prepared for it. And the like temper is to be formed in us, though we may not be put to the same heavy trials.

Our indolence and blind self-love incline us to judge and decide, that what most pleaseth and delighteth us, is best for us, without look ing further than present worldly things. But our Maker has purposely placed us in the midst of hazardous trials and difficulties, where we continually meet with rude shocks and interruptions to our fond dreams of perpetual pleasure, that we may be stopt in our wild pursuits, and have leisure and opportunity to correct these our hasty judgements, and may learn what is for our true and most lasting happiness, and act accordingly. And we soon find, that not what seemeth the pleasantest for the moment, but what may be likely to be most useful to others, in promoting their virtue and relieving their miseries, and what may turn out for our own purification and advancement in virtue, and recommend us to the most perfect and ever-blessed God, who made us, and stationed us in the midst of such a scene of things, is our wisest choice, and will be the happiest for us in the end. For were we to live in a state of continual in

dulgence,

dulgence, and to have nothing cross us, we should be quite enervated, and unfit for this which is our proper business, as the rational creatures of God and candidates for his favour in a future world. We should have no opportunities of acquiring habits of patience, fortitude, self-denial, and preference of the divine will to our own; dispositions necessary to our future happiness, and without which, in a world full of evil examples, and of dangerous continual allurements and enticements to indulge our appetites and passions beyond their due bounds, it will not be possible to act our part steadily and well here.

This life then is not the time of sitting still, and giving ourselves up to the enjoyment of the things of this world, its pleasures or ambitious pursuits; but a season of labour, and of planting in the heart good and upright principles the harvest will be in the next world, when we shall reap the fruits of all our toil and virtuous endeavours for ourselves and others.

Too many look no further than to present things. Because their bodies are in health, their appetites pleased, and the world in general goes well with them; this is all the

heaven they desire; and to part with this, but which must be parted with, is all the death they fear.

Certainly to enjoy the gifts of Providence with moderation and thankfulness, and so as not to waste precious time on them, or interfere with the demands our fellow-creatures have upon us, is what our Maker and the bountiful Giver of all things will approve.

But to be so absorbed in sensual gratifications, and nailed down and attached to earthly things, so as to have no settled thought, or plan, or aim for the good of others, according to our powers and abilities, and to advance the benevolent designs of him who giveth all things that we enjoy, is the mark and sign of a mind that is quite low, dark, and destitute of every good principle; or, in one word, entirely selfish.

IV.

Lastly. We may hence gather, what is that discipline that is to perfect the christian character, and fit us for our intended place and happiness in God's future world.

In all the applauded characters of scripture, the approved servants of God, we find them all either by their situation exposed to dangers

and

and suffering in the cause of truth and righteousness, or else voluntarily undertaking and denying themselves many things, to serve others and promote their true happiness. Such were Moses, Joshua, Samuel, Elijah, Daniel, Nehemiah, &c. Such were John the Baptist, Christ and his apostles.

We are not called out to fill such conspicuous parts in the plan of Providence, but we may make them important and useful, and be as acceptable to our common Creator in our narrower spheres, if we are only mindful in our several stations to do all the good we can, and endeavour, as far as lieth in our power, that our own improvement in things good and excellent, and that of others with whom we are in any degree connected, may be continually going on.

There is no accomplishing of this great work of human life, and at the same time wasting invaluable hours, which ought to be better employed, in a daily perpetual round of company, or giving into the fashionable scenes of dissipation, and passing from one amusement to another, even if it were possible to keep the mind untainted by them, and out of the way of sinful compliances.

For

For these scenes of hurry and confusion, and that idle sauntering and utter vacuity of all rational and useful employment, leave no space, as well as take away all relish, for serious thought, for self-recollection and self-government; without which, persons are utter strangers to their own characters, and can make no moral or spiritual improvement whatsoever.

And as our time, so our fortunes, which are equally lent us by our Maker, are not to be squandered away as our own vain fancies or the fashion of the times may dictate. Christ bids the rich "to make to themselves friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness;" (Luke xvi. 9.) or, as it might better be rendered, of transitory riches; to expend them in such acts of piety and righteousness, and to such benevolent purposes, as to secure themselves an eternal treasure, by recommending them to the favour of him who intrusted them with them.

They are forbidden to lay out an over-proportion of them in gratifying those who can make the same return to them again, but to support the needy and necessitous. And they are told; "They cannot recompense thee, but thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just." (Luke xiv. 14.)

Yet