filled;-nay, the first-fruits are to be presented before the harvest is gathered in; if we patiently wait on the Lord we shall find that no good word of all that the Lord has spoken hath failed, all hath come to pass. Many, like the prophets of the Lord, sustained by Obadiah in caves, and fed with bread and water after having been destitute and afflicted, have stood up in the end of their days to attest that the Lord he is God, the Lord he is God, and that none ever trusted in him and were confounded. 2. Let such as are now in necessitous circumstances take consolation. Consider chiefly the importance of being in earnest for the kingdom of heaven; seek a renewed right to temporal mercies through the merits and oblation of Jesus; and if God" spared not his own Son, but delivered him 66 up for us all, how shall he not with him also "freely give us all things ?"* If interested in him, and acting faith in the covenant ordered in all things and sure, remember every thing is yours, for ye are Christ's. Difficult indeed it is for those who are in straits and have no barns, either filled or to fill, to believe; but the prayer may be preferred successfully," Lord I would believe, help thou my * Romans, viii. 32. "unbelief." If these are your wishes and petitions, if such is your privilege, read those words adressed by Jesus to all his followers. "And he said unto "his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body what ye shall put on. The life is "more than meat, and the body is more than rai"ment. Consider the ravens: for they neither "sow sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor "barn; and God feedeth them: how much more "are ye better than the fowls? And which of you "with taking thought, can add to the stature one "cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing "which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? "Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto unto you, That "Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like "one of these. If then God so clothe the grass "which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast "into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, "O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye "shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be you σε of doubtful mind. For all these things do the "nations of the world seek after: and your Father "knoweth that ye have need of these things."* If you have nothing in your purse, you have every * Luke, xii. 22-30. thing in the promise. If your cupboards are empty, the covenant is full; nor will he who has promised a kingdom, permit you to starve on the road to take possession. "How often has he brought relief, "And every want supplied, "Yet soon again our unbelief, "Be thankful for one loaf to day, Newton. 3. Have you lacked any thing? Have not your wants been supplied? Can any charge God with failure? Offer then the praise which is due. Gratitude is the peppercorn rent by which you hold your numerous temporal advantages, withhold not this thankful acknowledgement of your mercies. If you undervalue them they will be withdrawn; if you overvalue them they will be abolished. Yea not only have your needs been liberally met, but have you not been enabled to minister to the necessities of others. "Bless the Lord O my soul, and "all that is within me bless his holy name; Bless "the Lord O my soul, and forget not all his bene"fits. Bless the Lord who daily loadeth us with "benefits, even the God of our salvation." Finally. Should God in his inscrutable wisdom and unperceived mercy suspend the execution of these promises to you, beg contentment, for this from godly motives, is great gain. You have heard of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who for man's sake became poor. Poverty, when not the result of crime, is not disgraceful. He to whom belongeth the silver and the gold, and the cattle on a thousand hills, knew not frequently where to lay his head. Recall to your recollection the transitory nature of all worldly good. Brethren, the time is short, the fashion of this world passeth away; we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can take nothing out. Leave to your posterity the promised favor of an unchanging Jehovah. Crowns and sceptres are snatched from heads and hands which wore and wielded them. Jonathan fell on the mountains of Gilboa with his unhappy parent; but Mephibosheth his son was amply provided for, even when the house of Saul was degraded and destitute, Happy is the father who has this inheritance to bequeath his children : "Behold I die, but God will be with you." That presence will be sure support. God will not in a niggardly and parsimonious manner fulfil that promise. "Leave thy fatherless children with me, " and I will keep them alive:" cannot mean with a pitiful, a mere prison allowance. And "Now "unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly "above all that we can ask or think, according to "the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory "in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all 66 ages, world without end. Amen.' 1 |