i that some kind of retribution is just commencing in some cases, but left very imperfect in all, so that some other state must be admitted for the accomplishment of God's equitable intentions; otherwise all, that we have discovered, is not merely imperfect, but superfluous, unsatisfactory, and purely embarrassing. There remains, therefore, but one answer to our question, which is, that ours is a state of probation. By this we mean that it is a state of trial and discipline, preparatory to something further; a state in which moral agents are to be formed to active and passive virtue, and in which moral qualities are to be produced, exercised, and matured, with a view to some future condition. This account of human life is the only one which can be reconciled with the appearances of the world; the only one which either answers or silences the captious and curious inquiries, which are perpetually recurring to the mind of man, with relation to the government and goodness of God. For, when it is once understood, that the present is only a great theatre of preparation or of trial, it is folly to ask, Why was there not less uncertainty and disappointment? because it is just as easy and rational to ask, Why was there not more? If you assert that less would have been sufficient to answer every purpose of probation and moral discipline, I may ask, How much less? And why may not beings, placed in a condition less probationary than ours, inquire, with equal reason, Why were we not created more provident, more secure, more perfect, and more exalted? My Christian friends, after this view of human life, can you think this your abiding-place? Have you found here enough to satisfy the desires of souls immortal like your own? No, I cannot consent to place you with the beasts that perish. I cannot endure that you should think the miseries and disappointments, the doubts and vicissitudes, or even the enjoyments, of this life, are all that belongs to the existence of which God has put you in possession. Go to the gospel of his Son. Man there appears a more glorious creature, the child of an everlasting Father in Heaven, who gave his Son to die that we might live forever. Make that your guide through these disappointments and uncertainties, and all is clear and full of encouragement. Use this world without abusing it. Weep as though you wept not. Rejoice as though you rejoiced not. And, though "the fashion of this world passeth away," you may have 66 a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." DISCOURSE. [Delivered December 18, 1808, on the Lord's day after the public funeral of the Hon. James Sullivan, Governor of Massachusetts.] ROMANS XIV. 7. FOR NONE OF US LIVETH TO HIMSELF, AND NO MAN DIETH TO HIMSELF. WHENEVER the providence of God, in what is called the course of nature, removes from the society of mortals one whom we have long known, the chasm, which is thus left, in the compass of our accustomed business, pleasures, or acquaintance, suggests to every mind, near enough to observe it, some of its most serious contemplations. We know that no creature, from the seraph, that stands forever in the light of God's countenance, down to the insect, that glitters only for an hour, was made without purpose, or has lived without effect. We know, that, throughout creation, there is always some end, beyond the mere enjoyment of animal life, which every living creature is destined to accomplish; and we soon find, with relation to ourselves, that God has so wisely established the conditions of human happiness that the highest felicity of every individual can be attained only by living for others, and losing sight of his own personal gratification in the general service. In |