the fuperior degree of favor which we have experienced, and which we are allowed ftill to hope for, from him.

Ir is the want or deficiency of faith and attention, which makes the love of God appear fo difficult to be apprehended by the generality of mankind. From a real faith and due attention to the perfections and goodness of God, that hearty and fupreme regard to him, which is called the love of God, follows in like manner, as love for what appears to us excellence in any human object, from an intimate acquaintance with that object, and experience of its kindness towards us.

I PROCEED now to ftate to you the effects of this principle.

AND first-He who poffeffes it, will have great fatisfaction and delight from thinking

that there is fuch a being, the author and fupporter of his exiftence, who governs the univerfe, and is ever moft intimately prefent with him. The confideration of God's continual infpection is to most perfons the fource of melancholy dread-and no wonder; for almighty power and infinite wif dom, undirected by goodnefs and kindness to us in particular, is an object which it is impoffible to contemplate without the feelings of awe and depreffion; and fuch is the light in which God appears to thofe whofe hearts have not experienced this principle. But what high and refined fatisfaction does he feel who can lay open his every defign and thought to perfect goodnefs, and fovereign wifdom, and power, and rejoice that there is a being of fuch perfections to take notice of them.

SECONDLY-From fuch conceptions o. God, follows a willingness to obey him in

every thing, and a thankful fatisfaction in every difpenfation of his providence. We fhall not find any reluctance in complying with the divine will; thinking every exemption from duty juft fo much gained to our happiness. Our obedience will be ready and chearful, not extorted by the mere force of authority grievous to our nature; our whole hearts will be in the fervice which we render to our beloved mafter and kind father; as foon as we know his will, we fhall haften to comply with it, from feelings of efteem and gratitude; affuring ourselves that every restraint is from fomewhat which would upon the whole be hurtful to us, and every injunction neceffary in fome way to complete our final happiness; nor will the difpenfations of providence wear their ufual appearance to our minds: for confidering every difappointment and affliction as coming from him, of whofe perfections and of whofe goodness

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goodness towards us we have so deep a fenfe, we fhall receive it as neceffary correction, and as wholesome medicine, to cure the diforders of our fouls; and thro' the whole courfe of the changes and chances of this mortal life, we shall be fully affured that we are proceeding on, juft in that line of existence, and with that degree of enjoyment, which will in the end advance the great good of the whole frame of creation, and our own personal happiness in particular. Thus we shall feel the reasonablenefs of thofe paffages in holy fcripture, which exhort us to rejoice in tribulation, and to be thankful for every thing, good or bad for the time paft, we shall be glad that we have fuffered, and for the time to come, we fhall choose to suffer what may yet be neceffary to promote the improvement of our moral nature, and confequently muft recommend us to him whom we love, and wish most to please.

THIRDLY

THIRDLY-Another confequence of this principle is, a conftant endeavor to promote the glory of our maker. I doubt not but many perfons hear with furprize fuch declarations of holy fcripture, as whether ye eat or drink or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God-i. e. order your whole converfation of every kind with a view to God and the promoting of his glory among men: but with thofe who love God, this injunction raises no furprize; they unavoidably pay him fuch attention. It is the natural property of love when it prevails in the mind, to have continual regard to its object; every thing which concerns that object is of confequence. We imperceptibly form our minds, and regulate our conduct with an eye to what will appear pleasing or displeasing in his fight; and it affords an high fatisfaction, to confider what we do ast contributing to his advancement or pleasure. Love produces fimilar effects when applied