SERMON

III.

THIS consideration is greatly strengthened, when, in the last place, we think of God acting, not as a Sovereign only, but as a guardian, in the disposal of our times. This is our great consolation in looking forward to futurity. To God as a wise Ruler, calm submission is due; but it is more than submission that belongs to him as a merciful father; it is the spirit of cordial and affectionate consent to his will, Unknown to us as the times to come are, it should be sufficient to our full our full repose that they are known to God. The day and the hour which are fixed in his counsels for our dismission from life, we ought to be persuaded are fixed for the best; and that any longer we should not wish to remain.

When we see that last hour drawing nigh, though our spirits may be composed on our own account, yet, on account of our friends and families, no little anxiety and sorrow may be sometimes apt to take possession of the mind. Long we have enjoyed the comfort of their society, and been accustomed to consider them as parts of curselves. To be parted from them for

III.

ever is, at any rate, a bitter thought; but SERMON to the bitterness of this, is over and above added the apprehension of their suffering much by our death. We leave many a relation, perhaps may leave young children, and a helpless family, behind us, to be exposed to various dangers, and thrown forth on an unfriendly world. Such virtuous anxieties often oppress the tender and feeling heart at the closing periods of life. My brethren, look up to that God, in whose hand the times of

your fathers were; in whose hand the times of your posterity shall be. Recollect, for your comfort, the experience of ages. When were the righteous utterly forsaken by God in times past? Why should they be forsaken by him in times to come? Well did he govern the world before you had a being in it: Well shall he continue to govern it after you are no more. No cause have you, therefore, to oppress your minds with the load of unknown futurity. Commit your cares to a father in heaven. Surrender your life, your friends, and your family, to that God who hath said, The children of his servants shall continue, and

SERMON their seed shall be established before him * III Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and let thy widows trust in me t.

I HAVE thus shewn what the import is, and what the improvement should be, of the doctrine of the text, that our times are in the hand of God. It asserts a fact, the truth of which can be called in question by none; a fact which, whether persons have any sentiments of religion or not, is calculated to make a serious impression on every mind; especially at seasons when the revolution of years gives us warning that our duration on earth is measured, and advances towards its period. To persons who are religiously disposed, who study to improve life to its proper purposes, to do their duty towards God and man, and through the merits of their Redeemer to obtain grace and favour from Heaven, the doctrine of the text is still more important. Among them it tends to awaken impressions which are not only serious, but, as I

have shewn, salutary and comforting to SERMON the heart. Thankful that our times are in the hand of a Sovereign, who is both wise and gracious, let us prepare ourselves to meet the approaching events of life with becoming resignation, and at the same time with manly constancy and firm trust in God. As long as it shall please him to continue our abode in the world, let us remain faithful to our duty; and when it shall please him to give the command for our removal hence, let us utter only this voice: "In

thy hand, O my God, my times are. "Thou art calling me away. Here I "am ready to obey thy call, and at thy "signal to go forth. I thank thee that "I have been admitted to partake so "long of the comforts of life, and to

"be a spectator of the "ness displayed in thy

wisdom and good

works. I thank "thee that thou hast borne so long with (c my infirmities and provocations; hast "allowed me to look up to thy promises

in the gospel, and to hear the words " of eternal life uttered by my great Redeemer. With gratitude, faith, and

hope, I commit my soul to thee. Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in

peace; for mine eyes have seen thy sal"vation."-Such are the sentiments with which every pious and good man should conclude his life. Such indeed are the sentiments which he ought to carry through every part of life. With these may we begin, and with these conclude, every succeeding year which God shall think fit to add to our earthly existence.