manner in which common experience shews men actually are. Since fober attention and fincere exertion improve these principles, while by neglect they are as certainly weakened and at length deftroyed; and thus the fentence of our Divine Mafter begins to be executed even in this life; for to them who have is given and they have more abundantly, and from them who have not, is taken away even that which they have. While the analogy thus vifible between the acts of God's natural government, and the denunciations of the gospel, forms no weak argument for their both proceeding from the fame original; and fhews indeed, that the visible judgement of this life, and the revealed recompences of the next, are both parts of the fame providential system of divine government; the whole dispensation being founded in the nature that our Creatour hath given us. us. Untill they can alter this nature, and make vice no longer productive of misery; and temperance and righteoufness no longer to lead to peace, and honour and happiness; 'till they can overthrow our expectation of a future general and compleat judgement by ftopping the course of present particular judgements, our adverfaries do by oppofing the truth, but kick against the pricks; and though by their fophiftry and indefatigable attacks on the cause of religion, they may fhake many from their fedfaftnefs, and thereby feem to gain no fmall advantage, yet safe are the real fervants of the Lord, and His church ftandeth immoveable. Be not ye afraid therefore of their terrour! The encreasing impiety of the world must naturally encrease the tribulation of every true difciple of Chrift. But be of good cheer, the captain of your falvation hath long ago overcome the world. It If ye It is true, they will afflict you, they will perfecute you, hereafter perhaps they will put fome of you to death; yet in patience poffefs ye your fouls; for a hair of your head fhall not perish. be flain, ye fhall rife again; nay, ye fhall be called from your graves, with the fame fhout, with the fame voice of the arch-angel, with the fame trump of God, which fhall confound your enemies, and convince them of the certainty of their everlasting deftruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. SERMON SERMON V. 66 JOB Xix. 29. "Be ye afraid of the fword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the fword; that ye may know there is " a judgement." THIS fevere retort given by Job to his three friends feems to have arifen from his refentment of the imputation they had caft on him, by concluding at once that his afflictions were owing to his iniquity. Though" fays he, (as we may |