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darkness for ever? Such a reflection should fill our minds with solemnity. The scenery of this life is truly wondrous and majestick; but boundless scenes await us. Hence the very idea of a human being, is a thought of inconceivably vast importance.

2d. We may see how unwise and foolish all must act, who will not show themselves men, by conducting as becometh rational and accountable beings. A contrary course is attended with vanity and vexation of spirit. Departures from the path of rectitude and rationality are attended with disappointment, pain, and remorse. Human beings, who have reason, conscience, and the word of God, for their direction in the path of duty and life, must have a painful task, to bid them defiance and act irrationally. Surely it is a folly for any to continue in sin, merely because they have transgressed. And if any feel the weight of aggravated guilt, why should they continue to increase their hardness, and still add to their treasure of wrath? Should any of us at last sink down to wo, it will not be merely because we have sinned, but because we still persist in iniquity. In view of past errours and follies, then let us learn circumspection and wisdom for the future. They who refuse to conduct as becometh rational and accountable beings, cannot meet the approbation of their judge; but must reap the fruit of their own doings.

3d. We may see from this subject, that the responsibility of human beings must be great. As their station in the great scale of being is elevated, so they have opportunity of doing much good, by wisely improving the talents entrusted to their charge. They who have knowledge, wealth, influence, or any other talents, should improve them as wise and faithful stewards of their Lord and Master. In what station so ever we are placed, we are not to act merely with a view to our own ease and interest, but for the good of community. Opportunities of education and religious instruction, natural and

acquired abilities, the calls of Providence and conscience; all social, civil, and religious means and privileges, will be brought to view at the great day of retribution. And who does not feel that his responsibility is great? Even though some have far more extensive opportunities and privileges than others, who can say that only one talent is committed to his charge? But whether we spend our probationary state in the ways of wisdom or folly, our responsibility will at last appear to be great.

4th. We may see what encouraging and goodly prospects to all those who are walking as becometh rational and accountable beings. So far as any thus walk, so far they pursue the path of true happiness. They are pursuing their present peace and comfort, and future even everlasting blessedness. They have no reason to be weary in well doing, for shortly they will hear their Saviour's glorious plaudit, Well done good and faithful servants, enter ye into the joy of your Lord. What a glorious recompense of reward! We can put no bounds to the knowledge and felicity of such, but infinity itself. For eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive of the joys which God hath prepared for those that love him. They will not only be for ever free from pain, and complete in bliss; but they will be for ever making nearer approaches to the fountain and source of moral excellence and blessedness. After millions of ages shall have rolled away, their knowledge and joys will rise higher and higher. Motives and prospects of infinite weight to induce mankind to conduct as becometh rational and accountable beings. Amen.

SERMON IV.

ENVY, ONE OF THE BASEST PASSIONS OF THE HUMAN

BREAST.

Esther, v. 13.

Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai, the Jew, sitting at the king's gate.

THESE words are the confession of Haman; and they are recorded as a reproof and warning to all mankind. The history concerning him and Mordecai is a lesson, fraught with instruction, to show how sudden and how great may be the changes either of human exaltation, or human abasement. Haman, on the one hand, through envy, experienced a most degrading fall; and Mordecai, in consequence of his uprightness, was raised to very distinguished honours. Haman told his friends of the glory of his. riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king. He said moreover; yea, Esther, the queen, did let no man come in with the king unto the banquet that she had prepared, but myself; and to-morrow, I am invited unto her also with the king. Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai the Jew, sitting at the king's gate. What then! The envious man resolves not only on the destruction of Mordecai, but also on the entire extinction of the Jews, his kindred.

My object, in this discourse, will be to show, that envy is one of the basest passions of the human breast, and dreadful in its effects. But what is envy?

Envy is that affection of the human heart, which grudges to others that respect or prosperity, which is supposed to attend them. Or envy may be said to be a sensation of uneasiness and disquiet, arising from a selfish heart, in view of the advantages of others, and accompanied with malignity towards them. Rachel envied her sister Leah, because of her fruitfuluess. Joseph's brethren envied him, because his father loved him. Saul envied David, because he considered him as a competitor for the crown. Haman envied Mordecai any honour, because he hated him. And the Jews envied Paul and Barnabas, because they preached the gospel. But the nature and effects of envy will be more clearly pointed out, by showing from various considerations, that mankind should not harbour this monster in their breast.

1st. They should guard against envious feelings towards one another; because they are unreasonable. As it respects moral motives and actions, it is the province of reason to point out the advantages or disadvantages of any course of moral conduct. But what are the benefits arising from envy, either to individuals or community? Surely neither envy nor its operations were any real gain to Haman or his friends. The same melancholy truth may be said concerning every individual, who has been guided by envious feelings. The brethren of Joseph, Saul, and Haman, had sad experience to convince them, that envious feelings and envious treatment of others, were most unreasonable. And at the present day, they who cherish a spirit of envy towards others, whether towards those whom they hate, or towards their enemies, will, to their cost, reap the reward of unreasonable doings. To envious men the advantages of others, prove their disadvantage. Why was not Haman contented? and why did he not richly enjoy the favours confered on him? One reason he assigns in the words of the text: All this availeth

me nothing, so long as I see Mordecai, the Jew, sitting at the king's gate.

2d. We should not be envious towards others; because, this spirit reigns only in low, selfish minds. A person of a generous and noble disposition, will rejoice at the prosperity and felicity of others; but an ignoble and envious soul is grieved and chagrined in view of their success and happiness. Whilst a liberal mas exercises sympathy with his fellow men in time of their distress, an envious and base man is delighted with their calamities. Envy is not confined to persons of low circumstances in life; but boasts of the rich and great as her votaries. The prosperity and elevation of Haman did not secure him from exercising envious feelings of the most degrading nature, and that in the view of the peace of one whom he scorned to notice. But the more elevated his station, the more selfish and contracted must be his mind, to be filled with envy towards one whom he considered as his inferiour. Those who possess the spirit of Haman, have a most selfish spirit. Persons of benevolent feelings would be glad in view of what made him sorry. The enlarged soul is pleased with the prosperity of superiours, inferiours, or equals. But how contracted must be the mind to be grieved and sad in view of those things that ought to yield it enjoyment.

3d. We should guard against envy; for it is not merely against our fellow men, but it is against the providence of God. The Lord has not only the keys of life and of death in his hand; but he giveth the kingdom to whomsoever he will. It was divine providence, that rendered Joseph so beloved by his father, and raised him to be governour over all Egypt. Therefore his brethren, in envying him, murmured against God. It was an invisible hand that raised David to the throne, and that caused favour to be shown to Mordecai. And Saul and Haman had hearts irreconciled to the Supreme disposer of events.

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