their mind to humble submission under such unexpected and overwhelming adversities; but the compassionate Jesus knew what was in their heart, was touched with the feeling of their affictions, drew near to them in their deepest sorrow, and, by the blessed influence of his grace and Spirit, his presence and his promises, soothed and comforted their agonized hearts.

Paul could triumph amidst the severity of his peculiar trials : “ Who shall separate me from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or height, or depth : Nay, in all

? these things I am more than conqueror, through him that loved me.”

Abraham, strong in the faith, is made willing to offer up his son, his only son, Isaac.

Jacob, when dreading that he would never again behold Simeon, or Joseph, or Benjamin, throws himself into the arms of his God, saying, with meek submission, “ If I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” And Joseph, in his departing hours, thus calmly addressed his family and

brethren,

* "

brethren, “ I die, and go to my fathers; but God shall be with

you In all ages of the gospel-dispensation, many believers in Jesus have passed through fiery trials, with all the serenity and fortitude of Christian heroes, undaunted at dangers, and saying with David, “ We dwell under the shadow of the Almighty, and therefore we will not be afraid ; we will say of the Lord, He is our refuge, and in him we will trust.”

These, my friends, are evidences, that under the severest trials, the children of God have been enabled to acquiesce in the divine will; to encourage themselves in their God when brought low by affliction, or when surrounded with danger; nay, to derive important benefits from their distresses. What benefits? the men of the world would say.

Their corruptions mortified, their graces improved, their souls brought nearer to God as their exceeding joy, and rendered more spiritually-minded, more dead to the world, more willing to depart, and more eager to be with Christ, which is far better.

For

For those calm tranquillities of soul, when tribulation abound; for those patient acquiescings in the divine disposals; for those triumphs over murmuring, unbelief, and distrust; for those dedications of their souls to God; and for those songs in the night of adversity ; his people are debtors to that rich and powerful grace, which brings down their high imaginations, calms the tumult of passion, and fills with good hope, patient waiting, and strong consolation in Christ.

Let us therefore seek, that we may find; and ask, that we may receive. Let us delight ourselves in the Lord, for he can make light to break forth suddenly, and can turn the shadow of the evening to a joyful morning.

3. It well becomes us diligently to labour for that heavenly resignation exemplified in the text; for, if attained, it will sweeten the bitterest cup, and render smooth the roughest steps of our pilgrimage.

This proposition needs no proof; it only requires to be more deeply imprinted on our mind. Consider, then, what are the sentiments

of

of those afflicted saints who draw near to God, through faith in Jesus Christ, and who, having intrusted their immortal souls with their faithful Redeemer, do also commit themselves and their lot to the divine disposal.

This, or such as this, will be the language of their submission : “ Thou, God, seest us, and knowest our frame, and rememberest that we are dust; thine unerring wisdom can best discern what kind of dispensations are most beneficial for us; what corruptions need to be expelled through the discipline of thy providence; what graces need to be proved and tried, or improved and purified; what measure of prosperity we can bear, without being too elated; and what trials would so wholly overwhelm, as to unfit us for the duties of life and godliness. Thou, O Father, hast promised not to amict above what we are able to bear ; and hast declared, that though our calamities should be for the punishment of iniquity, yet thou wilt not utterly take away thy loving-kindness, nor suffer the covenant of thy peace to be removed: Abba, Father, thou wilt not deny thyself. Convinced of this, we lie at thy feet, we receive thy corrections, we take up the cross, and will

patiently follow wherever thou wilt point our way. Though our favourite gourd should be withered, we will not, like Jonah, be angry with God; though our earthly comforts be taken from us in thy holy sovereignty, we will not complain that an enemy hath done this ; though our all should be demanded, we will not revoke the surrender we made, when, warmed with gratitude for thy redeeming love, we sincerely said, Lord, all we are and have is thine.

“ Being thine, O Almighty Jehovah ! through the ever-living Redeemer, and taking thee for our God, we welcome the

portion thou appointest us; thy wisdom cannot err; thy power can set bounds to the raging storm; thy faithfulness is unchangeable ; thy loving-kindness is better than life ; and thou hast promised, for our comfort, that all things shall work together for our good; therefore in patience we would possess our souls, and would both hope and quietly wait for thy salvation.”

We conclude, by intreating you to con