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creature in his constitution asserts; can he behold the spider's net, or the silk-worm's web, the bee's closets, or the ant's granaries, without acknowledging a higher being than a creature, who hath planted that genius in them? Job xxxix.; Psalms civ. 24. "The stars fought against Sisera." Judges v. 20. All the stars in heaven, and the dust on earth, oppose the Atheist. Romans i. 19, 20.

2. The dread of conscience is an argument to convince us of this truth. "Every one that finds me shall slay me," Genesis iv. 14, was the language of Cain; and the like apprehensions are not seldom in those who feel the fury of an enraged conscience. The psalmist tells us concerning those who say in their heart, "There is no God," that "they are in fear, where no fear is," Psalms liii. 5. Their guilty minds invent terrors, and thereby confess a Deity, whilst they deny it, that there is a sovereign Being who will punish. Pashur, who wickedly insulted the prophet Jeremiah, had this for his reward," that his name should be Magor-missabib," i. e. "fear round about," Jeremiah xx. 3, 4. When Belshazzar saw the hand-writing, "his countenance was changed," Daniel v. 6. The apostle who tells us, that there is a "law written in the hearts of men," adds, their "consciences also bear witness," Romans ii. 15. The natural sting and horror of conscience are a demonstration that there is a God to judge and punish.

The Atheist is a fool, because he useth violence to his conscience. The operations of conscience are universal. The iron bars upon Pharaoh's conscience at last gave way. Exodus ix. 27.

3. Universal consent is another argument. The notion of a God is found among all nations; it is the language of every country and region; the most abominable idolatry argues a Deity. All nations, though ever so barbarous and profligate, have confessed some God. This universal verdict of mankind is no other than the voice of God, the testimony of reason, and the language of nature; there is no speech, nor tongue where this voice is not heard.

Is it not, therefore, folly for any man to deny that which nature has engraven on the minds of all?

4. Extraordinary judgments. When a just revenge follows abominable crimes, especially when the judgment is suited to the sin; when the sin is made legible by the inflicted judgments. "The Lord is known by the judgments which he executes," Psalms ix. 16. Herod Agrippa received the flattering applause of the people, and thought himself a God; but was, by the judgment inflicted upon him, forced to confess another. Acts xii. 21-23: Judges i. 6, 7; Acts v. 1-10.

5. Accomplishments of prophecies. To foretell things that are future, as if they did already exist, or had existed long ago, must be the result of a mind infinitely intelligent. "Show the things that are to come hereafter." Isaiah xli. 23. "I am God, declaring the end from the beginning." Isaiah xlvi. 10. Cyrus was prophesied of, Isaiah xliv. 28, and xlv. 1, long before he was born; Alexander's sight of Daniel's prophecy concerning his victories moved him to spare Jerusalem. The four monarchies are plainly deciphered in Daniel, before the fourth rose up. That power, which foretells things beyond the wit of man, and orders all causes to bring about those predictions, must be an infinite power: the same as made, sustains, and governs all things according to his pleasure, and to bring about his own ends; and this being is God. "I am the Lord, and there is none else," Isaiah xlv. 6, 7.

What folly, then, for any to shut their eyes, and stop their ears; to attribute those things to blind chance, which nothing less than an infinitely wise and infinitely powerful Being could effect!

II. A few observations.

1. If God can be seen in creation, study the creatures; the creatures are the heralds of God's glory. "The glory of the Lord shall endure." Psalms

civ. 31.

The world is a sacred temple; man is introduced to contemplate it. As grace does not destroy nature, so the book of redemption does not blot out the book of creation. Read nature; nature is a friend to truth.

2. If it be a folly to deny or doubt the being of God, is it not a folly also not to worship God, when we acknowledge his existence? "To fear God, and keep his commandments, is the whole duty of man."

We are not reasonable if we are not religious. "Your reasonable service," Romans xii. 1.

3. If it be a folly to deny the existence of God, will it not be our wisdom, since we acknowledge his being, often to think of him? It is the black mark of a fool, "God is not in all his thoughts," Psalms x. 4.

4. If we believe the being of God, let us abhor practical Atheism. tions speak louder than words.

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"They professed that they knew God," Titus i. 16. Men's practices are the best indexes to their principles. "Let your light shine before men."

Matthew v. 16.

The following Skeletons are on a different plan.*

1.

Psalm xlvi. 1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

Sorrow is our common lot, many seem to know little of it, the widow, fatherless, &c.; text needs no explanation.

man's

I. The wonderful condescension of God in assuming this character towards man,— - not, however, according to the usual reasoning, greatness, his progressive faculties will equal angels, &c. Surpass all intelligence except God, but there will still be an infinite distance between God and man,- Man's moral estate; these the reasons. II. The emphasis of the text, -present, very present,· -our mechanical habits, the divine presence not realized, - a man first awakened or convicted feels it, - but soon is lost, suppose a pure and holy being were present at your sins, - as an angel, but GoD is present! See the Christian in a storm at sea, — -hearing the crash, indulging sin. Objection to the infinite God's caring for man, all worlds particles of sand. How should this thought affect us, Mother! Jesus stood at the coffin of thy infant child, at the grave of thy parents! He is with thee. Shall we weep and repine even in a garret, when God is with us?

III. Cautiousness of the text. He is a help,- not sole deliverer,there is something for us to do, - prayer is one reason of it. Nothing otherwise. Farmer. Mechanic, health by medicine.

stranger,

IV. Applicability of the text to all the poor unfortunate, widow, orphan, mourner,— Christian in temptation, -quality of all, a guilty conscience.

