from this place, with the lively sense of thankful adoration, which, as the very beings interested in such blessings, as the very persons for whom they were purchased and effected, they ought always to feel! These, however, are of a general kind, and call for acknowledgment from all. But, let any one, who is endeavouring to "perfect holiness in the fear of God," and to live "as becomes the Gospel of Christ;" who is striving against the corruptions of his nature, and desirous of "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" let him examine well the history of his own heart and life; and upon looking back he will see abundant reason to be grateful for repeated spiritual mercies of a more particular nature. And this he will do, without falling into the presumptuous error of believing any sudden inspirations, any constraining interpositions, any miraculous manifestations. He will recognize the preventing, and assisting, and renewing grace of God. He will acknowledge as instances of an indulgent, forbearing goodness, the warnings of calamitous events, the chastenings and corrections of sorrows, afflictions, and privations. He will look back upon opportunities of instruction, of retracing his steps after error, of breaking off old sins, of a return to God. He will recollect the supply of strength and spirits for particular

emergencies and trying occasions; the springing up of light and comfort in darkness and misery; the arrival of a morning of joy, after a night of wretchedness. He will mark, how he has never been deserted nor forsaken in his whole Christian course; how his efforts have been always seconded; his mind gradually enlightened; his affections imperceptibly purified and exalted; the petitions, that could further his growth in piety, eventually obtained; the prayers, which, if granted, might have withheld at least, or, perhaps, have withdrawn him from the ways of godliness and peace, with a gentleness of delay, that brought better convictions, mercifully denied.

Thus, then, without unnecessarily extending our view of the subject, we may now sufficiently perceive, how forcibly the duty of Christian thankfulness comes home to us all, individually and collectively, in general and in particular mercies, in temporal and spiritual blessings. The man who feels it not, must, indeed, be either in a deplorable state of ignorance, or of hardness and impenitence. And if the one be without excuse, I lament to say, the other is without hope. My brethren, may it not be so with you? Bear it always in mind, that every Christian grace and virtue is an acquirement; a habit, or frame of heart, effected by repeated attempts and

long practice. In this of gratitude, however, you have little to do, and less to learn. The simple knowledge of what you are, and of what God has done for you, and which, in these days, I trust, very few can be without, cannot but produce this natural but indispensable sentiment. All you have to do is to cherish and keep it alive, by obeying the Apostle's injunction,-by "giving thanks always for all things unto God;" as well in the sanctuary and among the congregation, as in the retired devotion of your own chamber; as well in the hour of business as of pleasure; in sorrow as in joy; in sickness as in health; in reverses, losses, and bereavements; as in the thoughtless hours of abundance and prosperity.

349

SERMON XXIII.

THE GRIEVOUS ERROR OF DEVISING EVIL.

PROVERBS, xiv. 22.

Do not they err, that devise evil?

How difficult is the task, to convince any human being that he has mistaken the road to happiness! Would he not instantly plead the impossibility of entering into his particular views and feelings, of knowing his peculiar taste, habits, inclinations, passions? Would he not declare, that no man can judge for another, what is best suited to his nature and temperament in the way of enjoying life? "The constituents of happiness," he would say, "vary in each individual of the species: you must, therefore, allow me to think and choose for myself, upon a point on which no other can be competent to decide for me."

If man had no other law to follow in the pursuit of happiness, than the dictates of his own will, this reasoning would be just; and upon

indifferent points of minor importance, it still remains unanswerable. For upon these, after all, each individual must judge for himself. But in every thing connected with the moral course and conduct of a man's life, with which there must be a concurrent course of accountableness, not one of us has been left independent in his choice of what he may be pleased to call happiness. On this head, the On this head, the way has been laid down for him; how he must walk, and where. He cannot plead ignorance of the plainest directions, and the most cogent motives and sanctions.

Still, there are those, who, in the momentous journey of life, are determined to select their own paths; to reject all guidance, but their own undisciplined humours and appetites; to follow the natural bent and impulse of a corrupt heart. Such persons "do even what they list," in the pursuit of a thousand vain imaginations, that spring up in the rank fertility of a depraved mind. And who shall convince them that they are mistaken? Who shall bring them to confess, that they do indeed err, that they do go altogether away from the road of true felicity,when they thus devise evil?

If, therefore, the question in the text were put to the wicked themselves, there is no doubt but that they would, with one accord, return to