tain, mix its precepts through our whole lives and conversation. Let us then take it with us în all our concerns- whether we are abroad, or at home-whether we are alone, or in company -whether we are dealing with others, or concerting our own affairs, still let us keep this blessed monitor as our constant guide; continually asking ourselves, whether this or that action, as we perform it, is agreeable to the rules of religion; and praying fervently to Almighty God, that we may conscientiously endeavour to lay every action-even the most common actions of our lives, under this religious restraint; so that whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we may do all to the glory of God. SERMON SERMON XVII*. PSALM 1xxv. 9, 10. AS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD THERE IS A CUP; THE dispensations of God with regard to this world, are represented in scripture under various similitudes; not so much with a view to explain them, as to give us such conceptions of them only, as are necessary.-Among these several images, that of a cup is frequent. It occurs in many of the divine writers-in David particularly. He speaks of the cup of salvationof the Lord's being the portion of his cup-of his cup running over-and here, in this beautiful passage, he carries the illustration further.In the hand of the Lord there is a cup; and * This Sermon was once printed on a particular occasion, but never published. the the wine is red; it is full-mixed, and he poureth out of the same. the ungodly of the suck them out. As for the dregs thereof, earth shall drink them, and From these words I shall first examine the Contents of the Lord's cup; and shall secondly and thirdly shew you how the Ungodly, and how the Godly drink of it. FIRST, with regard to the Contents of the Lord's cup, we are told, the wine is red, but it is full-mixed; that is, however fair the appearances of things may be, however splendid any state of happiness, or any situation of life may appear, it is full-mixed-there is always added to it a certain portion of evil. By evil, I mean only the usual misfortunes and afflictions of human life. These are what temper the cup of the Lord and in this mixed state it is poured out to the inhabitants of the earth.St. John indeed speaks of the wrath of God, poured WITHOUT MIXTURE into the cup of his indignation*: but he is speaking of future punishment. In this world, we commonly find the wine in the Lord's cup to be full mixed. All nature, as well as man, partakes of this 3 * REVEL. xiv. 10, mixture. mixture. We see storms purifying the air; but at the same time destroying the labours of menthe seasons sometimes kind: but as often inclement-rains fertilizing the earth; but also deluging it the ground bearing fruits and grain; but weeds also and noxious herbs-the ocean expanding its broad bosom for the benefit of commerce; but the scene also of devouring tempests and overflowing tides. If we examine animal life, as far as it respects man, we shall find here also the same mixture of good and evil. Some animals are useful for food; others for labour; and others for convenience: but a greater number we find are mischievous. The larger beasts of prey devour by their strength; the inferior by their craft; and the blighting insect by its multitude. If from the irrational part of nature we take a view of man, and his labours, we shall find them equally blended with good and evil. In himself, what a compound is he of virtue and vice? Religion and hypocrisy; honesty and deceit; charity and malice; compassion and unfeelingness; with many other contrarieties, are continually taking their turns in his mind. Good suggestions often impress him; but temptations are strong, and his practice wayward. Man Man being thus compounded of good and evil, all his labours partake of the mixture. His food is turned to intemperance; his dress to vanity'; his amusements to dissipation. Let him form what schemes, what plans, what systems he will; let him employ all his little prudence and foresight in bringing them to perfection, still he will find mixed with them, in one shape or other, uncertainty, disappointment, and miscarriage. Thus in the various circumstances of his life, good and bad pursue each other, like the lights and shadows of a stormy day. The sun may break out at intervals; yet it always happens, that either the morning, the noon, or at least the evening of his day is obscured. Light and darkness are not more connected than good and evil. David, alluding to these sudden changes, tells us, that heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. As this is the case therefore-as the Lord's cup is thus mixed with bitter as well as sweet ingredients; and as we all must drink it, let us examine in what way we may drink it best. And first let us see, how the Ungodly man drinks it; which was the second point I proposed to consider. The text says, he drinks the dregs. Now the dregs of any liquor are the pernicious parts. It |