to escape altogether from the stroke of misfortune and distress, is what none of us can expect. In one way or other, in our person, or fortune, or families and friends, it is the doom of all, more or less, to suffer. From what causes this appointment of Providence arises, and to what purposes it is rendered subservient, it belongs not to our subject at present to inquire; the fact is too certain and obvious. ———————— The principle of good which we must oppose to those evils of our lot, and by means of which we may hope to overcome them, is inward fortitude grounded on religion and trust in God; forming that state of mind, which, resting on itself, and the witness of a good conscience, rises superior to the trials of the world. When the sky begins to lour around thee; when thy gay prospects begin to disappear, thy friends to fail, or thy fortune to decline; or when, as years advance, the chief comforts on which thy heart was set, and on which thou hadst conceived thy happiness to depend, are unexpectedly cut off; say not then within thyself, "The evil time has now overtaken "me; the gates of hope are all shut: the days are "come wherein I shall have no pleasure; enjoyment "is fled; nothing remains for me now, but to close "my days in melancholy, to despair, and to die."This is to be overcome of evil indeed. He who thus allows himself to sink under the misfortunes of life, dishonours the character of a man, still more that of a Christian. He shows that whatever plausible appearances he may at former times have made. before the world, at bottom he not only wanted strength and firmness of mind, but was deficient also in religious faith and principle. For it is impossible that he who allows himself to be so entirely overcome by the evils of the world, can entertain just notions of God, and of his government of the world. He hath cast aside all reliance on Providence, and set at nought the promises of the Gospel. He may suppress all outward expressions of impious discontent; he may even affect the language of resignation; but his heart in secret will murmur and repine against the Lord. These, therefore, are the occasions when it particularly behoves us to call to mind all those principles which should assist us so to possess our minds in patience, as to overcome evil with good. Recal, my brethren, all the former experience you have had of the goodness of the Almighty, and the ground which this affords for trust and hope in him now. Recal to remembrance all the promises he has made to good men; as the words of Him who changes not; who is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent. Recollect the general tenour of that Providence, whose course it has ever been, since the creation of the world, so to chequer the life of men with unforeseen vicissitudes, as often to make unexpected goods succeed evils; nay, to make them spring from evils. Recollect, that whatever fortune may rob you of, it cannot take away what is most valuable, the peace of a good conscience, the pleasing sense of having acted honourably and done your duty, and the cheering prospect of a happy conclusion to all the trials of life in a better world. Consider that, as long as virtue remains, there are always, even in the most unfavourable situations, some comforts still left open, did we not overlook them. For it is seldom or never that all good things forsake a man at once, and all evils overtake him together. If he is bereaved of some friends whom he tenderly loved, there are others yet remaining to whom he may look for comfort. If, by infirmity, or old age, he be excluded from the enjoyments of active life, the gratifications which leisure and repose afford, are still left to him. If his fortune be shattered, and poverty threaten to beset him, yet, even in very straitened circumstances, many of the simple and best pleasures of nature, and many of the satisfactions of social life, can still be enjoyed. Nay, the mind of a good man can still be a kingdom to itself; and though confined in a prison, or stretched on a sick bed, peaceful and pleasing thoughts will occasionally arise to him, and fair prospects of futurity will present themselves to his view. Assisted by such considerations as these, let us enliven faith, strengthen patience, and animate hope, till we be enabled to overcome evil with good: always looking forward to better days; nourishing trust in the gracious government of the universe; and listening to him who hath said of old, and who still says to all his servants, Fear not, for I am with thee; be not afraid, for I am thy God. Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will answer thee; wait on the Lord, be of good courage; and he shall strengthen your hearts, all ye that wait upon the Lord. III. BE not overcome by the evil examples of the world, so as to follow them into sin. This undoubtedly is one of the most dangerous evils which good men are called to overcome; and where it is most difficult to gain the victory. He who, in the former instances that have been mentioned, can overcome evil with good; who can generously forgive injuries, and magnanimously bear up under misfortunes, will be often in hazard of being overcome by evil, under this form. After having maintained his ground against many a rough blast, he may be in danger of being betrayed by a flattering gale in the days of his ease and prosperity; of being insensibly carried down the stream by that multitude of evil-doers who surround and deceive him. For the character of the world too certainly is, that it lieth in wickedness. Fashions of vice may change with the times. In one age, one set of corrupt habits may prevail; and in another, the passions of men may take a different turn. But, in every age, the multitude of men will be prone to indulge vicious desires. On the surface of behaviour, vice may be disguised under a plausible and polished appearance, while at bottom there lies the poisoned root of evil. Pleasure will ever captivate the young and unthinking. Riches and advancement ensnare the more sober and stayed. Attached to their dif ferent pursuits, and connecting with them the ideas of wisdom and importance, the multitude will ridicule those who go not along with them, as formal and precise, as raw, uneducated, and ignorant of the world. Assailed by such reproaches, the timid become afraid; the modest are abashed; the complaisant and good-natured submit to their supposed friends. They begin to imagine that the general opinion of the world cannot but have some reason on its side; and, half seduced by persuasion, half compelled by ridicule, they surrender their former convictions, and consent to live as they see others around them living. Such are the evils which we must study to over come by good, if we wish to be esteemed either honourable men, or faithful Christians. And how are we to overcome them? This is the victory, says the apostle John, that overcometh the world, even our faith.* It is the steadiness of firm and rooted principle, of belief in God and Christ, of belief in the everlasting importance of religion and virtue, which you are to oppose to the host of evil doers.Consider, I beseech you, that no fashions nor opinions of men can effect that unalterable law of God, which rests on the eternal basis of rectitude and truth. Men, if they please, may call evil, good,―and good, evil; but as they cannot change the nature of things, their voice gives no sanction to any plan of conduct as right and wise. So far are you from having any chance of holding either a wise or a safe course by going along with the multitude, that he who implicitly follows them may be justly presumed to be in the path of error and of danger. For in every age the multitude have inquired superficially, have judged rashly, and acted inconsiderately. Concurs rence with general practice, neither affords justification of conduct, nor promises impunity in what is evil. The righteous Lord of all will never suffer his laws to be subjected to the capricious fancies of his creatures. Transgressors will neither be screened by their numbers, nor escape by being hidden in a crowd. In times, therefore, when corruption is prevalent, when vice under any of its modes is fashionable, we are particularly called upon to show that we have * 1 John, v. 4. See this subject fully discussed in Sermon LXIX. of this Vol. |