if our troubles prove too great for us, it is because we trusted to an arm of flesh; because we sought because we went not to With the trial, grace

our rest in things below; the Strong for strength.

was offered, to enable us to profit by it. Without grace surely every trial will prove too great for us, for we are, without it, feeble and unstable as water. But, with the strength of Christ, what shall be too hard? may we not through it do all things? and is it not ever ready prepared for those who earnestly seek it? But further, do we not feel that our afflictions are deserved? Who shall say that any chastisement sent him can exceed his deserts? Few, I believe, could think this, if only they knew as they should the nature of sin. It needed but one mortal sin in our first parents to drive them forth from God's presence, and bring suffering and death upon the whole human race. It was so odious, so enormous in His sight, "who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity," that not all the suffering man could possibly endure could make any adequate satisfaction to Divine justice. Nothing less than the blood of God the Son was required as an expiation. We were once made partakers of the benefits of that expiation fully; "we were buried with Christ by baptism into death, that like as He was raised from the dead by the glory of God the Father, even we also should walk in newness of life." We were then placed in a state of favour

1 Romans vi. 4.

and acceptance with God, just as our first parents were when in paradise. But, have we died unto sin and arisen unto righteousness? Have we walked consistently in newness of life? Have we never been guilty of mortal sin? And if conscience tells us we have, can we think any temporal suffering too great for us? Ought we not rather to rejoice, and have better hopes of mercy, if God chastens us here, that our souls may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus? O let no murmur, no impatient thought, be harboured for a moment, lest God say in anger," Why should ye be chastened any more?" Why not leave them to the hardness of their hearts, seeing they hate to be reformed, and cast My judgments aside as useless scourgings? Let it be ours rather to choose the more manly though humble part. "It is the Lord, let Him do what seemeth Him good." "What, shall we receive good at the hands of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil" also? Let us not be ever putting forth vain regrets about the hardness of our lot; are we not soldiers? are we not members of a body ever fighting against sin, the world, and the devil? and, if God assign our position, and it be one of danger or suffering, shall we shrink? Know we not that He can and will, if we are worthy, reward us with double honour? Besides, we know neither sorrow or suffering can last very long in this world; the end soon comes-sooner or later certain-but very soon though late; for what is the longest life but

a span, a mere hand breadth compared with that eternal duration which shall follow this scene? Taken at their worst, the sufferings of this world are soon over, and "are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us," (if faithful.) "Blessed," said the Saviour, "are they that mourn" here, because they shall be "comforted" hereafter. Instead of giving way, therefore, to impatience, distrust,. or despair, let us nerve our souls for the trial, whatever it may be. Let us think of our sins, and what they have deserved. If He condescends to correct us, let us bless the rod, and rather pray Him to wave it over us till every earthly idol be destroyed in our hearts, than that these should exalt themselves against Him. Though our past sins alarm us; though the great adversary of our souls stands forth as our accuser; though God's judgments sound heavy in our ears; yet out of the depths let us cry unto Him. Let us look up with fear and reverence to Him from whom cometh our salvation. He has given us hope, abundant hope of mercy, if we are sincere with Him, even in this world; but more we dare not say. There is mercy with Him, therefore shall He be feared. His mercy must not make us presumptuous, but fearful of putting ourselves beyond it. With rebukes He now, perhaps, corrects us for our iniquity, makes "our beauty to consume away like a moth." Though tears are our portion, day and

Psalm xxxix. 11.

night, and innumerable evils compass us about; though our past iniquities take such hold upon our consciences that we cannot look up; yet, let us wait patiently for the Lord, and though He punishes us, and we know it, let us wait until He incline unto us and hear our cry.

Let us pray Him "to send out His light and His truth into our souls; to lead us, to bring us to His holy hill, and to His tabernacle; that we may go unto the altar of God, unto God our exceeding joy." And then, however He exercises our soul in temporal sorrows; though "He lay our honour in the dust, and bring our life down to the ground;" let us "count it all joy, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope;" "that whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth."

"O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing."

1 Psalm xliii. 3, 4.

2 Hebrews xii. 6.

3 Jeremiah x. 24.

SERMON VII.

WORKS, NOT WORDS, NECESSARY TO SALVATION.

1 JOHN iii. part of v. 7.

"Let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous."

IT has ever been the inclination of mankind to substitute for true religion something else than strict faithfulness and obedience to God; to reconcile their hopes of eternal happiness in a future world with liberty to live as they please in this. They are unwilling to mortify their evil desires and affections; keep watch over their words and actions; deny their natural wishes, and humbly fulfil their duty towards God and their neighbour. All this involves too much care and effort and self sacrifice, so instead of reforming their lives they "seek out many inventions." They desire, in fact, to make their calling and election sure, by some easier way than by "giving all diligence to add to their faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance pa