it cannot take away what is most valuable, the peace of a good conscience, the pleasing sense of having acted honourably and done your duty, and the cheering prospect of a happy conclusion to all the trials of life in a better world. Consider that, as long as virtue remains, there are always, even in the most unfavourable situations, some comforts still left open, did we not overlook them. For it is seldom or never that all good things forsake a man at once, and all evils overtake him together. If he is bereaved of some friends whom he tenderly loved, there are others yet remaining to whom he may look for comfort. If, by infirmity, or old age, he be excluded from the enjoyments of active life, the gratifications which leisure and repose afford, are still left to him. If his fortune be shattered, and poverty threaten to beset him, yet, even in very straitened circumstances, many of the simple and best pleasures of nature, and many of the satisfactions of social life, can still be enjoyed. Nay, the mind of a good man can still be a kingdom to itself; and though confined in a prison, or stretched on a sick-bed, peaceful and pleasing thoughts will occasionally arise to him, and fair prospects of futurity will present themselves to his view.

Assisted by such considerations as these, let us enliven faith, strengthen patience, and animate hope, till we be enabled to overcome evil with good: always looking forward to better days; nourishing trust in the gracious government of the universe; and listening to Him who hath said of old, and who still says to all his servants, Fear not, for I am with thee; be not afraid for Iam thy God. Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will answer thee; wait on the Lord, be of good courage; and he shall strengthen your hearts, all ye that wait upon the Lord.

III. BE not overcome by the evil examples of the world, so as to follow them into sin. This undoubtedly is one of the most dangerous evils which good men are called to overcome; and where it is most difficult to gain the victory. He who, in the former instances that have been mentioned, can overcome evil with good; who can generously forgive injuries, and magnanimously bear up under misfortunes, will be often in hazard of being overcome by evil, under this form. After having main

tained his ground against many a rough blast, he may be in danger of being betrayed by a flattering gale, in the days of his ease and prosperity; of being insensibly carried down the stream by that multitude of evil-doers who surround and deceive him. For the character of the world too certainly is, that it lieth in wickedness. Fashions of vice may change with the times. In one age, one set of corrupt habits may prevail: and in another, the passions of men may take a different turn. But, in every age, the multitude of men will be prone to indulge vicious desires. On the surface of behaviour, vice may be disguised under a plausible and polished appearance, while at bottom there lies the poisoned root of evil. Pleasure will ever captivate the young and unthinking. Riches and advancement ensnare the more sober and stayed. Attached to their different pursuits, and connecting with them the ideas of wisdom and importance, the multitude will ridicule those who go not along with them, as formal and precise, as raw, uneducated, and ignorant of the world. Assailed by such reproaches, the timid become afraid; the modest are abashed: the complaisant and good-natured submit to their supposed friends. They begin to imagine, that the general opinion of the world cannot but have some reason on its side; and, half seduced by persuasion, half compelled by ridicule, they surrender their former convictions, and consent to live as they see others around them living.

Such are the evils which we must study to overcome by good, if we wish to be esteemed either honourable men, or faithful Christians. And how are we to overcome them? This is the victory says the Apostle John, that overcometh the world, even our faith.* It is the steadiness of firm and rooted principle, of belief in God and Christ, of belief in the everlasting importance of religion and virtue, which you are to oppose to the host of evil-doers.Consider, I beseech you, that no fashions nor opinions of men can affect that unalterable law of God, which rests on the eternal basis of rectitude and truth. Men, if they please, may call evil, good, and good, evil; but as they cannot change the nature of things, their voice gives no sanction to any plan of conduct as right and wise.† So far are you from having any chance of holding either a wise or a safe course by going along with the multitude, that he who implicitly follows them may be justly presumed to be in the path of error and of danger. For in every age the multitude have inquired superficially, have judged rashly, and acted inconsiderately. Concurrence with general practice, neither affords justification of conduct, nor promises impunity in what is evil. The righteous Lord of all will never suffer his laws to be subjected to the capricious fancies of his creatures. See this subject fully discussed in Sermon LXIX,

* 1 John, v. 4.

