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Toua les autres axemplairss originaux sont filmte en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par IM derniire page qui comporte une telle empr jme phan- the richest Paradise is iful fancy vene, and inent are iiffidence, J and pro- of youth, own pow- fficient to itly of the >f human , by ima- rouble in I with re- ic vision or things magined of bein^j qualified to be our own guides, and the framers of our own happiness, are wholly dependant crea- tures; that the pursuits, on which we entered with the highest hopes, abound with unforeseen difficulties and mock our expectation of substan- t'al good. The various disappointments incident to premature opinions, extravagant hopes and misplaced affections, justify the saying in the text / have seen an end to all perfection. This declaration is the result of experience. It is still well that men learn wisdom from experi- ence. But ail do not. Some turn a deaf ear to the voice of events; and despise every attempt oif sound reason and affectionate friendship to put them right. They retain, in some degree, the fol- ly of tlieir first days, and continue the dupes of original error. They stiil look for perfection and happiness, where neitlier of them is to be found. Like the spider, when one web of ideal good is destroyed, they weave anotlier in its room j and too often go on in tliis manner, till death closes the scene. For the benefit of sucli characters, and of all who are in danger of drawing erroneous conclu- sions from superficial views of men and thino-g, and of entertaining expectations which can never be realized ; it may be well to dwell a little lon- ger on the sentiment of tlie text, and to exhibit it in differertt lights. 1st.— -It is obvious that material enjoymenls and earthly pursuits have nothing in them, capable of yielding perfect satisfaction. The desires of man fire immortal and unbounded. The most valued things, therefore, of a mere sensible nature, come far short of filling up these desires. The wealthy are not satisfied with treasures of gold. Were a man of ambition to gain universal empire, he would sit down discontented, because he had not more worlds to conquer. The epicure, whose God is fits belly^ is the unhappiest of mortals, amidst all •those varieties and refinements of luxury, which are selected for tl^e gratification of a craving and gickly appetite. If such things did even afford satisfaction, their liability to change would still render them imper- fect. Rithesp make themselves tvings, and flu a- Xvay^ as an eagle towards heaven. Man being in hoji- our coniinuelh not. Either his honours are dashed from his brow by some unforeseen accident; or h^ is separated from them by the messenger of death. In this view, all the works, that are done under the sun, are vaniti/ and vexation of spirit; or, at least, all attachments to them, involving an undue esti- mate of their value. Let those, who are wedded to this world, as if it could render them perfectly happy, go to the church yard. Let them read the vanity of their hopes on the monuments of the dead. See there the name of some merchant, who once distinguish- ed himself in his profession. Behold tlie brcviut ]\ capable of ires of man lost valued ,ture, come lie wealthy 1. Were a 2, he would 1 not more *se God is amidst all njy which aving and lion, their em imper- andjiy a- ing in hon- ire dashed 3nt; or h^ of death. under the ', at least, idue esti- jrld, as if go to the ^ of their See there tinguish- 3 brcviiit '.A of some captain or general, renowned in arftis ; dt some promising youth, cut off at his entrance on the stage of the world j of some gray haired father, who withstood the blasts of many years, and at length sunk into the earth. What are they now ? dust ; and no other distinction of dust, but what appears upon their grave stones. Were we thus often to place ourselves under deatWs gloomy cypress shadeSf where a ray i^ fan- tastic vanity does not pierce ; we would be more habitually impressed with the imperfection of all earthly concerns. The young would learn to mod- erate their affections in the pursuit of vain and fugitive pleasures. And the aged would see the folly of seeking after gain, as the constituent of happiness. It has been often remarked of old people, that the longer they live, the more they are glued to the world. This second childhood is much more unreasonable than the first j and subversive of their peace, in the inevitable hour of separation from the objects of their undue at- tachment. 