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where the case is plain, follow the dictates of an honest heart without hesitation: where it seems perplexed, judge as well as we can, without scruple or terror. For we serve a most gracious Master: and so long as we serve him with a sincerely right intention, we shall probably seldom err from our duty, and certainly never fail of our reward,

SERMON XXII.

MATT. V. 6.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

WHATEVER objections the vain or vicious make against religion, they must allow, if they have any regard to truth remaining, not only that nothing else promises happiness hereafter, but that nothing is so likely to give happiness even here, as that disposition of mind, to which religion proposes to bring us. For he who loves God sincerely, and obeys him willingly, and trusts in him cheerfully; who delights in doing justice and shewing goodness to his fellowcreatures; and takes pleasure in regulating his conduct by the dictates of reason and Scripture; studying to be useful in his station, and keeping his heart shut against every hurtful indulgence, while he opens it in a proper degree to every innocent gratification, hath unquestionably the truest enjoyment of his being that is possible. He destroys not his health by intemperance, nor his fortune by extravagance, nor his character by criminal or mean behaviour. He generally obtains esteem and friendship from others; and he always feels the most comfortable testimony of his own conscience. Whatever he denies himself, or parts with, it is for a valuable consideration, the discharge of his duty; whatever he suffers, he escapes the greatest of evils, remorse and shame; and he

enjoys the greatest good, a conscious sense of the Divine favour, conducting him graciously through the afflictions of this life to an endless felicity in the next, that shall be the more abundant for them and where shall we find upon earth a securer, an easier, a more joyful situation? Right actions, it must be owned, are often accompanied, in the beginning of a Christian course, with great inward struggles. But they diminish continually in proportion as a right temper is formed: and when we arrive at a proper maturity in goodness, we shall be entirely free from difficulties, and absolutely at peace.

But then it is objected, that allowing such a state to be ever so happy, we have no prospect of attaining it in a sufficient measure to afford us any feeling of that happiness. And experience is imagined by too many to confirm this apprehension. Most of those who live either in vice or neglect of piety, make at one time or another warm resolutions, and it may be vigorous attempts, to throw off wrong habits and become religious. But they find it an unpleasing, laborious, painful work. And let them endeavour as earnestly as they will; nay, be ever so much persuaded for a while, that they have gained considerable ground; they are very liable to relapse, more or less, into their former transgressions or omissions, contrary to all their hopes. Daunted at this, they draw immediately a hasty conclusion, that nature is not to be altered, and custom is second nature: that it would be well for them indeed, if they had that command of themselves, that some have: but how much soever they may envy them, they must of force be content with their own condition; for it signifies nothing to strive against what they shall never get the mastery of, or aspire to what they

shall never arrive at. And so they sit down satisfied with this plea, lay aside the thought of growing better, and then of course grow continually worse. Yet plainly if endeavouring would prevent that only, it would be worth while: for, next to being good, being as little bad as we can, is our evident interest, with respect to both worlds.

But we may justly hope for much more. And that we may not doubt of it, our Saviour hath assured us of it. In the very beginning of his sermon on the mount, he lays it down; Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Whoever truly desires to become pious and virtuous, and pursues that great point in the right method, with due perseverance, shall never fail of attaining his end. And the whole Word of God teaches the same thing. Why then should we not believe it, and act on that belief? If we act without it indeed, our attempts will be as faint as our hopes. But this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith *. Not a presumptuous faith in ourselves alone: that will certainly deceive us; and is the very cause that so many fall to their utter ruin, when they thought they stood firmest : but a trust and reliance on the promised grace of God, through him who died to obtain for us power as well as pardon; a fixed persuasion, that we can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us: which he doth by a double assurance, of present help, as well as a future reward. This help he hath expressly engaged to every Christian, in every difficulty, on the reasonable terms of humbly praying for it, and honestly making use of it. What should hinder us then from working out our own salvation, when God

1 John v. 4.

is ready to work in us both to will and to do*; both good desires, and the accomplishment of them? Our bad inclinations may be too hard for us: but not for him. He will certainly qualify us for what he commands and expects: else his precepts would be mockery, and his punishments cruelty.

But still it is alleged by many, that in fact, though they do both endeavour and pray, they cannot become good, even in their outward behaviour, much less in their hearts. And perfectly good we do not say they can become at present: but why not sufficiently to enjoy from it much peace and comfort ? Let us examine the pretended impossibility of this a little more distinctly. It is confessed, our spiritual frame is weak, and was grievously disordered by the fall. But however, though in our flesh, to use the words of the Apostle, dwelleth no good thing, yet after the inward man we delight in the law of God ↑. Through his mercy we have still right and worthy principles, as well as wrong and bad ones. We have still dispositions in our breasts, to esteem and honour goodness, to be grateful for benefits, to observe the commands and submit to the disposal of a just, wise, and kind superior. Now these, directed to their properest object, Almighty God, are love, obedience and resignation to him, in which consists a spirit of re ligion. We have also by nature, not only tender affections in the nearer relations of life, but a general sense and approbation of honesty and truth, of good-will, pity, and forgiveness towards all with whom we have to do: and these things comprehend our duty to our neighbour. Then, as to what we owe to ourselves: reasonable creatures must think reason ought to be followed, rather than passion and appe† Rom. vii. 18. 22.

Phil. ii. 12, 12.

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