we shall be unavoidably led to the exercises of meditation, conftant watchfulness, and prayer, and every other means of virtuous improvement, whatever has any tendency to reprefs what is vicious and defective, and promote what is most excellent in the human character. The study of the fcriptures, which contain the history of the tranfactions of God with men, and which furnish topics of difcuffion proper for the exercise of the greatest genius, is equally interefting to the lowest and the most improved of the human race. Sir Ifaac Newton, whofe reputation as a philofopher ftands higher than that of any other man, devoted almoft the whole of his time after he was turned forty (and lived to the age of eighty-four) to theology; and from my perfonal knowledge I can fay that fome perfons now living, and lately living in England, who had greatly diftinguished themfelves, in mathematical and philofophical pursuits, declared that, as they advanced in life, they had the most satisfaction in theolo❤ gical ones. Nor can this be thought extraordinary, when it is confidered that these are fubjects fubjects of infinitely more moment than any others to rational beings, born for immortality. Let us then, my Christian brethren, whatever be our fituation or employment in life, whether our pursuits relate to agriculture, manufactures, commerce, natural philosophy, or any of the learned profeffions; though we should be employed in the more immediate service of the public, in any civil, or military capacity, let us not forget that we are men and Chriftians, and, without neglecting the immediate and neceffary business of this life, attend chiefly to what is of infinitely more importance, viz. our destination to another; and, accordingly, be folicitous to act such a part, and to cultivate fuch habits, as will be our best preparation for it; that whenever we come to die, the great business of life may be done, and we may be like fervants conftantly looking for the return of their lord, that when he shall return, and take an account of his fervants, we may be found of him, as the apoftle fays, 2 Pet. iii. 14, without fpot and blameless, and not be ashamed before him at his coming: but at the great day, emphatically emphatically fo called, before the confideration of which every thing else should vanish life a fhadow, we may hear the joyful fentence, Matt. xxv. 21, Well done, good and faithful fervants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord. THE END. |