2d. — Man*s mental operations and external con- duct partake of the imperfection, which belongs to the present system of things. Sin has darkened and deranged his faculties. His views of truth and error, right and wrong, are so indetermin- ate ; that difference! of opinion on such points have always existed, and continue to distract so- ciety. The liglit •■ ! science f f ■"» 'I » im* students of nature to penetrate far into the works of the Almighty. Afler all the discoveries of an- cent and modern times, the reflection of Job is still just, hm> Utlk a porlion is l,emd oj him i Man's affections are not in a better state than h.'s understanding. These incline to evil. Some men, who have had the advantages of correct edu- cation, become a disgrace to themselves and their connexions; others, though eminent for piety and virtue, are not without moral defects, suf. ficient to prove that there is not a Just man upon ^"rth that dueth good and sirmeth no'. The institutions of Christianity are designed and calculated to rectify the disorders introduced by sin, toenhghten the understanding in the knowl- edge of God and Christ, to subdue the passions, to purify the atfections of the heart, to bend th will to righteousness, to facilitate the perform- ance of all the great duties and charities of life. But many instances occur, in which this excellent end IS not at all accomplished ; and in others the accomplishment is only i„ part. Persons of the most upright and spiritual character are co™j»a.«f correct edu- Ives and their ent for piety defects, suf- ist man upon designed and itroduced by n the knowl- the passions, to bend the He perform- rities of life, his excellent n others the rsons of the 'e compassed it off the old ? new man, he image of not wholly n a state of The peri- id the con- 9 «tant assistance of divine grace, for overcoming . the ignorance and vices of their minds, and for I bringing every good principle to full size and vig- our. It is not till death, or rather after death, that believers become perfect men, and arrive at Ihe measure of the stature of the Julness of Christ, If perfection was at all attainal^le in this lite, we would naturally look for it among those who pass, or have passed, for the favourites of Heaven.— We would expect to see examples of it in the bi- ography of holy men oj God, rvhe spake as they xvere moved bij the Holy Ghost, who enjoyed the peculiar advantage of internal revelations and fa- miliar intercourse with the Deity. But, so far were these men from being perfect, or laying claim to a spotless character ; that ignorance and the lust of evil caused them to commit a variety of faults, of which they became sensible and were ashamed. Tho* they fell into great errors ; yet they had none of that pride or weakness, which leads so many conscious offenders, against the laws of God and men, to have recourse to those arts of denial and extenuation, which, in fact, are far more criminal than the charges them- selves, and a greater evidence of imperfection. It deserves farther to be remarked, concerning saints of antiquity, that some of their faults struck against the very virtues for which they were most distinguished. Abraham, the friend of God, ranks high in the class of believers ; yet on t } r ' t lir I ! 10 one occasiop, he was as remarkable for want of confidence in God, as ever he was renowned for resting on the divine authority with regard to what seemed incredible. Moses, whose equanimi- ty and moderation have been justly extolled, in his general dealings with a discontented and an ungrateful people, lost his temper and gave way to intemperate rage, at a time when he was em- ployed by God to work a miracle for the supply of tiieir wants. Job, it is well known, bore all his calamities at their first coming on, with calm resignation and exemplary piety j yet the same man cursed the day of his birth, and expressed regret that he had not been strangled in life's porch. The Apostle Peter, usually full of cour- age an:l intrepidity, was nevertheless overawed, by the taunts a servant maid, into a timid and un- manly denial of his divine Lord and Master.— From these instances, and others which might be mentioned, it strikingly appears that the very best of men fail, even in what constitues the ex- cellence of their character. Alas ! where is that man in any age of the world, in any station or rank of life, who holds the approbation of his fellow creatures for uni- versal integrity, or whose conscience testifies that all his motives and actions are what they ought to be ? Even the Ministers of lleliiriorj. whose office renders them particularly acquainted with matters of sin and duty, inheriting the same de- umam [t ! for want of jnowned for li regard to se equanimi- extolled, in ited and an id gave way le was em- the supply m, bore all with calm et the same 1 expressed led in life's nil of cour- /erawed, by id and un- Master. — h might be i the very jes the ex. age of the who holds !s for uni- stifies that hey ought on. whose nted with 2 same de- ll ceased nature that others dc, and being exposed to similar temptations, require the same pardon- ing mercy, the same directing spirit, the same protecting power j in order that they may be sa- ved with othere from everlasting perdition, and brought on their way with renovated strength and improving virtue, to the regions