sations of Providence is, the perfect contentment and happiness which will mark our conduct. Rarely chagrined, or provoked, or turbulent, our life will pass on as a smooth quiescent stream, enriching, while it beautifies, the surrounding country. No sudden murmurs — no rebellious opposition against the decrees of heaven either adversity or prosperity will be welcomed alike.

Yes, my brethren, the truly pious and zealous Christian-however feigned or impracticable the doctrine may appear—the true Christian knows how to be abased, and how to abound. In every situation, in every reverse of things, whether for the better or the worse, he sees an Almighty hand that regulates all. He sees that the course of life of one human being, or of ten thousand human beings, is but a small particle in that vast and wonderful scale by which the universe is upheld: and that this life, or these lives, are ordained in a certain course, conformable to infinite wisdom, infinite justice, and infinite mercy. They form a part of the mighty whole-a link of the immeasurable chain which unites and upholds millions of worlds. No doubt such a Being knows, far better than ourselves, what is fit and proper for the regulation of his own

laws. The high and the low, the rich and the poor, are created and sustained by an unerring hand, an unsophisticated mind, and a power omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

Tothe Christian, the true philosopher, who thinks thus, and acts according to such thoughts, this lower world will always bring happiness and peace. The iron shower of adversity may beat upon his head-the shafts of malice, envy, and detraction may be shot to wound his repose-and the brightest hopes and fondest delights may be suddenly turned into bitterness and woe-yet, his bosom is tranquil, his mind is composed, his ́prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving are still wafted to heaven. He remains as the adamantine rock which repels and defies the opposing wave. The tempest may thunder at its feet, but it is the sunshine of heaven which encircles its head.

Lastly, he considers (what we ought all daily and hourly to consider) that the moment is fast approaching when all distinctions shall be levelled; when the splendour of rank will cease to dazzle, the voice of flattery to charm, and the blandishments of luxury to delight us: when neither the fondness of relatives,

nor the prayers of surrounding friends, can avert the fate which all mortality is hastening to experience. The cold and silent grave must be the lot both of the good and the bad. But the humble resigned Christian will, at the latter day, fall prostrate before his Redeemer and Judge, and triumphantly exclaim, " Loru I have never ceased to do thy will—to submit to thy decrees to kiss the rod which thou hast lifted up to chasten me. Think upon me, O my God! for good concerning this. Lord pardon my transgressions, and receive me into glory."

That this may be the ultimate and happy lot of every one here assembled, God of his infinite mercy grant, &c.

SERMON VIII.

LI. PSALM, latter part of 3d verse.

My sin is ever before me.*

TH HE verses which precede that, of part of which the text is composed, are as follow: "Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness: according to the multitude thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness: and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults and (in the words of the text) my sin is ever before me."

The first thing that strikes us, upon a consideration of these verses, is, the strain of humility in the supplicant, and the confidence upon the mercy of that Being to whom the supplication is directed. The dejected and penitent monarch of Israel lays open, as it were, his very heart and reins before the Great Jehovah-because, adds he, in a sub

* Preached at St. Mary's, April 11, 1824.

sequent verse," behold I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me."

Observe, my brethren, with what unfeigned contrition with what soul-touched sorrow

does this distinguished monarch, when prostrate before his Maker, entreat to be forgiven not on the ground of his merits not on any plea, title, or pretension of his virtues - but on the ground, and with the hope, entirely, of his Maker's benevolence and compassion after his great goodness — according to the multitude of his mercies he wish his offences to be done away

does

to

be washed thoroughly from his wickedness — and to be cleansed from his sin. "For (says he -as the only claim for such mercy and pardon-) I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me."

Not only therefore does he acknowledge his faults, but he confesses in the presence of the Almighty, that his Sin is ever before him. There is something peculiarly strong and expressive in this latter part of the verse. David knew it was very easy to acknowledge his faults- the exercise of the lips, after the the wanderings of the heart, being sufficiently simple and obvious: but he also knew that