I.

II. A GOOD man has ground to expect SERMON that any external condition into which, in the course of human affairs, he may pass, shall, by means of virtue and wisdom, be rendered, if not perfectly agreeable, yet tolerably easy to him. That distresses of various kinds are scattered through the life of every mortal mortal man, there can be no doubt. But it is also to be remembered, that to many distresses there are remedies which it is in our power to apply; and that with all sorrows some comforts are mixed. So many loud complaints we hear of the inequalities of fortune in the world, that one would imagine the rich and the great to be the only persons who had the privilege of being happy; and that the mean and the poor were doomed, without exception, to be miserable. Be assured, my friends, that the inequality of real happiness is not to be measured by the inequality of outward estate. When you see the peasant cheerful in his cottage, and the labourer singing in the fields, you may discern that there is some power in the mind superior to external condition; that more depends on the man himself, than

on

.I.

SERMON On the situation in which the world has placed him. Would you estimate justly the sum of happiness that he enjoys, or the degree of unhappiness that he feels? The questions you are to put, if the man be in prosperity are not, How much wealth does such a man possess? but, How does he enjoy it? If he be in adversity, not, What is his distress? but, How does he bear it?

Hence arises the hope to a wise and good man of either finding, or making his state tolerable to himself. If he be not wanting to himself, he is never left without resources to assist those exertions which he makes in his own behalf. Roses indeed are not always strewed in his path; but from fields that are seemingly waste, flowers may be gathered by those who look carefully around them. Seldom or never do all good things forsake, and all evils beset a man, at once. In some corner of our lot there are always comforts that may be found, if we be not so foolish as to overlook them. Even in the intervals of sickness and pain, satisfactions may be enjoyed. Returns of relief are often felt with a more

I.

lively sensation of pleasure, than what we SERMON taste in unbroken health. It has been often observed, that what is very severe of any kind, seldom lasts long; and the uneasiness which lasts, we become accustomed to bear. Time and continuance reconcile us gradually to many things that were at first believed to be unsupportable. Providence has in mercy provided this gentle opiate to assuage various sorrows of human life. What we behold others around us bearing, we learn to think may also be borne by us. The spirit of man will long sustain his infirmities. From the treasures of his own mind in reflection and meditation, much relief will arise to the virtuous; and at the bottom of the most disconsolate estate, there lies always a secret hope that better days may come. From such circumstances as these, the expectation of passing through life with some measure of comfort, may reasonably be entertained by such as are not wanting to themselves in propriety of conduct. In looking forward to futurity, the prospect we are to take of the world is not that which is sometimes gloomily indulged, of a forlorn region, where nothing

VOL. V.

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is

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SERMON is to be beheld but dreary and inhospitable wastes, and no objects are to be met with but serpents that hiss, and wild beasts that devour. The prospect is rather that of a mixed region, where indeed rugged rocks are seen, and desarts extend, over which the tempest sometimes scowls; but where also many peaceful habitations and fruitful fields occur to refresh the sight. Once

more,

III. We have ground to expect from the ordinary course of human affairs, that if we persevere in studying to do our duty towards God and man, we shall meet with the esteem, the love, and confidence of those who are around us. I before observed, that in our expectations of receiving what we think due respect and consideration from the world, we shall be often disappointed. But that observation was applied to the claims we make on others, on account of talents, abilities, and superior merits. To such claims the world is seldom disposed to give a favourable reception. We live amidst rivals and competitors, whose selfestimation prompts them to depreciate us,

and

I.

and of course subjects us to many a mor- SERMON tification. The case is different with respect to moral qualifications. There the world is more ready to do justice to character. No man is hurt, at least few are so, by hearing his neighbour esteemed a worthy and honourable man. This praise will be bestowed, without grudging, by many who value themselves on the possession of qualities, which they conceive to be of superior importance in the judgment of the world.

But whatever they may think, it is certain that the basis of all lasting reputation is laid in moral worth. Great parts and endowments may sparkle for a while in the public eye. The world looks up to them with wonder, as to an extraordinary comet, or a blazing star. Distinguished virtue and worth create less astonishment; but, like the fixed luminaries of heaven, they shine with more steady and permanent lustre. Unaffected piety conjoined with inviolable uprightness and integrity in conduct, command a degree of respect which approaches to veneration. Candour and fairness never fail to attract esteem and trust. Kindness