sparrow falleth to the ground," and he "numbers even the hairs of our head."* The world, bearing such evident marks of order and design, and man the noblest work that adorns it, must have proceeded from some intelligent cause. And the infinitely perfect Being who made the world, can alone preserve it; he alone can give effect to causes, and certainty and uniformity to the laws of nature. Chance is but an empty name, it has no being, it has no power; and therefore to ascribe to chance the universe and the events which happen in it, is as absurd as it is impious. To ascribe to chance the regulation of the state and destiny of man, is as gloomy and cheerless as it is false. Chance is only the term by which, in the common language of men, those events are designated which happen differently from the general operation of the laws by which God governs the world. But these unexpected and singular events, so far from being derogatory to his providence, are a powerful confirmation of it. Did human affairs proceed in an unvarying course, the uniformity of the operations of the laws of nature might lead us to forget the arm that controls and guides them: but when these laws are interrupted, and when events happen differently from the usual course of affairs, and therefore contrary to human calculation, our attention is arrested, we behold a striking display of almighty power changing or controlling the course of events; fear should fall upon us; reverence of this almighty power, thus baffling human strength, should fill our souls; they should be lifted up in adoration of the Most High God, in whose hand

† Matt. x. 29, 30.

are power and might; we should acknowledge that it is his inscrutable providence which takes the "race from the swift, and the battle from the strong," and which allots "time and chance to all." And hence, also, we learn a lesson of dependence.

If the events of things were not usually according to known and established laws, if the use of means did not generally eventuate in the attainment of the end, enterprise would be discouraged, industry would relax her efforts, and the business of the world would be at a stand. But, on the contrary, lest men, perceiving the uniform success of their plans and efforts, should forget him, of whom are all man's goings; lest, perceiving the end, always following the means employed by them, they should grow insolent and haughty, and say it was their "own power and the might of their own hand that got them this wealth,"* and "forget the Lord their Maker," it pleases God sometimes to change the ordinary operations of causes.

"Let not then the wise man glory in his wisdom; let not the rich man glory in his riches; neither let the mighty man glory in his might." Riches, wisdom, and might are often defeated and made to vanish before the breath of the Most High. All that we call natural causes are the instruments of his pleasure, and he applies them all to the purposes of his will. What a powerful motive then have we to serve him, who can raise up or bring low, who can save or who can destroy, who can prosper or defeat all our plans! What a powerful motive then have we to fear him, who can make natural

causes the instruments of his displeasure! He holds in his hand the fire and the famine, the sword and the pestilence, the storm and the earthquake. And he can make "the heavens over our heads brass, and the earth under our feet iron," and the very beasts of the field to rise up against us. Him, therefore, let us fear; let us ascribe to him whatever gifts of fortune, of talent, or of honour, distinguish us, and be humble; using these gifts as his stewards, and so employing them, that we may render our account to him with joy. Let us look to him to bless and prosper all our plans and all our efforts. When they are successful, let us give to him the glory, and praise him; when they fail, let us adore him who chastens and afflicts us for our good, and turn from our sins by repentance. Yes, my brethren, repentance is the lesson which his judgments, which are now abroad in the earth, which have visited our land, should teach us.† Repentance, bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, is the lesson impressed on us by the services of this day.

It is a truth, certain as the holiness and justice of God, that though, in the present world, there is one lot to the righteous and to the wicked-" time and chance happen to all"-yet a day is coming, when God will judge the world in righteousness; when he will make an eternal separation between the righteous and the wicked, between him who serveth God and him who serveth him not; when to the former he will award glory, and honour, and immortality, and punish the latter with everlasting destruction from his presence.

* Deut. xxviii. 23.

+ Preached during the war of 1812.

Finally. From the doctrine contained in the text, that unexpected accidents frustrate the regular and usual means of obtaining success, we deduce the uncertainty of all human enjoyments; and hence we learn the wisdom of pursuing those spiritual joys which are beyond the reach of accident and misfortune. All worldly means may fail us; we cannot, therefore, be sure of obtaining worldly joys. Even when attained, all human efforts to preserve them may prove ineffectual. Are then all the pursuits of man liable to uncertainty? and are all his joys thus insecure? No-those pursuits which promote the perfection of our being, those joys which arise from the favour of our God, are not exposed to "time and chance." In regard to these, it is a law pronounced by God, and unchanging in its operation-" Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened."* To the guilty sons of men it was pronounced by their Saviour himself, as an unchangeable promise"Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out."+

Here then, man, tossed on the uncertain waves of this troublesome world, thou shalt find rest. The mercy of thy Saviour, the favour of God, the glories of heaven, these afford joys that last for ever; the means of attaining these are certain and effectual. Seek ye then the Lord now, for he can now be found; call ye upon him now, for he is now near; to-morrow he may swear in his wrath that ye shall not enter into his rest. Turn then from your sins by repentance, live in the fear and service of him who rules in heaven and in earth; and then you

need not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be cast into the midst of the sea; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, and he hath promised to be the strength of his people, and their portion for ever.

Yes, Christians! the means of attaining the prize of glory, through the mercy of God, are in your hands; faithfully use them, and success is certain. Here the race is to the swift, and the battle to the strong. In proportion to your efforts in the Christian life, will be your progress here, and your felicity hereafter. Wait then upon God your Saviour, and ye shall renew your strength. Wait upon him especially in that ordinance where he offers his body and his blood to be the spiritual nourishment and strength of his people. Ah! what prospect of attaining the prize of glory can they have, who refuse that divine strength which alone can ensure them victory? O Christians! your Saviour at his holy table now offers you spiritual strength, pardon, peace, immortality.* Go, penitent, believing and obedient, and you shall receive a title to a felicity, which, exalted infinitely above the attacks of that time and chance to which all sublunary joys are exposed, will flourish for ever in the presence of him who is the hope of his people, the Saviour of all them that believe.

* Preached on occasion of administering the holy communion.