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IX

ing Cause. I ask him, Whether in the SERMON natural world he discerns not as many mysterious and puzzling appearances as are to be found in the moral world ? Are not destructive storms, burning mountains, uninhabitable deserts, as difficult to be reconciled to his precon

The natural and respect, counterBoth are marked

ceived ideas of supreme wisdom
wisdom and
goodness in the Creator, as the sufferings
and afflictions which in the course of pro-
vidence befal the just?
moral world are, in this
parts to one another.
with the same characters, and carry the
impress of the same powerful and gracious
hand. In both, it is evidently the inten-
tion of the first Author not to render every
thing level to our capacity; but in the
midst of high design and order, to al-
low certain objects to appear, which con-
tradict the ideas we had formed, and
mock our vain researches. Now, if we
are obliged to admit that the order
and beauty of the natural world suffi-
ciently prove it to be the work of a
wise Creator, notwithstanding the seeming
deformities which it exhibits; are we

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IX.

SERMON not led by the same train of reasoning to conclude, that the moral world is under the direction of a wise Governour, though much of what he now does we cannot satisfactorily explain.

Secondly, THE doctrine of the text is to be applied not only for silencing sceptics, but for comforting the pious. Never let them be dejected by the darkness which now covers the ways of the Almighty. If he withdraw himself from their view, it is not because he neglects them ; but because they are incapable of comprehending his designs; because it were not for their good that all his designs were revealed to them.--Instead of perplexing themselves about what is obscure, let them rest on the clear and authentic discoveries that have been given of the Divine goodness. Let them rest on those great and signal facts that prove it ; particularly on that illustrious fact, the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ. He that spared not his own Son, but gave bim up for us all, will assuredly not always conceal himself from those who serve him.

Though

IX.

Though what he does they know not now, SERMON the time approaches when they shall know bereafter. Till that time come, let them believe and trust; let them hope and adore. From this conclusion let them never depart, that to fear God, and keep his commandments, is in every situation the truest wisdom; that if there be government in the universe at all, the virtuous and the worthy are loved and protected by Heaven that in due season they shall reap if they faint not; for the care of them is with the Lord, and their reward with the Most High.

SERMON X.

On the SLAVERY of VICE.

SERMON
X.

2 PETER, ii. 19.

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is be brought in bondage,

BONDAGE and subjection are disagreeable sounds to the ear, disagreeable ideas to the mind. The advocates of vice, taking advantage of those natural impressions, have in every age employed them for discrediting religion. They represent it as the bondage and confinement of the free-born soul of man; as a state of perpetual constraint, formed

by

X.

by a system of severe rules, which design- SERMON ing men have contrived to impose as fetters on the multitude. On the other hand, they paint a licentious course to themselves, and hold it out to the world, as the gay and pleasurable enjoyment of life; where, having surmounted the prejudices of education, and the timorous scruples of conscience, men can think and act at pleasure, and give full scope to every wish of the heart. But what if those pretended sons of freedom be themselves held in miserable subjection, and their boasts of liberty be no more than the swelling words of vanity? The apostle asserts in the Text that, while they promise liberty to others, they are the servants, or slaves of corruption, overcome and brought into bondage by it. This assertion of the Apostle I purpose to illustrate. I shall endeavour to make it appear, that no true liberty can arise from vice; that bad men undergo the worst servitude; and that no one is free, but he who is virtuous and good.

Ir is necessary to begin with removing false ideas of liberty, and shewing in what

it

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