strongly illustrating the foregoing truth ; namely, that, however much we may exert ourselves,
1. We cannot alter that which is unfavourable —
[Every man, by the very constitution of his nature, is dependent on his fellow-man for the greater portion of his happiness. The welfare of a whole empire depends on the wisdom and prudence of the prince ; as the prince's prosperity and comfort do on the industry, the fortitude, the loyalty of his people. So it is through all ranks and orders of society ; all are deeply affected by the conduct of those around them. In the domestic circle, how impossible is it for the husband or wife, the parent or child, the master or servant, to be happy, if those with whom he is more immediately connected be per- verse and obstinate in an evil way! Yet all come more or less in contact with unreasonable men : and, however much they may strive to rectify the views, or reform the habits, of such people, they find it altogether beyond their power : they can as easily change the leopard's spots or the Ethiopian's com- plexion, as they can prevail on persons to change those habits which are productive of so much uneasiness to their minds. Hence, though they form the wisest and most benevolent plans, they cannot carry them into execution, because of the blindness and perverseness of those whose concurrence is necessary for the accomplishment of them''.
In like manner, there is often an untowardness in events as well as in men. The seasons will not consult us ; nor will the elements obey us. Accidents utterly unforeseen will occur, and cannot be prevented by human foresight. Hence uncertainty attends our best concerted plans, and failure often disappoints our most laborious exertions. But these are " crooked things which no man can make straight :" no human wisdom or power can control them. We have a large and abundant harvest in prospect : but, behold, storms and tempests, or blasting and mildew, or insects of some kind, destroy the whole crop. We have gathered the harvest into our granaries, and a fire consumes it ; or an enemy overruns the land, and devours it. We have attained the greatest felicity of which we suppose ourselves capable, by a connexion the most desirable, or by the acquisi- tion of a first-born son : but how soon does death invade our dwelling, and blast all our promised joys ! These are but a few of the evils to which we are exposed in this vain world ; and they stamp " vanity and vexation" upon all that we possess.]
2. We cannot supply that which is defective —
•= This may be noticed especially in the opposition made to the diffusion of the Scriptures, which persons of benevolence and piety labour to circulate through the world.