There is in the works of God, an extensive connexion, which we cannot comprehend, but which his wisdom perfectly understands. Events, which appear to us adverse, may, in their operation and design be blessings. Dispensations, which seem to be against us, may be intended for us. No good thing will God withhold from them, who walk uprigntly. All things are working together for their good. To know God's will, and stand approved in his sight should be our only solicitude. Secure of his favour, we have nothing to fear. Let us trust in him and do good, and no evil will happen He careth for us; we may cast our cares upon him. He is a faithful Creator, unto him we may commit ourselves in well doing.

to us.

4. We learn from our subject the folly and impiety of envy and discontent.

Do you envy the man who possesses a larger portion of earthly good, than youself? Remember, it is given him, not for his own sake, but for a more general purpose. If he has a larger portion, he has also a greater trust committed to him, and a more difficult part to act. There is more required of him, and he will have a greater account to render. Is this an enviable situation? You wish for his honour, or his wealth. Do you wish too for his obligations to discharge, his duties to perform, his accounts to settle, when he shall close his stewardship? No: But still you desire his worldly condition. You desire then to have riches and honours for your own sake-to have them without an obligation to do good with them, or render an account for them. What is this, but to desire the scheme of God's government were changed, or you were made independent of it? Do you wish that others were free from their obligations to mankind, or their accountableness to God? If not, Why should you covet such a situation for yourself? - What ad

vantage is there in earthly things, but as they are means by which you may supply your real wants, relieve the miseries and promote the happiness of those around you, and provide for yourselves treasures unfailing in the heavens ?

You look on the superiour condition of another, and are discontented with your own. But why discontented? The abundance given him is not for his sake only: It is for your sake also, if you need it, and Providence sees best that you should receive it. The riches of one are a benefit to many. If he has not that benevolence, which becomes his ability, yet heaven is wise and good. Things are so constituted, that even from the miser's fountain some involuntary streams will run, at which others may drink and be refreshed. Whatever the rich man's heart may be, the God who gave him riches is as kind to others as to him. This man is as really dependent on his fellow men, as the poorest of his neighbours, and can, no more than they, subsist without aid. The variety, which we see in men's outward circumstances, is intended for general good. A perfect equality would be inconsistent with human happiness. It would put a stop to mutual succour and assistance; to the reciprocation of benefits. It would weaken the springs of industry, and check the spirit of enterprise and invention. It would tend to poverty, rudeness and misery. The bounties of Providence are dispensed with wisdom; and all, though possessed by the sons of men in different measures, tend to the general good. Every virtuous and industrious man draws from the common treasury a share according to his wants. The poor have this; the rich can have no more. Let every man study to be quiet, to do his own business, and to be content with such things as he has.

To conclude: How glorious will God's providential government appear, in the result, when all VOL. I.

G

its designs, connexions and effects shall be unfolded to our view!

Now we see through a glass darkly; then we shall see with open face. Then we shall rejoice in that, which now is matter of complaint, and discern wisdom in that, which now looks like confusion. Let us acquiesce in the ways of God's providence, and submit to the terms of his gospel, and then all things are ours. Whether the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are ours, for we are Christ's, and Christ is God's. To him be glory. Amen.

SERMON IV.

The work of Redemption marvellous, but divine.

1

MATTHEW xxi. 48.

This is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.

THE work here pronounced marvellous

in the eyes of men, is the redemption of our fallen race by the Son of God, sent down from heaven, appearing in human flesh, dying on the cross, exalted afterward to glory, and exalting believers with him.

This work, faintly exhibited in prophecy, was a subject of admiration; displayed in the actual execution, it was a subject of higher admiration; but its final result in the salvation of believers, will raise to greater height, and spread to wider extent, the admiration of God's manifold wisdom and unsearchable grace.

However the Redeemer may be despised and re jected now, the day is coming, when he will be glorified in his saints, and admired in all them who believe. The stone, which has been set at nought by the builders, is made, and will appear to have been made, the head of the corner. God has laid in Sion a chief corner stone, chosen and precious;

and he who buildeth thereon shall not be confound. ed. But to many it is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. They who fall on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

The Apostle observes, that the doctrine of Christ crucified for the sins of men, to some is foolishness; but to others it appears to be the power and the wisdom of God.

The scheme of salvation opened in the gospel, all who contemplate it, must acknowledge to be wonderful. And some have thought the wonder too great to be believed. "Mankind," they say, " are an inconsiderable race of beings-probably the lowest in the rational scale. God is perfectly happy and glorious in himself, and cannot be made more or less so by the conduct or the condition of his creatures. Can it then be thought, that he would take all that concern for men which the gospel represents him to have done; that he would so pity them in their guilt, as to send a Divine Re. deemer, in a human form too, yea, in the lowest condition of men-would subject him to an infamous death, number him with transgressors, and appoint him a grave with the wicked-would afterward raise him to heaven in this same human body, and there place him at the head of his kingdom to manage the affairs of it for the benefit of believers? Is there in man any dignity or importance which deserves such a singular interposition? Are not the means out of proportion to the end ?-Can we see any thing in the whole economy of Providence at all resembling this?"

Thus the mercy, which appears in the gospel, and which surely ought to recommend it to guilty creatures, has been urged as an objection against the truth of it.