and, when they find the Work peculiarly difficult, as they often may, especially after long Indulgence, great Pity likewife. But, though they should never be fo far contented with themselves, as to ceafe from the Attempt of Reformation, yet, while they are fure they attempt it in Earneft, they fhould acquiefce very calmly, notwithstanding that their Progress is but flow. The Nature of all Men is both imperfect and corrupt: and that of fome much more than of others. The Disparity of the Faculties of our Minds and the Difpofitions of our Hearts is as great, as of our bodily Qualifications or external Circumftances: and every 'one must submit to his Lot in the former, as well as the latter; for grieving and murmuring will make Nothing better in either. Those Creatures, which cannot at all improve themfelves, appear to be content with being what they are but we can improve ourselves greatly; and if we labour to do it chiefly in what best deferves our Labour, Goodness and Virtue, we fhall out of Weakness be made strong, provided we truft not prefumptuoufly to our own Efforts, but humbly join with them, Faith in : God, and Prayer for the Aid of his Holy Spirit, through the Mediation of Jesus Christ: for his Grace fhall be fufficient for us, and his Strength made perfect in our Weakness. Without him we can do nothing: every wrong Inclination, Diffatisfaction amongst others with every Thing within and without, in their Turns, will prevail over us: but through Chrift who ftrengtheneth us, we can do all Things. To him we owe our Deliverance from the Wrath to come 8: and well may we be easy with an inferior Share of worldly Advantages; for the best of us deserve none. From him proceeds all the Good, that we think or do and furely we have no Title to greater Abilities in any Respect, than he bestows on us. On him depend our Hopes of future Happiness: and the lowest Place in it is too high for us. Yet we know not how far we may advance in spiritual Attainments by modeft Perfeverance. We may be enabled in Time to out-do both ourselves and others, and be rewarded accordingly. But however that proves, it may abundantly fuffice us all, that we fhall make our Calling and Election fure", and enter into some : f Phil. iv. 13. Degree Degree of the Joy of our Lord, in Return for our faithful Improvement of the Talents committed to us, be they more or fewer, if in an boneft and good Heart, having heard the Word, we keep it, and bring forth Fruit with Patience, though it be in very different Proportions, fome an hundred fold, fome fixty, fome thirty'. * Matth. xxv, 21. * Luke viii. 15. 1 Matth, xiii. 8. SERMON SERMON XI. PSALM XXXix. 10. I became dumb, and opened not my Mouth: for it was thy doing. T would be our Wisdom and our Duty, IT though we had no Knowledge of Religion, to bear the Sufferings of Life with Patience, and submit to the Inequalities of it with Contentment. I have therefore hitherto inforced upon you the Practice of these two Virtues chiefly from prudential and moral Confiderations, though I could not altogether forbear adding fome Inducements of Piety also. But these last are both fo fuperior to the former, and fo neceffary in human Circumftances, that I muft now dwell upon them diftinctly. Pains of the Body, and Uneafinefs of the |