discourse, of human passion and wickedness rendered subservient to wise and useful ends, give us the highest reason to conclude, that in all other cases of seeming evil, the like ends are carried on. This ought to satisfy our minds, even when the prospect is most dark and discouraging. The plans of Divine wisdom are too large and comprehensive to be discerned by us in all their extent; and where we see only by parts, we must frequently be at a loss in judging of the whole. The way of God is in the sea, and his paths in the great waters; his footsteps are not known. * But although thou sayest thou canst not see him, yet judgment is before him, therefore trust thou in him. † As in the natural world no real deformity is found, nothing but what has either some ornament or some use; so in the moral world, the most irregular and deformed appearances contribute, in one way or other, to the order of the whole. The Supreme Being, from the most opposite and disagreeing principles, forms universal concord; and adapts even the most harsh and dissonant notes to the harmony of his praise. As he hath reared the goodly frame of nature from various and jarring elements, and hath settled it in

* Psalm lxxvii. 19. VOL. II.

Z

+ Job, xxxv. 14.

peace; so he hath formed such a union by his providence, of the more various interests, and more jarring passions of men, that they all conspire to his glory, and co-operate for general good.-How amazing is that wisdom, which comprehends such infinite diversities and contrarieties within its scheme! How powerful that hand, which bends to its own purpose the good and the bad, the busy and the idle, the friends and the foes of truth; which obliges them all to hold on their course to his glory, though divided from one another by a multiplicity of pursuits, and differing often from themselves; and while they all move at their own freedom, yet, by a secret influence, winds and turns them at his will! O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! *

In the third place, We see, from what has been said, how much reason there is for submission to the decrees of Heaven. Whatever distresses we suffer from the wrath of man, we have ground to believe that they befal not in vain. In the midst of human violence or oppression, we are not left to be the sport of fortune. Higher counsels are con

* Rom. xi. 33.

cerned.

on.

Wise and good designs are going God is always carrying forward his own purposes; and if these terminate in his glory, which is ever the same with the felicity of the righteous, is not this a sufficient reason for our calm and cheerful acquiescence?

Hence, also, to conclude, arises the most powerful argument for studying, with zealous assiduity, to gain the favour and protection of the Almighty. If his displeasure hang over our heads, all things around us may be just objects of terror. For, against him, there is no defence. The most violent powers in nature are ministers to him. Formidable, indeed, may prove the wrath of man, if he be pleased to let it forth against us. To him, but not to us, it belongs to restrain it at pleasure. Whereas, when we are placed under his protection, all human wrath is divested of its terrors. If He be for us, who, or what, can be against us? Let us pursue the measures which he hath appointed for obtaining his grace, by faith, repentance, and a holy life, and we shall have no reason to be afraid of evil tidings; our hearts will be fixed, trusting in the Lord. When the religious fear of God possesses the heart, it expells the ignoble fear of man, and becomes the principle of courage and magnanimity. The Lord is a buckler and

a shield to them that serve him. When he ariseth, his enemies shall be scattered as smoke is driven away, and as chaff before the wind. He giveth strength and victory to his people; he clotheth them with salvation. The wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder of wrath shall he restrain,

SERMON XV.

ON THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE TO

MANKIND.

(Preached before the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge.)

ISAIAH, xi. 9.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

THIS passage of Scripture is understood by all Christian interpreters, to refer to the days of the Gospel. The Prophet describes, in the context, the auspicious influence of the Messiah's reign, as extending over all nature, and producing universal felicity. The full accom