these prejudices, and for a justification of the assertion contained in my text, I shall mention some of those worldly advantages, both general and particular, which render apparent the excellence of the Christian religion.

First, then, it appears that the Gospel is exceedingly useful for all sorts of men, in all capacities, states, and relations; inasmuch as it disposes them to manage all their respective concerns, and discharge all their peculiar duties, in a proper, just, and decent manner. It renders superiors equal and moderate in command, mild in conversation, and benign in demeanour. It disposes inferiors to be faithful, loving, and diligent. It inclines princes to be careful for their subjects' good, and renders subjects ready to observe the laws prescribed by their governors conscientiously, patiently, and cheerfully. It renders all men just and punctual in their dealings, orderly and quiet in their behaviour, and apt to assist, to relieve, and to comfort one another. It is, therefore, the concern of all men who (as the Psalmist says) desire to live well, and would fain see good days-of all who have any considerable interest in the world, to consider the Gospel (independently of all other considerations) as the best instrument of their security, and the undisturbed enjoyment of the accommodations of their state. It is in all respects, then, the best wisdom and policy; that which will as well preserve their outward state here, as save their souls hereafter. All the arts and tricks, all the sleights and resources of worldly cunning, signify nothing in comparison of this one plain, easy way, of securing and promoting our interest; it is so excellent, even in this point of view, that but for it, all things would be lost.

If, then, it is the greatest of all follies to covet the fruit, and not cultivate the stock from whence it springs -if a ruler would have his subjects loyal, if a master would have his servants observant, if a parent would have his children grateful, if a man would have his

friend faithful-if every one would have those with whom they converse just and sincere if to bear any relation to men of this stamp be happiness, then is the Gospel most excellent, even in this world, for from the Gospel do these good dispositions and sound practices ever proceed.

If a man be prosperous and wealthy in condition, the Gospel guards him from all mischief incident to that state, and while it disposes him to enjoy its best advantages, it keeps him from being swelled with conceit, and transported with fond complacence in his fortune. It reminds him that his lot is the gift of God, that it depends upon His disposal, that it may be soon taken away from him, and that he cannot otherwise than by humility and gratitude, and by the good use of it, be sure to retain it. It preserves him from luxury, sloth, forgetfulness of God and himself; it maintains among the floods of plenty a sober mind.

Nor are the effects of the Gospel less remarkable or less important in a contrary state. The precepts of our blessed Saviour keep the spirit of a man above dejection, and free him from grievous solicitude; they show him that, notwithstanding the straitness of his present condition, and the scantiness of his outward fortune, he hath a title to goods infinitely more precious and more considerable.

Under the influence of the Gospel, a man only of a common spirit often becomes in every adversity resolved and steady to his trust, inflexible to ill, just even to obstinacy, and smiles with superior greatness at the fierceness and cruelty of oppression.

If honour be one source of happiness in this world, the Christian is not always without his share of it, for the effects of genuine piety are so venerable and amiable, that there is scarcely any man, whatever be his habits and opinions, who does not hold it in estimation.

The Christian hath all the feelings of power, for he

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conquers and commands himself, which is the bravest victory and the noblest empire. He quells fleshly lusts, subdues inordinate passions, and repels strong temptations; and observe, that the consciousness of this sort of power, and the pleasure which results from it, are not mere images of speech, but they are existing feelings, that throb in the soul with more joy than when a rival faction has been crushed, or thousands of unhappy men are laid low in the dust. He who has tasted of that power which awes his own irregular nature, looks down on the dominion of the world as a man in the full vigour of life, regards the playing of a child.

The Christian enjoys the only pleasures which are pure, durable, and solid - the pleasures arising from the sense of God's favour, the pardon of his sins, and the anticipation of future bliss. In comparison to these pleasures all others are sordid impurities, brutish sensualities, and transient flashes of delight, such as are unsavoury to a rational appetite, tinctured with bitterness and pursued by remorse. If any man in this world can boast of safety, or liberty, or case, it is the disciple of Christ; he is free from the bondage of sin; God upholdeth him with his hand, that none of his steps should slide, and keeps him in perfect peace, because his mind. is stayed on the word of Christ.

