abandoned of mankind. But we know that, as Job was, so was Christ, beloved of the Father; and never more beloved than when crying in the depths of his dereliction," My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” ́

Let not any then "write bitter things against themselves" on account of the greatness of their afflictions, but rather accept their trials as tokens of his love; for," whom he' loveth he chasteneth; and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth h." 1

ADVICE

1. Let none be secure, as though affliction were far off from them

[We may be to-day in affluence; to-morrow in want: to-day in health; to-morrow languishing on a bed of sickness: to-day enjoying the society of wife, or children; to-morrow lamenting their loss. Let us remember, that whatever we have is God's; it is only leat us for a little while, to be recalled at any hour he shall see fit. Let us learn to hold every thing as by this tenure, that we may be ready at any moment to give up whatever he shall be pleased to require of us. Since

we know not what a day may bring forth," we should stand girt for the service of our God, ever ready to do or suffer his righteous will.]

2. Let none be hasty in their judgments, when called to suffer

[Jacob thought all his trials were against him; when, in fact, they were designed for the good of himself and of all his family. And we know not but that the events we so deeply bewail, are indispensably necessary to our salvation. We have reason to think that, if we saw the end as God does, we, instead of regarding our losses or bereavements as afflictions, should adore God for them as much as for the most pleasing of his dispensations. Let us then wait till he shall have discovered to us the whole of his designs; and be content to form our judgment of him when all the grounds of judging are laid before us.]

DLXXX. PARADOXICAL EXPERIENCE.

2 Cor. vi. 10. As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

THEY who form their opinions on mere outward appearances, will almost invariably err. But in nothing will they be more mistaken, than in their judgment of the Christian state. The experience of one that is converted to God is a perfect paradox: and they who are strangers to it, evince that they yet need to learn the very first principles of true religion.

St. Paul is enumerating a great variety of things whereby he had "approved himself a faithful minister of God:" and after a multitude of other paradoxes, he comes at last to those in the text. Doubtless, they had a more immediate reference to his own state, and, in some points of view, were applicable to him alone: but in other respects, they are equally true of "all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity."

وو

We shall take occasion from these words to shew

I. How poor the Christian is in himself

The bitter persecutions, the painful wants, and the continued load of care, under which the Apostle laboured, might well make him sorrowful. But if we drink not of his cup in these respects, there yet are other grounds on which we may be called, like the Laodiceans, "wretched, and miserable, and poor a."

1. We are destitute of all that is truly desirable

[The man who wants all the necessaries of life, does not feel himself more destitute than the Christian.

How poor is he that has no righteousness to justify him before God! Yet the Christian has none in himself; he has nothing whereon he can rely, no, not any more than the fallen angels themselves ".

How poor is he that has no strength whereby to serve God! Yet this is the Christian's condition. If the thinking of a good thought would save him, he has not of himself a sufficiency to do it.

How

a Rev. iii.

b Isai. Ixiv. 6.

C 2 Cor. iii. 5.

17.

How poor is he who has no wisdom to guide him one step of his way towards heaven! Yet thus destitute is the Christian. If he should in any one instance lean to his own understanding, he would as surely err, as if he should attempt blindfold to explore the most intricate path.

In short, if he had attained the eminence of Paul himself, he still must say, "In me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing."]

2. We have continual cause of sorrow

[Numberless are the conflicts which the Christian has to maintain with his indwelling corruptions: and too frequently he receives a wound that fills him with the acutest anguish

Many are the seasons too when his soul is "in heaviness through manifold temptations :" and when, through the hidings of God's face, he "walks in darkness and has no light."

Supposing him ever so free from persecution, still he has in these things abundant reason for grief. Well may he on these accounts exclaim, with the apostle, "O wretched man that I am1!"]

But the Christian's poverty is rather a subordinate point in the text we therefore pass on to shew more fully II. How rich he is in Christ

With respect to this, every Christian is on the same footing with the apostle himself

1. He has an inexhaustible fulness of all good

[Is not he rich, that has reconciliation with God; and that has all his iniquities cast into the depths of the sea?" Is not he rich, that has liberty of access to God at all times, and that can obtain, day and night, the manifestations of his presence, and the testimonies of his love?

Is not he rich, who, besides the present aids and consolations of God's Spirit, has an assured prospect of eternal happiness and glory?

Yet this, and more than this, does the Christian possess in Christ. "All things are his, when he is Christ's" He is complete in Christ';" he is "enriched with unsearchable riches";" and "blessed with all spiritual and eternal blessings ".

"

Compare with these things all the wealth of kingdoms; and say, whether it be not lighter than vanity itself?]

2. He has an incessant ground of joy and glorying

[Let the Christian be in the most afflictive circumstances with respect to the things of time and sense, and yet may he rejoice in Christ.

What an inexpressible comfort must it be to him to contemplate the virtue of his sacrifice the efficacy of his intercession-the sufficiency of his grace the extent of his promises and lastly, his inviolable truth and faithfulness! May not he well adopt the language of the text, "I am sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; having nothing, and yet possessing all things?" Yes; it is his privilege to" rejoice in the Lord alway;" and that too," with joy unspeakable, and glorified ».”] INFER

1. What an exalted character is the true Christian! [The men of this world are altogether dependent on outward circumstances for their happiness; and, if their cistern fail, they are bereft of all. But the Christian is independent of every thing here below. He may be deprived of health and liberty, of possessions and friends; but nothing can hinder his communion with Christ. Neither men nor devils can intercept the communicatious of heaven; which, for the most part, are increased, in proportion as other comforts are withdrawn 9.

Let Christians then shew by. their contempt of this world, that they are born from above; and prove in the midst of all their tribulations, that they possess indeed the magnanimity imputed to them.]

2. How pitiable is the state of unconverted men!

[If they be poor and afflicted in a temporal view, they have nothing to sustain their drooping spirits. If, on the contrary, they be rich and gay, still their happiness is but empty, transient, delusive. In a little time they will be poor, and miserable beyond conception. In their very best estate therefore they are objects of pity and compassion: they may possess much, but yet are destitute of all things; they may be often rejoicing, but have continued occasion for grief and

sorrow.

O that they were wise, and would consider this! O that they would begin to seek an interest in Christ, that through him their state might be reversed, and that they might participate the Christian's lot!]

3. What a blessed work is that of the ministry! [The apostle gloried in this, that " though poer, he made. many rich.' And is not this the one intent of our ministry?

Is

• Phil. iv. 4.

P1 Pet. i. 8.'

1 2 Cor. i. 5.

Is it not that, for which we were consecrated to the service of the sanctuary? Has the Christian preacher no better end in view than to display his talents, and obtain applause? Surely, if we have been anointed with an heavenly unction, and ever learned the true nature of our office, our only desire is to "win souls" and, as that is the scope of our labours, so, when we behold one and another coming to the possession of the true riches, we consider our success as the most glorious of all rewards".

O that every minister might view his office in this light; and every faithful preacher be thus recompensed for his labours!]

1 Thess. ii. 19, 20.

DLXXXI. DAVID'S GRATITUDE.

2 Sam. vii. 18, 19. Then went king David in, and sat before the Lord, and he said, Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord God; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord God?

IT is no small comfort to reflect that the dispositions of our hearts are noticed by God, and, if good, are well pleasing in his sight. There are many holy desires and purposes which we are not able to accomplish; which yet are accepted before God, as much as if they had been carried into effect. David had conceived a wish and determination to build a house for God, in order that the ark, which was the symbol of the divine presence, might no more dwell within curtains, while he himself was dwelling in a house of cedar. But God did not suffer him to execute his purpose, on account of his having shed much blood in wara: nevertheless he commended the desire ("thou didst well that it was in thy heart") and made it an occasion of discovering to him the honour that was to be conferred on him and his posterity. Struck with the majesty and condescension of God, David went