2. By this method of tillage, the surface of the earth is smoothed and rendered level. Into an orderly and submissive state, are our own minds brought by trials of extraordinary severity and pressure; for these then there is a necessity: our heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of these things; "for he doth not afflict willingly, nor "grieve the children of men ;"* but so ruffled and rugged are our tempers, that for our own sakes, this chaos must be brought into order, this confu sion into regularity.

The inequality of a ploughed field is too feeble a representation of this state of mind: rather are our dispositions tumultuous as the waves of the sea-they mount up to heaven in haughty rebellion, they go down to the depths in mad despair, -till in this distress we cry unto God, who says "Peace, be still." "He maketh the storm a "calm, so that the waves thereof are still;" he brings us to the desired haven. This was the state of the Psalmist's mind after it had been rough as the furrowed field. In the school of disappointment and trial, he learned to submit to the supreme disposal of Jehovah; and after long and painful discipline, has left his experience on record." Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor minę

*Lamentations, iii. 33.

eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great "matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I "have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that ❝is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a "weaned child. Let Israel hope in the Lord from "henceforth and for ever."*

This better and improved temper, refreshing to the mind, as is the well-harrowed field to the eye, is so manifested to the world, as to express in legible characters; its origin-the work of God, which is perfect,

3. Adverse providences occasion the good seed of the word to be covered and hidden in our hearts, as the grain literally is covered from injury and concealed from the birds, by the process of harrowing. It was in consequence of complicated woe, that an inspired servant of God declared, "Thy "word is hidden in my heart."

A very striking analogy may be easily traced, between the field sown and yet unharrowed, and the mind richly stored with moral and even religious instruction, but undisciplined by trial. In the former case, the seed, however good, even the principal wheat, is exposed to the inclemency of

* Psalm cxxxi, 1, 2, 3,

the seasons, to the hungry birds, and the voracious vermin, vegetation is impeded and the quantity of corn is diminished: the seed which escapes the fowls of heaven, becomes an unthrifty and sickly plant. And is not the heart, however enriched by human learning, yet untutored by providential correction, like the unharrowed field? the uncovered seed is exposed to every peril; and after a long season of prosperity and exemption from woe, the few good sentiments which remain, are of a feeble and unhealthy character; they bring forth no fruit to perfection: all principles untried, are weak. The knowledge of navigation acquired at school, materially differs from that practical information obtained in a ship, among those whose business is in the mighty waters, and who see the wonders of the deep. Our cattle are broken in before they are used our means of defence, whether cannon or musketry, are proven before borne to the field of battle.

When right sentiments derived from early edu cation, are thus called forth into exercise, our opinions, which in one sense were only excellent prejudices, become confirmed and established by our experience; and then, like trees well rooted, flourish with beautiful foilage, and in luxurious fruitfulness. As there is a process which husbandmen call working the ground well, which precedes and pro

duces the abundance of our fields, so sanctified trials will give us occasion to expect a plenteous harvest; for we know that tribulation, that moral harrow, worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; as shall be seen in the swollen sheaves which shall cover the land which is blessed with this better cultivation.

A person thus tried will be as a fruitful field; his principles-the good seed sown in his heart— will not be carried away by every wind of doctrine, nor blasted by the malignant influences of those wandering stars, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. When his sun is going down, and the "fowls descend and alight on his "hopes," like the father of the faithful,* he shall succeed in driving them away; then shall he find that by the long-continued discipline of previous years, God was rebuking the devourer for his sake, so that he shall not destroy the fruits of the ground.†

But should the propriety of applying, in the former senses, the process of the harrow to the corresponding effects of adversity, be disputed, none can consider our last position as questionable; nor overlook

* Genesis, xv. 11. ↑ Malachi, iii. 11.

4thly. The resemblance between the essential usefulness of harrowing, to collect the dead weeds and cleanse the land of old roots which have deeply stricken themselves in the ground; and the good effects of holy trouble, to detach those many moral weeds and those pernicious roots of evil which yet remain in our hearts.

Ordinary means of religious profit, such as hearing and reading the word of God, continually cut down the germs of evil which would otherwise disfigure and endanger the church of God; like the scythe, they pass over them-they wither-men gather them and they are burned;-but the roots remain and must be extirpated; and what are the instruments-which must be sharp-(the thing speaks for itself) which God, the Great Husbandman, uses to effect this purpose? looking to the history of the church universal in every age, we find the ready reply-heavy affliction! Consulting the records of individual experience, we have the like answer; and if you examine your own hearts, you will find that the severest trials are like the axe laid at the root, or the harrow pressed on the field to detect and detach these unholy remains from your mind.

Those to whom I appeal, and they alone, are qualified to return a verdict on this important cause; and such only should be impannelled, can