him the most heartfelt obedience? By love passing knowledge, and by a price of infinite value, Christ hath acquired an absolute property in you, and tells you that he is the author of salvation to them only who obey him. And is not this authoritative love constraining you to live to him who died for you? 4th, How unspeakable your comfort in Christ's love, O believers, while your heart and ways habitually correspond with the holy designs of it towards you! These are the ways of wisdom, and in them alone is peace to be enjoyed; "this is our rejoicing, even the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation in the world." Leave these, and the Lord will one day break your bones, and cause you to water your couch every night with tears, as he has treated his most eminent servants. It is only when you have respect to all your Lord's commandments that ye will enjoy unmixed comfort in his love. Then will ye rejoice in it, as originating in himself, and therefore unchangeable in itself, though changeable in its manifestations; as infinitely wise and powerful, and therefore able to accomplish its end in you, even your complete salvation. You will draw comfort from the infinite merit of Christ's death, as purchasing and securing the application, not of some, but of all the blessings contributing to and constituting your eternal happiness. Ye will rejoice in the preciousness of "the word, setting forth these blessings, and, under the secured influence of the Spirit, enabling you to accept them, in accepting Christ; and it will be your meditation part of each day and of each night. And how desirable, how delightful will be to you the sacraments of the New Testament, especially of the Lord's Supper! It signifies to your senses, that they may assist your faith, Christ, his love, and all his benefits; it seals to you Christ, his love, his death, and all his benefits, your justification, your sanctification, and eternal glory; and will be to you the communion of the body and blood of Christ, to your spiritual nourishment and growth in grace." SERMON XIII. PSALM lxii. 8.- -"Trust in him at all times, ye people." MAN, conscious of his weakness like many of the feebler plants, lays hold of some support to bear him up amid the storms of life. Alas, he is oftentimes as blind and unhappy in his choice as the undiscerning shrub! He often trusts to what cannot sustain him. He often trusts to what is consumed by his misplaced confidence. Both he and his stay are often seen leafless and decaying as they overhang the rocky precipice, and murmur in the blast of adversity that regards not their falling state. Wisdom from on high and an improved experience have taught many to place their confidence aright, to avoid this miserable end. Among the number of the heaven-directed was David. God was the rock of his salvation. On this immovable support he fixed himself, spread out his tender branches, and, sheltered from the driving storm, he enjoyed a perpetual and increasing verdure. Animated by that divine love which rendered himself secure and prosperous, peaceful and blest, he publishes his experience and not a theory, he earnestly exhorts others to forsake the false and feeble props of indolence, ignorance, and vice, and to imitate his example so productive of permanent security-" Trust in the Lord at all times." Let us consider the several parts of this exhortation: "Trust" here is the tranquil expectation of all things essential to happiness. "If we hope for that we see not," saith Paul, "then do we with patience wait for it." A man cannot be called happy without a competent portion of the good things of this life, unless his portion of spiritual good compensate for this want. A wise man seeks peace and holiness in the first place, and in the second place he seeks health and a moderate share of earthly enjoyment. The prophet David sees men in want of these blessings-sees them apt to mistake both the nature and means of happiness, and he adviseth them to "trust in God." I. It is in vain to expect even temporal comfort and security from any creature. What is man in any situation that we should trust in him? Are not the multitude generally vain, giddy, and inconstant? Are not the great too often false, deceitful, treacherous? When laid in the balance to ascertain their title to our confidence, will not the light dust thereof outweigh them both? And are not the righteous of both these ranks, how affectionate soever, feeble, frail, and mortal? "Their breath is in their nostrils. They die, and in that day their thoughts perish." What is gold, and all its earthly advantages, that we should make it our confidence? If it be acquired by fraud or oppression, will it not bring along with it remorse, the curses of the injured, and the vengeance of God? If it is the inheritance of our fathers, or the fruit of honest industry, doth it not multiply the cares of life and the occasions of sin, doth it not inflame unhallowed appetite and passion? Though wealth could ward off sorrow, and suffering, and death, which assuredly it cannot, what security have we that it will not "make to itself wings and fly away?" The elements are not under the control of the rich man. May not a spark of fire, a torrent of water, a gust of wind, or an earthquake, in a moment almost, level the most affluent with the poorest? And should we think of trusting in nothing sublunary, but expect all our temporal comforts from angels, would not this also be vanity? True it is, their power, their wisdom, and their benevolence far surpass those of other creatures; but are not all their faculties and affections devoted to God? Are they not his ministering servants, and can any thing be expected from them save what is agreeable to his will? Nay, would they not with horror reject that confidence offered to them which belongs to God their Lord? And would not this impious misplacing of it provoke God to employ even their ministry in punishing the daring idolaters? Created beings can contribute to our health |