THEME CXX. The Blessings of God outweigh the Penalties of Sin.

INTRODUCTION.

1ST REASON.-IN THE NATURAL WORLD.

(1.) Deserts bear a very small proportion to other lands; and even in the wildest desert some green Oasis may be found to relieve its desolation.

(2.) The time of light exceeds that of darkness; and, even in the deepest midnight, the moon or stars alleviate the gloom.

(3.) Fine days are far more numerous than cloudy skies; and even the most rainy serve to water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud."

(4.) Noxious weeds, thorns, and thistles are but thinly scattered around, compared to the laughing corn, and verdant grass, and beautiful flowers, and fruitful trees, and forests of useful timber; and, even amongst weeds, some are useful as medicine, some afford food for various animals, some are employed in manufactures, and many have so large a" mixture of good," that they can scarcely be ranked" amidst things evil."

2ND REASON. IN THE SENSITIVE WORLD.

(1.) The sick bears a very small proportion to the general family of man; and even "when all their bones are out of joint," God giveth them "songs in the night."

(2.) A man who has lost a limb, his sight, his teeth, his hearing, or his palate, has more left than is taken away; and his loss is alleviated either by the art of man, or by some compensating provision: So that bad as an affliction may be, it is never so bad as it might be.

(3.) Sickness is generally ephemeral, or if chronic it is not severe; so that suffering in few cases, if any, equals the amount of health, ease, and enjoyment.

(4.) Birds, fishes, and other animals that fall a prey (especially in the family of man) are very few in comparison to those that live out their stated term of life. Cattle killed for food can scarcely form an exception, seeing that such is the legitimate object for which they

were designed; but even here the print of mercy may be seen; for he who slays

Doth feast the animal he deems his feast,

And till he kills the creature makes it blest.

3RD REASON. IN THE MORAL world.

(1.) Thieves, murderers, vagabonds and beggars are not the rule but the exceptions in society; and even the thief and murderer do ten thousand lawful acts for every felonious one.

(2.) Much that the world calls suffering, is not suffering, as poverty to the poor, and a mean condition to those born in humble circumstances: Doubtless there is suffering in the cottage, so also there is suffering in the palace; but poverty and humility are not per se to be called "suffering ;" and it is probable that the poor and mean have their full tale of enjoyment, as well as the rich and mighty.

(3.) Sympathy, charity, resignation, and hope, are a moral sunshine to the afflicted: and where is that man living who cannot recount a thousand blessings for every affliction?

4TH REASON. IN THE CHRISTIAN WORLD.

(1.) Though a Christian could say with St. Paul, "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of water, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often; in hunger and thirst, in fastings often; in cold and nakedness;" yet would he call them but "light afflictions" compared with the blessings of salvation.

(2.) The sorrowing Christian knows, that God afflicts not willingly, but "delights in showing mercy;" and that, when he is placed in the furnace," God sits by as a purifier of silver, to remove the precious ore immediately it is bright enough to reflect the refiner's image.—Mal. iii. 3.

(3.) After all, what are three score years and ten of suffering, to a whole eternity of happy, days?*

5TH REASON.--The mercies of God are superabundant, whether we consider man : 1. INDIVIDUALLY. 2. RELA

TIVELY. 3. SOCIALLY.

(1.) His physical blessings are more numerous than his physical defects.

(2.) His moral blessings are more numerous than his moral privations.

(3.) His spiritual blessings outbalance his entailed corruptions; for where "sin abounded, grace has much more abounded."--Rom. v. 20.

SIMILES.

HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS.

QUOTATIONS.-God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.—Sterne.

It is January. Where are now the thousand forms of human life which enlivened every bank, and fluttered from flower to flower? Alas! sunny banks, and gay flowers, and verdant turf are gone! The deep snow clothes the whole surface of the ground, covering every smaller plant, and rising around the naked trunks of the tall trees. . . . . and where is that happy home among the branches of the tree, where lately the unfledged sparrows were lying together, . . . . the leaves which sheltered it are gone, and a mass of drifting snow marks the spot where the desolate and forsaken habitation remains. . . And has God left all these millions of his creatures to be overwhelmed with destruction? No! scarcely a single one; he has secured and protected them all. . . . Even the insect tribes, so delicate and frail, are all safe, . . . . and

*This part of the subject is capable of great expansion, but many ideas which will suggest themselves instantly to the Christian, pertain more to a theological treatise than to a theme. However, each of the four chief divisions would make a separate subject, and other subdivisions may be very easily added to those already suggested.

when the first wintry storm roars through the forest, it finds everything prepared for it, . . . . even the little ants are carefully housed in their warm and sheltered and plentiful home.-Rev. J. Abbott.

Take your stand upon the sea-shore on a summer morning, and observe the expression of the face of nature. It is, as it were, the expression of the countenance of God. Observe the serene sky, the mild balmy air, the smooth expanse of water before you, reflecting, as in a polished mirror, every rocky crag, and smooth island, and sandy shore, and even every spar and rope of the vessel which seems to sleep upon its bosom. . . . . He who has a soul capable of understanding it, will sit for hours on the green bank, at a time like this, receiving an indescribable pleasure from the general expression of such a scene. It is an expression of Divine benevolence beaming from the works of God.-Rev. J. Abbott.

Not a flower

....

But shows some touch, in freckle, streak or stain,
Of God's unrivalled pencil. He inspires
Their balmy odours, and imparts their hues,
And bathes their eyes with nectar, and includes
(In grains as countless as the sea-side sands)

The forms with which he sprinkles all the earth. . . .
Though earth be punished for its tenant's sake,
Yet not in vengeance; as this smiling sky,
So soon succeeding such an ugly night,

And these dissolving snows, and this clear stream
Recovering fast its liquid music, prove.-Cowper.

Should fate command me to the farthest verge
Of the green earth, . . . . 'tis nought to me,
Since God is ever present, ever felt, . .

....

And where He vital breathes there must be joy.
. . . . . I cannot go

Where universal Love not smiles around.
From seeming evil still educing good,
And better thence again, and better still,
In infinite progression.-Thomson.

Nature we see endowed

With all that life requires, not unadorned

With true enchantment. Wherefore then her form
So exquisitely fair? her breath perfumed

With such ethereal sweetness? Whence her voice
Informed at will to raise or to depress

The impassioned soul? And whence the robes of light
Which thus invest her with more lovely pomp

Than fancy can describe? Whence but from Thee,
O source divine of ever-flowing love,

And thy unmeasured goodness? Not content
With every food of life to nourish man,

Thou mak'st all nature beauty to his

eye,

Or music to his ear, . . . to brighten the dull glooms
Of care, and make the destined road of life
Delightful to his feet.-Akenside.

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness! for his anger endureth but a moment, . . . . weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.-Ps. xxx. 4, 5.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. . . . Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him; for He knoweth our frame, He remembereth that we are dust. -Ps. ciii. 10-14.

For a little moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.-Isa. liv. 7, 8.; see also verses 9-13.

Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. -2 Cor. iv. 17.

I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.-Rom. viii. 18.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life-Ps, xxiii. 6.