to the celestial mansions, and prompting us to pursue the supreme felicity of our nature! But certainly that cannot be called evil, with propriety, which has a happy tendency for evil proceeds from a bad disposition, and with a view to a bad end.

Had God been a malevolent Being, every sense which ministers to our enjoyment might have been made, on the contrary, an organ of pain; and the objects of each could have been rendered offensive and disgusting. Had God been a malevolent Being, would not spring have returned without its delicious fragrance, summer without its fairest flowers, and harvest without its precious fruits? Had God been a malevolent Being, perhaps clouds would have concealed for ever the glory of the firmament, the day and night returned in endless succession without the splendour of a morning sun, or the glow

of an evening sky. Now, if ever you were pleased, while contemplating the beauties of nature at the dawn of the day; if ever you felt a sentiment of adoration, when "considering the heavens, the moon, and the stars;" if ever you experienced an emotion of joy, when " the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;" in short, if you were ever delighted with observing the different hues of the foliage, and the various tints of the flowers between vernal bloom and autumnal decay ;-rest assured that God is good. "O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" In consequence of his wise and beneficent arrangements, transient evil enhances the enjoyment of future happiness, and relief from pain is accompanied with pleasure, which would never have been felt but for the pangs that precede. Much might be

added to this important discussion; but I must now leave it to your own meditation.

To sum up the whole: since there is a God, who is infinite in power, wisdom, and goodness, serve him in sincerity. When you contemplate the exertions of his power, stand in awe, and sin not; when you muse on the displays of his wisdom, acquiesce in his dispensations; and let me add, in conclusion, when you think of his goodness, your hearts ought to glow with gratitude and love. Amen.

SERMON II.

ON BENEVOLENCE.

HEBREWS, xiii. 1.

"Let brotherly love continue."

THE text, if taken in a limited sense, may be considered as a solemn admonition to the Hebrews to cultivate mutual affection, at a period when their minds were agitated by keen controversy, and their persons exposed to cruel persecution. If received in a more extended acceptation, in which light it is now to be viewed, then it may be regarded as a recommendation of general benevolence. The very existence of

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this virtue has sometimes been questioned, its character frequently mistaken, and its practice often neglected: Therefore, to shew the reality; to explain the nature; and to recommend the exercise of benevolence, shall be the business of this dis

course.

Man is unquestionably endowed with moral perception and sentiment. Certain dispositions and actions are objects of his approbation, while others of a different description provoke his severest censure. Actuated by the impulse of native feeling, he has attached himself to the side of integrity (till his moral principles are perverted indeed), befriended the virtuous, and considered their enemies as his own. Of all the objects of moral approbation benevolence is one of the chief: And, by disputing its existence, some authors have thereby betrayed their ignorance. not every language a name for benevolence

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