discover the wisdom of the author of our frame; even our imperfections and follies are by him rendered subservient to useful ends. Amidst those inequalities of condition, for instance, which the state of human life required, where it was necessary that some should be rich, and others poor, that some should be eminent and distinguished, and others obscure and mean, how seasonable is that good opinion which every one entertains of himself, that self-complacency with which he compares himself to others; and that fond hope, which is ever pleasing him with the prospect of future pleasures and advan tages in life? Without those flattering sensations, vain as they often are, how totally insupportable would this world become to many of its inhabitants? Whereas, by means of them, Providence hath contrived to balance, Multitude to do Evil. 385 XIX. principles to serve the world. As long as SERMON he could be satisfied with his own conduct, he might bear up under undeserved discouragement; but when he becomes despicable in his own eyes, worldly honours lose their lustre.-What can the multitude do for you, after you have followed them in evil? They cannot restore to you the peace of an innocent mind, nor heal the sorrows of a wounded spirit, nor shield you from the displeasure of God. They can do little to support you in the hour of affliction, and nothing to deliver your souls in the day of death. Forsaken and disconsolate, the world, for the most part, casts off its votaries in the end; and when you compute the final amount, it will prove a very small consolation, that, as you have had sharers in guilt, you shall have companions also in punishment. Look forward to the issue of things. The multitude of men possess now, in a great measure, the distribution of praise and censure, of success and disappointment, according to their caprice. But this confused and promiscuous distribution is not always to subsist. The day cometh, when we all are VOL. IV. Cc to destiny of man. Our wish is denied; we are environed on all hands with mystery; and that mystery is our happiness: for, were those great invisible objects fully disclosed, the sight of them would confound and overwhelm us. It would either totally derange our feeble faculties, or would engross our attention to such a "degree, as to lay us aside from the business and concerns of this world. It would have the same effect, as if we were carried away from the earth, and mingled among the inhabitants of some other planet. The knowledge that is allowed to us, was designed to fit us for acting our part in our present state. At the exact point, therefore, where usefulness ends, knowledge stops, and ignorance commences. Light shines upon us, as long as it serves to guide our path; but forsakes us, as soon bodness. IN the second place, Let us contemplate station, which we see taking place; and those different talents and inclinations which prompt men to different pursuits. By these means, every department in society is filled up; and every man has some sphere prepared for him, in which he can act. He is brought forth as on a busy stage, where opportunity is given for his character to display itself fully.— His life is, with great propriety, varied by interchanges of prosperity and adversity. Always prosperous, he would become dissipated, indolent, and giddy always afflicted, he would be fretful, dejected, and sullen. There are few persons, therefore, or none, whose lot shares not of both these states; in order that every disposition of the heart may be explored, and every mean of improvement afforded. * See Serm. IV. Vol. iv. |