when he pointed out Job as a perfect and upright man; and it is plain, that, many who in prosperity appear zealous for God, go back and walk no more with him when the day of trial cometh. It is easy to be religious when every man may sit under his own vine without any to make him afraid; but, let persecution, for the sake of righteousness arise, and they only are the true servants of God, who rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ.

In individuals, likewise, the tares grow up with the wheat. We imagine ourselves to have many virtues which disappear in the day of trial. The imperfection of the present state makes discipline and improvement necessary, and the very idea of discipline implies danger and difficulty. There can be little merit where no temptation is resisted, nor any difficulty overcome. The rich man's honesty is put to no trial. He has no motive to be impatient who is in full possession of health and tranquillity. Then, only, do we show the sincerity of our faith, when we are exposed to loss and persecution in maintaining our integrity. In prosperity we frequently impose on ourselves; adversity undeceives us, and shows

the progress which we have act de the divine life. The weeds are rema the good seed takes deeper rOCL Autove abide this trial of our faith, which is more precious than that of gold which peribit, ve shall receive praise, and honour and guy a the appearing of our Lord Jesus Chris

II. I proposed, in the wond part of t discourse, to set before you some of those coclusions which obviously arise from the bus ject, and,

1. The preceding observation vindicate the moral character of the Governour of the world from all objections arising from the existence of natural evil. “God is holy it away “and righteous in all his works. “draweth not his eyes from the rigeon"If they be bound in fetters, and be holder la "cords of affliction; then showeth be the “their work and their transgression that they "have exceeded. He openeth their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return "from iniquity. If they obey and wrie Lim, they shall spend their days in prosperity, " and their years in pleasure. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, " and they shall die without knowledge."

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2. One event happeneth unto all, but for very different purposes, and with very different effects. To bad To bad men, afflictions come clothed in all their terrours, and as indications of God's anger and hatred. Good men consider them as the correction of one who loves them, and who is anxious for their welfare. Afflictions produce remorse and anguish in the wicked; to christians only they are useful. They come forth as gold purified in the fire.

3. We infer from this, and the whole of the discourse, that, good men have the strongest motives to bear afflictions with patience and resignation. It is God who chastens : " and “ shall mortal man be more just than God? "shall a man be more pure than his Maker?" Jesus, our Master, suffered afflictions; and we his servants can have no right to complain. Though in the world we have tribulation, he overcame the world, and when he departed from it, he left the promise of the Holy Spirit. But the chief motive to bear afflictions, patiently, which arises from this discourse, is the profit with which they are attended.

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Happy is the man whom God correcteth; "therefore despise not thou the chastening "of the Almighty, nor faint when thou art

"rebuked of him." "Lift up the hands "which hang down, and the feeble knees.” No chastening is, for the present, joyous but grievous. You must feel pain that you may derive any benefit. But the seasonable and salutary influence of affliction will save you much labour and many a pang. With what difficulty would you have overcome an inveterate habit of indulgence, if adversity had not brought you to timely reflection? What pain must you have felt at death, if the disappointments and evils of life had not disengaged your affections from the present scene? To adversity you are indebted for the exercise of those virtues which are most ornamental to the christian character, and most proper for the present state of weakness and dependence. Be not grieved, therefore, as those who have no hope. These light afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. The sun that was suddenly overcast, will soon shine forth with double brightness. The fields will again look cheerful, and the face of nature will again rejoice. AMEN!

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SERMON X.

On the merits and sufficiency of Christ, as an expiatory sacrifice for the sins of man.

JOHN, CHAP. 1, VER. 29.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."

THIS was the second publick testimony given of our Saviour, after his entrance on his ministry. The first came from heaven itself, when this voice was heard from the excellent glory, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I "am well pleased." The second issued from the lips of his forerunner, John the Baptist, who bare witness of him, and, when he saw him among the people coming towards him, pointed him out to the by-standers, in these emphatick and characteristick words, "hold the Lamb of God, which taketh away "the sin of the world."

"Be