SERMON calling of God are without repentance V. His goodness therefore consists, not in a mere temporary effusion of blessings, but is permanent and steady; leading him, not simply to bestow some things that are good, and then to stop, but to carry his gracious purpose to the utmost; in every instance to do what is best for his servants on the whole, or in the words of the text, to make all things work for their good.

Let us now consider what it would import, if any single occurrence were to happen in the course of human affairs, which had not a good design; which did not, in one form or other, promote the benefit of the righteous. What would it import, but that in such an instance, either the Divine power and wisdom had fallen short of their effect, or the Divine goodness had neglected and forsaken the virtuous? It were blasphemous to suppose that the nature of the Deity was changed; or that there were, in his government of the world, some vacant spaces, or neglected intervals, in which he suffered the reins of

V.

administration to drop out of his hands, and SERMON some evil principle to counteract his general system. But as all such suppositions are manifestly inconsistent with the nature of that God in whom Christians believe, there appears to follow, from the consideration of his perfections, evidence next to demonstration, for the truth of that doctrine which the text contains.

BUT that it may not rest its evidence on our own reasonings only, let us next consider what discovery of his high designs God hath been pleased to make in the Revelation of the Gospel. Here it is amply sufficient to have recourse to one signal dispensation of his government, the redemption of the world by Jesus Christ. Hence arises an argument which carries the most convincing force; and which accordingly, in a few verses after the text, is employed by the Apostle in support of that doctrine I have been illustrating. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall be not with him also, freely give us all things? Can we in any instance distrust Him who hath given us this highest

H 4

SERMON highest proof of his love? If he scrupled

V.

not to bestow this best gift, is there any other blessing he will be inclined to withhold? Having already done so much, will he leave incomplete his own great work? -By the death of Christ, we are taught in Scripture, that atonement was made for sin. He underwent in his sufferings the punishment due to us. He is said to have been wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities; to have borne our sins in his own body on the tree. From this view of the doctrine of redemption, it naturally follows, that Christ having purchased for his followers the pardon of their sins, the afflictions they now undergo are not properly to be considered as punishments, but as chastisements intended for their good. Add to this, that it is the peculiar province of our Lord in his present exalted state, to administer all things for the good of his church. For this end his regal power is employed. To this end his me diation and intercession are directed; and either these must in some cases prove ineffectual, or it must follow that all things work for the good of them who love him,

V.

As much evidence then as we have for SERMON those capital truths on which the whole of Christianity rests, the same we have for that high encouragement afforded by the

text.

It remains to take notice, in the last place, of the express and multiplied promises of the sacred Scripture to the same purpose with that in the text. Though the text alone might have appeared sufficient for our encouragement; yet, as repeated assurances of the same thing come home with greater weight to the mind, it hath pleased God to make this full provision for confirming the trust and hope of his servants and there can be no doubt that the plain and explicit words of the divine promises have had the most comfortable influence on many who could not so well have supported themselves under the trials of life, either by reasonings taken from the divine perfections, or by inferences drawn from the doctrine of redemption. Accordingly, we are not left merely to reason or to infer, but are in express terms told by God himself, that godliness shall be profitable unto all things; that God the

Lord

SERMON Lord is a sun and a shield, giving grace and

V.

glory, and withholding no good thing from
them that walk uprightly; that no evil shall
happen to the just; for the Lord is their
keeper, who nevers slumbers nor sleeps; that
bis eyes are
are ever on the righteous; that
when they pass through the waters, he will
be with them, and through the rivers they
shall not overflow them; and in fine, that
all his paths are mercy and truth to such as
fear him, and keep his covenant *. These
promises, and many more to the same
effect, with which the Scripture abounds,
plainly express a particular care of Heaven
exercised about every single good man;
they signify as real an interposition of Pro-
vidence, as if the laws of nature had been
suspended on his account.

The opinion entertained by some, that the Providence of God extends no farther than to a general superintendance of the laws of nature, without interposing in the particular concerns of individuals, is contrary both to reason and to Scripture. It renders the government of the Almighty altogether loose and contingent, and would

I Tim. iv. 8. Ps. lxxxiv. 11. Ps. cxxi. 3, 4, &c.