and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day*."

Affliction is also designed to promote holiness.-It is trial by fire, in order to refinement: it is pruning, in order to growth: it is necessary correction, in order to spiritual improvement. By this," says one of the prophets, "shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin:" and again, referring to trials, "By these things do men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit." And can a result so holy and so happy be regretted? In the words of an amiable writer; "It is among the mercies of God, that he strengthens the virtues of his servants by hardening them under the cold and bracing climate of adversity, instead of leaving them to languish under the shining but withering sun of unclouded prosperity. And when they cannot (or rather will not) be attracted to him by gentler influence, he sends these salutary storms and tempests, which purify while they alarm." Do we search, then, into the reason of Divine correction?

It appears in its effects. "No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them who are exercised thereby." The Lord afflicts" for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness;" or, to vary the expression, that we may be "in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live."

"Father, I bless thy gentle hand;

How kind was thy chastising rod-"

And if kind, why not welcome? May God, our heavenly Father not only make us willing to bear correction, but secure to us the end which he means it to produce! May we not only inquire why he corrects, but enjoy the salutary result!

* Rom. i. 16; 1 Tim. i. 12.

It may likewise be the design of affliction to advance our usefulness.-But how is this? Has it not an opposite tendency? By restricting the means, and impairing the capacity of service, does not adversity check and diminish our usefulness? In some respects it may be so, but not in others. The sweetest Psalms of David were composed in afflic tion, and the most valuable Epistles of Paul were written when in bonds. Such men as Bunyan, Baxter, and Watts might have preached more had they not been afflicted, but they would have written less; and in this case it may seriously be questioned whether they would not have been much less useful. Their exertions would have been confined to the day in which they lived: succeeding ages would not have been benefited; we could not have been enlightened and edified by their pious productions.

Besides, it is not for us to determine in what way we shall be useful. Active service pleases us; but it may not be most beneficial either to ourselves or to those about us. The Lord may restrain and correct us in order to our improvement in spirituality of temper, in patience, meekness, and humbleness of mind; and in order that thus evincing the benefit of his discipline by the exercise of silent virtues, we may demonstrate the power of his grace, and shew forth his glory. Winter is less agreeable to our feelings than the milder months of summer, but winter is the repose of nature: it is necessary to the fertility of spring, and to the bounty of autumn. In like manner, the adversity of a Christian is in itself painful, but frequently is attended with most salutary effects. We are ready to think, and even to excuse our impatience by saying, "that if our affliction did not disqualify us from being useful to our families, and active in the service of God, we could more cheerfully bear it:" let us rather be assured that it does not disqualify us for the duty which is most

needed, and to which God calls us by the very -disqualification.

We close the subject with a serious inquiryWhat know you of converse with God, and how is the privilege improved?

.your prayer,

When you bow your knees, conscious of guilt, and of the desert of eternal death, is. "Do not condemn me?" And is the plea you urge derived only from the atonement of Jesus Christ? Whither can a sinner flee but to him? And what can he plead with availing efficacy but his "obedience unto death, even the death of the cross?"

And when oppressed with grief; when the waves and billows of the Almighty pass over you, and you are ready to sink in despondency, is your sentiment"Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee; yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments;" and do you pray, "Shew me wherefore thou conStendest. with me?" The petition is of no light importance, and the spirit which it implies is of unspeakable worth. You are not likely to know the design of affliction unless you earnestly desire to know it; and it is less probable that the end will be answered, unless you are seriously concerned that it may be answered.

But what if the design of affliction should be frustrated? Its tendency is to awaken to reflection, to abase in penitence, and to bring the soul to God, but what if nothing of this is known in your experience? In other words, how alarming is is your situation, if after all that you endure, you remain impenitent, unconverted, unsanctified! It is a grievous thing to suffer, and not to be benefited by suffering: it presents a melancholy case, to pass through scenes of adversity, and to be no better for them: yet this, alas! is no uncommon case, and the issue must be

dreadful. Lay the subject to heart; it demands the closest application. If any of you continue unhumbled and unholy under the discipline of the Almighty, and against the voice of his Son, you will ere long have to make a dismal exchange of worlds: you will pass from trials here, to bitter anguish hereafter; and will sink from the sorrows of time, into the unutterable torments of eternity. May God, of his infinite mercy, prevent this wretched result! To this end, may he apply his own word, and promote in each heart his own work! Amen.

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SERMON XI.

DIVINE CONSOLATION.

ISAIAH lxvi. 18.

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

IT was given in charge to the prophets; "Comfort

ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God; speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem:" and the Apostles ascribe praise to "the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Christian ministers feel the obligation of the duty; and may the Holy Spirit, "the Comforter," assist with his influence, and sanction with his blessing!

The context relates to the enlargement of the church by the accession of Gentile converts. At the tenth verse, the friends of Zion are described as those that "love her," and that "mourn for her;" intimating, that cordial affection for the church must ever be attended with sympathy in her cares and sorrows. But they are called to dismiss their grief, to assume the aspect of pleasure, and to adopt the language of praise, for the most happy revival was at hand : "Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad