it, till it acquires a predominant influence over every thought, word, and a&ion; there is no good affection which it may not affift and ftrengthen, no evil inclination which, under the bleffing of God's grace, it may not effectually reprefs. It is also the fureft fupport a man can have in difficulty, and diftrefs. It teacheth the best leffon of wisdom as well as duty, namely, that of patient fubmiffion to the will of God, under the firm perfuafion, that he hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world in righteoufnefs, and deal impartial juftice to all mankind. The hurry of business in fome men, and the diffipation of pleasure in others, are but too apt to turn afide the mind from the more diftant profpect of a fu ture state; it is the duty therefore of the Preacher to remind you, that these things will shortly pass away like a dream; a new fcene will then open itfelf, fubject neither to change nor limitation. How foon D 4 foon we may enter upon it no man knoweth; millions have paffed at the first step from the Cradle to the Grave. Neither Riches, Strength, nor Youth itself can fecure to their poffeffors a fingle day. Nay the prefent hour may be our last, and the account of our deferts be closed before night until the day of final retribution. Let it therefore be your frequent, your daily practice, to examine into your hopes, and fears on the subject of a future state; can ye meditate on that folemn theme without the ftings of a wounded confcience? Happy are ye! and the habit of entertaining fuch reflections is to you beft recommended by the fatisfaction you must derive from them; if on the contrary nothing presents itself to the mind but the fearful expectation of wrath, feek not peace as Felix did by putting off the confideration till a more convenient season, but turn inftantly from the evil of your way, no feafon can ever be found more convenient, convenient, certainly none fo proper as the present. God grant you the will to accept the means of falvation through Jefus Chrift, and to bring them to good effect by the affistance of his Holy Spirit; to whom with the Father and the Son be all honour, and glory, now, and for ever. SER SERMON V. ST. MATTHEW, Chapter v. Verse 17. Think not that I am come to deftroy the Law or the Prophets, I am not come to deftroy, but to fulfil. THE Jewish Religion before the coming of our Saviour, was much corrupted from its original purity. The nation was divided into fects and parties, eager in their difputes about the forms and ceremonies of worship, while they neglected the practice of holiness-attached to the fhadow of religion they forgot the substance of it. The |