that 'godliness hath the promise of the life that now is,' as well as of that which is to come;' 1 Tim. iv. 8.-we may certainly conclude, that a strict observance of the duties of the Christian religion is the most likely way a man can take to thrive and prosper in the world, and to make his life comfortable and happy.

And of this truth we may be convinced, not only from the testimony of Scripture, but from the reason and nature of things. For, let any one consider, and tell me, whether he, who is just and true in all his dealings, honest and sincere in all his professions, and faithful to his word and promises; who is diligent and industrious in his calling; who makes it his constant rule to do to all men as he would they should do to him; and is so far from endeavouring to overreach and defraud his neighbour, that he chooses rather to forego the greatest gain, than purchase it at the expense of the least injustice: say, let any one tell me, whether it is not much more probable that such a man should enlarge his fortune in the world, than he that acts the very reverse of all this; that practises all the art of cheating and lying, of overreaching and circumvention, and stoops to every thing, how base and dishonest soever, which he thinks will turn to his present profit; that considers not so much how honest and upright his actions are, as how profitable; and cares not what his neighbour suffers by his justice, if he himself does but get by it? Such a man, when he comes to be known (as he will not be able long to conceal himself), will certainly lose his credit and reputation; he will become hated and despised, and every person will be afraid to have any dealings with him. On the other hand, the honest and upright man (beside the bless

ing of God, which he cannot fail of) will be sure to meet with all the love and esteem of all that know him he will have few, if any, enemies; but will have many friends, and those some of the wisest and best of men, who will be always ready to assist him, and glad of every opportunity of promoting his interest and happiness.

2. Another great blessing of life, and which gives a relish to all other enjoyments, is health: and who is more likely to obtain this blessing than the religious man? For, will not temperance, sobriety, and virtue (duties which he practises), conduce more to a sound and vigorous constitution of body, than surfeiting and drunkenness, lust and intemperance; the mischievous effects of which are too visible to be denied? Who hath woe?' said Solomon, who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine;' Prov. xxiii. 29, 30. What pains and diseases have some men brought upon themselves, merely by their excesses and debaucheries! diseases which have not terminated with their own lives, but have been entailed upon their unhappy posterity! And how can it be otherwise, unless it should please God to change the nature of things? For if men will run into those excesses which inflame and corrupt their blood, it is no wonder that gout or dropsy, or some more immediately fatal distemper, should proceed from such disorders. And when a vicious or debauched parent has brought rottenness into his own bones, though the children may be free from the vices of the father, yet they frequently feel all their lives the mischievous effects of his transgressions.

3. Again, a cheerful and contented mind, is another great blessing of life; for without it, nothing in this world can make us happy. And by what means shall a man obtain this, but by the practice of religion? That will teach him to resign his will to God, to submit to all the dispensations of his providence, and to be patient and easy, cheerful and satisfied, under every disappointment and trouble he may meet with; as knowing that God is the sovereign disposer of all things; a being of infinite goodness, kindness, and love; that he does not willingly afflict the children of men,' but makes 'every thing work together for good to them that love him.' And how quiet, easy, and contented, must such a man be under all events! He has learned, with St. Paul, how to abound, and how to want;' and as he is not puffed up with the one, so neither is he cast down when it pleases God to send the other; but goes through the world with a calm, even, and contented mind, undisturbed by that inquietude, impatience, and discontent, from which a proud, envious, and ambitious man is sel dom, if ever, free.

4. Peace is another great blessing, highly conducive to the happiness of life; and to this the religious man has the justest claim. He considers, that if God so loved us, as to send his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, we ought also to love one another;' 1 John iv. 10, 11; and therefore he is an enemy to no man, but kind, and good-natured, and obliging to all; and if any person is so unreasonable as to reward him evil for good (as the Psalmist complains some had done to himself), yet, in imitation of his blessed Saviour, whose example he continually sets before him, he does good to them that hate him, and prays for them that de

spitefully use him, and persecute him;' Matt. v. 44. ⚫ When he is reviled, he reviles not again; when he suffers, he threatens not, but committeth himself to him that judgeth righteously;' 1 Pet. ii. 23.-He resolves, as St. Paul advises, to put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, with all malicé;' Ephes. iv. 31. and a endeavours to attain that wisdom which is from above; which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits;' James iii. 17.-This principle, of love, and charity, and good-will to mankind, as it renders the mind quiet and easy, calm and composed; so it makes a man not only happy in himself, but a blessing and comfort to all about him; and consequently attracts the love, esteem, and admiration of all those that see and feel the kind and benign influences of so divine a temper. Great peace,' says the Psalmist, have they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them;' Psalm cxix. 165. And the prophet assures us, that the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effects of righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever;' Isaiah' xxxii. 17.

But now, on the other hand, the life of an angry and revengeful man is all storm and tempest: he is like a troubled sea when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt;' Isaiah Ivii. 20.-He is a stranger to peace, and all the blessed fruits and effects of it; for, where 'envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work;' James iii. 16. His mind is continually restless and uneasy, agitated to and fro with the violent force of unruly passions, which lead him on from one evil to another, and frequently hurry him into those that are of a very mischievous consequence. What misery

and torment must a man feel, who is possessed with a spirit so directly contrary to that of the Gospel! How little can he taste of that true happiness of life, whose mind is always discordant and out of tune! He may, perhaps, possess a great deal of the good things of this world, but can have very little enjoyment: for, what comfort can he find from any thing who has no peace in his own mind; who is at enmity with himself, and with almost every one else; and is capable of being put out of humour by every trifling, cross accident? Is it possible for a man of such a temper to be happy, even in the midst of the greatest prosperity? No, certainly it is the meek-spirited that our Saviour hath pronounced blessed: they shall inherit the earth,' Matt. v. 5. and be refreshed,' as the Psalmist speaks, 'in the multitude of peace,' and shall find a real comfort in whatever they possess; which, though it should happen to be but little, yet, being enjoyed in peace and quiet, and with a contented mind, will undoubtedly yield them a much greater and truer satisfaction, than a man of a contrary disposition can reap from large possessions and ample revenues.

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5. I shall mention but one advantage more which a good man has above a wicked one as to this world; and that is, in respect of dutiful and obedient children;' which is allowed by all to be a great blessing in itself, and is what the former has much more reason to expect and hope for than the latter. For, if it pleases God to bless a good man with children, he begins very early to instil into their tender minds the principles of virtue and religion: he teaches them to remember their Creator in the days of: their youth;' and brings them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. He sets before them, in