of Providence, there is no peace to the will reanimate the ashes of thousands of wicked, and that they have great peace generations, and sist an assembled world who love the law of the Lord. At the at the seat of judgment. By the unaltersame time, we frequently observe in the able appointment of Heaven, every thing course of human affairs, that the lot of the has its period. The cedar of Lebanon wicked falls to the righteous. We see fades away like the leaf upon its top. many instances in life of good men de- Lebanon itself decays in the course of pressed, and bad men exalted; of vice years. States and empires have their day, holding a sceptre, and virtue pining in like mortal man. Limits are set to time; chains. How often have we seen the best and the world has its last hour. A few of men reduced to eat the bread of sorrow, generations more having passed away, the and to drink the waters of affliction, whilst day comes which God hath appointed to the worthless and the infamous have judge the world; the great day for which rioted in the abundance of life, and enjoy-all other days have revolved. When this ed what their hearts could wish! When period approaches, heaven opens wide its such scenes are presented to our eyes, our everlasting doors, and behold the Judge heart rises within us. Shall it always con- comes forth! He comes in the glory of tinue thus, we say within ourselves, shall his Father; in the effulgence of unveiled it always continue thus in a world that is Divinity he comes, attended with all the governed by God? Shall oppressed right- host of heaven! Before him the harbineousness never be taken into the protec-ger of his appearance, the destroying antion of Providence, and triumphant wicked- gel of nature, descends, clothed with a and ness never fall under his censure? Shall cloud, having his face like the sun, the cry of the innocent, of the oppressed, his feet like pillars of fire. He sets his and of the persecuted, never reach the right foot upon the sea, and his left foot throne of justice? Are the wrongs and upon the earth; he lifts up his hand to heagrievances of the good and the righteous, ven, and swears "by him that liveth for never to be redressed? Is wickedness ever and ever, that time shall be no more!" finally to triumph over oppressed virtue; As the doom of nature is denounced, the to triumph over the laws of nature; thunders of heaven for the last time utter to triumph over the providence of Hea their voices: the laws of nature are disven? Will the time never come when the solved; the stars fall from the firmament; Almighty shall rise from his throne to ad- the moon is turned into blood; and that just and rectify the affairs of the moral sun, whose beams you now behold, sinks in world? If not in this, certainly in some the darkness of eternal night; the earth future state, he will assume the part of a hears its last sentence, and shakes to the Judge, to reward the just, and to take centre; the four corners of the world hear vengeance upon the wicked. it; all that are alive hear it; all the dead hear it, and live; from the presence of their Creator, the heavens depart like a scroll rolling itself together; the earth vanishes, and there is no place found for All this has at last been fully revealed. It was reserved to the Divine Prophet, who came from the bosom of the Father to bring life and immortality to light by his Gospel. He taught that God had ap-it; every mountain and every island is pointed a day in which he was to judge the world; that the dead were to be raised, and all that ever lived upon the earth to appear at his tribunal. Of this doctrine he gave assurance unto all men by his own resurrection from the dead; and as surely as he arose, shall we at the time appointed arise. When the mystery of God is finished, the last trumpet will sound. The voice of the Son of God will pierce the caverns of the tomb, will be heard over the kingdoms of the dead, fled; creation fades away, to give place to uncreated glory; the great tribunal is erected; the books are opened; the Judge descends; the world is assembled; the sentence is pronounced; the sentence is executed: down to the prison of darkness and despair, the habitation of unquenchable and everlasting fire, the wicked are driven, where, bound in chains, they feel the torment of the worm that never dies, and suffer in the flames of the lake whose smoke ascendeth up for ever and ever; whilst, enthroned in glory above, and adorned with the beauties of immortality, the righteous ascend with their Lord, and approaching to the fountain of life, partake of those pleasures at the right hand of God, which shall occupy and animate the praises of eternity. not last for ever. If mercy reclaims you not, you are delivered over to the hand of justice. If you reject the golden sceptre when it is held out to you, a rod of iron succeeds, to destroy the children of disobedience. Repent you must, in one form or other. If your sins affect you not with sorrow and contrition here, they will