a rebel and revolt against his dispensations. Father, thy will be done.”

The divine teacher having thus pointed us to the author, instructs us also in the intent and design of afflictions, that he may thus afford us a new shield against the assaults of grief. He cries to us―These your trials are indeed painful to nature, but they are salutary for your souls. As they proceed from him who is love, so they are sent in love. This loss, this bereavement, this disease, is ordcred by the same heart, and springs from the same rich fountain of mercy, which gave the Redeemer to expire on Golgotha. And shall any affliction then unduly depress us? We who for the health of our bodies take those medicines, which though unpalatable, are salutary, shall we not unless we esteem our souls of less value than our bodies, cheerfully receive those afflictions which God in infinite mercy appoints as medicines to the soul, as admirable means to strengthen our grace and exercise our virtues, to make us quit our eager grasp of the world, and cause us to fix our affections on him who alone can satisfy the capacities of our soul?

And finally, to give us still more effectual remedies against the sorrows of life, Jesus draws aside the curtain which covers the eternal world, and points to that immortal blessedness in which these trials terminate; he tells us that all our sorrows

have a certain, though it may be to us a secret connection with our eternal happiness; that they are such necessary links in that chain conducting from earth to heaven, that if they were wanting, we should either not arrive at those regions of joy, or at least not occupy so high a station there; that these storms of adversity, rude, boisterous, as they are, shall only bear us sooner to the haven of peace, and make us enjoy with greater delight the unclouded and undisturbed serenity of heaven. Ah! christian, ought we, dare we, when encouraged by such hopes, when animated by such prospects, repine at the afflictions of life. Ought we not in the exulting tone of the apostle, to exclaim, “We glory in tribulation; for our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more cxceeding and eternal weight of glory."

I appeal then to yourselves: has not Jesus given to his followers effectual grounds of security and peace amidst all the afflictions of life? With confidence, with triumph, we pronounce that he has. The power of these supports has been attested in every period of the church. Paul could truly say of himself and his fellow disciples who were upheld by them, "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; for we know that if the earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have

a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." And if we descend from the apostolic age to those which immediately suc. ceeded, we see these supports which the Saviour affords, upholding innumerable persons of every age, sex, and condition, enabling them to sing in the midst of the flames, to smile upon racks, to triumph upon the cruel wheel. And even now when we have so degenerated from the spirit of primitive times, how many instances could we produce of the efficacy of these consolations. Ah! how often in visiting the mansions of poverty, of sickness, of distress, have I beheld the christian composed, submissive, even joyous, under those same visitations which filled the impious with the deepest gloom, with unmingled sorrow. How often have I seen the believer in the midst of those woes most oppressive to nature, lifting up to heaven, eyes in which meekness, trust, affection were expressed, and saying with a holy composure, "The cup which my father, my affectionate father has given me, shall I not drink it ?"

Yes, we repeat the observation, and we repeat it with exultation, Jesus has given to his followers effectual grounds of security and peace, amidst all the afflictions of life.

Having thus established our first position, and evinced that the Saviour has provided for his fol

lowers the most powerful antidotes against those sorrows to which we are exposed on earth; it is no less easy to shew

2. That he has conferred on them positive grounds of tranquillity so powerful, so cheering, as to be sufficient to keep their souls in sacred peace amidst all the storms of sorrow, with which they may be assailed. He was authorized to say to his weeping disciples, affrighted at the prospect of the woes rushing upon them; he is authorised to say to all those of us who are his real friends, Peace I leave with you, because he proffers to us an intimate communion with God, the influences of his Holy Spirit, and the earnests of approaching glory : three benedictions worthy of a God; three benedictions sufficient to give a heavenly joy to the soul in the most unprosperous circumstances that can be conceived.

Jesus Christ secures peace and tranquillity for his followers, by giving them an intimate communion with God. Yes, this glorious God whose splendours dazzle the eagle-eyed seraphim, this holy God who cannot view sin without abhorrence, condescends, through the atonement and intercession of Christ, to form the most strict and tender ties with us little mortals, with us sinful creatures; and to admit us to the most intimate and delicious intercourse with him. He invites us to the most un

reserved confidence in him, to the most wonderful familiarity with him; he bids us pour out all our disquietudes into his bosom, assured of finding pity and assistance; he tells us in all our fears and dangers, to flee to him for succour, and rely on him for security and when we obey these calls, when by often betaking ourselves to God we become acquainted with him; when by frequent prayer, meditation, and other practices of devotion, we "follow hard after him" and attend close upon him, he is accustomed to break in upon the soul with flashes of joy, to warm it with beams of comfort, to breathe into it the inspirations of heaven, to speak peace to the heart and shed through it a thousand consolations: when on our knees before him, we feel our hearts dissolving with love and flowing out to his bosom, we find the rich tide of affection soon rolling back from God to our souls, and bringing with it pleasures which are unutterable. O precious hours of communion with my Maker! O inestimable privilege of fellowship with my God! blest with thee, what more can I desire; enjoying thee, what can I fear! Say my brethren, say, can a man who has these enjoyments be deprived of peace? Can the tempests of carth agitate that steady soul which has an anchor thus fixed in the heaven of heavens, and fastened to the very throne of God? What care, what fear, what inquietude can intrude within that breast which enjoys this delicious intercourse with the