commit our affairs into the hands of God, and be still. "He that believeth shall not make haste:" that is, he shall not be in confusion, running hither and thither as one who has no resources. He shall stand still, and wait for my teaching:-not like one who is insensible; but as one who is dependent. God says, Give me time, and trust, and you shall not wait in vain.

Every dark and mysterious providence is a special season in which we should stand still in the way laid down. If your way is hedged about with thorns-if you know not where to fetch your next step-yet this rule will hold good-Be still and know that I am God. Say to Him, Thy way is in the sea, and thy footsteps are not known but they may be trusted. The same may be said in bereavements: we should hear God speaking in that loss.

When death enters the house, we are made to say laughter, "it is mad;" and to say it with feeling.

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Satan is never more busy than when we are under the greatest bereavements. He then often suggests hard and unbelieving thoughts of God, and would lead us to think lightly of the efficacy of prayer; as though the Lord was regardless of the supplications of his people, or did not hear them because they had not what they asked for.

Many good people have said of laughter, "it is mad," but they have not been aware that melancholy is often madness. A gloomy drooping spirit is unscriptural; and the greatest repellant in religious exercises. Many have been disheartened by it: the enemy has made use of this with great success to frighten others, and to represent religion as odious. No man has a constant source of joy but the true Christian: he only has a ground on which he may rejoice evermore.

Standing still, is sometimes found the hardest work a Christian has to do: therefore while we stand silent before our King, we stand encouraged also that we shall reign with him. He endured the cross: therefore God hath highly exalted him.

"Enter into thy chamber till the indignation be overpast:" as though God should say, "I will take the matter into my own hands: I hold the scale, and the sword; and will maintain my power."

Beware how you enter into vain conjectures, and say, "This or that would be better." Rather say with Habakkuk, "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved."

God may sometimes bring us into perplexing circumstances, but we more frequently bring ourselves into them. We are allured by some shining vanity; some darling idol; till our way is hedged about with thorns. It is melancholy when men can only find out God by his judgments.

As servants we are called to stand in a certain place -we are called to stand waiting, but expecting.

A thousand cases will occur in life in which haste will mar, and ruin: while the man who stands still, in God's way, has a prospect of making his way through the deepest waters. See Exod. xiv. 13. and 2 Chron. xx. 17.

That only can properly be called a depth when a man has lost his comfort in God. While this remains, afflictions, losses, and perplexities do not properly deserve the name of depth. A gracious heart cannot rest under the displeasure of God: a gracious man will always be turning to God as his anchor in the lowest depths. Some of God's people are so assaulted and

tossed about, so tried and afflicted, that they may be said to be like persons out at sea: others seem to live on shore; but such can form little idea of the storm.

We cannot get on one step but in trusting to our great Leader. And the less sense has to build upon-the more obscure and intricate our way-the more should we rest with an unlimited confidence in Him who sits as a Refiner, watching over the gold while it is in the fire, that none of it be lost: and while He is refining, we may safely trust Him.

What a vast weight is taken off the believer's shoulders by his leaving all consequences to God! A Christian has done with-How shall I bear this trouble?-how shall I act in this difficulty ?-how shall I get through these deep waters? He leaves it all to God.

Most of our difficulties arise from discussing what belongs to God: our business is generally allowed to be clear; and we may rest satisfied that His way is right.

God's way is not more obscure than our way is plain. His way is in the sea, and his path in the mighty waters, i. e. untraceable. Our way is to follow Him according to his revealed will. "Thou leddest thy people like a flock: "-This truth is of universal concern. The infinite disproportion between God and us, should make us tremble at the attempt to follow him in the deep waters. God giveth no account of his matters: but the believer may give thanks, and say, "He giveth me account of mine."

We have an account of what God is doing in general, though not in particular. He is using divine means to a divine end.

The faith of God's people is not concerned so much with his power, as with his promise; which is made only

to faith. We know that God is able to do us good; and we know also that He is willing, because He hath promised it. There can be no faith where there is no promise; and where there is a promise, there can be no presumption.

It is a very natural thing for us to say in difficulties, "There is but one way in which I can be helped." But this is our mistake: there are ten thousand ways by which Christ can help us.

It is a grand defect in the Christian life-that of placing the Divine Arm at too great a distance from us. Faith is a perpetual miracle: we do not enough mark its power and its effects; we do not enough realize unseen things.

God sometimes seems to say to us--' 66 If within, and without, you have ever so much cause for despondency, yet-do not limit ME."

Whenever we expect special interference of God, it should be in the way of prayer, and reminding Him of his promises for God never raises expectations to disappoint them.

Prayer is the believer's universal remedy for all disorders within, and his invincible shield against every enemy without.

Frequently after God has mercifully answered the believer's prayers, and his heart is ready to be lifted up, there is sent a thorn in the flesh to humble him, and to send him with tears and cries again to Christ. "I endeavour," said a good man, "to take my troubles to Him, who exchanges them for favours: He alters their quality if not their mode."

There is a time to act as well as pray : "Wherefore criest thou to me ?-Go forward."

Let every Christian remember-he is to number his

difficulties and trials among his good things: for without them, we should become like Jeshurun. See Deut. xxxii. 15.

God does not grant any place upon the whole earth for a believer to set his foot upon, so as to say, "Here will I rest:" but says to him as He did to Abraham, "Get thee out of thy country, into a land that I will shew thee."

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises." Our depraved nature wants an easier way. It cries, "Shew me an easier path: " rather cry, "Shew me a safe path." There never was a character who disliked the old way of going to heaven by faith and patience-by the way of the cross-and found out a smoother road, but matter of fact soon proved it was the wrong way. Infirmities may sometimes make us travel slowly, but we must take heed of travelling slothfully.

Christian Patience, or the grace of patience, is an ability to suffer hard things, or heavy things, according to the will of God-and in this respect differs Patience the christian grace, from Patience the moral virtue. 1 Peter iv. 19. "Let them that suffer according to the will of God," that is, who exercise patience as God would have them—" commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."

The fear of the Lord, and the comfort of the Holy Ghost will enable a man to encounter great difficulties, and bring him through dangerous temptations. See the history of Joseph, Gen. xxxix. 9.

Past deliverances should sound loudly in our ears in present trouble.

God sometimes suffers his enemies to make great preparation, and then shews them their folly, and dis