man; thus incapable of exploring the mysteries of providence. Instead, however, of lamenting our ignorance and incapacity, let us rather consider how it may be improved; what duties it suggests, and what wise ends it was intended by providence to promote. It should teach us Submission. We are all too much disposed to resent the operations of divine providence when they interfere with our favourite plans, or frustrate some purpose on which our hearts are set. We are prone to spiritual insubordination, and though restrained by the fear of God from the actual declaration of it, we, nevertheless, too frequently indulge the disposition in the secret feelings and reasonings of our hearts. But, how unreasonable, how ungrateful to repine, when we know that infinite wisdom and goodness have the management of all our concerns. "Wait the result, nor ask with doubting mind, Why God permits such things? His ways, though now All right, when from thine eyes the mist is clear'd. What, though we are ignorant as to the present of many things, what, though our afflictions are heavy, and our difficulties numerous,-let us remember that those things which appear dark, and intricate, and mysterious to us, are all plain, and simple, and luminous to the eye of Deity; that what short-sighted mortals are ready to denominate unkind and severe, appears to Jehovah closely connected with wisdom and love. The events of time are all directed by an infinite intelligence. There is an end, a design, in every movement of providence, and that design will ultimately be found every way worthy of God. If thou art a man of God, be of good cheer; every thing in God's dealings, as to thee, is going on to the final and glorious issue of thy salvation-thy complete, perfect, and eternal salvation. There is no variableness or shadow of turning with him; his government exhibits no caprice, no unmeaning acts; he is always pursuing his plans with an eye steadily fixed on your interest; and if he does not explain every thing as he passes along, you are not the less secure. "The clock of providence," says an old divine, "always goes with the utmost exactness, although it may sometimes be so dark that we may not be able to see the hour." In the possession of the favour of God you are secure from all the evils that time may disclose, or futurity conceal. Let us "be still and know that he is God;" or, if we speak, let it be in the words of him who said, "why art thou cast down, O my soul, and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, for he is the health of my countenance and my God." It presents a call for patience. It cautions us against being too precipitate in our decisions, or too anxious to know until it is God's pleasure to reveal. We are not doomed to perpetual ignorance and uncertainty. The sun shall ere long arise, and chase away the darkness of the night. The more perfect and excellent the wisdom of God, the more incomprehensible it will be to us; but the more secure we are in its guidance and guardianship. The very darkness, therefore, which now envelops us ought to be regarded by us, not with doubt, but with confidence and joy. It will ultimately furnish the most brilliant illustration of the perfect wisdom and boundless goodness of God. On every sealed volume God has written," what thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter." Is it too much to wait a little time in order to prepare us for the full revelation of God, when we shall see him as he is? We are not wholly without satisfaction, even now. There are some openings into the dispensations of heaven. Many events which, in their approach, excited distress and apprehension, and which like some dark and threatening cloud seemed ready to overwhelm you, yet proved to be big with mercy, and broke in blessings on your head. And in how many instances can you look back, and say with David, "it is good for me that I have been afflicted." In how different a light would the patriarch Joseph view the events of his life when he had seen in what way they had terminated, from that in which he saw them when led away by the Ishmaelites as a slave, or when thrown by Potiphar into prison. In a future state, however, all mystery will be removed. The volumes that are sealed now will be unsealed and unrolled in eternity. Page after page, and comment after comment, will be presented to the reverent gaze of the spirits of the just, who, in the light of the Lord, shall be able to digest all the truths that God shall reveal; and while each solution shall add to their knowledge, it will also add to their enjoyment. This will, probably, give all the emotions of freshness and astonishment to the raptures of the beatific vision, and add a delightful zest to the devotions of eternity. This will enable the Divine Being to pour in continually fresh accessions of light; to unfold new views of his character; to disclose new exhibitions of his perfections; and to open new mansions in himself, in which the mind will have ample room to expatiate. Thus, throughout eternity, fresh objects and scenes, never before brought into view, will be continually presenting themselves, all tending to inspire admiration, gratitude, and love; and to call forth the swelling anthem, blessing, and honour, and power, and glory, be to him that sitteth on the throne. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true art thou in all thy ways, thou King of saints." Until that period arrive, instead of perplexing yourself about what is obscure, rest on the clear and authentic discoveries that have been given of the divine goodness. Rest on the innumerable experimental proofs of it with which you have been favoured; particularly on that illustrious proof which is presented in the redemption of the world by Christ Jesus. He that spared not his own son, but freely gave him up for us all, will assuredly bring light out of darkness, order out of confusion, and cause these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, to work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. course. It furnishes a stimulus to duty and perseverance. Let no one say, since I am surrounded with darkness, as there are nothing but difficulties, I shall therefore sit down and leave it all. If it be useless to explore, I shall in future use no exertions; I shall rest where I am, and let every thing take its Such a conclusion would be equally unwise and prejudicial. On the contrary, if there be an all-wise providence, what an argument is this for the exercise of faith, of patience, of hope, of prayer, of perseverance. The darkness which surrounds us is intended both to call forth our enquiries, and to enforce our dependence on the gracious aid of the Almighty: "it is not in man that walketh to direct his way." Surrounded with so much perplexity, brought perpetually into contact with things which exhibit in the most striking manner the scantiness of our knowledge, and the inefficacy of our efforts, how earnestly should we implore, and how thankfully should we receive, that divine illumination which is promised in scripture to the pious and the humble. "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him, and he will shew them his covenant." "He will guide them with his counsel." "He will teach them the way that they should choose.' But what must be the fate of him, who, amidst the darkness which surrounds him, neither looks up to heaven for direction, nor employs the powers with which he is invested in the examination of his own heart, or in a careful observation of the ways of providence. If difficulties present themselves to the the most diligent enquirer, what can he expect who brings neither patience nor attention to the search, but passes on his way in heedlessness and unconcern? It should inspire a desire of heaven. Under the divine government every thing is propelled; every thing temporal is rushing forward to give way to, or to unite itself with that which is eternal. This is the development of the whole plan, -the explication of the whole of the movements of providence: what a motive is this to induce us to press forward to the kingdom of heaven, where not only shall the ways of God be explained and illustrated, but where they shall all obtain their full accomplishment in the perfect and eternal glorification of the saints. How valuable,-how infinitely important must this be, when all the machinery of providence, -so vast and complicated,-is employed for the production of this one object. The glorification of one soul is of more esteem in the sight of God than all temporal honours, riches, or pleasures. And shall God thus move heaven and earth, as it were, for the accomplishment of this object, and shall we despise or disregard it? God forbid! Learn from providence, as well as from nature, and from grace, the value of your soul, and "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." It should induce gratitude for the clear revelation which God has made of the things that belong to our peace. He has thrown an air of obscurity over a thousand things, but not over the means of attaining life and salvation;-here all is day. He has clearly taught us what we must do to be saved,—how we may draw nigh to his throne, and through what medium we may pour out our hearts before him. It is not a secret thing, but a thing fully known, that "God so loved the world as to give his only-begotten Son, that who soever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life;"-that " Jesus Christ came into the world to save |