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the mind, and the highest ends of our being: SERM. But true devotion, which is wholly founded ✗. ' in the understanding, always keeps pace with its calm and deliberate exercise; and the rule by which we ought to judge of its fincerity, is not extatic rapture and vehement emotion of mind, but a constant refignation to the will of God, and a steddy purpose of approving ourselves to him in the whole course of our actions; for this is the love of God, that we keep his Commandments.

SER

SERMON XI.

Of Trust in God, and Praying to him.

SERM.
XI.

Pfal. lxii. 8.

Trust in him at all Times ye People, pour out your Heart before him.

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S all the creatures derive their being, and whatever degree of power, perfection, and happiness they possess, from the goodness of God, (the sole principle which, we can conceive, could determine him, infinitely perfect and self-fufficient, to create any thing ;) so the continuance of their being, and every degree of created power, perfection and happiness, depends folely on his good pleasure. For it is impoffible that such an effect should not depend absolutely on the cause; that any thing which exists merely by the will of another, should not exist just so long as, and cease to exist whenever that other, pleases; and that all the circumstances

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of its condition, ordered by his free appoint-SERM. ment, should not be always fubject to his dif- XI. posal. The rational creatures whom God has indued with a capacity of difcerning this, will find, that as, when they serioufly and deliberately attend to it, the affection of gratitude will naturally arife in their minds for the favours they have received, so with refpect to futurity, (to which they cannot help looking with an earnest and folicitous expectation,) they have no folid ground of inward tranquillity and hope, but in an affectionate reliance on the fame immutable divine bounty, to which they owe their being and all the good already in their poffeffion. This then, as well as love, is an eminent branch of that natural homage which intelligent creatures owe to the Deity, Especially we, who find ourselves in an imperfect and indigent state; having weaknesses in every part of our constitution; frail bodies and feeble minds; narrow understandings, vexatious defires and perplexing fears; who are always liable to changes, to pains and troubles of various kinds, and the whole of our condition here but a kind of infancy of being, naturally capable of being raised to a much higher degree of perfection hereafter, and capable likewife of a change for the worse, when this state

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SERM. of probation and discipline is over, (for of XI. that future existence there is at least a high probability, which must sensibly affect an attentive mind,) we, I say, who find ourselves in this situation; whose all is in God's hands and depends on his pleasure; who have fo little in actual possession, and so much in prospect; -we especially, live by faith in God; and it is a most important part of our duty, as well as the only fure foundation of inward peace and security of mind, to trust in him at all times.

I will endeavour in this discourse to explain confidence in God, by shewing the true principles on which it rests, together with the sentiments and dispositions imported in it; and then, I will confider what the Pfalmist recommends in pursuance of it, namely, pouring out our hearts before him, or praying to him.

To trust in any person or intelligent agent, is to expect good from his benevolence or kind affections. In order to which there must not only be a perswasion of his good dispositions, but of his power as fuperior to ours, at least as fufficient for affecting something to our advantage, which we could not effect without him, and of his knowledge and wisdom extending to the affairs wherein

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we trust him. The least attention will fa-SERM. tisfy us, that the knowledge of all these qua- XI. lifications in the agent is necessary to lay a foundation for our confidence. If a person in power is ill disposed towards us, we dread him in proportion to the apprehenfions we have of his power; if he is indifferent, there may be fear, but very little hope; if we are secure of any one's good will, but believe him to be weak or ignorant, this may give some pleasure, yet no expectation of advantage; but kindness in conjunction with ability and wisdom make the complete character which is the object of confidence. Now all these properties belong to the Deity in an infinite degree of perfection. As with the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength, a power extending to the utmost bounds of poffibility, to do in heaven and earth whatsoever pleases him; and unlimited knowledge comprehending all things, with all their circumstances and relations, nay, and all future events; fo he is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works. That variety of happiness which there is in the world, and can be attributed to no other cause than his good pleasure, abundantly prove this. There is provision made for all the kinds of living creatures which we fee in the earth, the air, and

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