fill you with unavailable remorse and despair hereafter. You must either be affected with the kindly emotions of that repentance which is unto life, or be tormented with the stings of the worm that never dies. Let me now ask you, my brethren, do you believe what you have now heard? Do you believe that there is a judgment to come, and that each of you shall bear a part in that tremendous scene? I appeal to a witness that cannot lie. I appeal to your own conduct. Do you live and act in such a manner as becomes those who have one Knowing these terrors, we endeavor to day to answer for their lives and their ac- persuade men. Happy for men, if they tions? Is your conversation in heaven, would endeavor to be persuaded! If these from whence you look for the Saviour and things, my brethren, which you have been the Judge? Are your loins girt about, now hearing, be true; if it be true that we your lamps burning, and you yourselves shall be raised up at the last day; that like unto men who wait for the coming of the day of judgment shall as surely arise. their Lord? Were the general judgment as this morning arose, in obedience to laws to begin, were these heavens to open, and which can no more fail to bring it forth the sign of the Son of Man to appear over- than the sun could this morning refuse to head, could you face his tribunal? Could arise at the command of its Creator; if it you lift up your heads with confidence and be true that all of us who are here assemjoy amidst the ruins of nature, and the bled shall be assembled again around the crash of a dissolving world? If not, I call judgment-seat of God; if it be true that upon you to repent, and to reform your this is our only state of probation, and that lives. You are still under the administra-life and death are now in our choice, that tion of grace, and have the hope of glory heaven and hell are now set before us if set before you. Heaven and immortality these things be true, (and true they are, are in your offer. God graciously calls otherwise this book is a collection of fayou to repentance and newness of life. bles,) if these things be true,-then, O my The Spirit helps your infirmities, and brethren, what manner of persons ought strives to conquer the stubbornness of your we to be!-then, O my God, what manner spirits. But he will not always thus wait of persons ought we to be! to be gracious. Your day of grace does SERMON XXXVII. ON THE VIRTUE OF MEEKNESS. you the happiness with which it is attended.—I am, in the first place, then, to describe to you the character of meekness which is here recommended. Every virtue, whether of natural or re MATTHEW v. 5.—“ Blessed are the meek, for they vealed religion, is situated between some shall inherit the earth.” vices or defects, which, though essentially different, yet bear some resemblance to the THEY mistake the nature of the Christian virtue they counterfeit; on account of which religion very much, who consider it as sep- resemblance they obtain its name, and imarate and detached from the commerce of pose upon those who labor under the the world. Instead of forming a distinct want of discernment. This meekness profession, it is intimately connected with which is here recommended, is not at all life; it respects men as acting in society, the same with the courtesy of manners and contains regulations for their conduct which is learned in the school of the world. and behavior in such a state. It takes That is but a superficial accomplishment, in the whole of human life, and is and often proceeds from a hollowness of intended to influence us when we are in heart. It is also quite different from conthe house, and in the field, as well as stitutional facility, that undeciding state when we are in the church or in the clo- of the mind which easily bends to every set. It instructs men in their duty to proposal; that is a weakness, and not a virtheir neighbors, as well as in their duty to tue. Neither does it at all resemble that God: It is our companion in the scene tame and passive temper which patiently of business as well as in the House of bears insults and submits to injuries; that Prayer; and while it inculcates the weight- is a want of spirit, and argues a cowardly ier matters of the law, faith, judgment, mind. This meekness is a Christian grace and mercy, it neglects not the ornament wrought in us by the Holy Spirit: it is a of a meek and quiet spirit, which in the stream from the fountain of all excellence. sight of God is of great price. All that A good temper, a good education, and just refinement which polishes the mind; all views of religion, must concur in forming that gentleness of manners which sweetens this blessed state of the mind. It becomes the intercourse of human society, which | a principle which influences the whole life. political philosophers consider as the effects of wise legislation and good government; all the virtues of domestic life, are lessons which are taught in the Christian school. The wisdom that cometh from above is "gentle." The fruit of the Spirit is "meekness." As the sun, although he regulates the seasons, leads on the year, and dispenses light and life to all the planetary worlds, yet disdains not to raise and to beautify the flower which opens in his beam: so the Christian religion, though chiefly intended to teach us the knowledge of salvation, and be our guide to happiness on high, yet also regulates our conversation in the world, extends its benign influence to the circle of society, and diffuses its blessed fruits in the path of domes-enters not with the keenness of passion tic life. In farther treating upon this subject, I shall, in the first place, describe to you the character of meekness which is here recommended; and, in the second place, show Though consistent in all its operations with boldness and with spirit, yet its chief characteristics are goodness, and gentleness, and long suffering. It looks with candor upon all; often condescends to the prejudices of the weak, and often forgives the error of the foolish. But to give you a more particular view of it, we may place it in three capital lights, as it respects our general behavior, our conduct to our enemies, and our conduct to our friends. With respect to his general behavior, the meek man looks upon all his neighbors with a candid eye. The two great maxims on which he proceeds, are, not to give offence, and not to take offence. He into the contentions of violent men; he keeps aloof from the contagion of party madness, and feels not the little passions which agitate little minds. He wishes, and he studies, to allay the angry passions of the contending; to moderate the fierce- | turn the blow. Such are the dictates of ness of the implacable; to reconcile his the natural temper. But pursue this neighbors to one another; and, as far as principle to its full extent, and you will lies in his power, to make all mankind one see where it will end. One man commits great family of friends. He will not in- an action which is injurious to you; you deed descend one step from the dignity of feel yourself aggrieved, and seek revenge. his character; nor will he sacrifice the dic- If you then retaliate upon him, he thinks tates of his own conscience to any consid- he has received a new injury, which he also eration whatever. But those points of seeks to revenge; and thus a foundation obstinacy, which the world are apt to call is laid for reciprocal animosities without points of honor, he will freely and cheer- end. Did this principle and this practice fully give up for the good of society. He become general, the earth would be a loves to live in peace with all mankind; field of battle, life would be a scene of but this desire too has its limits. He bloodshed, and hostilities would be immorwill keep no terms with those who keep no tal. Legislative wisdom hath provided a terms with virtue. A villain, of whatever station, of whatever religious profession, he detests as abomination. Thus you see, that though softness, and gentleness, and forbearance, and long-suffering, are the chief characteristics of this virtue, yet at the same time it is very consistent with exertions of spirit. When it acts, it acts with vigor and decision. Moses, who has the testimony of the Divine Spirit, that he was the meekest man upon the face of the earth, yet when occasion presented itself, felt the influence of an elevated temper, and slew the Egyptian who was wounding his countryman. A meeker than Moses, even our Lord himself, though gentle and beneficent to all the sons of men, yet when the worldly-minded Jews profaned the Temple, he was moved with just indignation, and drove the impious from the House of God. Nothing is often more calm and serene than the face of the heavens; but when guilt provokes the vengeance of the Most High, forth comes the thunder to blast the devoted head. remedy for these disorders and for this havoc which would be made of the human species. The right of private vengeance, which every man is born with, by common consent, and for the public good, is resigned into the hands of the civil magistrate. But there are many things which come not under the jurisdiction of the laws, and the cognziance of the magistrate, which tend to disturb the public peace, and set mankind at variance. Private animosities and little quarrels often rise, which might be productive of great disorder and detriment to society. Here, therefore, where legislative wisdom fails, religion steps in and checks the desire of vengeance, by enjoining that meekness of spirit which disposes not to retaliate, but to forgive. He, therefore, who possesses this spirit, will not answer a fool according to his folly. He will not depart from his usual maxims of conduct, because another has behaved improperly. Because his neighbor has been guilty of one piece of folly, he will not reckon that an inducement for him to Such is the influence of meekness on be guilty of another. He will regulate our general behavior. It ought also to his conduct by the standard