274 The Happinefs of the Righteous S E R M. virtue and happinefs, and between vice and XI. mifery ; but it is fo eftablifhed by the fo- `..."J vereign will of the great law- giver, whofe power none can refill. We have the cleareft evidence that he approves the good actions of men, and difapproves the bad ; whence we infer that one part of his own charater is moral reEtitude, which is a perfection that neceffarily appears to our minds amiable, and every way worthy of the molt excellent nature; and fince he is our natural governor, by whofe will we exift, are prcferv'd, and all the circumftances of our condition are determined, here is a fufficient intimation of the rule, according to which he loth, and will always proceed, in his difpenfations towards us, making us happy or unhappy. This being fuppos'd as a certain principle, let us fee how it is to be applied to the pre - fent Rate of things, and what confequences follow from it. The adminiftration of pro- vidence in this world has a contrary appear- ance, for it feerrs to be promifcuous : As Solomon fpeaks, all things come alike to all, none knows either love or hatred ; that is, the favour or difpleafure of God, by all that is before him, by the events which happen to
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