uncertain tenure From reflections insensibly do the

the perishing condition and of everything in this world. of this serious cast, how thoughts carry us farther?-and from considering, what we are what kind of world we live in, and what evils befall us in it, how naturally do they set us to look forwards at what possibly we shall be? - for what kind of world we are intended- what evils may befall us there and what provision we should make against them here, whilst we have time and opportunity.

If these lessons are so inseparable from the house of mourning here supposed we shall find it a still more instructive school of wisdom when we take a view of the place in that more affecting light in which the wise man seems to confine it in the text, in which, by the house of mourning, I believe, he means that particular scene of sorrow, where there is lamentation and mourning for the dead.

Turn in hither, I beseech you, for a moment. Behold a dead man ready to be carried out, the only son of his mother and she a widow. Perhaps a more affecting spectacle a kind and indulgent father of a numerous family, lies breathless snatched away in the strength

of his age

torn in an evil hour from his children and the bosom of a disconsolate

wife.

Behold much people of the city gathered together to mix their tears, with settled sorrow in their looks, going heavily along to the house of mourning, to perform that last melancholy office, which, when the debt of nature is paid, we are called upon to pay to each other.

If this sad occasion which leads him there, has not done it already, take notice, to what a serious and devout frame of mind every man is reduced, the moment he enters this gate of affliction. The busy and fluttering spirits, which in the house of mirth were wont to transport him from one diverting object to another see how they are fallen! how peaceably they are laid! In this gloomy mansion full of shades and uncomfortable damps to seize the soul see, the light and easy heart, which never knew what it was to think before, how pensive it is now, how soft, how susceptible, how full of religious impressions, how deeply it is smitten with sense and with a love of virtue. Could we, in this crisis, whilst this empire of reason and religion lasts, and the heart is thus exercised with wisdom and busied

with heavenly contemplations- could we see it naked as it is-stripped of its passions, unspotted by the world, and regardless of its pleasures — we might then safely rest our cause upon this single evidence, and appeal to the most sensual, whether Solomon has not made a just determination here, in favour of the house of mourning?-not for its own sake, but as it is fruitful in virtue, and becomes the occasion of so much good. Without this end, sorrow I own has no use but to shorten a man's daysnor can gravity, with all its studied solemnity of look and carriage, serve any end but to make one half of the world merry, and impose upon the other.

Consider what has been said, and may God of his mercy bless you! Amen.

SERMON III

PHILANTHROPY RECOMMENDED

Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? — And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him Go, and do thou

likewise.

IN

N the foregoing verses of this chapter, the Evangelist relates, that a certain lawyer stood up and tempted Jesus, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?-To which inquiry our Saviour, as his manner was, when any ensnaring question was put to him, which he saw proceeded more from a design to entangle him, than an honest view of getting information-instead of giving a direct answer which might afford a handle to malice, or at best serve only to gratify an impertinent humour - he immediately retorts the question upon the man who asked it, and unavoidably puts him upon the necessity of answering himself; and, as in the present case, the particular profession of the inquirer, and his supposed general knowledge of all other