alwife and unbounded benevolence of our Creator, referving for the next discourse an examination of the other objections taken from the nature and circumftances of men, and the confequent prevalence of vice; I would now conclude with this practical reflection.

That fince the wife benevolence of our Creator, hath formed us capable of an approved piety and virtue, and of thus qualifying ourselves for the crown of immortal life and bleffedness, and fituated us amidst circumstances, which oblige us to exert a watchfulness and refolution, that though difficult, will be infinitely overpaid-inftead of quarrelling with our conftitution, and pleading our inclinations and temptations, as excufes for yielding to vice, we should cheerfully embrace, and vigorously improve the opportunity, for qualifying ourfelves to receive fo glorious a reward; heartily and conftantly exerting our moral powers. Let us regulate the fenfual paffions, and become pure in heart*, when we may thus be qualified to fee God, and enjoy his Matthew v. 3.

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presence and favour to eternity. Let us moderate our anger, and become meek and gentle; when we may thus become meet to inhabit the new heavens and new earth, wherein righteousness, peace and love will dwell forever. Having the hope of an eternal heaven, of perfect purity, devotion and felicity; let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and purify ourselves, as God and Heaven are pure. And thankful to God, that he hath put into our power, by the refolution, vigilance and persevering obedience of fso short a life, to become established in holiness and bleffedness for eternity, let us be ftedfaft, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; knowing that our labour in the Lord will not be in vain §.

2 Corinthians vii. 1. 1 John iii. 3. §i Corinthians xv. 58.

SERMON XII.

The Objection of the Abundance of moral Evil farther urged and anfwered,

JAMES i. 13, 14.

Let no man fay, when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own luft and enticed.

IN

N the preceding difcourfe, on these words, I began to examine the objection raised against the goodness of our Maker, from abounding moral evil, and fhowed you, that alwife Goodness would direct the creation of free beings, capable of an approved virtue and obedience, even with the forefeen hazard, that many of these would not approve themselves. And that

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the various inclinations and paffions in our conftitution, which have been objected againft, as occafioning the viciousness and mifery of numbers, are very useful, and even necessary to fuch beings as men; and would prove, if they were not inexcufably faulty, occafions and excitements of virtue, and means of their greater happiness.

But it is still objected; "if we were "created free, and with inclinations and paffions which conftitute us capable of "an approved virtue, and were placed on

our trial, might we not have been tried "in circumstances more favourable? Might "we not have been placed in bodies, the " inclinations of which, that might prove " occafions of fin, fhould never rise to such ftrength, as we feel our inclinations do? And might not reafon, confcience, and "the nobler affections, have been formed

Stronger? But are not the greater part "of mankind born with constitutions, in "which the meaner inclinations and paf"fions have fuch strength, and then fitu"ated amidst fo many temptations, that

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