es.

and electricity, to solve the phenomena of nature, he stops far short of the proper end of his researchThe Christian will contemplate the Deity, not merely as a power producing great effects; but as a Being, whose power is guided by wisdom, justice and benevolence. While he admires the works, he will love and fear, trust and adore the God who made them.

3. The works of God should invite us to him in the humble exercises of devotion. He who offers praise, glorifies God. The Being who made all things, must himself be independent. The things which are made must be dependent on him. When we look up to this glorious Being, we should sink down into the most humble thoughts of ourselves. What are we amidst this vast creation! How wonderful is his condescension, that he attends to our wants, and visits us every moment! When we consider the heavens, the work of his fingers, the moon and stars, which he has ordained, How just is the reflection, What is man that he should be mindful of him?-Does it not become such dependent and indebted creatures daily to call on God for what they want, and daily to thank him for what they receive? He is not indifferent to us: Shall we be indifferent to him? We daily stand in his presence, and receive bounties from his hand: Shall we pay no reverence to his character, and make no returns for his beneficence? From just apprehensions of God, and of ourselves, a spirit of devotion must arise.

4. We are to glorify God for our own existence. If we are to praise him for creation in general, surely some gratitude is due for our distinguished rank in the creation. I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. How precious are thy thoughts to me! How great is the sum of them!

God has given us a rational existence; made known to us his will; taken us under his particular care; furnished us with the means of virtue in this state, and eternal happiness in the next; and all along the passage through this to the future world, the blessings of his goodness attend us. Is not existence, under these circumstances, to be regarded as a privilege? If a happy existence is to be valued, an existence accompanied with present enjoyments, and with the means of obtaining higher enjoyments hereafter, is to be contemplated with gratitude and joy.

Perhaps in the gloom of a discontented mind, you complain of life as a burthen.

Impatience may undoubtedly draw up a long list of grievances. But from this list, let your sober reason make proper deductions.

In the first place, strike out your imaginary troubles-those which arise from pride, vanity, avarice, habit, irregular passion, and extravagant expectation. Strike out next the troubles which are merely negative, consisting only in the removal of blessings which you have enjoyed for a while, and which, if you had never enjoyed them, you never would have desired.. Strike out also your comparative evils, which owe their existence to an apprehension, that your neighbours possess benefits denied to you-benefits, which you would not have thought of, if you had not seen them in possession of others. Make these deductions, and your list of grievances will be much reduced. Call gratitude to make the estimate, and your blessings will be found to exceed your troubles.

You have more days of health and comfort, than of sickness and pain. In a course of regular industry, you have more success than disappointment. In your connexions, you have many friends; few enemies-perhaps none. Remember also, that

VOL. I.

C

your real troubles, rightly regarded, are preparatives for a state of pure enjoyment; and that death, which of all things here you most dread, is your passage to that state. Consider these things, and then say, Our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

But still perhaps some will conclude, that their existence is to be regretted: " For revelation informs us, that a great part, yea much the greater part of the human race will be miserable forever. It is then, with respect to each one who comes on this stage, more probable that he will be miserable than happy. And if this is his state, What ground is there to be thankful for existence ?"

Now, without entering on the question, whether the proportion of the saved will be great or small, a question not subject to human calculation, we are to consider, whether we have the means and offers of happiness, and whether we have them from a Being who may be trusted. If we have, then there is cause of thankfulness for our existence; for we may be happy, if we will be wise. It is only the abuse of divine goodness, that makes us miserable. Happiness is proposed to our choice; and whether we accept or reject it, still God is good. Our folly alters not the nature of goodness, nor diminishes the obligation of gratitude.

You are not to consider the plan of the gospel, as the scheme of a lottery, in which each man's chance for success is according to the proportion of prizes to blanks; but as a moral and rational plan, in which each one's success will be determined by his own choice. Be the number of the saved ever so small, this diminishes not the probability in favour of those, who seek for glory by a patient continuance in well doing. Be it ever so great, this gives no additional hope to those who neglect their

salvation. To determine the probability of your success, you need not inquire how many, or how few will be saved: You are only to enquire, what you yourselves are doing. In the destruction of the old world, Noah and his household, though few, only eight souls, were preserved. At the wedding supper, the one unworthy guest was cast into utter darkness. Whatever may be the number of the righteous, or of the wicked, the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and how to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.

The apostle says to the Corinthians, They who run in a race, run all; but one receiveth the prize. So run, that ye may obtain. I so run, not as uncertainly. In a race, there is only one prize; and whatever exertions the combatants make, it is only the foremost who wins. In the Christian race it is otherwise. Here is a prize proposed to each; and all may obtain, if they will run well. Therefore the apostle says, So run, that ye may obtain. Ye may all obtain, who enter on the race, and finish the course. Your success will not be influenced by the good or ill success of others: It will be determined by your own sincerity, activity and perseverance. I so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one who beateth the air; but I keep under my body to bring it into subjection, lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a casta

way.

5. If creation deserves our praise, redemption deserves it still more, for this is our hope.

Creation displays God's wisdom, power and goodness; redemption displays his holiness, justice and grace. If it is matter of gratitude, that we were called from nothing into rational existence; it is matter of higher gratitude, that we are recovered from darkness, bondage and fear, to a state of light,

liberty and hope. If we are to give thanks, that, when we were nothing, God called us into being, to behold and contemplate his works; much rather should we give thanks that when, by perverting the design of our creation, we had ruined ourselves, in him was our help; that when we were without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Finally, we are to glorify God for the prospects which are opened before us.

Their

Here we may know something of God's works; for creation is all around us, and providence is working before us. Angels and saints above know more of God's works than can be known here. They have a stronger sight, and can look to more distant objects. They are raised to higher ground, and can command a more extensive view. sight is not bounded by the circle of our horizon, nor their prospect terminated by the canopy of our skies. They see more than we can see, and they admire and love more than we can do. But delightful is the hope, that we shall one day be with them, and be like them; see as they see, and praise as they praise.

We behold many wonders of God's wisdom and goodness in this earth, and in those heavens. But, What are these compared with the wonders which will crowd upon our sight, when we shall tread the new earth, and contemplate the new heavens ? At the opening of these new scenes, all former glories will be extinguished, like a lamp before the rising sun. Behold, says the God of glory, I create new heavens, and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. Be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create. Behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.

The new heavens and earth will need no sun or moon to shine upon them. The glory of the Lord shall lighten them, and the nations of them who are