2.

Rev. vii. 17, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Context, Nature and probable design of these prophecies.

I. Afflictions in the present state of the Christian, an important and advantageous part of his moral discipline. 1. The fact that they are permitted, shows that they are advantageous. - How many instances, - texts. 2. They afford exercise for our Christian virtues, moral,- fortitude, patience, resignation.

3. They show us the futility of worldly comforts, -our friends die,health and beauty fade, wealth and pleasure must be left behind us.

*They are, in fact, the notes of a distinguished extemporaneous preacher.

II. This discipline is preparatory to another which shall be exempt from affliction.

1. The Scriptures assert the existence of such a place called heaven, Kingdom of God, Paradise, New Jerusalem, &c. It is implied in the doctrine of immortality.

2. It is consistent with all rational supposition. - Analogy between this world and other planets.-3. All causes of sorrow shall cease there. — 4. It is everlasting in its duration.

APPLICATION.

Do I address the mourner who has lost friends, estate, health? - the aged?-youth declining in early life? &c.

3.

Gal. iii. 18, "But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing." Christianity is designed to call into activity the noblest sentiments of the heart, -firm resolve,- intrepid daring and undaunted perseverance, zeal. The Christian's life is a holy warfare, -a holy chivalry. - The Apostle lays down the proposition, that if anything is good, it is good to be zealously affected in that good cause, Christianity is good considered. I. In respect to its orign, - divine, - bears its marks, - it is interesting to contemplate nature, but much more revelation, the noblest gift of God to man.

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II. In its nature, its theory of doctrines, - its code of moral rules was never equalled by 1. Philosophy, -2. Education, - all improvement has failed without it. - Its nature renders it efficient in its effects, - its preservation, - triumph over infidelity.

III. Its effects,- individual effects.-1. Benevolence, Peace of conscience.

2. Death.-3.

2. General effects, 1. It prevents crime.-2. Elevates society.-3. Sustains good government.

4. War.

We should be zealous, 1. Because God commands us to be so. 2. The wants of the world call for it. 3. Our happiness hereafter will be proportioned to our zeal,- a philosophical as well as Scriptural fact. We have the apostles, martyrs, and reformers, - Wesley,

high examples to copy,Whitfield, &c.

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94. The rose.
95. The lily.
96. Remorse.
97. The voice.
98. Grace.
99. Gesture.
100. Woman.
101. Man.

102. Youth and manhood.
103. The sacred Scriptures
104. The press.
105. The pulpit.

106. The human frame.
107. Travelling.

108. Language.
109. Liberty.
110. Infidelity.

111. Atheism.
112. Independence.

113. The existence of God.
114. Light.

115. Darkness.

116. Heat.

117. Cold.
118. The rainbow.
119. The wife.
120. The husband.

121. Influence of Christianity.
122. Stability of character.
123. Instability of character.
124. Peevishness.

125. Art of pleasing.

126. Local associations.

127. Influence of female character

128. Discretion.

129. New England.

130. Paternal influence.

131. Maternal influence.
132. Intemperance.
133. Fashionable Follies.
134. Emigration.

135. Intellectual dissipation.
136. Intellectual discipline.
137. The warrior.

138. The statesman.

139. The legislator.

140. The judge.

141. A field of battle.

142. A naval engagement.
143. Immortality.

144. Decision of character.

145. Romance.
146. Flattery.
147. Industry

148. Temperance.
149. Resentment.
150. Lying.
151. Piety.
152. Anger.

153. Poetry.
154. Envy.
155. Virtue.
156. Justice.
157. Adversity.
158. Pride.
159. Compassion.
160. Avarice.
161. Slander.

162. Mercy.
163. Wealth.
164. Prudence.
165. Gratitude.
166. Affectation.
167. Loquacity.
168. Wisdom.
169. Luxury.
170. Health.

171. Pleasure.

172. Gaming.

173. Religion.

180. Virtue and vice.

181. Parsimony and prodigality.
182. Hope and fear.

183. Reward and punishment.
184. Beauty and deformity.
185. Affection and hatred.
186. Arrogance and humility.
187. Order and Confusion.

188. Carelessness and caution.

189. Contentment and dissatisfac-

tion.

190. Emulation and sloth.

191. Cleanliness.

192. Religious intolerance.
193. Charity.

194. Contentment.
195. Courage.
196. Hope.

197. Perseverance.

198. Conscience.

199. Death.

200. Life.

201. Sickness.

202. Health.

203. Good humor.

204. Omniscience of God.
205. Omnipresence of God.
206. Truth.

207. Sincerity.

208. Procrastination.

209. Trust in God.

210. Pleasures resulting from

proper use of our faculties.

211. Modesty.
212. Application.
213. Discretion.
214. Christianity.
215. Suspicion.
216. Fortitude.
217. Forgiveness.
218. The seasons.
219. Filial affection.
220. Harmony of nature.
221. Adversity.

222. Distribution of time.
223. Sources of knowledge.
224. Conjugal affection.
225. Filial piety.
226. Generosity.

227. Heroism.

228. Despair.

229. Government.

230. Dramatic entertainments.

231. Fables and allegories.

232. Figurative language.

233. Commerce.

234. Chivalry.

174. Study.

175. Experience.

176. Peace and war.

177. Want and plenty.

179. Happiness and misery.

236. Natural history.

178. Ignorance and learning.

235. Philosophy.

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