and are fully equal to the performance of all which our minds have under their proper cognizance.

Take both together, and consider that mysterious composition of soul and body, ourselves, of which we know so much and so little-of which we talk so familiarly, and yet have so much to learnand see how bountiful has the hand of God been to us, even looking on ourselves as rational animals only.

How various are the gratifications of our senses-lawful gratifications-which he has placed within our reach. What eye is there that does not look with feelings of true pleasure on the glorious sight of a rising or a setting sun, or the beautiful picture of fields spread with spring flowers; on hills and woods, on streams and rivers? We walk, and are refreshed by the breath of the air which He has given us we enter our houses, and are surrounded by protections from the change of the seasons, by means of things which He has placed in our reach to obtain. We have food and clo

thing, and fuel: we have food which He has so ordered as that it shall be provided in one part of the year to support us in the remainder, and food which is provided from day to day. Then, when we have received every lawful gratification of our senses, He has provided a high gratification for us in their certainty to be gratified, and sends sleep upon us to refresh us and fit us for sustaining and enjoying each succeeding day. Surely here is matter for thankfulness.

Then, in order honestly to consider the objection which is made on account of the miseries of this life, consider how few really of those which might befal every man, do befal any man. You know that some of us daily meet with some calamity; but recollect that all of us might meet with calamity every day.

Some meet sudden and violent deaths, -some fall into lingering diseases,some meet with reverses of fortune; but how few do, compared with those who do not how much greater, on the whole, is the amount of existence rendered very

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tolerable by the bountiful Providence in the midst of danger, than the amount of existence which is in itself burdensome.

Consider, too, how many of the calamities which do actually befal men, might, humanly speaking, have been avoided; that is, are obviously following upon some misconduct. These are not to be set down to any but their account, and only show, that if they will outrage the laws of God, there is a Providence against them, as well as a Providence for them while they are His servants.

Now we have been viewing the mercy and goodness of God on the lowest possible ground: we can, however, follow it up to heaven. How, brethren, should we, who are here only in a state of trial, be able to resist the snares of the Devil, if the Providence of GOD did not assist us by the checks and drawbacks which he has placed in the way of our following our own lusts and desires? Do we not see that a man who has all he can wish in health, fortune, friends, and situation, does very often practically forget that he

the loss of health.

is, or ought to be, seeking a better city, and gives himself up to neglect of God, if not to open sin. Do we not find that by the removal of things on which we set our hearts, our Heavenly FATHER brings them back to their duty to HIM, and rouses us from gliding imperceptibly into obedience to the prince of darkness? To take one of the commonest instances, Who does not know how effectual a means this daily is to wakening the conscience, and alarming those who had slept at their posts. While health is unbroken, the world has danced before their eyes in one or other shape, in pleasure or ambition, in wealth or honour, and they have made their treasure one of earth. But the moment in which the hand of GoD has touched them, and laid their strength on the bed of sickness, what is all that worth to them which they had been thinking of before? How different is their tone, how humble, how submissive, how teachable they are; how disposed to forgive, how anxious to be reconciled to their enemies,

how earnest in their inquiries of what is proper for their bodies' health, if it may be saved, and their souls' health above all. Surely, when we consider the cases of those who die in their sins, we must plainly see that the things in life which we call misfortunes, are, indeed, fatherly chastenings,-are, indeed, to bring home to the Good Shepherd the sheep that have strayed, and to keep the rest from wandering from His fold.

Yet the highest cause of thankfulness remains to be thought of. He has given us a life which of itself is an enjoyment; and He has given us misfortunes in it to teach us that it is not the final and lasting enjoyment to which we are to look—but, best and greatest gift, He has given us His only begotten Son to wash out in His own blood the corruption of the nature which we bring into the world, and the sins which we commit in it: His mercy and providence has found a way by which He might be just and yet bring us to His everlasting kingdom. Surely we must be thankful.