may suffer for a while. For these Dispensation: we are convinced, will contribute to the Good the Whole; and indeed, we may rejoice, when w reflect, that they will eventually turn out for ou own Good, and that, finally, we shall receive an am ple Reward for every Suffering we shall have under gone to promote the universal Good. But notwith standing the apparent Inequalities, which we ob serve in the Distributions of Providence in this Life. we find, nevertheless, that a Course of Virtue, is much more frequently productive of our tempora! Happiness, than a Course of Vice.

Events are all ordered by Providence, and are entirely out of our Power. We may lay Schemes with the utmost Deliberation, guard against every Obstacle that occurs to our View, or that our Imaginations can suggest, and be as active and vigilant in our Pursuits as our Nature admits, yet such is the Uncertainty of all human Affairs, and so great is our Ignorance, that we can never assure ourselves of Success. No human Pursuit always succeeds. But, still it is true, that the best laid Plans are the most likely to answer our Wishes. All that is meant is, that no Projects that we can form, can ever be depended upon with Certainty. Probability, in a greater or less Degree, is the nearest Approach we can make to it, and in Reference to this we must direct our Conduct.

Now

The Evil

prove the Assassination of such a Monster; might think it not only lawful, but meritorious, and that it would contribute greatly to the public Happiness. But we are entirely ignorant of the Effect such an Action might produce; for, very possibly, the Destruction of one Tyrant might raise up two or three more, each of which might prove as injurious to Society as the one we destroyed, and the World be injured by our officious Interference. And besides, the Rule of Law is "Thou shalt do no Murder." We must not do Evil that Good may come. is certain, the Good uncertain, for we know Nothing of Events, and it is our Duty to submit to His Will, who has given us a Law, which we transgress at our Peril. Nothing but an absolute Certainty of the Event of any Action of ours, can justify the Breach of any plain Law; and so great is our Ignorance, that we can never be absolutely certain of the Event of any one human Action whatsoever. The Inference is plain, that we never should attempt to extricate ourselves from any Evil, Embarrassments, or any untoward Circumstances we may find ourselves involved in, by any Methods, or any Actions, which we know to be forbidden by Him, who only hath a Right to all our Obedience. For "God never made His works, for Man to mend." dent, and Chance, and Fortune, are Words which we often hear mentioned, and much is ascribed to

Acci

them

Now several important practical Inferences follow from these Premises, to which it is our Interest to attend.

First; That we ought to look to the Great Disposer of all Events, to prosper our lawful Undertakings.

Second; That we submit without Murmuring to all Events, as coming from the Wisest and Best of Beings.

Third; That we be not too sanguine in our Expectations of Success in any of our Pursuits, lest we meet with cruel Disappointment.

Fourth ; That we never pride ourselves upon our Success, or boast as if our own Bow had gotten us the Victory; but that we ascribe all our good Fortune, as we call it, to the Governour of the World.

them in the Life of Man; but they are either Words without Meaning, or, as far as they have any Signification, they are no other than Names for the unknown Operations of Providence; for it is certain that in God's Universe, Nothing can come to pass. causelessly, or in vain, or at random.

These Considerations most pointedly show us the vast Importance of Patience, Acquiescence, and humble Submission to the Divine Will, under the Evils of Life; nor can these Virtues be too warmly urged, as they are not only highly pleasing to God, but so conducive to our own best Feelings, whereby these Evils are greatly alleviated.

The Doctrine of a superintending Providence teaches us both the Futility and Impiety of great Anxiety, with respect to our worldly Affairs. It is futile, because no Thoughts of ours, however intense, can have the least Tendency to procure the Object of our Wishes; and it is impious, because such Anxiety is always accompanied with a Defect of Resignation to the Divine Will. Let us then humbly leave the Government of the World in the Hands of Him who created it, for He maketh all Things work together for good to all who love and obey Him.

CHAPTER II.

VIRTUES AND GRACES TO BE CULTIVATED.

TO OUR SAVIOUR WE OWE,

FAITH in him, as the Son of God, who was sent into this World by the Father of all, to teach Mankind His Will, to propitiate His divine Favour, and to reconcile us to God by his Death and Sufferings; and who having risen from the Dead, and finished the Business of his Mission on Earth, ascended into Heaven, where, seated at the right Hand of God, he maketh Intercession for us; and that, at the Time appointed by the Father, he will come to judge the World in Righteousness, and will give to every one according to his Works. Faith in Jesus Christ also implies a firm Belief in the Truth of the Gospel, as containing a Revelation from God, and genuine, faithful, and authentic Memoirs of His Son; and that the Truths above mentioned are clearly revealed therein; and that the whole Gospel Dispensation was confirmed by Miracles incontestably wrought by Jesus Christ.