tarnish the lustre of all their good actions, and are a disgrace to human nature!

To sum up all that has been observed

upon this subject, it must appear to a rational mind, that the Almighty, in the delivery of his commands to mankind, has of his own goodness prescribed to them those laws that are evidently most conducive to the happiness of his creatures. This in particular, while it guards against the passion of covetousness, so destructive to all peace, points out the only virtue that can make us truly happy ;--content of mind under every dispensation of Providence.

The experience of one who was esteemed the wisest of men, added to our own, instructs us that happiness is not to be sought for in the pursuit of any one particular object, but in the rational enjoyment of what falls to our lot. Solomon,

who tried the various ingredients which are supposed to constitute human felicity: as knowledge, wealth, pleasure and power, found that each, when separately pursued, was attended only with cares and vexation of spirit, perhaps a fair proportion of each enjoyed in moderation might have taught even him wisdom.

The principal error to be guarded against in the pursuit of happiness, is that of comparing our situation to that of our neighbours; are we only to be comparatively happy? If so, why are we to confine the comparison to those whose condition of life appears to be superior to our own? why may we not, from the same motive derive consolation from reflecting upon the numbers of our fellowcreatures whose lot is more unfortunate than our own?-few are so wretched that they cannot find a condition still more miserable than their own! Let us avoid

either extreme, and depend upon ourselves alone for happiness without desponding, because others are seemingly more prosperous, or exulting over those who are more wretched. Let us rather with a friendly zeal participate in the joys and sorrows of others-weep with them that weep, and rejoice with them that rejoice, waiting with patience for that blessed hour, when the ways of God shall be justified to men, and his darkness made manifestwhen he shall wipe away all tears from the eyes, and conduct to a more perfect state of bliss those who fear him and keep his commandments.

SERMON XII.

ST. MATTHEW, CHAP. V. VER. 7. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

1

AMONG the many valuable precepts which our Saviour delivered in the course of his short ministry here on earth, all of which were excellent rules of life, none were of more general benefit to mankind than his various exhortations to mercy, whether we confine the exercise of this attribute to a mutual forgiveness of each other's trespasses, or extend the idea to universal charity.