of virtue regulate our conduct to our enemies. which is within, and not by the behavior There is no principle which more strongly of those around him. Accordingly, inoperates in human nature than the law of retaliation. This appears from the laws of all nations in the early state, which always ordained a punishment similar to the offence; eye for eye, tooth for tooth, and life for life. This appears also from our own feelings; when an injury is done us, we naturally long for revenge." Our heart tells us, that the person offending ought to suffer for the offence, and that the hand of him who was injured must re stead of harboring animosities against those who have done him ill offices, he will be disposed to return good for evil; remembering that our Lord adds at the conclusion of this chapter, "I say unto you, love your enemies, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." This meekness ought also to appear in "many good deeds among you, for which our conduct towards our friends. In the present state of things, where human nature is so frail, where the very best have their weak side, and where so many events happen, which give occasion to the passions of men to show themselves, there is great scope for the exercise of meekness and moderation. The faults of mankind, in general, present a most unpleasant spectacle; but the failings of those we love, of those on whom we have conferred obligations, are apt to fill us with disgust and aversion. If it had been an enemy who had done this, I could have borne it. I would have expected no better; but thou, O my familiar friend, how shall I forgive thee? Such, at the time, is the language of nature. But better views, and more mature reflection, will teach using its advantages. A proud and passionate to throw a veil over those infirmities which are inseparable from the best natures, and to frame an excuse for those errors, which proceed not from a bad heart. The second thing proposed was, to show the happiness annexed to this character, expressed here by "inheriting the earth." The meek are not indeed always to be great and opulent. Happiness, God be praised, is not annexed, and is not confined, to the superior stations of life. There is a great difference between possessing the good things of life, and enjoying them. Whatever be his rank in life, the meek man bids the fairest chance for enjoy man, puts his happiness in the power of every fool he meets with. A failure in duty or affection from a friend, want of respect from a dependant, and a thousand little circumstances, which a candid man would overlook, disturb his repose. He This In all these instances of meekness, Jesus of Nazareth left us an example, that is perpetually on the fret, and his life is we should follow his steps. In his gener-one scene of anxiety after another. On al behavior, he was meek and lowly, and the other hand, the meek is not disturbed condescending. He went about doing by the transactions of this scene of vanity. good, and received testimony from his He is disposed to be pleased at all events. enemies, that "he did all things well." Instead of repining at the success of those To the errors of his friends, he was mild around him, he rejoices in their prosperity, and gentle. When, moved by false zeal, and is thus happy in the happiness of all in which they are still followed by many his neighbors. Such are the blessed efwho have the assurance to call themselves fects of meekness on the character. his disciples, they besought him to cause beam from heaven kindles joy within the fire to descend from heaven, and consume mind; it spreads a serenity over the couna city which believed not in his doctrines; tenance, and diffuses a kind of sunshine all the rebuke he administered was, "Ye over the whole life. It puts us out of the know not what manner of spirit ye are of; power of accidents. It keeps the world at the Son of Man came not to destroy men's a due distance. It is armor to the mind, lives, but to save them.' When he suffer- and keeps off the arrows of wrath. It ed his agony in the garden, in the hour preserves a sanctuary within, calm and and in the power of darkness, when he be holy, which nothing can disturb. Safe sought his disciples to watch with him in and happy in this asylum, you smile at this dreadful scene, and when, instead of the madness of the multitude. You hear giving him comfort, they sunk unconcern- the tempest raging around, and spending ed into sleep; instead of reproving them its strength in vain. As this virtue conwith severity, as their conduct deserved, tributes to our happiness here, so it is alhe himself sought for an excuse for them so the best preparation for the happiness "The spirit indeed is willing, but the which is above. It is the very temper of flesh is weak." Though he was the friend the heavens. It is the disposition of the of all mankind, yet he had enemies who saints in light, and angels in glory; of sought his life. "I have done," said he, that blessed society of friends who rejoice |