Page images
PDF
EPUB

makes it his constant rule to do to all men as he would they should do to him; and is so far from endeavouring to over-reach and defraud his neighbour, that he chooses rather to forego the greatest gain, than purchase it at the expence of the least injustice-I say, it is impossible for any person to reflect and not acknowledge, it is much more probable that such a man should enlarge his fortune in the world, than he who acts the very reverse, that practises all the arts of cheating and lying, of over-reaching and circunivention, and stoops to every thing, how base and dishonest soever, which he thinks will turn to his present profit; that considers not so much how honest and upright his actions are, as how profitable; and cares not what his neighbour suffers by his injustice, if he himself does but get by it. Such a mant when he comes to be known (as he will not be able long to conceal himself), will certainly lose his credit and reputation; he will become hated and despised; and every person will be afraid to have any dealings with him, E

On the other hand, the honest and upright man (beside the blessing of God, which he cannot fail of) will be sure to meet with the love and esteem of all that know him: he will have few, if any enemies; but many friends, and those some of the wisest and best of men; who will be always ready to assist him, and glad of every opportunity of promoting his interest and happiness.

2. Another great blessing of Life, and which gives a relish to all other enjoyments, is Health. And who is more likely to obtain this blessing than the religious man? for will not tem

perance, sobriety, and virtue (duties which he constantly practises) conduce more to a sound and vigorous constitution of body, than surfeiting and drunkenness, lust and intemperance? the mischievous effects of which are too visible to be denied. Who hath woc? (said Solomon) who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling?who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixed wine, Prov. xxiii. 29, 50. What pains

and diseases have some men brought upon themselves, merely by their excesses and debaucheries! diseases, which have not terminated with their own lives, but have been entailed upon their unhappy posterity! and how can it be otherwise, unless it should please God to change the nature of things? for, if men will run into those excesses which inflame and corrupt their blood: it is no wonder that gout, or dropsy, or some more immediately fatal distemper, should proceed from such disorders. And when a vicious or debauched parent has brought rottenness into his own bones; though the children may be free from the vices of their father, yet they frequently feel all their lives the mischievous effects of his transgressions.

3. Again: a cheerful and contented mind is another great blessing of Life; for, without it, nothing in this world can make us happy. And by what means shall a man obtain this desirable disposition, but by the practice of Religion? That will teach him to resign his will to God, to submit to all the

dispensations of his providence, and to be patient and easy, cheerful and satisfied, under every disappointment and trouble he may meet with; as knowing that God is the sovereign disposer of all things; a being of infinite goodness, kindness, and love; that he does not willingly afflict the children of men, but makes every thing work together for good to them that love him. And how quiet, easy, and contented, must such a man be under all events! He Mas learned, with St. Paul, how to abound and how to want: and as he is not puffed up with the one, so neither is he cast down, when it pleases God to send the other; but goes through the world with a calm, even, and contented mind, undisturbed by that inquietude, impatience, and discontent, from which a proud, envious, and ambitious man is seldom, if ever, free.

4. Peace is another great blessing, highly conducive to the happiness of Life: and to this the religious man has the justest claim. He considers, that, if God so loved us, as to send his Son to be the propitiation for our sins, we

ought also to love one another; 1 John iv. 10. 11. and therefore he is an enemy to no man, but kind and goodnatured and obliging to all; and, if any person is so unreasonable as to reward him eoil for good, (as the Psalmist complains some had done to himself) yet, in imitation of his blessed Saviour, whose example he continually sets before him, he does good to them that hate him, and prays for them that despitefully use him, and persecute him. Matt. v. 44. When he is reviled, he reviles not again: when he suffers, he threatens not, but committeth himself to him that judgeth righteously. 1 Pet. ii. 23. He resolves, as St. Paul advises, to put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, with all malice; Eph. iv. 31. and endeavours to attain that wisdom which is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits. Jam. iii. 17. This principle of love, and charity, and good will to mankind, as it renders the mind quiet and easy, calm and

« PreviousContinue »