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all things. After having diligently used all the means which heaven has placed in our hands for the avoiding of evil and the attainment of good; after having prayed fervently with all supplication in the spirit, for the guidance and protection of infinite wisdom, and goodness, and power; let us humbly rest persuaded, that all things will work together for good. In the hour of thy prosperity, be not so ungrateful as to forget him who openeth his hand and filleth thee with plenteousness. In the season of thy distress, remember, that he can make the short affliction of a moment conducive to the attainment of a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

3dly. If such be the perfections of the self-existent Jehovah, of whom, and through whom, and to whom, are all things; let us be induced to walk before him in humility and godly fear; let us acknowledge his wisdom and power in all our ways. He hath searched us out and known us. He is about our path in the public walks of life, and about our bed in the stillness of retirement. There is not a word in our tongue which he knoweth not altogether: nay, he understandeth the very thoughts of our heart long before they are expressed in language. Let these awful reflections have their due effect, in restraining both open and secret iniquity. Let the name of this great Being never be profaned in common conversation; and, more especially, in the solemnity of an oath, let it always be remembered, that a direct appeal is made to his wisdom who searcheth the heart, to his justice who hateth iniquity, and to his power who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

4thly. If it be unquestionably true, that both the

temporal and eternal welfare of mankind are promoted by their living under a constant sense of the superintending power of the Deity, let us hold in becoming estimation that holy religion, the direct tendency of which is to impress a thoughtless world with these salutary sentiments. Why was the Sabbath instituted, a priesthood appointed, sacraments ordained, the preaching of the Gospel commanded, public worship required of all the professors of Christianity? The blessed design of all these institutions, is to keep alive in the minds of men an awful sense of the present authority, and the future judgment of Almighty God. Let that man, therefore, be considered not only as an enemy to religion, but as a mischievous member of civil society, who habitually profanes the Sabbath, endeavours to bring into disrepute the Christian ministry, vilifies the Scriptures, disregards himself, and strives to make others disregard the public services of the sanctuary. If, with all the restraints which religion can impose upon the human mind, so many horrid scenes of sin and misery are every day presented to our view; what would be the condition of the degenerate race of Adam, were they to believe that in this life there is no righteous Inspector of their conduct, and after death no judgment? Let us, my brethren, with full purpose of heart, endeavour to prevent the miseries which must necessarily result from these irreligious principles. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; and, by a holy life and conversation, adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Let our meditations be frequently elevated to that glorious Being who is infinite in all his perfections. There let the most ardent affections of our hearts be fixed, where

only true joys are to be found. In this remote place of our earthly pilgrimage, we know but in part-our understanding is very contracted, and our love is too often engrossed by unworthy objects. Blessed are they who shall be qualified to see face to face in the regions of immortality. To them God will, indeed, make manifest his glory. They will be admitted to those delightful entertainments of heavenly knowledge and divine love, which in this imperfect state, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive. Let it be our delight, in all circumstances of this variegated life, to draw near to God in the solemnities of his holy religion; and more especially, under the pressure of any temporal calamity, from this inexhaustible source let us draw sweet consolation. The day will, ere long, arrive, when we must behold him, either as an avenging Judge, or as a Father reconciled through Christ to his penitent children. Let us, in the celebration of the ordinances of his Church here upon earth, behold, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord; so that being changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord, we may be qualified for a more intimate communion with him through the ages of a blessed eternity.

SERMON XVII.

The Necessity of adding Piety to Morality.

MALACHI iii. 8.

But ye say,

Will a man rob God? yet ye have robbed me.
Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

IT is observed by the holy apostle James, "Whoso

"ever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one "point, he is guilty of all." Although, upon the first view, there be in this declaration an appearance of unreasonable severity; upon more attentive examination, it will be found to rest upon unquestionable principles of truth and equity. For if any man, in other respects, be scrupulously obedient, and yet live in the habitual and wilful violation of any one known precept of the divine law; it is evident that he is actuated by some sinister and temporary motive, and not by a real love of his duty-by a sincere reverence for that wise and powerful Being, from whom the whole law, one precept as well as another, derives its authority. Thus the apostle argues; "He that said, Do not commit "adultery; said also, Do not kill :" and he who commits one crime, although he avoid the other, is never

theless become a transgressor of the law-an opposer of that righteous Power which has a right to prescribe the limits of our duty, and to demand our entire and unreserved obedience.

Let these observations be attended to, by the men of mere moral virtue, who discard religion, neglect the offices of piety, and place their whole dependence upon a punctual discharge of the duties of the second table of the law; deeming themselves perfectly secure, because they do no injury to their neighbour, and give to all men their dues. But, have they no connexion, no intercourse with any other intelligent Being in the universe, besides their fellow-men? Is there not an almighty Creator, a wise Governor, a righteous Judge? And has not he an equitable claim to the implicit obedience of those whom he created; to the warmest affections of those who have been so highly obliged; to the most awful reverence of those, who must render an account of themselves before his august tribunal, and, according to the deeds done in the body, receive punishment or reward? We may disclaim with abhorrence all intention of injuring our neighbour, either in person or property. So far it is well; but this is only a part of our duty. Let us attend to the solemn interrogation of the great Jehovah himself; "Will a man "rob God?" This would be impiety added to injustice. We may presumptuously inquire, "Wherein "have we robbed thee?" The steady reply will be,

In tithes and offerings"-in failing to present to me those services which my religion indispensably requires. They who refuse to render to the almighty Sovereign of the universe, the inward reverence and affection of their souls, together with that external homage which

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