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trusting, and glorying in Him, whose grace deigns to seek and employ such opportunities of displaying itself. But besides this general Truth, we have, in the text,

II. A PERSONAL APPLICATION OF IT,-for the direct encouragement of those who, like St. Paul, are groaning under their trials. They are anxious for immediate deliverance: but that would not so clearly manifest the power of Christ. They shall have the proof of it in another way. Still enduring their trials, they shall find that his " grace is sufficient" for themis all that they need.

The grace of Christ is his own actual presence, by his Spirit, in the true Christian's heart; his supporting, sanctifying, comforting presence. 1 And this, as he here assures every believer, shall suffice for him; for you, brethren-for me—for every tempted, afflicted soul that relies upon it.

1. It shall enable you to bear your trials, however grievous.-Worldly men sink beneath their load. They yield to the temptation which they find it difficult to oppose. They go mourning and murmuring all the day long. They listen to Satan's fatal advice—they "curse God and die."-And does not the Christian feel in himself a tendency the same way? He does : but then he has a Refuge, which others have not. It is this grace of Christ. He seeks it by fervent communion with that Redeemer, who "was in all points tempted like himself." 3 "6 St. Paul besought the Lord thrice;" after the example of that Lord himself, when agonizing in Gethsemane. But, while neither the servant nor his Master obtained relief from the present trial, both of them received spiritual strength to endure it. To Jesus "there appeared an angel 1 See John xiv. 18. 2 Job ii. 9. 3 Heb. iv. 15. 4 Matt. xxvi. 44.

strengthening him:"1 to the Apostle, and to every suffering believer, the Lord of angels himself draws nigh, bringing his own all-sufficient grace for their support. Then the "tribulation worketh patience: "2 then the afflicted man is enabled to say, "I will bear the indignation of the Lord; "3 and, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." 4

2. It shall make your bitterest trials productive of good. This is the triumph of Divine Power-to bring good out of evil. It is the work in which the Almighty has been engaged, ever since his beautiful Creation was defiled by the entrance of sin. And what his right hand is accomplishing, with regard to the Universe at large, his grace is daily effecting in each individual believer's soul. Is there a remainder of sin there? he makes it the means of humbling his servant. Is there sorrow there? he causes it to " yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness, to them that are exercised thereby." "95 Are there "6 fightings without and fears within?"6 all these are made to draw the soul closer to Christ as its deliverer. Outward troubles become the means of escaping inward snares-as, in St. Paul's case, the "thorn in the flesh" was a means of mortifying a tendency to spiritual pride. All this the grace of Christ can do—and will do, for those whom he loves. It is therefore in very "faithfulness

that he afflicts them."7

Their sorrows are medicines; administered, not because they are bitter, but because he knows that they will cleanse, heal, and strengthen our diseased nature.

3. It shall teach you even to glory in your tribulations.-A wonderful effect of grace! that a man should not only submit, not only gain a spiritual

1 Luke xxii. 43. 2 Rom. v. 3. 3 Micah vii. 9. 4 Job xiii. 15. 5 Heb. xii. 11. 6 2 Cor. vii. 5. 7 Psa. cxix. 75.

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benefit, but even rejoice, and thank his Saviour for the chastising rod! St. Paul, however, did this, as you see in the words after my text: moreover, he tells us,' that this was the general practice of Christians. The Saviour had himself enjoined it.2 Nay, in the very songs of heaven this part of Christian experience is looked back upon with holy satisfaction-that they came out of great tribulation." 3-Do you ask, Whence this joy in the endurance of sorrow?' It is founded on the blessed conviction, that chastisement is the act of a kind Father, the pledge of his love, the means of spiritual good. And it is produced by the direct power of Christ's grace-enabling the sufferer to understand and credit these glorious truths, and "filling him with all joy and peace in believing" them," through the power of the Holy Ghost." 4

Is any one, here present, a sufferer in mind, body, or estate?'-Let not these precious words of Christ be lost upon you. Go to him, and to God by him; "he is able to save you to the uttermost.” But let him do it in his own way. The time will come, when you will even thank him for that "thorn in the flesh," which you now think so intolerable.

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Does any one talk of bearing his troubles like a man,' without patient waiting on Christ? Oh! he knows not yet what real trouble is: but God will ere long make him see it !--May you, in the hour of trial, be led to the Rock of Ages!

1 Romans v. 3.
3 Rev. vii. 14.

2 Matthew v. 11, 12.

4 Romans xv. 13.

SERMON XXIV.

PSALM ix. 17.—The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.

THESE are awful words! so awful, that it might seem almost presumptuous in one who is a sinner like yourselves, to take them for the subject of a discourse to his fellow-sinners. And indeed, my friends, it is no pleasure to us to speak of "the terrors of the Lord." 1 But "necessity is laid upon us; yea, woe is unto us"? if we be silent. For hear how our commission runs. "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I require at thine hand."3 Whether therefore you will hear, or whether you will forbear, we must tell you, that "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

Awful words! How completely at variance with the opinion, that "God doth not regard!" 4 If a man be kind, honourable, and diligent in his business, you often hear it said that there can be no fear for him. But in the mean time, what saith the Lord? "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

But possibly you acknowledge the truth, yet are unwilling to contemplate, or look it in the face.

Is

1 2 Cor. v. 11.

21 Cor. ix. 16. 3 Ezek. iii. 18.

4

Psa. xciv. 7.

not such conduct, however, most unwise-improvident -dangerous? May it not be fatal ?

Summon, then, your heart to the solemn consideration and, believing these to be the very words of God himself, let us look up to him for a spiritual blessing, while I endeavour to set before you,

I. THE CHARACTERS DESCRIBED.

Two expressions are here used to describe the characters in question : "the wicked"-" the nations that forget God." According to the frequent style of the Psalms, the latter is an explanation of the former. It may be observed, further, that the expression "the wicked," shews them as seen by us; their " forgetting God" is what HIS eye is fixed upon. Or, the former describes their actual conduct; while the latter shews its source and origin. Every way, the varied expression is instructive.

1. The wicked."-This manifestly includes all those who have broken God's righteous law, whether in will, word, or deed. Many do this openly, grossly, unblushingly" they have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds" of obedience. But omission is, equally with transgression, an act of wickedness. