it be not too passionately indulged and cherished. Jesus himself wept over Lazarus, and His example has given a sacredness to sorrow. It is the very state of affliction which is pronounced to be blessed; whereas, if grief were altogether quelled, the affliction would not be felt. Support in distress is like courage in danger, and strength in conflict; the state continues, but a power to bear it is imparted. After the labour of the day, a man reclines upon his bed to refresh his wearied limbs; he is still fatigued, and it may be a long time before his strength is recruited, but he feels the enjoyment of repose. In a similar sense we must understand the promise of Christ, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Ye shall still feel your sorrow indeed for a while, but I will increase your strength, and lighten your burthen; I will cheer and revive your spirits; I will set my bow in the dark cloud that hangs over your souls, and ye shall remember the covenant of mercy that I have made with you, your heart shall rejoice in my salvation, and your joy and peace no troubles of the world shall ever be able to take away from you. For I have overcome the world, and ye shall follow in my victorious path; sorrow and trouble shall at length have no power over you,

tears shall be wiped from your eyes, and ye shall partake of the pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore.

My Brethren, accept the invitation of Christ, and trust Him that he will in His own way, and at His own time, make good His gracious promises. Nothing in the world can sustain you under severe affliction, but that hope implanted and nourished in your hearts by His Holy Spirit; for His influence devoutly, earnestly, continually pray; pray that you may acquiesce in the wisdom and goodness of God's appointments; that you may recognise His over-ruling hand in all the events of life; that you may be able to cast all your cares upon Him, as upon a Father who loveth and pitieth all, particularly his afflicted children; that you may forsake all dependance upon earthly things, and be ready to commit yourselves entirely to His disposal; that you may value your souls above all worldly goods, and willingly resign whatever you best love, if he sees the loss to be for your spiritual benefit; that you may always be disposed to seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and humbly to permit Him to order all your temporal circumstances, so as they may best conduce to your eternal welfare. Christ "What I do thou knowest not now, but

says,

The Providence

This

thou shalt know hereafter." of God works in a mysterious way, and through our own ignorance, and the temptations of Satan, our Faith is sometimes staggered, because we do not understand His proceedings; but let us pray with the disciples, "Lord increase our Faith!" Perhaps the secret will be disclosed to us hereafter, and then we shall see, that those afflictions, which appeared to us to be the heaviest dispensations of his hand, were the instruments by which God bestowed his richest mercies. is a most wonderful state of existence in which we are placed; we know scarcely any thing, but the path in which our appointed duty lies. Let us not neglect it while we seek to scan the hidden ways of God, but proceed in our own onward course, trusting in His providence, praying for His grace, obeying His holy will, and seeking with undivided interest, the blessedness of His everlasting Kingdom. Then, though "we sow in tears, we shall reap in joy; and our light affliction (light, when compared with what we deserve, light, compared with the happiness of Heaven) shall work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen, are

S

temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal."

And if there be any among you, who scarcely know by experience what affliction is, whose life is unclouded, to whom the world seems to abound in happiness, and comfort, take care that you be not seduced to set your hearts on the perishable things of this present time; they will soon pass away, nothing will abide, but the treasures which you shall have laid up in heaven. The afflictions which you see others experience, are a warning to you as well as to them, that happiness is not to be sought for on the earth; wealth cannot purchase it; you know, you see, it cannot; if you abound then, trust not in the good things you possess ; if

you are poor, covet not to be rich; in whatever condition you are, let your ruling object, and your chief study, be to live as becometh the disciple of Jesus Christ, making all the circumstances of life to minister to the Glory of God, and to the salvation of your own souls.

In all the various states and pursuits to which you may be called, "be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

SERMON XVI.

HALTING BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS.

1 KINGS, xviii. 21.

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.

THE history to which these words relate, is both in itself highly interesting, and in its application highly instructive. I will first recall to your recollection the particulars of it, and then proceed to consider the very important lesson which it teaches.

It appears that from the time when Jeroboam, (that rebel against both God and his King, "who made Israel to sin," by leading away the greater part of the nation at once from their true religion, and from their allegiance to their lawful