It

man, will survive the body, and live for ever. will survive all the desolations and ravages of time, and exist to be the constant spectator of the successive scenes of eternity. The human soul is infinitely superiour, in point of dignity and importance, to all the objects and creatures, whose existence expires with time. And the faculties of perception, memory and reason, with which man is endued, enable him to proceed from one degree of knowledge to another in a constant and endless progression. Moreover, a chain, or connexion, runs through all the branches of human knowledge; so that the attainment of one degree or branch of knowledge facilitates the acquisition of another; and the more a man knows, the more he is capable of knowing. Besides, as all the powers and faculties of the mind brighten and expand by proper exercise; so a man's capacity for improvement expands, as the means and thirst for improvement increase. Reason and conscience chiefly constitute man a moral agent, and render him capable of every holy and virtuous affection. And as he is capable of growing in knowledge both intellectual and moral, so is he capable of growing in holiness in a constant series, and for an endless duration. Man has also a capacity for happiness, equal to his capacity for knowledge and holiness; and these are the origin or grand pillars, which support all true and substantial happiness. Knowledge and holiness in the Deity, are the source of all his happiness and blessedness; and angels rise in bliss in proportion as they advance in knowledge and holiness. Saints on earth, increase in happiness as they grow in grace, and in the knowledge of holy and divine objects. And if we follow man to glory, where his views, his affections, and his joys, are incessantly enlarging; we may form some faint conceptions of the amazing heights, to which man is capable of rising in endless and divine en

joyments. What a dignity does this give to man; and how near does it place him to principalities and powers above!

INFERENCES.

1st. A most pleasing and sublime idea is necessarily included in the contemplation of a human being.

What a pre-eminence has man over all the creatures of the earth! How elevated his station, and how abundant his means of improvement and enjoyment! And how solemn the thought, that a human being is born to die, and born for immortality! That while the animal frame is mouldering to dust. with its native earth, the soul is with kindred spirits in a world unknown. And what vast scenes will yet be presented to every one of the human. race! Though the eye may never be satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing, in the present state, yet every soul will be satisfied with the vast scenes of the conflagration of the world, the general resurrection, and the final judgment day. Must every human being be a companion of holy angels or of the spirits of darkness for ever! Such a reflection should fill our minds with solemnity. The scenery of this life is truly wondrous and majestick, but boundless scenes await us. Hence the very idea of a human being, is a thought of inconceivably vast importance. "Eternity! thou pleasing, dreadful thought!"

2dly. We see the vast importance, of cultivating and improving our minds in all the useful branches of human knowledge.

Next to religion, extensive knowledge in the various arts and sciences, is the brightest ornament of human nature. Such an acquisition enlarges, strengthens and polishes the human soul, and sets its beauty and dignity in a clear light. Learning has made astonishing distinctions a

mong the different nations of the earth. Those nations, who have enjoyed the enlightening beams of science, have appeared like a superiour order of beings, in comparison with those, who have dragged out their lives under the dark and gloomy shades of ignorance. All our natural powers are so many talents, which, in their nature, lay us under moral obligations to improve them to the best advantage. We were made to live an active life; to be the servants of God, and beneficial to each other. Knowledge and learning are of great utility in every station of life; therefore we cannot reach the summit of usefulness, and attain the great end of our being, without cultivating our mental powers according to our opportunities and ability, that we may be the more extensively useful in both the civil and moral world. Moreover, the arts and sciences, when properly cultivated, tend to promote genuine religion; therefore, they are called its handmaid. They serve to enlarge and exalt our views in relation to the works and perfections of God; and they do clearly define and make known our varied relations and obligations towards him, and towards our fellow men. Hence the importance of their cultivation for the improvement of our minds and for more extensive usefulness.

3dly. This subject may assist us, in ascertaining the proper boundaries of human attainments in knowledge.

Our rational powers, it is often said, are limited; and therefore, all our intellectual pursuits and improvements must be limited. This is doubtless true. But, unless men attempt to pry into things, which surpass created powers and faculties, I do not know, that they transgress the boundaries of human attainments. All that divines or philoso phers have to determine, is, whether the proposed subjects require more than created abilities to investigate them; for the human soul will be eternally increasing in knowledge. If the subject re

quire more than created abilities, it is in vain to proceed: If they do not, we have the same grounds to proceed that men ever had to attempt any new discoveries.

4thly. We may see from this subject, that the responsibility of human beings must be great.

As their station in the great scale of being is elevated, so they have opportunity of doing much good, by wisely improving the talents entrusted to their charge. They who have knowledge, wealth, influence, or any other talents, should improve them as wise and faithful stewards of their Lord and Master. In what station soever we are placed, we are not to act merely with a view to our own ease and interest, but for the good of the community. Opportunities of education and religious instruction, natural and acquired abilities, the calls of Providence and conscience; all social, civil, and religious means and privileges, will be brought to view at the great day of retribution. And who does not feel that his responsibility is great? Even though some have far more extensive opportunities and privileges than others, who can say that only one talent is committed to his charge? But whether we spend our probationary state in the ways of wisdom or folly, our responsibility will at last appear to be momentously great.

Delightful indeed the contemplation of a human being in all his relations and dignity, if he walk in wisdom's ways; but dreadful reflection to live and die an apostate from God, and from all the glories of his moral kingdom. Then may our souls and bodies be dedicated to Him and all our talents consecrated to his glorious service both now andfor ever more. Amen.

SERMON V.

MAN URGED TO ACT WORTHILY OF HIS DIGNIFIED NATURE.

1 KINGS II. 2.

Show thyself a Man.

HAVING in the preceding discourse pointed out some of the characteristicks of a human being, the way is prepared to show how human beings should conduct, would they show themselves men, or act as becometh rational, accountable, and immortal beings.

The first thing they have to do, is to cease to do evil, and learn to do well.

There are none who have not gone astray; for the word of God asserts, the whole world lieth in wickedness. How then does it become man to refrain from every ignoble act which degrades his nature, and to cultivate all manly and noble virtues which are consonant to his important station. Let him that has stolen, steal no more. Let those who imprudently have wounded the feelings of a friend, or injured their neighbour or themselves by their evil ways, be watchful for the future. Whether mankind have transgressed in a greater or less degree, the voice of wisdom calls to immediate reformation. Aged sinners and bold transgressors may well forbear; and surely, since youth are rational,, accountable, and immortal beings, they should readily turn from that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good.

The subject has been considered in its fairest view, or on the bright side of the question. Hence,