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satisfaction, also, to be the preserver of his SER M. own family. These are two instances, out of a thousand which might be brought, of the deceitfulness of outward appearances; they may serve to teach us not always to judge those happy or miserable, who appear so to human eyes. But it is not on what occurs in this world that I rest my cause; it is on that future day of retribution, when the inequalities of this present life will certainly be all redressed. From what has been said, I should hope that the providence of God will readily be allowed, or, in other words, that it will appear evident that "he careth for us."We will now see, lastly, of what force this consideration is, to persuade us to obey the precept of the text-" to cast our care 66 upon him."

Those who have observed that their best laid schemes have been disconcerted, that where they have had the greatest reason

to

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SERM. to flatter themselves with success, they have reaped nothing but disappointment;

if they had any friend, who was greatly their superior in wisdom and in power, and who at the same time had their interests as much at heart as themselves, surely they would apply themselves to him, and would rejoice highly if they could prevail upon him to undertake the management of their concerns. Such a friend is God; he sees at one view what is most for our good; he is able to bring it about without the smallest exertion, and he loves us so entirely, that if we do but endeavour to deserve it, we may be assured that he will bring it about. Who would not be contented and joyful, when he recollects that his affairs are under the protection of infinite wisdom and power, in conjunction with infinite love and goodness! Who would not rest satisfied with whatever calamities may befall him, when he remem

bers

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bers that they are inflicted or permitted by SERM. one, who (if they are patiently submitted to) will over-rule them to a much greater good. The consideration, therefore, of the providence of God, ought not only to banish our anxiety about future events, but likewise to console and support us under the pressure of actual affliction. It was this consideration which silenced David, when the bitterness of his sorrows almost tempted him to repine: I held my peace, and

spake not a word, because thou, Lord, "didst it." It was this consideration which produced the pious submission of Eli to the prophetic threatenings of Samuel :"It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth "him good." It was this consideration which sustained the courage of Job under still more heavy calamities, and enabled him to cry out in the midst of anguish (apparently too exquisite for humanity to support)" The Lord hath given, and the "Lord

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SERM.

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"

Lord hath taken away; blessed be the

name of the Lord." We cannot see the works of God from the beginning to the end, and therefore sometimes hastily condemn; but when the veil of human flesh shall be removed, when we shall be acquainted with the whole design of providence, and shall have penetrated to the last issue and result of all things, how shall we admire their wondrous beauty and proportion! The time will come when the judgment of God will break forth as the light, and his righteousness as the noon-day; when those apparent irregularities, which are to the ignorant stumbling-blocks, and to the wise foolishness, shall stand confessed, both by angels and men, to be worthy parts of that stupendous plan which was concerted by infinite wisdom and goodness, and carried into execution by infinite power.

Let

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Let us be persuaded, then, to banish all SER M. painful anxiety as to what may happen, and all immoderate sorrow as to what has happened: let us not disquiet ourselves in vain all our solicitude, all our impatience will be to no purpose; a greater power than we can control, orders our concerns for our good, if we deserve his favour; and if we do not, it is not by discontents and murmurs that we can hope to increase our merits. We may lawfully, it is our duty, to use our best endeavours to procure the good, and avoid the evil of life; such endeavours are the ordinary means by which all happiness is to be sought: but after having thus exerted ourselves, we should throw off all uneasiness as to the event; we should leave that to God, and if it pleaseth him to order it contrary to our wishes, we should patiently and cheerfully acquiesce in his determinations, well assured that the disappointments and afflic

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