distressing are the stings of envy, malice, and revenge in the present state, even though but for a moment, and held back by restraints! But how intolerable must it be to endure the unrestrained rage and torment of all the sinful passions of a wicked heart, in that place where hope never cometh! Even in this life, the malignant exercises of only one of the human passions against an individual, is sufficient to destroy the comfort of any man, and render his moments wretched. Yet this is only a small portion of torment, a mere spark of those unquenchable flames which are enkindled from all the direful affections and passions of the finally impenitent, against all holy beings. Thus we may see that great must be the future torments of the wicked, even from the direful ingredients of their own heart.

5thly. Great must be the joys of the righteous in the future world, even from a benevolent heart. Benevolent exercises in the present state, fill the soul with peace and joy. But these are faint prelibations of that future peace which passeth understanding, and of those joys which are at the right hand of God. The highest joys of mortals on earth, when compared to those above, are as the dim taper of a candle to the brightness of noon. Does a benevolent heart rejoice in the prosperity and felicity of its fellow mortals in this pilgrimage state? Then how will a sight of those joys of the blessed in glory, enkindle that heart into raptures of joy and transports of bliss! All the gracious and benevolent exercises of the soul in its tabernacle of clay, are only in the bud, and frequently nipped by chilling frosts. But in a glorified spirit, in a spiritual body, how will they flourish and bloom in endless day! Souls in glory are not only encircled in the arms of everlasting love, but they have within them a well of water, springing up unto eternal life, to produce constant joys, and render fully complete their blessedness. Amen.

SERMON VII.

LITTLE THINGS BLIGHT THE FAIREST PROSPECTS OF MAN.

SOLOMON'S SONG II. 15.

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes.

HIGHLY figurative is the book from which these words are taken. It contains peculiar beauties, and invites the delicate and refined mind to a close search for their discovery and excellence. As Christ and the church are the general subject of discourse, so the prospects and glory of both may be considered as one. Whatever is for the honour or dishonour of the church, has a direct bearing on the person, character, and offices of Christ. And although believers are primarily intended in the wonderful theme of Solomon's Song, yet the instruction should be improved by all mankind.

The words of the text will admit of a varied and highly interesting explanation. The fox is an animal noted for his cunning, craft, and mischievous tricks. Foxes used to injure the vines by trampling on them, and they destroyed the grapes of the vintage. And little foxes would spoil the vines which were loaded with luxuriant clusters. Hence, not only the old and cunning fox, but little foxes must be taken and secured, lest they destroy the labours of man. "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes."

This figurative expression teaches, That little sins, little failings, and little things do sometimes blight the fairest prospects of human happiness. The subject will apply to rational, social, civil, and religious duties and prospects.

1st. Intellectual and moral culture.

The mind may be considered as a vine, capable of bringing forth tender grapes; but if little foxes be suffered to make it their den, and to run at large, they will spoil the vine, and destroy the tender and precious fruit. If instead of cherishing and cultivating virtuous principles and social affections, we suffer evil passions to predominate but in a small degree, how is inward peace destroyed! Then, in vain may we look for fruit, ripe and delicious, while nettles and thorns overspread the ground. Our minds, by proper culture, will yield the fruits of peace, encouragement, and animation; but if they be neglected, there will spring up the sad crops of uneasiness, discouragement, and dejection. It is for the want of a little consideration, that a fretful and restless disposition takes the place of a peaceable and quiet mind. But if we guard the vine, shooting buds, and pleasant flowers, and fruit, which is sweet to the taste, will be produced in rich abundance. The pains or labour bestowed in taking the little foxes, and preventing their pernicious tricks, will be amply repaid by a glorious harvest. Then let anger and jealousy, hatred and envy, malice and revenge, be checked in their first risings, before they be fanned into a flame, intolerable to the soul.

The happiness of every person depends very much on the proper government of himself, and the forming of such habits of reflection as tend to alleviate the common distresses of life. Some dispositions are naturally more generous, humane, and contented, than others; but those which are most unfavourable, by seasonable attention and proper management, may be rendered very agreeable. To this end it is important to consider our acquaintances in a favourable point of view, and to reflect much on the varied blessings daily conferred And while we would guard against upon us. grossly sinful and pernicious thoughts, let our me

ditations be such as our own consciences and our God will approve. May we keep our hearts with all diligence, that our minds may be flourishing vines, producing the peaceable fruit of righteous

ness.

2dly. Social duties.

Society may be considered as a wide spreading vine, whose rich clusters are liable to be destroyed by little foxes, unless they be taken and secured. So varied are the natural dispositions and the pursuits of mankind, that mutual forbearance is essential to the peace and prosperity of the community. Offences do not only arise from flagrant acts of injustice, but trivial faults do often occasion serious difficulties. Sometimes a trifling misunderstanding is the means of wide spread and lasting evils.. Little things do now and then cause divisions among young people, and draw forth foolish and hard sayings. Small failings are suffered to interrupt their union, to break their peace, and mar all their enjoyments. Perhaps some one has made a mischievous observation; and others, for want of wisdom, give it aggravated colourings, and let it ranckle in their breasts. Even imaginary evils do break the repose of some, and fill their hearts with disquietude. But it is truly pitiable that youth should suffer such little foxes to blight their fairest prospects of present enjoyment, and beset their ways with unnecessary perplexities. A little discretion and reflection might prevent the mischief; and a little sympathy and benevolence would soothe the mind burthened, and heal those differences which may exist in the social circles of the young.

But shall trivial misdemeanours interrupt the harmony and make of no avail the social privileges of persons of age and experience? Shall the slightest provocations separate friends, cause bitter animosities, and sharp contentions to arise? Shall the spreading vine of society, its varied branches, and numerous clusters, be suffered to be overrun

and destroyed by little foxes? Rather let them be taken when young, and their mischiefs prevented. Let not the middle aged suffer mere trifles to wound their own souls, and to give poignant anguish to others, for the want of a little wisdom and sympathy. Did a worm at the root of Jonah's gourd, wither and blight its fairest prospects, and mar his enjoyment? How affecting and melancholy, if in like manner little foxes run at large, consume the tender grapes, and spoil the various branches of the vine of society! Caution, in words and actions, is necessary; but especially heed should be taken in relating unpleasant reports, would we behold the vine green and flourishing. A charitable spirit, and words fitly spoken, administer sap and life to its withered and decayed branches. How varied and endearing the goodly prospects of social circles and civil life! Then, may our actions say, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines; for our vines have tender grapes,' " which must flourish and come to maturity.

3dly. The parental relation may be noticed.

Parents may be considered as a vine, and their offspring its branches; hence their mutual prospects may be represented by clusters of tender and choice grapes. But the ties of parental and filial affection are so interwoven into their very natures, we should hardly imagine that small failings could be the means of very serious and lasting evils. Yet thousands of parents have seen their children brought to disgrace and ruin, and have accused themselves as being the authors, by their little indulgences in those things and ways which their consciences could not call right. Some, who have not been taught obedience at an early age, have, in their youth, proved the shame and painful mortification of their parents, by their disobedience and unblushing impudence. On the other hand, some parents, instead of governing their children, do only provoke them to wrath. Instead of making