SERMON IV.

On the Mixture of BAD MEN with the
GOOD in HUMAN SOCIETY.

Let both

THI

MATTH. xiii. 30.

grow together until the harvest.

IV.

HE parable, of which these words SER M. are a part, contains a prophetical description of the ftate of the church. Our Lord predicts that the focieties of Chriftians were to be infected with perfons of loofe principles and bad difpofitions, whom he likens to tares fpringing up among wheat. He intimates that there fhould arife fome whofe officious zeal would prompt the defire of exterminating

IV.

SERM. immediately all fuch evil men; but that this were contrary to the designs of Providence, and to the fpirit of Christianity; that a complete feparation was indeed to be made at laft between the good and the bad; but that this separation was to be delayed till the end of the world, when, in the style of the parable, the tares should be entirely gathered out from among the wheat. Let both grow together until the barvest.

When we look around us, nothing is more confpicuous in the ftate of the world than that broad mixture of the religious and the impious, the virtuous and the wicked, which we find taking place in every fociety. Strong objections feem hence to arise against either the wisdom or goodness of divine Providence; especially when we behold bad. men not only tolerated in the world, but occasionally exalted in their circumftances, to the depreffion of the juft. Why, it will be faid, if a Supreme Being exist, and if his juftice rule the univerfe, does he allow fuch infamous perfons as the records of hiftory often prefent, to have a place,

and

IV.

and even to make a figure in his world? SER M. Why fleeps the thunder idle in his hand, when it could so easily blaft them? What fhall we think of one who, having the power of exterminating them always at his command, permits them to proceed without disturbance; nay, fometimes appears to look on them with complacency?-It becomes highly worthy of our attention to confider what anfwer can be made to these objections; to inquire whether any reasons can be given that ferve to juftify this difpenfation of Providence, in allowing a mixture of bad men to continue on the face of the earth until the end of time. This inquiry fhall make the subject of the prefent difcourse, together with fuch reflections as naturally arife from furveying the ftate of human affairs.

BUT, before entering directly on fuch inquiry, it may be proper to take notice, that, in our eftimation of who are the good, who are the bad, we are often in hazard of committing mistakes. The real characters of men are known only

to

SERM. to God. They frequently depend on the IV. fecret and unfeen parts of life. As in

judging of themselves men are always partial, fo in judging of others they often err, through the imperfe& information which they have gathered, or the rafh prejudices which they have formed. They are too apt to limit the character of virtue to those who agree with them in fentiment and belief; and to exaggerate the failings of thofe against whom they have conceived diflike, into great and unpardonable crimes. Were it left to the indifcreet zeal of fome to extirpate from the earth all those whom they confider as bad men, there is ground to apprehend that, inftead of tares, the wheat would often be rooted out.-At the fame time we readily admit the fact, as too manifeft to be denied, that a multitude of grofs and notorious finners are now mixed with the followers of God and virtue. Let us proceed then to confider how far this is confiftent with the justice and wifdom of the Governor of the world.

IT

It is a principle in which all ferious and reflecting perfons have agreed, and which by many arguments is confirmed, that our present ftate on earth is defigned to be a state of difcipline and improvement, in order to fit human nature for a higher and better state which it is to attain hereafter. Now, this principle being once admitted, we say, that the mixture of virtue and vice which here prevails, is calculated to answer this purpose better than a mere unmixed and perfect state of fociety would have done.

FOR, in the first place, the crimes of the wicked, give occafion to the exercise of many excellent difpofitions of heart among the righteous. They bring forth all the fuffering virtues, which otherwife would have had no field; and by the exercife of which the human character is tried, and acquires fome of its chief honours. Were there no bad men in the world to vex and diftrefs the good, the good might appear in the light of harmlefs innocence; but could have no opportunity of difplaying fidelity, magnanimity, patience, and fortitude. One half VOL. IV.

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