of pure and unchangeable felicity. Sd. — All associations for political or religious pur- poses are necessarily imperfect j because they are composed of imperfect individuals. ~''ie laws of Kingdoms and Commonwealths, have never yet been so wisely framed, or so happily executed, as to prevent internal commotions, and disputes a- mong foreign Natipns. Ignorance and pride, am- bition and tyranny have been known to destroy the wisest political institutions, to light the torch of discord at home, and to kindle the flames of war abroad ; to spread terror, desolation and mis- ery over the fairest portion of the globe. In a comparative view of different governments, or of the measures of different administrations of the same government j there may be reason for say- ing that one is better than another. But, when we consider the narrow bounds of all human knowl- edge and foresight, and the intermixture of pri- vate interests and feelings with public functions, wc can crrpcct no government entirely free of de« focts. It Is sufficient that it has more of good than evil. In such circumstances 4 s^iirit of diiiafTcctioJi i /f 11 I t 14 is infinitely more to be clei,Iored than any real or mag.nary gnevances which may be the Lwec , t.o„ of the obvious duties of subjects, in orde/to" oppose alleged nndutifulness i„ tteir ru ers „d .t leads to far worse consequences to socie t,' tZt can ever follow fron, the misconduct of L„" power. It ,s more than a display of human im Potion. Xtshews that .belJ..IX;;- .,-^ff7' ?"'">'• '' ™^" "' ">«' «hioh is con. ■tu ed for the protection and advancement of yd d :■"'•' P'^'^"'— "ey aspect of belu ty and deformity, ot good and evil. So far as ed, the Church on earth is perfept. But hum»n corruptions, mixing with theregufationffiX .«sd„,„ stamp upon her the character of imperft ton. The ch.ldren of si„„ have their weaknes! c . and are subject to unintentional error, wh Is hey are associated with others, who do norpo sess the,r virtues, and act from improper ,„o ive ' Such IS the state of the visible Church. exhiS a compo^a of true and false opinion . of mor"1 and immoral principles. ."'moral Wo talk or purity of church fellowship And •liter It, as far as we ca^y. "^ifhoM^ in- i «causeofre,igion;«ut:::CZ;r t)' « .nore an idea than a reality. It seems 1', h' Id n any real or the subjects ^es a derelic- . in order to ^'ulersj and ociety, than t of men in human im- desperately lich is con- ncement of !ct of beau- So far as e concern, lit human of infinite imperfec- weakness- '' » whilst > «ot pos- ' motives, xhibiting of moral p. And 5 to seek io the cli pun". ns to h*-' borrowed, rather from descriptions of the heaven- ly state, where men see m longer darkly as ihro* a glass, where nothing unclean or that defilclh can enter ; than from the actual circumstances of the church on earth at any period of her history. Our Saviour has expressly assured us that the uheat and tares uill grow together till the harvest, in spite of all endeavours to cultivate and purify the soil. The divisions which exist among professors or Christianity in respect of religious doctrines and modes of worship, are a farther proof of the imper- fection of religious bodies. The bible is the stan- dard which all of them acknowledge ; yet they are split into various factions, holding differences of sentiment, of sufficient importance in their estiftia- tion, to found separate fellowships. Nor can there be any remedy for this evil, in as much as just in- formation, were it even possessed by one body, can- not be equally diffused thro* the different ranks of society j nor universally received, on account of that contrariety of tempers, habits and interests, which arises from education and particular connex- ions of human life.' The worst and most injurious tendency of these divisions is, that of banishing catholic Jove, and elevating party attachments to its sacred place ; that of regarding one another, as if Christianity was confined to one sect or denom- ination alone. It is the glory, however, of the pre- sent age that this mark of imperfection is wearing away, and that the fences of bigotry and supersti- I f \ ! t tion, whicli coiifiued christians to a particular range of communication, are so far removed that they can now extend their intercourse, and avail them- selves of the Ubertij ■where'dilh Christ hath made them free. But, as human nature is prone to run into ex- tremes, it is possible that this liberty may grow in- to licentiousness, in consequence of confounding the essentials of religion, and accidental forms of little importance. Some of the professors of chris- tianity, who pretend to rear their systems on the foundation of Christ and the Apostles, hold errors, subversive of the plan of God's grace, as revealed in the gospel. To countenance such religious professors, without regard to the peculiarities of their sentiments, would be a very dangerous ex- periment. It would be lending our aid to the pro- pagation of masked infidelity or fanaticism, instead of that pure and rational faith which our blessed Saviour taught, and which we are commanded to hold fast. It is in such circumstances that the pre, diction of Paul is accomplished. The time mil come xchen me?i wilhiot endure sound doctrine ; hut ajkr their oiim lusts shall theij heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears : and they shall turn auwj their ears from ihe truth, and shall he turned iinlo fables. And, says our Loj-d, as a caution to all f lituro ages j " In vain they do xcorship me, teaching /or doctrines the co7nmandments of men.'