Thus every virtue, and virtuous action, finds fome correfpondent temptation to bring it to proof; from which we draw, I think, an irrefragable argument that this world was intended for a ftate of trial. When we fee the teeth of two correfpondent fhells clafping together, and fitted with fuch exact relation to each other, we cannot but conclude, they were originally formed with a view to this union. From the confideration of a ftate of trial two or three obvious truths arife. In the first place, it seems a proof beyond atheiftical cavil, of the providence of God. If the adaptation of one thing to another in mere matter, be thought of little moment.--here we fee the fame adaptation in a higher fcale, in the ordering of the moral world. Secondly a state of trial proves ftrongly the exiftence of a future ftate. A trial, in its very nature, indicates fome connected caufe, for which that trial was made: and as our trial lafts through this world, it feems to point at another. Thirdly, it proves, among a variety of other proofs, the truth of religion. A ftate of trial is exactly that ftate of moral difcipline, which is held out out in the gofpel; and in this correfpondence, they corroborate each other. There is every appearance of their being parts of one united plan. And as we have proved a state of trial to be derived from God, fo is its counterpart, the gofpel. That XIV. That which is highly efleemed among men, is abomination in the fight of God.-Luke 16. xv. L OOK into any part of life, and you will find this truth afcertained. We are continually doing things, which are highly efteemed among men, but abominable in the fight of God. Maxims in trade and business, are directed chiefly to the accumulation of wealth.. Amufements are carried far beyond the idea of relaxation, and end in diffipation and riot. Even the purfuits of fcience are often carried too far---and end in what the scriptures call worldly wisdom---often in infidelity. -Now all these things, and various other things, which may be claffed with them, are highly esteemed among men, tho they are abomination in the fight of God. The great conclufion therefore is, that the opinion, and judgement of the world fhould never be made the criterion of our actions. We have a true criterion given us in the fcripures, and there we fhould feek it. God XV. God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye always having all-fufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.-2 Cor. 9. viii. THE than a fpiritual fenfe. The apoftle is dif pofing his converts to a charitable contribution; and the doârine of the text feems to be, that God will recompenfe the charitable man with worldly bleffings; and in reward of his charities will not fuffer the barrel of meal to waste, nor the cruife of oil to fail. : But now for what end was this doctrine thrown out? Not furely as a motive to charity for when a man is charitable on this motive, he turns his charity into avarice. The doctrine of the text therefore seems to be held out only as an encouragement to those pious, good people, who are fometimes checked in their charitable defigns, by fearing left they fhould exceed their circumftances, and bring their families to want. To fuch perfons the text fays, Be not |