SERMON I. On HOPES and DISAPPOINTMENTS. PROVERBS, X. 28. The hope of the Righteous shall be gladness; but the expectation of the Wicked shall perish. ATTACHMENT to futurity has a re- SERMON markable influence on the operations of the human mind. The present, whatever it be, seldom engages our attention so much as what is to come. Remembrance of the past may sometimes occupy our thoughts; but what for the most part fills them, is the anticipation of the future. The present is apt to be considered as an evanescent scene, just about to pass away; and VOL. V. B I. SERMON and in the midst of wishes and desires, of I. hopes and fears, which all respect futurity, may I. may not, reasonably expect from the world, SERMON when we look forward to what is most likely to happen, in the ordinary course of human affairs. I. WE are not to expect the uninterrupted continuance of any measure of health, prosperity, or comfort, which we now enjoy. There is the greater reason for beginning with this admonition, as there is a strong propensity in human nature to imagine that what we at present possess, is always to remain. When no warnings of any approaching change appear, we are all inclined to look forward to futurity with a smile; and to indulge the hope that to-morrow shall be as this day, and even more abundantly. Hence, in the lives of thoughtless men, there breaks forth so much folly and presumption, so much pride and levity, and often so much impiety and contempt of religion. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Or what profit shall we have, if we pray unto him? Our mountain stands strong; and shall never be moved. On the lot of some men Providence is pleased to bestow a longer continuance of prosperity B 2 SERMON prosperity than on that of others. I. ! But as the term of that continuance is hidden from us, all flattering and confident expectations are without foundation. At one period or another, it is certain that the calm is to be troubled, and the dark cloud is to arise; and how soon that period is to come, you cannot tell. In your health, or your fortune, or among your connexions and friends, be assured that some trial awaits you. For human life never stands still for any long time. It is by no means a fixed and steady objects like the mountain or the rock which you always find in the same situation; it is a river continually moving and flowing. Neither is it the still and smooth stream which glides along with the same constant tenour; but a river which for a time may hold a regular course within its banks, till, being interrupted by rocks, it foams into a torrent, or, swoln by foreign currents, it lays waste the neighbouring plains. Amidst such vicissitudes of time and life, who has any title to reckon upon the future ?-To faults, all are subject; to troubles, all are exposed. As that man is the most virtuous who can be charged |