fince he hath given us natural capacities for the poffeffion. Should we not all then with transport enter into the fentiments of David, and adopt his language. I will fing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will praise my God while I have my being. My meditation of him fhall be fweet; I will be glad in the Lord. Let the ungrateful cease from the earth, and the wicked be no more: Bless thou the Lord, O my foul. Praise ye the Lord.

Pfalm civ. 33.

SERMON

SERMON V.

The Goodness of our Creator illuftrated in various Laws of the human Constitution.

PSALM Viii. 5.

Thou haft made him a little lower than the angels, and haft crowned him with glory

and honour.

HA

AVING mentioned in the preceding discourse, the chief powers and af◄ fections of our bodies and minds, as proofs of the Creator's benevolence; in farther confirmation of the delightful truth, I would take notice of fome Laws of the human Conftitution, or of certain ftrong determinations towards particular ways of acting, which arife out of our general frame. As by a conformity to these the good of mankind is extensively promoted, they demonstrate not

the

the wisdom only, but the benevolence alfo, of the Mind which planned and established them. Some of thefe laws relate more peculiarly to our minds, others both to our minds and bodies. Let us take a view of the principal; and begin,

I. With what we may term the law of activity and industry. By this our Maker hath appointed, that the regular exercise of our powers, whether mental or bodily, shall not only be attended with pleafure, but increase their ftrength and vigour. We have numerous wants, which cannot be supplied without labour. The earth cannot be cultivated, or its fruits and products collected and preferved, or formed into the supports, conveniencies and ornaments of life, without great and continual labour. and continual labour. We receive alfo our minds from the Father of fpirits, unfurnished with neceffary and useful knowledge; and to furnish them well, requires continued diligence and application. This is wifely conftituted, that our acquifitions and improvements might be properly our own; and intitle us to the fatisfaction and praife of having made them. Had our

Creator been malevolent, when he had laid us under a neceffity of exerting our powers of body and mind, he would have appointed that this exercise fhould be constantly productive of pain, and gradually weaken the feveral powers, till they were deftroyed. But we experience on the contrary, that scarce any thing is more destructive to health of body and vigour of mind, than idleness and inactivity. Numerous diseases are the natural offspring and punishments of a flothful and useless life. And a general tediousness of life, want of strength and spirit, and an incapacity to relish natural and valuable pleafures, are the effects of this conduct on the mind. Whereas exerting our bodily powers in useful labours and productions, and applying our minds to gain the knowledge of important truths and valuable arts, and to establish virtuous difpofitions, give agility to the body, and fpirit to the mind, yield exquifite fatisfaction in the confciousness of being well employed, and improve our health and ftrength, and the abilities of our minds for agreeable and advantageous contemplations. These improvements are followed with the efteem and love of our ac