This general state of things, however, exists with much variety. There are governments, some more and some less arbitrary: in these national societies there are greater and less degrees of freedom. And to an enlightened eye it will appear plain, that, under an overruling Providence, these different kinds of government are, on the whole, nicely adjusted to the character and state of the nation governed. The preservation of human freedom is indeed a great end of the Divine Government; and it is doubtless provided that every individual, and every society of men, shall receive as much of this blessing as they can bear—as much, indeed, as will be to them a real blessing,—keeping not merely time but eternity in view. For it is to be remembered, that in the Divine sight this temporary state of existence is as nothing compared with the eternal one. All God's ends regard man's eternal welfare: to secure that, is His one great purpose. Compared with the eternal state of existence, all the scenes of this sublunary state, which we talk and think so much of, are but a "fleeting show." This great truth God never forgets, though man may. He knows well that every individual now walking the streets, or dwelling in a palace or a hovel, or pining in the confinement of a prison—has an immortal soul, and is destined to live for ever: and that while his sojourn here is comparatively but for a few days, he is soon to enter upon another state of existence, in which he is to dwell for thousands and millions of years,—for ever. To secure man's happiness, then, for the long life hereafter, is God's great end: as to what may happen to him in this little span of existence here, this comparively momentary state— whether he pass it. in poverty or riches, in
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