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45

Transgressors will neither be screened by their numbers, nor escape by being hidden in a crowd.

In times, therefore, when corruption is prevalent, when vice under any of its modes is fashionable, we are particularly called upon to shew that we have within us a good, which we can oppose to this evil; to shew that we have fixed principles of our own, which we will surrender to no man, but upon which we will act, and will stand by them to the last. It ought to be no part of our character, that we seek to distinguish ourselves by affected austerity, and a marked singularity in frivolous and insignificant matters. Our distinction must rest upon a steady adherence to rational religion and the uncontrovertible rules of virtue, when the multitude around us, whether the high or the low, are deviating into licentious and criminal conduct. Depend upon it you may, that even that multitude, though they may attempt to turn you into ridicule, honour you at the bottom of their hearts.They will be compelled to acknowledge, or at least to feel, whether they acknowledge it or not, that your unshaken firmness in what you esteem to be honourable and worthy, must proceed from some principle within, of a higher nature than that from which they act. At any rate, by thus maintaining in every situation the cause of religion and truth, and thereby overcoming evil with your good, you shall obtain honour from the great Judge of the earth, and your reward shall be great in Heaven.

THUS, in several important instances, I have shown how the exhortation in the text is to be complied with, and in what manner our good should overcome evil; overcoming injuries by generous forgiveness: overcoming misfortunes by patience and resignation; overcoming the temptations of evil examples by steady adherence to conscience and duty. In many of these cases, the conflict we are called to maintain may be arduous and difficult; inclined, as we too often are, by the bent of our nature, to the evil side. But, if we wish and desire to do well, let us not be discouraged, nor despair of victory. Weak in ourselves, we have ground to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. For the principle of good, feeble though it may be at present in human nature, is never left unbefriended by God. It is a principle derived from Heaven, and partakes of heavenly efficacy. If it once take root in the soul, it will be made to arise and grow from small beginnings into gradual maturity, under his protection and influence from whom its origin came.-To them who have no might, it is written, he increaseth strength.* The contest between sin and righteousness, which at present takes place in the world, is a struggle between God and Belial, between the powers of light and the kingdom of darkness; and

Isaiah, xl. 29.

in this state of things we must easily discern to which side the final victory will belong. Let us endeavour to do our duty, and God will be with us. Let us sincerely study to overcome evil with good, and we shall overcome it. Our feeble powers shall be aided by divine might, and our imperfect services crowned with divine rewards. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.*

* Isaiah, xl. 31.

SERMON LXXXIII.

ON A LIFE OF DISSIPATION AND PLEASURE.

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.-PROVERBS, xiv. 13.

PAINS and sorrows occur so frequently in human life, that it is not surprising that the multitude of men should eagerly court scenes of pleasure and joy. It is natural to seek relief from our cares, by whatever promises to substitute hours of gladness in the place of anxiety and trouble. But we have much reason to beware, lest a rash or unwary pursuit of pleasure defeat its end, lest the attempt to carry pleasure too far, tend; in the issue, to sink as into misery. There is a way, says the wise man in the verse preceding the Text, which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death. There is a certain course of life which a man may have chosen to adopt, as leading to gladness and enjoyment; but which he shall find at last to be destructive of his happiness; for all is not real gladness, which has the appearance of being such. There is a laughter, in the midst of which the heart is sorrowful; and a mirth the end whereof is heaviness.

From serious admonitions of this kind given in Scripture, it would be very unjust to infer, that religion is an enemy to all mirth and gaiety. It circumscribes our enjoyments, indeed, within the bounds of temperance; but as far as this sacred limit permits, it gives free scope to all the gratifications of life. It even heightens their relish to a virtuous man. It enlivens his cheerfulness, and allows him to enjoy with satisfaction all that prosperity affords him. The text is applicable only to that set of men to whom temperance is no restraint; who propose to themselves the unlimited enjoyment of amusement and pleasure in all their forms, as the sole object and business of life.