veneration, and love. Him they are capable of worshipping, and obeying. To each other, at the same time, they are able to extend every useful thought, every amiable affection, and every beneficent action; and can thus become the means of mutual improvement, worth, and happiness. In forming these beings, the Wisdom of God is in many respects gloriously manifested. Particularly, as they are capable of being the subjects of real, though finite benevolence, and of directing this disposition by their understanding to an unceasing variety of desirable and useful purposes; as they are capable of promoting their own excellence and enjoyment, and that of each other; as they are capable of knowing, loving, and glorifying him, and of possessing the exalted worth, and expansive happiness, which result from all these as causes; and as immense multitudes of them actually do all the things, which I have mentioned: so they can become, and do in fact become, delightful objects both of the benevolence and complacency of God. All these things, also, they can, and will, do in a never-ceasing progress throughout eternity. In forming such agents, therefore, God has made for himself a kingdom supremely glorious and divine; composed of subjects, whom his eye regards with infinite complacency; to whom his hand is stretched out with eternal bounty; who, as a vast mirror, reflect, as the ocean reflects the splendour of the Sun, the boundless beauty and glory of their Creator; and whom his voice with awful but delightful accents pronounces to be a work worthy of JEHOVAH.

My Audience will undoubtedly observe, that there are two great manifestations of divine Wisdom, which have usually been alleged by preachers, but which have been omitted in this discussion; the Redemption of Mankind, and the Word of God. These are, beyond a question, the prime exhibitions of this Attribute. The Word of God is called by itself the Word of Wisdom; the Gospel is justly declared to be the wisdom of God. By the same illustrious title, is Christ known in the Scriptures; and to disclose the manifold Wisdom of God in the most won derful work of Redemption, is expressly asserted to be the end, for which all things were created. But there is not opportunity, at this time, to exhibit either of these subjects in such a light, as

they both indispensably demand. On a future occasion, should Providence permit, I may consider them at large.

The illustrations, which have been produced in this discourse, although a very few, out of an endless multitude, actually and daily existing, are, it is presumed, amply sufficient to impress upon the mind a full conviction, an affecting sense, of the Wisdom of God.

REMARK.

A single remark, intended as a general comment on the several discourses concerning this most sublime and wonderful of all subjects, the Existence, and Character of the Creator, shall conclude this Sermon.

When we call to mind even those views of this subject, which have been here succinctly and imperfectly given; we cannot, I think, fail to exclaim, How great and glorious a being is God!

I have now finished the observations, which I proposed to make on the existence and perfections of God; and considered this vast subject, as it is presented to us both by Reason and Revelation. What an amazing character is here manifested to our view! JEHOVAH, the self-existent, eternal, immutable, omnipresent, omniscient, almighty, and independent; the only good, just, faithful, true, merciful, and wise; the Maker, the Preserver, the Benefactor, and the Ruler, of all things: to whom be glory for ever and ever. What a Character, what a Being, is this! How do all creatures in his presence, and in comparison with his greatness and perfection, shrink into nothing, and become. justly counted to him, as less than nothing and vanity! How truly, how suitably to his character, does he say, I am; and there is none else! How wonderful a Cause must He be, from whom all things are derived! How divine an Architect must He be, who with his finger laid the foundations of the earth, and built his stories in the Heavens! How amazing a Ruler, who doth according to his will in the armies of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; whose hand none can stay; and to whom no being may say, What doest thou? How exalted a Benefactor, who giveth unto all, life, and breath, and all things! How perfect a God,

who conducts his immense kingdom along the ages of eternity, with ever increasing glory, happiness, and perfection!

How infinitely different is the JEHOVAH of the Scriptures from the Gods of the Heathen, of Philosophy, and of Infidelity! How many weaknesses disgrace, how many passions pollute, how many vices deform, these objects of man's device, applause, and homage! All of them are vanity and a lie; and they that make them are like unto them, and so. is every one that putteth his trust in them. There is none of them, that considereth in his heart; in none of them is there knowledge or understanding. They feed on ashes; a deceived heart hath turned them aside, that they cannot deliver their souls, nor say, Is there not a lie in our right hands? Lift up your eyes on high, and behold, Who hath created these things? Who bringeth out their host by number? Who calleth them all by names? Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span? Who hath comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure; and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?

He

But thou, O Zion! that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice; and rejoice with joy and singing. Thou shalt see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of thy God. He shall come with a strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him! shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also, that is of a contrite and humble spirit ; to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

Seraphim and Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Principalities and Powers, feel no employment, no honour, no happiness, so great, as to worship, serve, and glorify, God for ever, and ever. With wonder, awe, adoration, and transport, they surround his throne, veil their faces, cast their crowns at his feet, and cease not day nor night, crying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, who wast, and who art, and who art to come.

If men possessed the disposition of angels; their employments, their views, and their happiness, would in substance be the same. No Polytheists, no Atheists, no Infidels, would ever have disgraced the human name. To this end, no enlargement of our understanding is necessary. A mere change of disposition would convert this world into one great temple of Jehovah; in which one faith would command and control, and one worship ascend, as the odour of sweet incense, from the rising of the Sun to the going down of the same. Holiness to the Lord would be written on the hearts, the lips, the employments, and the pleasures, of the great family of Adam. Every heart would glow with love and rapture; and every hill and valley become vocal with praise. In all his wonderful works, God would be sought and seen, acknowledged, and glorified. Every being and event would be viewed only as a manifestation of God; and the universe contemplated as a vast picture, exhibiting, in forms and varieties innumerable, the wisdom and power, the benevolence and amiableness, the beauty and glory, of JEHOVAH.

But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and, what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

In this passage of Scripture, Job asserts, that the mind, or will of God, is one, and unchangeable, or incapable of being turned; and that all its dictates, or desires, are carried by him into execution. As God does whatsoever he chooses; it is hardly necessary to observe, that he does nothing but what he chooses. As his mind is unchangeable, and but one; so, this being admitted, it is intuitively certain, that it has always been but one. As all things were originated, are preserved, directed, and controlled, by God; so it is plain, that they all come to pass exactly according to his pleasure. This doctrine is therefore clearly contained in the

text:

That all things, both beings and events, exist in exact accordance with the purpose, pleasure, or what is commonly called The Decrees, of God.

Before I begin the direct discussion of this doctrine, I shall make a few preliminary observations.

It is well known to the Christian world at large, that no subject has been the foundation of more, or more strenuous, controversy, than this. By various classes of Christians, and some of them very numerous, it has been roundly, and steadily, de