what bears a relation to him. His unceasing aim is to do his will, to shew forth his praise, and to promote his glory. Is he brought into affliction? he is solicitous to avoid every thing in temper and carriage that might be offensive to God. Believing that he is

"Good when he gives, supremely good;
Not less when he denies;

That crosses from his sovereign hand,
Are blessings in disguise;"

eyes to heaven, and exLord hath taken away; Does he take a journey,

he endeavours to glorify him in the fires. Observe him at such a time, when thus actuated by faith, and hope, and love. Do the lovely olive plants which grow up around his table unexpectedly wither and die; how does he feel? He approaches the coffin, lifts up his claims, "the Lord gave, and the blessed be the name of the Lord." and does he hear at a distance that death has entered his dwelling, that a beloved relative is no more; how does he receive the mournful intelligence? "The Lord liveth, and blessed be my rock, and let the God of my salvation be exalted." Does he meet with extraordinary changes and difficulties? Is he sometimes like the poor ship-wrecked mariner, deprived of all but his existence; how does he act? He sits upon the rock, and exclaims, " righteous art thou, O Lord; verily thou art a God that hidest thyself. I am as one cast out of thy sight; yet will I look towards thy temple, for thou savest them that put their trust in thee." Is he apprized of some approaching calamity; how does he view it? With Luther he 66 says, come, let us sing the 46th psalm, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.'"

Such is the important office which faith sustains, and such are the immense advantages we derive from it, especially in the time of affliction. It is that which brings man, through the Saviour's satisfaction, to the footstool of God, for reconciliation and adoption. It is that which unites him to Christ, and brings with it the mighty influence of that Holy Spirit which works in him a death unto sin and a new life unto righteousness. It is that which frees him from doubt, and fear, and anxiety; which is the source of his spiritual victo ries, and which gives him strength to do, and strength to suffer the will of God. It is that which enables him to resist the temptations arising from adversity and distress; which extracts the sting of death, dissipates the darkness of the grave, and inspires the heart, when suffering from the pressure of affliction, and even when enduring the agonies of death, with "< a joy unspeakable, and full of glory." Need we wonder that the faith which produces such effects, and with which the most valuable blessings are connected, is described as "precious faith;" and have we not reason frequently to unite in the prayer of the apostles, "Lord, increase our faith?"

Reader, is this faith your's? Is it that which the scriptures describe as genuine and saving? Is it "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen?" Does it lead you to trust in Christ, to love him, to obey him? While the things which are seen would engage your heart, does it lead you to look above them, to set your affections on heavenly blessings? Does it govern your heart, direct your choice, regulate your conduct, and inspire you with fervent love, stedfast hope, and patient submission? If it be genuine and saving, these will be its effects. Remember, that without this faith you can possess no security,-no peace. Till the mind is brought to repose on God by a true and stedfast reliance, it has no resting place. It is faith in him that gives

it solidity. Out of him, as the sanctuary of the soul, every storm annoys, every trifle disquiets, every danger alarms, and

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man at his best estate is altogether vanity." When affliction comes, murmuring, rebellion, and all the other evils of an earthly mind are excited. The trials which were designed to correct evil, become the occasion of stirring up other and greater; and those afflictions which are designed for life issue in death. There is only one anchor of the soul sure and stedfast; it is a scriptural faith in God. Every thing else instead of settling will only discompose the mind. This will prepare a man for all the vicissitudes of time; this will help him to go on his way, rejoicing in tribulation; and this will enable him to look the king of terrors in the face without fear, and to adopt the exulting language of the prophet, nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." O be persuaded of the necessity of this faith; of the necessity of putting your soul out of the reach of hazard. Until you believe in God, you are like a frail bark on the mighty ocean, which having lost its rudder and its pilot, floats at the mercy of the winds and the waves, around which the tempest is gathering, and which must consequently be ultimately lost. You ought not to live another moment without crying to the Lord for help, and laying hold of the hope set before you; then, indeed, if you flee to the mercy of God in Christ,—if you obtain a sense of acceptance with him,-if you have the blessed assurance that you have given up your whole heart to him, then may you rest in peace; all is well, whatever may be your external circumstances. O, is it not the greatest infatuation and madness for an immortal being treading on the

verge of eternity, and liable every moment to the stroke of death, and to the wrath of God, to endanger his greatest interests, to rest contented and secure, while he is liable to an eternity of woe? My fellow sinner! if you have hitherto professed to believe the bible, and yet with the multitude have neglected Jesus and salvation, learn more wisdom now. You cannot neglect these much longer, without neglecting them for ever. Be then, what you profess to be, not a hypocrite or a practical infidel, and you will be a christian.

But faith admits of degrees. It may be genuine, yet weak and fluctuating. In such case it never fails to impress its own character on the whole of our experience, and if our faith be feeble, so will be our strength, our peace, and our patience. All the disquietudes which a christian feels, spring from the weakness and instability of his faith in God. Outward things are often blamed, and these may be very trying, but these would have no power to overwhelm, or even to distress the mind, if faith rested immoveably on the sure principles of the word of God. The primitive christians could say, we are troubled on every side, yet not distressed. Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." It is possible, therefore, to be in great tribulation, and yet possess peace and joy; and the true reason why christians, at times, are so accessible to fear, and so depressed by affliction of various kinds, is, that they do not sufficiently trust in God. "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." Make it, then, your study and prayer to bring faith into constant and lively exercise. Diligently use the means which God hath appointed for the increase of it. Meditate on the truth in which faith is concerned. Read the word of God, especially its great and precious promises, in the spirit of prayer. Stir up the gift which is in you. Earnestly seek for the gift of the Holy Spirit; and seek for all through Jesus Christ. So shall you obtain like precious faith with the children of God in all

ages; then live under its influence, and you shall enjoy its blessings and comforts through life. You may have to pass through tribulation, yea, much tribulation, but it will be on the road to the kingdom; and faith will bring down Christ from heaven to be your staff of dependence, and your rod of defence. The farther you advance on that road, the more lively will be your anticipations of the blissful termination; and when at length you shall arrive at your long-desired, long-expected heaven, and "God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes," then shall you experience that patient active faith is "found unto praise, and glory, and honour, at the appearing of Jesus Christ.