state? Did you, could you expect, that in this mutable world, any temporal joy was to last for ever? Has gratitude no influence to form your minds to a calm acquiescence in your benefactor's appointments? What can be more reasonable than to say, "Having "in former times received so many good things from "the hand of God, shall I not now, without mur"muring, receive the few evils which it pleases him " to send ?"

IN the fourth place, not only the goods of life are, upon the whole, greater than its evils; but the evils which we suffer are seldom, or never, without some mixture of good. As there is no condition on earth of pure unmixed felicity, so there is none so miserable, as to be destitute of every comfort. Entire, and complete misery, if ever it take place, is of our own procuring, not of God's sending. None but the most gross and atrocious sinners can be in such a situation, as to discover no ray of relief or hope. In the ordinary distresses of life, it is generally our own folly and infirmity, which, upon the loss of some one blessing that we had highly prized, deprives us of satisfaction in all other things. Many of our calamities are purely imaginary, and self-created; arising from rivalship or competition with others, and from false opinions of the importance of objects, to which custom and fashion have annexed an ideal value. Were these mistaken opinions once corrected by reason, the evil would disappear, and contentment would resume its place. With respect to those calamities which are inflicted by God, his Providence has made this wise and merciful constitution, that, after the first shock, the burden by degrees is light

ened. Time brings a gentle and powerful opiate to all misfortunes. What is very violent cannot last long; and what lasts long, we become accustomed to bear. Every situation that is permanent, at length is felt to be tolerable. The mind accommodates itself to it; and by degrees regains its usual tranquillity. Hence the greatest part of the evils of life are more terrible in the previous apprehension, than in the actual feeling; and it seldom happens but, in one corner or other, something is found on which the mind can lay hold for its relief.

How many, for instance, do we behold around us, straitened in their worldly circumstances, and yet finding the means to live cheerfully, with poverty and peace in the same habitation? If we are deprived of friends whom we tenderly loved, are there not still some remaining, from whom we may expect much comfort? If our bodies are afflicted with sore disease, have we not reason to be thankful that our mind continues vigorous and entire; that we are in a situation to look around us for whatever can afford us ease; and that, after the decay of this frail and mouldering tabernacle, we can look forward to a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens? In the midst of all distresses, there remains to every sincere Christian, that mixture of pure and genuine consolation, which springs from the promises and hopes of the Gospel. Consider, I beseech

you, what a singularly happy distinction this makes in your situation, beyond the state of those who, under the various troubles of life, are left without hope, and without God in the world; without any thing to look to, but a train of unknown causes and accidents, in which they see no light nor comfort. Thank the

Father of mercies, that into all the evils he sends he infuses this joyful hope, that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in the end, to the virtuous and good.

The

In the fifth and last place, as the evils which we suffer are thus alleviated by a mixture of good; so we have reason to believe, that the evils themselves are, in many respects, good. When borne with patience and dignity, they improve and ennoble our character. They bring into exercise several of the manly and heroic virtues; and, by the constancy and fidelity with which we support our trials on earth, prepare us for the highest rewards in Heaven. -It has always been found, that the present constitution of human nature cannot bear uninterrupted prosperity, without being corrupted by it. poisonous weeds which spring up in that too luxuriant soil, require the hand of adversity to extirpate them. It is the experience of sorrow and distress that subdues the arrogance of pride, tames the violence of passion, softens the hardness of the selfish heart, and humanizes the temper to feel for the woes of others. Many have had reason to say, that it was good for them to be afflicted.* When men take the timbrel and the harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ, they are apt to say unto God, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. What is the Almighty that we should serve him? But when they are holden in cords of affliction, then he sheweth them their work and their transgressions that they

*Psalm cxix. 71.

have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.* Is his case to be deplored as highly calamitous, who, by forfeiting some transient enjoyments of the world, purchases lasting improvement in piety and virtue, and exchanges a few of the good things of this life. for the better things of another?

INFLUENCED by such considerations as these, let us look up with reverence to the great Disposer of events; and under any distress with which he is pleased to visit us, let us utter no other voice but this; Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? - Men are too often ingenious in making themselves miserable, by aggravating to their own fancy, beyond bounds, all the evils which they endure. They compare themselves with none but those whom they imagine to be more happy; and complain that upon them alone has fallen the whole load of human sorrows. Would they look with a more impartial eye on the world, they would see themselves surrounded with sufferers; and find that they are only drinking out of that mixed cup which Providence has prepared for all. "I will restore

your daughter again to life," said the Eastern sage to a prince who grieved immoderately for the loss of a beloved child, "provided you are able to engrave "on her tomb the names of three persons who have "never mourned." The prince made enquiry after such persons; but found the enquiry vain, and was silent. To every reasonable person, who retains the belief of religious principles, many alleviating

* Job, xxi. 12. xxxvi. 8.

circumstances, and many arguments for patience, will occur, under every distress. If we rest on this firm persuasion, that there is a wise and just Providence which disposes of all events, we shall have reason to conclude, that nothing happens to us here without some good design: Trusting that a happy termination shall at last arrive to the disorders of our present state, we shall be enabled, amidst all the varieties of fortune, to preserve that equanimity which befits Christians, and under every trial to say, It is the Lord; let him do what seemeth good in his sight.