ourselves are-creatures of dust, returning to dust again. What is all the glory of man, but a fading flower? What is all the pride of worldly distinction, but vanity and corruption? What can we see, as a pretence for exultation, in ourselves, who are sinners, under sentence of death?

Affliction teaches us compassion.

While we feel the sorrow which attends the dissolution of our intimate connexions, we learn what others feel in similar trials: We see the propriety of the apostle's advice; "Remember them who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."

Finally;The death of friends is of use to awaken into exercise our faith in Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us from the grave; has risen to assure us of immortality, has ascended to prepare for us a place in heaven; and now lives that we might live also.

Let us extend our views to that glorious state. whither he is gone; live under the influence of his religion, in imitation of his example, and in the hopes of his kingdom; and thus console our hearts in all the sorrows of life, reckoning that all the sufferings of the present time, are unworthy to be .compared with the glory which shall be revealed.

SERMON XXI,

Thankfulness to God for his daily Benefits.

PSALM, lxviii. 19.

Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

A BEING, whose presence pervades the

universe, whose power sustains all worlds, and whose goodness supplies the wants of every living thing, is the most grand and delightful thought, that can fill and warm the human mind. To contemplate the perfections and works of this Being, to adore him for what he is, and praise him for what he does, is the noblest exercise, that can employ a rational creature. This is the principal work of angels and saints in heaven, and not a small part of the employment of godly souls on earth.

Sudden and surprising interpositions of providence may deeply affect those, who in ordinary circumstances, live without God in the world. But they, whose minds are formed to an habitual sense of his government, will seriously observe his daily benefits, and regard them as calls to daily devotion. Under a sense of these, David was pressed with a VOL. II. M m

load of gratitude, of which he could disburthen himself only by daily praise.

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits."

To illustrate the propriety of this acknowledgment; and to shew our obligations to praise our great Benefactor, is the design of the present discourse.

I. We will illustrate the propriety of David's thankful acknowledgment.

Common and daily mercies are those, with which we are principally loaded. From them arise our highest obligations to gratitude. For,

1. God's daily benefits are, by far, the most

numerous.

"How precious are his thoughts unto us? How great is the sum of them? If we should count them, they are more in number than the sand."-" How many are the wonderful works, which he has done; and his thoughts which are to usward! They cannot be reckoned up in order to him. If we would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”

The frame of our bodies, and the faculties of our minds display the goodness of the Creator. "I will praise thee," says David, "for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvellous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well."

How curious, and complicated is the body in which we reside! Every part is adapted to some important end. Every member has its obvious use: Every vessel and fibre answers some essential purpose in the animal economy.

The several senses are ministers of information and enjoyment. They stand as monitors to warn us of danger, and wait as guides to direct us in our path.

As this decaying frame is kept in repair by con

tinual nutrition, the Creator has put within us an appetite for our necessary food, that the daily use of it may be accompanied with delight, and the means of procuring it may be pursued with cheerful

ness.

The natural passions, acting in their proper places, appear to be essential parts of our constitution, and display the wisdom and goodness of him who made us. Fear guards us from danger-desire quickens our pursuit of happiness-hope animates and sweetens our labours-shame restrains us from unworthy actions-love unites us in society-compassion interests us in each other's welfare, and prompts our exertions for the relief of distress.

As our infant state is helpless and dependent, God has implanted in the parent's breast a strong affection for his offspring, which, while it secures them from neglect, sweetens his duty to them, and comforts him in the toil of his hands.

To preside over the inferior powers, the inspiration of the Almighty has given us understanding. This elevates us above the animal tribes, and renders us capable of superiour services, enjoyments and prospects.

"The earth is full of his riches." The table of his providence is widely spread, and bountifully furnished, to supply our outward wants, and gratify our natural desires.

"The heavens declare his glory: The sun enlightens and warms us with his beams; and when he retires, the moon and stars hang out their lamps to abate the gloom and soften the horrors of night. The winds, by their various motions, preserve the salubrity of the air, waft around the clouds freighted with enriching showers, mitigate the sultry heat of the summer's sun, kindly fan the weary laborer and the panting animal, facilitate the process of vegetation, and aid the intercourse of distant nations.

We are visited with unfailing returns of day and night, which alternately invite us to labour and rest. The vicissitude of the seasons, without which the greater part of the globe would be incapable of habitation, is regularly maintained.

The heavens and the earth hold out to our view, various objects of contemplation for the improvement of the mind. They present us with scenes of grandeur to strike us with astonishment: They exhibit works of wisdom to raise our admiration: They discover endless proofs of divine bounty to excite our gratitude.

Besides these daily benefits, which are common to all, every one may recollect a thousand personal and domestick favours; such, as the continuance of his reason and health; success in his calling; deliverance from danger; a capacity for refreshment and repose: the joys of peace and friendship; and quietness and safety in his dwelling. God compasses our paths by day, and our beds by night: He keeps us while we sleep; and when we awake we are still with him. To the blessings of his providence are added those of his grace. By his lively oracles and instituted worship, he affords us the means of spiritual knowledge and comfort. Through the redemption of his Son he offers us the pardon of sin, the assistance of his spirit, access to him in prayer, and the light of his countenance.

These are not transient, but permanent privileges. He continues them to us, until, by putting them away, we judge ourselves unworthy of them. Lo, these are a part of his ways. In vain we attempt to recount his benefits: As well may we nun.ber the stars of heaven, which, while we gaze, lose all distinction, and mingle in one general glow.

2. Daily benefits are the greatest in their nature.. These are essential not only to our temporary existence in this life, but to our eternal happiness in