SERMON gospel of Christ comes to our aid, by the
V. explicit assurance which it gives, that, in

the great system of Providence, the wel-
fare of every single good man is parti-
cularly included. All things, we are ex-
pressly told, are made to work together,
not merely for the order and perfection of
the whole, but also, for good to them who
love God. The life of
The life of every person who
comes under this description, forms a sys-
tem complete within itself; where every
event that happens to him possesses its
destined place, and forms a link in that
great chain of causes, which was appoint-
ed, from the beginning of things, for
carrying on his improvement and felici
ty. Such an arrangement of the affairs
of the world, may appear astonishing to
our narrow capacities; yet surely implies
no effort beyond the reach of infinite
power, joined with infinite wisdom and
goodness.

Hence arises a degree of fortitude and
constancy to good men, which can upon
no other grounds be attained.
these principles of the Gospel,

Faith, in

erects for

Rom. viii. 28.

them

V.

them a fortress impregnable to the as- SERMON saults of the world into which they can at all times retreat. Sitting under the shelter of Divine protection, they calmly hear the storm, when it blows with its utmost violence around them. The floods have lifted up their voice; they have lifted up all their waves. But the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters; yea, than the mighty waves of the Sea*. Of the man who possesses such principles, it is justly said, His heart is established; he shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lordt. Tranquillity, order, and magnanimity, dwell with him; while all is confusion and trepidation among those, who have nothing to look to but the apparent disorders of the world.

THE doctrine of Christ not only arms us, in this manner, with fortitude against the approach of evil; but, supposing evils to fall upon us with their heaviest pressure, it lightens the load by many consolations to which others are strangers. While bad men

Psalm xciii. 3, 4.

VOL. IV.

H

+ Psalm cxii. 7, 8.

trace,

V.

SERMON trace, in the calamities with which they are visited, the hand of an offended Sovereign, Christians are taught to view them as the well-intended chastisements of a merciful father. They hear, amidst them, that still voice which a good conscience brings to their ear; Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God * They apply to themselves the comfortable promises with which the gospel abounds. They discover in these the happy issue decreed to their troubles; and wait with patience till Providence shall have accomplished its great and good designs. In the mean time, devotion opens to them its blessed and holy sanctuary: that sanctuary in which the wounded heart is healed, and the weary mind is at rest; where the cares of the world are forgotten, where its tumults are hushed, and its miseries disappear; where greater. objects open to our view than what the world presents; where a more serene sky shines, and a sweeter and calmer light beams on the afflicted heart. In those moments of devotion, a pious

man, pour

* Isaiah, xli. 10.

V.

ing out his wants and sorrows to an SERMON almighty Supporter, feels that he is not left solitary and forsaken in a vale of woe. God is with him, Christ and the Holy Ghost are with him; and though he should be bereaved of every earthly friend, he can look up in heaven to a friend who will never die.

To these present consolations, the religion of Christ adds the joyful prospect of that future state, where eternal rest remaineth for the people of God. This life they are taught to consider as only the house of their pilgrimage; the temporary mansion of painful though necessary discipline. But let them endure for a little, and the pilgrimage shall end, the discipline shall be finished; and all the virtuous be assembled in those blissful, regions which are prepared for their reward. Such a prospect cheers the darkest hours of life; and affords a remedy to every trouble. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed*. They appear, in this comparative view, as no more

SERMON than a distressing dream of the night, from V. which one awakes into health, and light,

and joy. Peculiar is this high consolation to the religion of Christ. It is what all nations had eagerly wished for; what all philosophy had anxiously sought to discover; but what no research, no philosophy were able to ascertain to mankind, till Christ brought the assurance of life and immortality from heaven; and conferred on his disciples this noble and inestimable gift.

THUS, on the whole, the Christian doctrine is found to be the great medicine of life. It is the balm of human sorrows and cares. In our present state, where so many are suffering actual distress, of one kind or other, and where all have reason to dread the approach of distress, it is religion only that can alleviate the burdens of life, and smooth our passage through this evil world. Let this view of religion persuade us to improve the sacred ordinance of our Lord's supper for coming unto Christ in the way before explained: that is, joining ourselves to him as his disciples; his

disciples,