supports them, he would have them acknowledge it, and praise him for his goodness.

Having this in view, he does not impart to them a degree of strength by which they should be able to support temptations without pain; he often communicates no more than is absolutely necessary to prevent the failing of their faith, and to preserve them from despair. Hence it happens, that in these seasons, their fears are great, because they feel the force of evil, and their inability to resist it; and because that power by which they are kept, is not felt by them in its full force. It is then, they 'conceive how much folly there is in presumption; and confessing their own nothingness in the presence of God, they comprehend their is no safety, but under the shadow of his wings; and therefore, they implore his protection and assistance by ardent supplications.

But notwithstanding these fears and inquietudes, their state is firmly secured; for being brought to have no confidence in any but God, they infallibly receive both consolation and deliverance. God is perfectly acquainted with what they are able to bear. He never exposes them to insurmountable trials. He suffers evil to attack, to press, and shake them; but not to destroy them; they burn in the fire of sufferings, but, like the burning bush, they are not consumed. The promise, which St. Paul mentioned to the church at Corinth, is this: There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is

common

common to men: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. be able to bear it. Thus their weakness itself, is an occasion of their being stronger; because it interests the power of God in their deliverance. Whoever depends on himself, soon falls, whatever strength he presumes he has to stand. His hope is like a house built upon the sand; the first blast of wind overthrows the building; but he who feels his weakness, and commits himself into the hands of God, lays his foundation a rock, which resists the violence of the greatest storms. When our Lord said to St. Paul, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness; the apostle concluded, when I am weak, then am I strong.

on

In those seasons, therefore, when the believer is most afflicted and oppressed, he is saved by hope. He may assure himself, that all will eventually promote his welfare, and that the pains which he endures are efficacious means by which God, in his goodness, advances his salvation: he may assure himself, that these inquietudes which are so violent, do not forbode him any ruin, into which he must inevitably fall without resource; but, on the contrary, they are to be considered as the seed, or as the earnest of approaching felicity. In this manner, Jesus Christ arrived at glory. He cried; he shed tears; nay, his soul was sorrowful, even unto death; the believer, therefore, may hope that

neither

neither his fear, nor his dejections, will swallow him up; for God always blends consolations with the sufferings of his children. When Jesus Christ sweat blood, angels came to console him. When -believers are in the greatest extremities approaching to death, he gives them his spirit to rejoice the bones which he has broken: no sorrows, therefore, to a believer, are insupportable, since they are always connected with much that mitigates their pain. We have a proof of this in David; who never, in any of his psalms, appears to be so dejected, as not to have some mixture of hope and joy.

Thus also, when the believer is most violently agitated, God does not abandon him to mistrust and fear. He cries to God out of awful depths, and when his courage fails him, he is cheered again, and strengthened in the Lord his God. He says, with David, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance and my God. This consolation is so much the better founded, as it is frequently in the last extremity, that this succour from God appears; for such deliverance commonly comes when it is least expected. God takes pleasure to unite those extremes, that we may have a more vivid sense of his interposition.

When the men of this world are at the height of their prosperity and contentment, they are often burdened with unexpected and terrible calamities;

and

and when believers are verging to despair, it is then that God imparts the most abundant consolation. Thus a great trial to them is frequently the presage of great joy; and it is not only in glory, but even in a state of grace, that the most violent trials are followed and recompensed, by a felicity which cannot be expressed: thus the believer proves, from day to day, in various ways, the marvellous conduct of God, in accomplishing the salvation of his people; thus our heavenly father, provides every thing for the good of his children; thus his profound and adorable wisdom, advances his designs by means the most contrary. He proportions events to the weakness of those whom he guides; he consoles their dejected spirits, and so directs the strokes he inflicts, that he destroys nothing by them, but their sin. All things succeed according to his purpose: they often pass through fire and water, and often are in pain and in fear; but all this, only makes them take better notice of his care, and of his parental affection. Indeed, all they suffer, proceeds only from their not reposing sufficient confidence in him. From the moment they regard him properly, they are illuminated, and their faces are not covered with confusion. Thus success always answers their hopes; and whatever else may be the course of their calling, the end of it is exuberant joy: thus the believer, by whatever way God may lead him, should think himself happy in being called to it, and commit himself to the God of providence who takes care of him; knowing, that nothing shall ever separate him from that

love, which he has manifested towards us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

CONCLUSION.

From these principles proceed that firmness which piety inspires; hence that more than human courage which appears on so many occasions in the service of God. You will see believers in tremendous dangers; you will suppose them lost without resource, and yet, you will hear from them the language of confidence. You will see them deprived of the necessaries of life, yet you will find them tranquil, being assured of that succour and support which cannot fail. You will see them in a deplorable condition, and hear them still bless the Lord and rejoice in him; for confidence in God has its strength as well as its weakness. Of this, we have a proof in David, who said, Lord how are they increased that trouble me? But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. He also says, in the twenty-seventh psalm, Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; mine head shall be lifted up above mine enemies round about me; therefore, will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy. He saw his danger; he knew it, and despised it, because he trusted in God.

It is in the same sentiment, and in the same

psalm,