same unqualified hopes and expectations : from youth to man- hood, and from manhood to old age, we still continue to speak of future events as depending on ourselves, rather than on God ; and seldom, if ever, have any direct reference in our minds to the superintending and all-directing providence of God. In- deed, it is from hence that our exertions principally arise : and so gratifying to our minds is this corrupt habit, that, our chief happiness in life arises from it : for it is a well-known fact, that the fond dreams of hope almost invariably exceed the pleasures of actual enjoyment.]
Such is the evil which the Apostle censured in the words before us : which, however, lead us yet further to consider,
II. The folly of it- There is nothing in reality at our command, or under our controul. We cannot by any means secure,
1. The success of our labours —
[" We cannot tell what shall be on the morrow :" we can- not tell how soon circumstances may arise to make us view that as an evil, which we just before coveted as a good. The fact is, that there is scarcely a man living, who has not as much reason to bless God for the dispensations by which his desires have been thwarted, as for those by which they have been gratified. How foolish then is it to take the disposal of events out of God's hands, instead of committing it to him, whose wisdom cannot err, and whose power cannot be counteracted ! We may, like Israel, cause him "in wrath to give us" the object of our inordinate desires, and constrain him to inflict upon us the judgment denounced against his disobedient people; " I will curse their blessings."]
2. The continuance of our lives —
[" What is our life? it is a vapour that appeareth but a little time, and then vanisheth away." This is a truth which all acknowledge ; and which, if duly considered, would abate the ardour of our earthly pursuits, and moderate our too san- guine expectations. Who has not seen persons in the bloom of youth, when promising themselves years of prosperity and joy, cut off suddenly, even as the flower of the grass, which in the morning looks gay and flourishing, and in the evening is cut down, dried up, and withered ? Yes, a light, airy, unsub- stantial vapour is but too just an image of life, which in its best estate is vanity, and in the twinkling of an eye may pass away for ever. Is it wise then to be either looking forward to