Thus all good worldly fruits and consequences, which men pursue so eagerly, result in the best and highest degree from the Gospel, and from the Gospel alone.. All the philosophical boasts that a wise man is only rich, only happy, only above fortune, are verified in the pious man and the Christian. To him alone, without vanity, and with a sure foundation, this aphorism may be applied. Abstracted from religion, and under the mere light and power of nature, it is a paradox and a fiction; or if a wise man (as the friends of natural religion would call an infidel) is free, he is free as an outcast is free; he has no restriction, but he has no goal; he is at

liberty to move to all points, but he has no fervent wish to move to any one: it is a barren privilege, which extinguishes all motive when it abolishes all restraint. But the Gospel gives a delightful object and a clear path; it teaches us for what we should act, and how we should act, and lays before us such distinct and powerful motives of conduct, that it effectually banishes all speculative difficulties, and marks and limits and divides the pathless deserts of the mind. This excellent effect of the Gospel is so established, that the almost inevitable progress is from infidelity to endless doubt. Men do not give up Christianity to cling to any other faith, but to abandon all faith, and to quit every prop and hold that keeps them up from the fathomless regions of doubt. Look at a person who adheres to the rules of the Gospel. You will find him of cheerful mind and composed passions, to be at peace with himself, to live in comely order and in firm concord with his neighbour. Observe what keeps the mind in vigour, what saves and improves the estate, what upholds a good name, what guards and graces a whole life;—it is the Gospel of Christ. If we view a place where its laws are observed, we shall discern that peace and plenty flourish there, that all things proceed sweetly and fairly, that few clamours and complaints are heard there, that few disasters occur there, that such a place has the outward air and inward substance of paradise.

In fine, the precepts of religion are no other than a physician would prescribe for the health of the body, a politician for the good of the state, an epicurean for the tranquillity of his mind, and the pleasure of his life. It is such as common reason dictates, and daily experience shows to be conducive to our welfare; which, were there no laws exacted of us, we should choose to observe, and voluntarily impose upon ourselves.

There is this excellence in the Gospel which I have not yet dwelt upon that it furnishes the only antidote

and preservative against weariness and disgust at all the occupations of life. We have seen kings abdicate their crowns, and statesmen plunge themselves into solitude. Scholars have cast away their books, great captains have mourned over their trophies, pride has put on sackcloth and ashes, the heart has sickened in the meridian splendour of beauty, but the heart can dwell for ever in Christ. The hope of another life is the only exquisite feeling which can never fatigue, the only transport which does not carry lassitude and mourning in its train, the only lofty pleasure here upon earth which is always youthful, always strong, and always new. With all other things there is always a dead fly in the box which mars the ointment, one speck of rottenness in the purest white, an atom of sin in the fairest virtue -some adherent inconvenience which sours the taste of enjoyment, some good thing absent which we want, or some bad thing present which we abhor. If, therefore, we would find great pleasures, that are permanent as well as great, here we must seek them; and then, when they are obtained, what are the evils of the world to him who carries about with him this talisman and charm? What is disgrace to him whom God regards? What is danger to him whom God protects ? What is distress to him whom God comforts? What is any thing to him who is sensible that all things are purposely disposed by that Wisdom which knoweth what is best, and which entirely loveth him?

We may believe that the Gospel renders a man a true friend and a good companion to himself; for he who is satisfied with himself is able to converse freely and pleasantly with his own thoughts. His solitude and retirement are not only tolerable, but commonly the most grateful and fruitful part of his life. He searches and discusses his heart, reflects on the past, enforces former resolutions, inquires after edifying truths, stretches his meditations towards heavenly objects, and warms his