and why the wicked are fuffered to rage SER M. and profper. And on the other hand, XII. how is it confiftent with the goodness of

God, that the religious and virtuous fhould often meet with difcouragements and diftrefs in this life?. Because if there is a juft retribution hereafter, the joy and profperity of the wicked is but short, it will foon be terminated by the unhappinefs of a miferable state, in confequence of a righteous judgment. And on the contrary, good men fhall have a full compensation for all their troubles and uneafiness here: eternal joy and felicity will abforb the very remembrance of all their afflictions and difficulties, and it will be seen that they were of very little importance to the fum of happiness, in the whole of their being. But on the other hand, without fuppofing a judgment to come, it is impoffible to give any tolerable account of things; we fhall never be able to reconcile the moral appearance to any principle than that of downright atheism. No other hypothefis, without this view hereafter, can ever folve the difficulties. There is nothing but confusion and abfurdity in the whole S 4 moral

SERM. moral fyftem, nor any comfort and faXIII. tisfaction to a virtuous mind.

Thus having confidered what I propofed, it can be fcarce neceffary for me to add, that it becomes us all seriously to reflect on the importance of the fubject. For if this is certain, that Chrift will come again quickly, and that his reward is with him, to give to every man as his work fhall be, then we fee of what confequence our conduct now is to our eternal welfare. If we go on in the way of righteousness and truth, if we fear God and ferve him faithfully, and abstain from the vices and pollutions of the world about us, we have a joyful expectation of happiness to eternity. But if we perfevere in a vicious course, if we forget God and disregard religion, if we plunge ourselves into the debauchery and corruption of the world about us, we may juftly look for the terrible reward of indignation, wrath, and eternal remorse. God has fet before us everlasting life and glory on the one hand, and misery and despair, in an unhappy ftate, on the other; therefore let us determine for ourfelves in a rational manner, that upon the review of our life we may

have peace,

and

XIII.

and find mercy at the coming of our SERM. Lord. Let us always remember, that though the folemn appearance of Christ at the end of the world may poffibly be after some distant ages, yet every man's death fixes his own eternal condition, and is to him in all purposes the very fame thing, as the coming of our Lord to judgment. Every man's departure from life, is to him the fame as the end of the world; for there is then no farther state of probation, no more place for repentance, no more opportunity of performing any part of the work of his falvation; he will remain in an unchangeable state, and the foul be appointed to its particular manfion, either of comfort or forrow; waiting for that awful day, when all that are in the graves fhall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that bear fhall live. May we then prepare ourselves, that the day of our own particular call unto judgment may not furprize us unprovided; amidst all our interefts, amusements, and gaiety in this world, let us still bear uppermoft in our minds this folemn declaration of our Lord, Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to every man according as his work fhall be.

SER

267

SERMON XIV.

GOD alone fufficient for our Happinefs.

HABAKKUK III. 17, 18.

Although the fig-tree fhall not bloffom, neither fhall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive fhall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock be cut off from the fold, and there fhall be no herd in the falls: yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

T

HESE words express the refolu- SER M. tion of a good man, amidst the

various changes and misfortunes of the present life. The prophet had been in the former part of the chapter meditating on the majefty, power, and goodness of God; and that fublime fubject naturally filled him with the most awful notions, but it gave at the fame time, pleasure and comfort to his mind, to recollect that the attributes of God were not unactive, indolent properties,

but

XIV.