* A'.-r-Oi' what ir.ay be viewed as a continuation wj i .iL. i 'njiiij ii .r i L iiiii.i "^1 lar range hat they lil thera- itk made into ex- grow in- bunding forms of of chris- s on the J errors, revealed eh'gious rities of ous ex- he pro- instead blessed ided to ;he pre* 7ne will le ; hut msclves 'il turn turned tion to up me, Jien.** : nation 15 of the former particular, transactions the most consonant to the spirit of Christianity, such, for instance, as relate to the support of the poor and the conversion of the heathen, are evidently ac companied with some imperfections. *It is much to the honour of the inhabitants of christian coun- tries, especially of Britain and America, that the in- digent of their fellow citizens, the uninlightened and degraded millions of the human family throng- out the world, have excited general commiseration and vigorous efforts for their reMef. But, wheth- er the means adopted, in all cases, sufficiently an- swer the end, is a question which admits some lat- itude of opinion. One evil, attending public provisions for the re- lief of pauperism, is that of teaching the poor to look to them, as matter of right j so that, in the supply of their wants, they do not feel those grate- ful and heart-improving sentiments which charity ought to inspire. Besides, such provisions for the poor, notwithstanding their excellence in other res- pects, by holding out a certainty of support in any circumstances of destitution, tend to encourao-e the idle and dissipated to pursue, with greater ra- pidity, those irregular courses which bring them * This part of the subject was omitted in delivering the discourse from the pulpit ; Besides .^s the author does not read his sermons, but depends cliie% on memory ; it cannot be expected that what he delivers vill exactly agree with I ;i ' il IV- ■ I lis notes. 16 \m to the point, where charity meets them and be- stows her favours. The same observation applies to institutions for particular kinds of distress and infamy. The alleviation, which these give to hu- man wretchedness, intitles them to the highest re- spect. But, whilst this design is accomplished in the case of the wretched, who are taken under their protection ; there may be others in the ordinary ^valks of human life, living criminally, from an ex- pectation o( the same assistance when they can do no better. Thus far charitable establisments are defective, calling upon the wisdom of experi- ence to promote the noble ends of their formation, m such a manner as to give the least possible en. couragement to profligacy and vice. Another excellent direction of christain love and sympathy regards the state of the heathen, that of diffusing among them the knowledge and blessings of divine truth. Some associations for hat god-like purpose, being confined to particu- lar bodies of religious professors, are concerned o course to propagate, both what is peculiar to these bodies, and what they hold in common with other christians. Associations, formed for the same object, but upon a more liberal principle, seem * to command by their liberality more general pa- tronage. It is well, if the points of difference, which exist m societies composed of different par- ties, are really considered by all the members as ot so little moment, that the heathen to whom lem and be. ition applies distress and give to hu- ■ highest re- mpJished in under their le ordinary rrom an ex- 1 they can tablisments of experi- formation, ossible en- stain love ! heathen, ledge and ations for o particu- :oncerned sculiar to mon with for the pie, seem neral pa- iiference, rent par- mbers as o whom 17 they send the gospel, will be in no danger of hav- ing their attention drawn to those nice distinctions and unprofitable discussions, which have so often stabbed the vitals of Christianity in the most favor- able situations. Imperfection belongs to missionary societies, to the wisest and best constituted of them, as well as to other descriptions of public bodies. It may be questioned whether a desire of doing much in a short time has not betrayed them into some o- versights, in the choice of their men and mea- sures. Of all public teachers, those who go as mis- sionaries to instruct the heathen ought to be the most eminent for talent and eitidition, as well as piety and virtue. The Apostles, whose miracu- lous