SERMON XI.

2 TIM. IV. 5. Watch thou in all things.

I THESS. V. 6.

Let us not fleep as do others, but let us watch

TH

and be fober.

XI.

HERE cannot be an employment SERM. more worthy of a grateful and generous mind, than to trace the goodnefs and power of the Almighty, continually displaying and exerting itself for the benefit of mankind; to observe the fame active energy which created, still continuing to preferve and fuftain, the univerfe; to remark that the eye of God is always watchful over the works of his hands; and that all the powers of nature, in imitation of their divine Author,

SERM. Author,

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are perpetually performing the various parts affigned them, and contributing towards the fupport of the whole visible creation. By that instinct, with which God hath thought fit to endow the animal world, every creature knows how to guard and defend itself against all that can distress or annoy it; hath an innate horror and averfion to every thing that can be prejudicial to it; is taught by nature to be upon its guard against every foe, and to be always anxious and vigilant for its own prefervation. As far therefore as intereft and nature go, that is to fay, as far as God, whose inftruments these are, doth guide and direct, so far all is right. The means are adequate to the end; order, harmony, and proportion are obferved but no fooner doth God let go the reins of government, and man is

XI.

left to act for himself, but all is diforder, SERM. anarchy, and confufion: though he is furnished with arms fufficient to defend himself, yet doth he for the most part either lay down thofe arms and become a voluntary flave, or turns them with ill-judged and ill-directed strength and activity against himself; he is either not vigilant, or vigilant to a bad end, or vi gilant to no end at all. He is industrious in procuring that which can only be pernicious to him, or he is totally idle and unpardonably remifs in the search of that on which alone his intereft and his happiness must depend.

When we seriously confider what variety of accidents, temptations, and miffortunes, we are all liable to, what fnares are laid for us, what foes we have to combat, and what dangers we are every hour expofed to, we shall doubtless

SERM. doubtless be obliged to acknowledge,

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that the short but important advice of the Apostle, in my text, cannot perhaps be too frequently repeated, or too warmly recommended to us.

In points of importance we can never be too cautious; danger we know is the daughter of fecurity, and presumption the parent of repentance; there is often the most danger where the leaft is apprehended, and the stronger demand for vigilance, where we allow the weakest exertion of it.

We are attacked with heat and violence on every fide, and should therefore be armed at all points; and we may rest affured, that if there is the least opening in our armour, the enemy will most certainly point his arrows at it. The fortrefs which is not only invaded by foes from without,

but