enjoy it with moderation, and diffuse it with cheerfulness: If their lot is adverse, they bow with refignation to the divine difpofal; they are patient under correction; and they improve it also to their final good.

Such are the characters which our Lord pronounces bleffed; and to which he affigns this Beatitude, that they shall inherit the Earth.

The words of this Beatitude are adopted from the Pfalmift, who exprefsly fays, that "The Meek fhall inherit the Earth :" alluding most probably to that inheritance of the Land of Canaan, which was promised to the Ifraelites, on condition of their conformity to the will and character of God. In reference to this promise under the Law, our Lord has given to perfons of the fame defcription a correfponding promise under the Gospel, that they fhall inherit the Earth: not that they fhall have an appropriate allotment like the Children of Ifrael in the divifion of the land; but they shall have a full fufficiency of worldly goods.

In the literal fenfe of this promise our Lord coincides with the general wishes and

P Pfalm xxxvii, 11.

defires

defires of men.

To enjoy an abundance of worldly goods has engaged the very ferious pursuits of mankind under every system of religious faith. Whatever they may believe or hope of a future recompence, to this they look as a certain, immediate, and effential good. For this they compafs land and fea: for this they encounter every danger and fubmit to every toil: for this they rife up early, and go late to reft, and eat the bread of care. The great object of human labour and enterprize is a portion or poffeffion of the earth, as what they commonly fuppofe will yield the happiness they feek. And fome degree of comfort it no doubt implies; otherwise it would not be propofed as one, though indeed a fubordinate, recompence of godlinefs.

It is true, the Religion of Chrift does not dwell in general, like that of Mofes, on a temporal recompence; because it has in ftore an exceeding great reward, which totally eclipfes all the tranfitory goods of this life. As the light under which we live has given us a far clearer view of better things to come, we cannot repine that the providence of God is not fo exact in apportioning to us the benefits of this life, as it was to the Jews, who had received no explicit afsurance

of

of a full remuneration in the life hereafter. But though the chief beatitude of Christians is placed in another world, our Lord has not omitted to fet before us a partial recompence in the present world, as a more immediate incitement to the cultivation of holinefs..

For though he difcommends and diffuades all inordinate anxiety for the neceffaries of this life, as of fmall concern when put in competition with our eternal weal, yet he affures us of the divine care to provide for all our temporal wants, if we give our principal attention to the interefts of futurity. "Be not full of care, faying, What shall we eat, or what fhall we drink, or wherewithal fhall we be clothed? For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But feek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you 9."

But how, it may be asked, is this promife of our Lord fulfilled upon the Meek? In the common course of things do they really inherit or enjoy the earth? Does it not rather appear from the history of mankind and from our own experience, that the men of an op

Mat. vi. 31, 32, 33.

pofite

pofite temper and character have usually contrived to fecure to themselves the fairest tion of this inheritance?

por

It must be acknowledged, that the grasping and the turbulent by their art or by their enterprize have usually acquired a more oftenfible inheritance of earthly goods. Placing all their happiness in worldly poffeffions, they employ all means to attain them; without fcrupulously confidering whether the means be right or wrong. But it is their fate continually to strive, yet never to attain the happiness they feek. The object is pursued with unremitting care and difquietude of foul. And when they have fecured to themselves an ample competence of worldly wealth, they are no nearer happiness than when they began the fearch. They are ftimulated with a vain and infatiable defire of adding to their poffeffions, they are haraffed with apprehenfions of lofing by difingenuous means what they have by difingenuous means acquired. And a ferious reflexion, as life advances, muft frequently intrude upon their troubled hearts, that while they have been so intent on amaffing worldly riches, they have neglected to lay up treasures in heaven which alone are incorruptible and enduring, and that an hour is drawing nigh, when this inheritance

inheritance which they have fought on earth must entirely fail them, and having no better inheritance in referve, they must be poor indeed.

The Meek on the contrary may be truly faid to inherit the Earth, because they really enjoy the comforts which the Earth fupplies. In fome rare circumstances indeed the cause of righteousness may demand extraordinary facrifices. But in the common course of things this truly Christian difpofition administers to temporal enjoyment, and conftitutes their portion of worldly goods a valuable inheritance.

By contracting their defires and by regulating their pursuits they inherit the earth more effectually than thofe, whofe portion is abundance. A fmall provifion by content and economy is rendered equal to great opulence. "A little that the righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith '." By fobriety and temperance in all lawful indulgences they retain a relish for the bounties of providence, and health to enjoy them to a good old age. By industry and diligence in their stations and capacities in life they pro

Pfalm xxxvii. 16. Prov. xv. 16.

vide