SERMON XX.

REJOICE IN THE LORD.

PSALM LXIV. 10.

The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord, and put his trust in him; and all they, that are true of heart, shall be glad.

THE great enquiry after happiness, so anxiously pursued, because of the first importance to every individual, and so long pursued in vain, because God had not revealed the secret, has been terminated at length by the Christian religion.

It is impossible that any worldly source can be productive of permanent happiness; because the very things, from which we endeavour to obtain it, are in their own nature so inconstant, and of such uncertain continuance; and even if

they were most secure, they could not satisfy the desires of man, still less furnish an adequate remedy for the afflictions, to which he is perpetually exposed. We want something, not merely from which we may extract a little present joy, while fortune smiles, and our outward circumstances are in a prosperous state, but on which we may depend as a friend, and certain cause of happiness under all circumstances; something which may never fail us, which among all the changes and chances of this mortal life," may itself be settled and abiding, incapable of change, and not liable to accident. For any thing of this stable and immutable character, we shall look in vain among all the objects which this passing world exhibits to our view; the eternal and unchangeable God alone can supply it from the exhaustless fountain of everlasting goodness. He it was, who at last ended the vain and fruitless enquiries of man, by sending down from the blissful regions of Heaven, that Gospel, which communicated the good tidings of great joy to all nations; and the way of happiness, therein revealed, is the only way in which it can be successfully pursued. What substantial grounds of happiness these are to all who sincerely embrace this Gospel! The doctrines, the promises, and the precepts of Christianity, are

all most graciously designed, and most wisely adapted to produce that desirable effect; how ought our hearts to be comforted by a contemplation of the doctrines which tell us, that God forgives us our sins, protects us by his providence, assists us by his Spirit! that He is our Father, our Redeemer, our Sanctifier! How ought we to rejoice in the promises, which open to our view an endless state of glory and joy, beyond the narrow confines of our present abode, so often the scene of severe trials, and heavy afflictions! And how thankful should we be for the

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easy yoke, and the light burthen," of those commandments, which, instead of being grievous," have for their object the removal, and utter extinction of all the most fruitful causes of human misery and disquietude, the evil passions of the natural mind, and the consequent implanting of peace within our own bosoms, and the universal diffusion of harmony throughout the world!

But notwithstanding the beautiful picture of happiness, which may be drawn from the representations of the Gospel, and notwithstanding that many Christians speak of themselves as having actually realised it in their own souls, and as being in the absolute enjoyment of comfort far above any thing which the world can bestow, or the worldly understand, there are

instances in which this happy religion, though sincerely entertained and diligently cultivated, appears not to be so certain in its operation, or so invariable and uniform in the effect ascribed to it. Christians, (not mere nominal professors, but decided and attached disciples of Christianity) are to be found, who are far from being happy, and whose distresses seem to furnish a practical refutation of all the arguments, plausible as they may be, which have been advanced on this subject. I acknowledge the justice of this observation; let us examine into the causes of the fact, and see whether it is a solid objection to the truth of what has been said.

In the first place I will notice temporal afflictions. Christians are not exempt from these; nor is it possible, or even desirable, that these human feelings (implanted in the heart by a wise Creator for a good purpose) should be wholly suppressed and rooted out; Christians are but men, and as men equally liable, with all the rest of their species, to misfortunes, and its attendant sorrows; as men they must suffer, and as men suffering they must feel. I know that grief has by some been supposed to be actually sinful, as if it were a repining against God's chastisements, and a questioning of his mercy; they think that a thorough acquiescence

in the dealings of providence cannot exist, unless violence is done to the softer emotions of the heart; and the rebellious tear, which begins to start from the eye, is driven back to its natural fountain. But surely this is an erroneous view surely God does not desire that the warm and tender affections which he has given us, should be altogether frozen and petrified; if He permits us to love our friends, while they remain with us, undoubtedly he allows us to mourn for them, when taken away; otherwise we should suppose him to require an impossibility; for whom we love in life, it is impossible not to lament when dead; unless you imagine that long cherished love can in an instant cease to be, and indifference be substituted in its place. I confine my remarks to the greatest affliction which man can suffer, because what is true of this, must of course be true, in proportion, of every inferior cause of distress; and I say, that I do not believe that grief can be, in its nature, offensive to God; I do not believe that the Gospel so represents it; at least, I know that He "who did not sin," but was in all things pleasing to his Father, through the perfection of his obedience, gave signs of human feeling on a similar occasion; He, who in the greatest of all trials, submitted himself wholly, and with entire resignation, to whatever