I.

which are prescribed to it both by reason SERMON and by religion. A Christian ought not to mourn like those who have no hope. While he feels his sorrows as a man, he should also study to bear them like a man, with fortitude; and not abandon himself to feeble and fruitless melancholy. Let him have recourse to a strenuous discharge of the duties of his station, and consider it as incumbent on him to make the best improvement that he can of those comforts which Providence has still left in his possession.

AGAIN; it sometimes happens that, apart from grief, great reverses of worldly fortune give rise to the lamentation in the text. This was the case with Job himself. A sudden fall from opulence into indigence and want; some undeserved disgrace incurred, or some unexpected cloud thrown over former reputation and fame; the unkindness and desertion of friends, or the insolent triumph of enemies, are apt to overwhelm the minds of men with gloom, and to reduce them. to be weary of life. To persons under

such

SERMON Such calamities, sympathy is due.

That sympathy, however, will be proportioned to the degree in which we consider them as free from blame in the misfortunes

which they suffer. As far as, through
their own misconduct and
and vice, they
have been the authors to themselves, of
those misfortunes, we withdraw our pity.
The burden which they have brought
on themselves, we leave them to bear
as they can; and with little concern
we hear them exclaim that their souls
are weary of life. -Not only so, but
even in cases where calamities have fallen
on the innocent, to the pity which we
feel for them will be joined a secret con-
tempt, if we perceive that together with
their prosperity, their courage and for-
titude have also forsaken them. Το
abandon themselves to dejection, carries
no mark of a great or a worthy mind.
Instead of declaring that his soul is weary
of his life, it becomes a brave and a good
man, in the evil day, with firmness to
maintain his post; to bear up against the
storm; to have recourse to those advan-
tages which, in the worst of times, are
always

1.

always left to integrity and virtue; and SERMON never to give up the hope that better days may yet arise.

It is good for persons in such situations to remark that, though Job was for a long while severely tried by a variety of distresses, yet his condition was not left finally unhappy. On the contrary, the goodness of that God whom he had served returned at last to shine upon him with greater brightness than ever. His riches were restored to him twofold. The losses in his family were repaired by a new offspring. His name became again renowned in the east; and the latter end of Job, we are told, was more blessed than the beginning.

BUT still, it may be asked, will not the continuance of long and severe disease justify the exclamation in the text, My soul is weary of my life? To persons who are forsaken by all the blessings of health, and who have no prospect left, but that of lingering under sickness or pain, Job's complaint may assuredly be forgiven more than to any others. Though

I.

SERMON it might be suggested to them, that even in old age and sickness, except in very extreme cases some resources are always left, of which they may avail themselves for relief; yet it must be admitted, that lawfully they may wish their sufferings to be brought to an end. Still, however, they must remember, that resignation to the pleasure of Heaven continues to be their duty to the last. As long as any part remains to be acted, as long as their continuance in the world can serve any valuable purpose, it is more honourable to bear the load with magnanimity, than to give way to a querulous and dejected spirit. It remains,

III. To address myself to another order of men, among whom, though more rarely than among those whom I have described, the sentiment of the text is to be found. They are persons who have no particular complaint to make of the injustice of the world, or the afflictions of their state. But they are tired of the vanity of the world, of its insipid enjoyments, and its perpetually revolving circle

of

I.

of trifles and follies. They feel them- SERMON selves made for something greater and nobler. They are disgusted and hurt with the scenes of wickedness that are often passing before their eyes. Their hearts are warmed with the thoughts of a purer and more perfect existence designed for man; and in the moments of aspiration after it, the exclamation breaks forth, My soul is weary of my life.-Oh! that I had wings like a dove! for then I would fly away and be at rest. Lo! then I would wander afar off, and remain in the wilderI would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. For I have seen violence and strife in the city. Wickedness is in the midst thereof; deceit and guile depart not from her streets*. In this view the sentiment in the text may sometimes be that of a devout man. But such persons I must admonish, that their devotion, however sincere, is not altogether of a rational and chastened kind. It was from this temper that, in former ages of the church, the numerous race sprung of an

ness.

Psalm lv. 6-il.

chorets,