powers supplied any existing deficiencies of education, were only twelve in number. They depended upon native converts for the general diflTusion of the gospel. And their high respecta- biiity insured the attachment of these converts, and their ready compliance with proposed plans of duty and usefulness. This is a model for those whose benevolent attention is turned to Pagan Countries. As millions are destitute of the gos- pel, and cannot all be comprehended in mission- ary undertakings ; a selection of tho se, who are to enjoy the benefit, is necessary to be made re- quirmg no small degree of wisdom and penetra- tion to do it with propriety. Large sums are an- nually collected and expended in the United King. fli' 1-^' IS dom, for the support of missions among Pagans of the remotest climes j and wliat is extraordina^ ry, similar descriptions of heathen, nearer to British christians, and having no less claim on their gen- erosity, are entirely overlooked. The I?idians of Brilish America have been hitherto neglected by every society in Scotland and England ; though their religious instruction and acceptance of chris- tianity might be effected at half the expense, which is required for the conversion of equal num! bers in Africa and Asia. Desirous of making some particular improve- ment of the doctrine of the text, and of the ob- servations which it has suggested ; I beg leave my brethren, to state that, as we are all concern- ed to advance in wisdom and goodness, a sense of our own deficiencies and those of others should operate, as an incentive to this duty. We are taught in the 1st Place a lession of humility and moderation • m all our intercourse with society. Pride is re presented by this subject as a most unreasonable and disgusting passion. The qualities, on which pride founds its pretensions, are often ideal ; where they have a real existence, there is so Jittle excellence in them, or that excellence is so blur- red with defects, that the possessor ought lather ■ be humbled,, than filled with extravagant notions of his own superiority. Humility is the best or- nament of every station, and the most becoming ong Pagans Jxtraordina- er to British 1 their gen- ! Indians of sglected by d ; though ce of chris- 3 expense, 2qual num. t* improve* of the ob- beg leave, il concern- a sense of 3rs should We are oderation ride is re- easonable on which n ideal ; s so little 5 so blur- ht lather ■ t notions : best or* )'JCominfif 19 creatures, \vhose foundation is in the dust, and whose sins are more than their virtues. The doctrine of imperfertion furnishes a rule also for our expectations, in reference to our fellovv creatures. Let us never expect much from them, and then we shall never be painfully disappointed. If we meet with more than we expect, the great- er will be our pleasure in the discovery. 2d. — Let us beware of an overweening regard to objects of a mere earthly description, and of a keener pursuit of them than what is consistent with a true knowledge of their unsatisflictory na- ture. Let us use thh iicorld as not abusing it, know- ing that the fashion thereof passeth aonal reforma- tion. It leads the way to all that is excellent in character, to all that is transporting in future bliss. Dependent, my brethren, as well as any of you, on the same principle for becoming xvise unto sal- taliov, I pray God to enable me to know myself. Search me O God and see if there be any wicked tc\7?/ in me and lead me in the way everlasting. Were this course to be universally followed ; the sum of human prejudices, imperfections and immoralities would rapidly be diminished ; the lijzht of truth would shine over the world of mind with less impeded rays ; the virtues of Christian- ity would strengthen and extend their influence ; earth would be an image of heaven. Whatever others do, let the benefits of self-consideration in- duce MS to attend to it in the most serious and impartial manner. If there is a person present, who has never at- 1 ended to this duty, whose self-ignorance is car- ried so far, tliat he sees nothing wrong about him- self; I beseech him, before this darkness meets the blackness of darkness forever, to reflect can- didly on the extent and spirituality of the divine laws. Let him bring to this standard all iiis boast- ed preten ■ n's, I.-et him next place himself at the bar of Ui • i?.rn ;! svhere he must soon appear, and say v-h-ni ;.i cjo is willi' g to abide the result 4 the 4' ~1\ A • ^3 of an impartial scrutiny. We are assured n the gospel, that nothing M'ill then stand the test, but faith in Jesus Christ, and a life which has been adding to jmih virtue,- to viHiie knoiokdge ; to knowledge temperance : to temperance pcrtimce ; to patieiiie godliness ; to godliness brotherly kind- 77ess ; and to brotherly kindness charity. God grunt that these things may be in us, and abound, thai we may neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge (four Lord Jesus Cjirist. FINIS. :f