taken away, except by the permission of Him who gave them; and that if GoD permit him to be deprived of them, it is because it is more for his real advantage. To GoD he looks up with gratitude for all he enjoys; to GoD he is ready cheerfully to resign every blessing He has given. He therefore possesses a degree of tranquillity which no bad man ever felt.

Secondly; if the bad man should even persuade himself that he has nothing to fear after death, still every man knows that he must die. In a very few years this must happen; it may be in a very few hours; and the more a man is attached to the good things of this life, the greater is his dread of losing all by death. But the good man knows that death is the gate of life, and the road to happiness far superior to any he could enjoy here below. Thus we find, that, in the most prosperous state, the bad man must be tormented with fear and anxiety, while the good man is tranquil, composed, and happy.

But as prosperity comes alike to all, so does adversity. Each of these men may be placed by Providence in want, in sickness, in pain, or in sorrow. Which of them will then find most comfort under his affliction? Every heart can

answer this question, for it admits of no doubt. While the one trembles under the avenging wrath of an angry GoD, the other acknowledges the kind severity of a tender parent. The first has no comfort, no support, for he has neither trust in God, nor hope of heaven. The other knows that his light afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work for him an eternal weight of glory. Humbled under the mighty hand of GOD, he suffers indeed, but he is patient and resigned. He feels the loss of what was dear to him, but he knows that is not lost for ever. His sufferings only increase his diligence. He knows they were sent for his real good, and from his heart he thanks GOD for them. Pain may be hard to bear, the loss of a dear friend may force his tears to flow; but through every trial, every affliction, he will still know and feel that even in this world there is a reward for the righteous; that even in this world the good man enjoys that peace, which the wicked can never know.

But it may perhaps be said, that there are cases in which the advantage as to worldly prosperity is on the side of the bad man, and when he who will not disobey GOD must sacrifice what wicked

men enjoy. It cannot be denied that this may often happen. A wicked man inay obtain riches by means which a virtuous man cannot practise ; and still he may not be liable to punishment from the laws of his country. To set the answer to this objection in the clearest light, I will suppose the bad man raised to the highest degree of prosperity, and the good man sunk to the lowest point of affliction and distress; and still I say that this last is the happier man. To prove this, it is only necessary to observe that the one lives and dies in fear, and that the other lives and dies in hope;-fear, which will poison every enjoyment;-hope, which will sweeten every

sorrow.

The one is conscious of guilt, and lives in fear of punishment; the other has reason to trust in the mercy of GOD, and lives in hope of an everlasting reward.

And now let me ask of every one who hears me, which of these is the happier man? I hope no Christian can be in doubt what answer to give.

These are the advantages, these are the triumphs, of Christianity; and blessed are they who make it the rule of their lives. In prosperity and adversity, in youth and age, in health and sickness, in life and death, they will enjoy that

peace which this world cannot give; that peace which only good men can experience, and which passeth all understanding.

Now to God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be ascribed all honour and glory, adoration and praise, now and for evermore. Amen.

SERMON IX.

ST. LUKE ii. 51, 52.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

HAVING endeavoured to explain our duty

to God, I proceed to consider what He has commanded us in regard to our fellowcreatures; for the foundation of every duty, of every kind, is the command of GOD. Our reverence for the great Creator is to accompany us in every action of life. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" is the Christian's inquiry on every occasion; and he looks for the answer to it in his Bible. His duty to his neighbour is a