got all the gold of Ophir?" For the space of thirty years the counsels of Cosmus were the laws of the state, and acts of benevolence his only intrigues. Florence, with one consent, adorned his tomb with this inscription-the father of his country.” They who act well the part assigned them in this probationary scene, shall indeed be held in everlasting remembrance. God is their friend. What although they may be exposed to various disasters, his almighty power can arrest the pestilence in its progress, and the destroying angel vanishes at his rebuke. What though tempest overtake the mariner? that sovereign Ruler who sits King on the floods, can bring him safe to the haven which he desires to see. But they who never view this life as a state of religious discipline, nor study to obtain the divine favour, are truly miserable. Ashamed to meet the eye of innocence, abashed before the fearless front of 66 integrity, they wander like Cain, “ as fugitives and vagabonds on the earth,” and are doomed to feel the most accursed degradation. Never throw off the salutary restraints of religion: When the bank is demolished, the flood has often deluged the plain. Finally, While endeavouring to regulate the Temper, the Imagination, the Habits, and the Opinions of youth, implore the blessing of heaven on your sincere attempts, and pray that the young may advance in wisdom and virtue, while they grow up as olive-plants around the table; so that when their God and yours comes at last to render unto all according to their works, you may present your children at the tribunal of Jesus, with exceeding joy. Amen. SERMON IV. ON PROVIDENCE. Preached at the opening of the Synod of Fife, PSAL. xxii. 28. "The kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the Governor among the nations." To a pious mind, the employment of contemplating the operations of Providence, as exhibited in the government of the world, is truly interesting. It is proposed, therefore, at present, I. To offer some remarks, with a view to establish the doctrine of a superintending Providence. II. To recommend a becoming trust in the benevolent tendency of the divine administration.-While I attempt to discuss this subject, I am persuaded that my reverend fathers and brethren will hear me with patience and candour. The times are peculiar in which we live; the most important doctrines of religion have been denied; our country has been threatened with invasion by an inveterate foe; in short, this provincial synod has seldom met at a period more awful and alarming. I. I am to prove the doctrine of a divine Providence. That God presides in every department of nature, and exercises a superintending care over the works of his hand, has been believed in every nation and in every age.* * His animating influ * Providentia Dei mundus et omnes mundi partes et initio constitutæ fuerunt, et omni tempore administrantur. Cic. ence pervades the universe. It is felt in the calm recesses of the forest, as well as in the troubled waters of the swelling flood. The belief of this doctrine is universal: For the cavils of sceptical men are not to be considered as detracting from its universality. The universality of its reception is probably the result of some primeval tradition, which, though obscured in different regions of the earth, has never been entirely effaced. What is providence, but the exercise of the divine attributes? And can he whose attributes are perfect be unemployed, or slumber for a moment on the throne of the universe? A state of sloth or perpetual repose is inconsistent with every rational conception of excellence. That "the Shepherd of Israel, who never slumbers nor sleeps," should be an indifferent spectator of his works, is an idea repugnant to rational religion, and authentic history, and |