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till you were left as defolate ftrangers on earth, in the midst of a new race, who neither knew you, nor cared for you, but who wished you off the stage. Of a nature so ambiguous are all the prospects which life fets before us, that in every wifh we form, relating to them, much reason we have to be satisfied that our times are in the hands of God, rather than our own.

THE

CONSOLATION.

HE life of man on earth is doomed to be clouded with various evils. Throughout all ranks the afflicted form a confiderable proportion of the human race; and even they who have a title to be called profperous, are always, in fome periods of their life, obliged to drink from the cup of bitterness. The Chriftian religion is particularly entitled to our regard, by accommodating itself with great tenderness to this dif treffed condition of mankind. It is not to be confidered as merely an authoritative fyftem of precepts. The fame voice which enjoins our duty, utters the words of confolation. The gofpel deferves to be held a difpenfation of relief to mankind under both the temporal and spiritual diftreffes of their state.

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COMFORT TO THE PENITENT.

CHRIST affords reft to the disturbed mind that labours under apprehenfions and fears of guilt. Let thofe who fuffer diftrefs of this nature come to Christ, with contrition and repentance, and they shall regain quietness and peace. Foolish and guilty they have been, and justly lie under dread of punishment; but the penitent forrow which they now feel implies their difpofition to be changed. It implies, as far as it is genuine, that, fenfible of their folly, they now defire to become good and wife; and are determined for the future to hold a virtuous course, could they only hope to obtain pardon for the paft. In this fituation of mind, let them not be caft down and defpair. Chrift has brought with him from heaven the olive-branch. He carries in his hand the fignal of forgiveness. Infufficient though our own repentance be, to procure pardon from Heaven, we are informed, that an allsufficient atonement has been made by Chrift. Neither the number nor the atrocity of offences excludes from forgivenefs, the penitent who returns to his duty. To all who come under this defcription, the offer of mercy extends, without exception.

This discovery of divine government, afforded by the Gospel, is perfectly calculated to scatter the gloom which had overcaft the defponding heart. The atmosphere clears up on every fide; and is illuminated by cheering rays of celeftial mercy. Not only is hope given to the penitent, but it is rendered finful not to indulge that hope. We are not only allowed and encouraged, but we are commanded to trust in the divine clemency. We are commanded to believe that none who come unto Christ he will in any wife caft out. Such is the relief which the religion of Chrift brings to them who labour and are heavy laden under the impreffions of guilt and divine difpleasure.

COMFORT IN AFFLICTION.

WHI

HILE bad men trace, in the calamities with which they are vifited, the hand of an offended Sovereign, Chriftians are taught to view them as the well-intended chaftifements of a merciful Father. They hear amidst them, that ftill voice which a good confcience brings to their ear: Fear not, for I am with thee; be not difmayed, for I am thy God. They apply to themfelves the comfortable promifes with which the Gofpel abounds. They difcover in thefe the happy iffue

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decreed to their troubles; and wait with patience till Providence fhall have accomplished its great and good defigns. In the mean time, devotion opens to them its bleffed and holy fanctuary: that fanctuary in which the wounded heart is healed, and the weary mind is at reft; where the cares of the world are forgotten, where its tumults are hufhed, and its miferies difappear; where greater objects open to our view than what the world prefents; where a more ferene sky fhines, and a sweeter and calmer light beams on the afflicted heart. In thofe moments of devotion, a pious man, pouring out his wants and forrows to an Almighty Supporter, feels that he is not left folitary and forfaken in a vale of woe. God is with him; Chrift and the Holy Ghoft are with him; and, though he should be bereaved of every earthly friend, he can look up in heaven to a Friend who will never die.

To thefe prefent confolations, the religion of Christ adds the joyful profpect of that future ftate, where eternal rest remaineth for the people of God. This life they are taught to confider as only the houfe of their pilgrimage; the temporary manfion of painful though neceffary difcipline. But let them endure for a little, and the pilgrimage shall end, the difcipline fhall be finished; and all the virtuous be affembled in thofe blifsful regions which

are prepared for their reward. Such a profpect cheers the darkest hours of life; and affords a remedy to every trouble. The fufferings of this prefent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. They appear, in this comparative view, as no more than a diftreffing dream of the night, from which one awakes into health, and light, and joy.

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PRACTICAL ATHEISM.

S foon as the fenfe of a Supreme Being is loft, the great check is taken off, which keeps under restraint the paffions of men. Mean defires, and low pleafures, take place of the greater and nobler fentiments which reafon and religion infpire. Amidft the tumult of the wine and the feaft, all proper views of human life are forgotten. The duties which, as men, they have to perform, the part they have to act in the world, and the diftreffes to which they are expofing themselves, are banifhed from their thoughts. To morrow shall be as this day, and more abundantly, is the only voice. Inflamed by fociety, and circulated from one loofe companion to another, the spirit of riot grows and fwells, till it ends in brutal excefs.

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