VII. ranks, and try if you can discover one who SERMON will tell you he that has no complaint or uneasiness whatever, before you allow yourself to repine at your present situation. Do you presume to indulge discontent, merely because you are included in the common lot; because you are not exempted from bearing your share of the common burden? What is human life to all, but a mixture of some scattered joys and pleasures, with various cares and troubles? your You have, perhaps, set your heart on some one thing, which if you could attain it, you insist, would put an end to all complaints, and give you full contentment. -Vain man! will no experience teach you wisdom? Have not you had the same opinion before this, of some other object of your desire; and did you not find that you was deceived in the enjoyment? Will you not then at last be persuaded that all which cometh, like all that is past, is vanity?. Vanity, believe it, is the indelible character imprinted on all human things. As far as happiness is to be found on earth, you must look for it, not in the world or the things of the world, but within yourselves, in your SERMON your temper, and your heart. VII. Let the Does not world change into one form or another as it VII. with things divine and immortal, and you SERMON Ishall dwell with true wisdom. You will find nothing so great in worldly events, as either to elate or deject you. Resting upon a principle superiour to the world, you will possess your spirits in peace, and will learn that great lesson of heavenly philosophy, in whatever state you are, therewith to be content. SERMON VIII. On drawing near to God. [Preached at the Celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.] SERMON VI. PSALM, 1xxiii. 28. It is good for me to draw near to God. IN N this psalm the pious author describes himself as suffering a great conflict within his mind. His observation of the course of Providence, did not present to him such an order of things as was to have been expected from the justice and goodness of Heaven. The wicked appeared flourishing and triumphant, while the worthy. were destitute and oppressed and much disorder and darkness seemed to prevail in the course of human affairs. Hence his mind fluctuated for a while amidst doubts and fears. His SERMON trust in the divine administration was even M VIII. |