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reveals the hidden dangers which beset the heavenly road. In tender mercy, counsels of wisdom and salutary admonitions are given, that the wandering may return, and their souls find rest. No suitable instruction is withheld; and all that is encouraging and endearing, invites us to walk in the way of salvation.

4th. This subject presents every possible encouragement to attend to the concerns of immediate duty. This is the proper way to secure the comforts of this life, and to promote our present peace and highest enjoyment upon earth. Present duty is immediately and inseparably connected with the dearest interest of our fellow-men, and by reciprocation to double our own joys. And as to those joys which are on high, the faithful discharge of our duty towards God and man, will reap endless and increasing felicity. The evils of life, and those of futurity forbid us to be busy about remote concerns. But cheering prospects for time, and unspeakable blessings for eternity, are the reward of well doing; and call, invite, and allure, that our employments and enjoyments, be in attending to the concerns of immediate duty and preparing for immortal glory. Amen.

SERMON XIX.

THE PATH OF HUMAN HAPPINESS.

Psalm iv. 6.

There be many that Who will show us any good?

say,

THE desire of happiness is connatural to the minds of intelligent beings. All men wish to be happy, notwithstanding so many pursue courses which are inconsistent with the attainment of this desirable end. Whether mankind be holy or sinful; whether they walk in the straight and narrow way that leadeth to life, or in the broad road that leads to death, they are inquiring after happiness. This is an object truly worthy of their pursuit, and there is but one higher or more noble motive which can inspire the human breast. Moral fitness, or the seeking to know and do the will of God so as to promote the greatest good of his moral kingdom, is the most glorious principle, by which man can be excited to action. Such a sentiment and excitement are the dignity of human nature; and a royal diadem to crown the head of man. But all are not thus nobly influenced. The Psalmist says, There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Perhaps the true import of this expression is, Many inquire after happiness, without knowing what it is, or seeking where it may be found. They may desire any enjoyments of a worldly and sensual nature, and be willing to pursue any means or courses in order to self gratification. Such would delight in any object or pursuit, that would afford sinful pleasures. The inq uiry may be, What earthly or created good, when rightly pursued, will promote human happiness. Some, when

they make the inquiry, Who will show us any good? would convey this idea, That none but God can satisfy and fill the desires of an immortal mind.

In the prosecution of this subject, my object will be to point out the path of human happiness. In the world above, all are completely happy; but in the present state, happiness is variously distributed, and in general according to the propriety and uprightness of conduct. Hence the present and future prospects of human beings depend much upon themselves, or upon a wise and faithful improvement of means and talents. But suffer me first to present the reader with some observations from Sterne, on the same subject.

The great pursuit of man is happiness, which is the first and strongest desire of his nature. In every stage of his life he searches for it, as for hid treasure. He courts it under a thousand different shapes; and though perpetually disappointed, still persists, runs, and inquires for it afresh; asks every passenger, who comes in his way, Who will show him any good? who will assist him in the attainment of it, or direct him to the discovery of this great end of all his wishes?

He is told by one, to search for it amongst the more gay and youthful pleasures of life; in scenes of mirth and sprightliness, where happiness ever presides, and is ever to be known by the joy and laughter which he will see, at once, painted in her

looks.

A second, with a graver aspect, points to the costly dwellings which pride and extravagance have erected; tells the inquirer that the object of which he is in search, resides there; that happiness lives only in company with the great, in the midst of much pomp and outward state; that he will easily find her out by the fineness, richness, and costliness of her dress; and by the great luxury, the expense of equipage and furniture, with which she is always

surrounded.

The miser blesses God; wonders how any one would mislead and wilfully put him upon so wrong a path; is convinced that happiness and extravagance never dwelt under the same roof; that if he would not be disappointed in his search, he must look into the plain and thrifty dwelling of the prudent man, who knows and understands the worth of money, and cautiously lays it up against an evil day. He is persuaded that it is not the prostitution of wealth upon the passions, or the parting with it at all, that constitutes happiness; but that it is the keeping of it together, and the having and holding of it fast to him and his heirs for ever, which are the chief attributes that form this great idol of human worship, to which so much incense is offered up every day.

The epicure, though he easily rectifies so gross a mistake, yet at the same time, he plunges him, if possible, into a greater; for, hearing the object of his pursuit to be happiness, and knowing of no other enjoyment than what is seated immediately in the senses; he sends the inquirer there, tells him it is in vain to search for it elsewhere, than where nature herself has placed it, even in the indulgence and gratification of the appetites, which are given us for that end. And in a word, if he will not take his opinion in the matter, he may trust the word of a much wiser man; who has assured us, that there is nothing better in this world than that a man should eat and drink and rejoice in his works, and make his soul enjoy good in his labour for that is his portion.

But, to rescue him from this sensual experiment, ambition takes him by the hand, leads him forth into the world, shows him all the kingdoms of the earth, and the glory of them; points out the many ways of advancing his fortune, and raising himself to honour; lays before his eyes all the charms and bewitching temptations of power; and then asks, if

there can be any happiness in this life like that of being caressed, courted, flattered, and followed?

To close all, the philosopher meets him bustling in the full career of this pursuit; stops him, tells him if he is in search of happiness, he is far gone out of his way. The fullest assurance is given that this goddess has long been banished from noise and tumults, where no rest could be found for her; has fled into solitude, far from all commerce of the world. In a word, if he would find her, he must leave this busy and intriguing theatre, and go back to that peaceful scene of retirement and books from which he at first set out. Alas! how often does man run the round of this circle? Try all experiments, and generally sit down weary and dissatisfied with them all at last; in utter despair of ever accomplishing what he wants, nor knowing to what to trust after so many disappointments, or where to lay the fault; whether in the incapacity of his own nature, or the insufficiency of the enjoyments themselves.

In this uncertain and perplexed state, without knowledge which way to turn, or where to betake ourselves for refuge; so often abused and deceived by the many who pretend thus to do good, Lord, says the Psalmist, lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. That is, send us some rays of thy grace and heavenly wisdom, in this benighted search after happiness, to direct our goings in the sure path. O! let us not wander for ever without a guide in this dark region, in endless pursuit of our mistaken good; but enlighten our eyes that we sleep not in death. Open to them the comforts of thine holy word and religion; lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, and make us know the joy and satisfaction of living in the true faith and fear of Thee, which alone can carry us to this haven of rest where true joys are to be found; and which will at length not only answer all our expectations, but satisfy the most unbounded of our wishes for ever and ever.

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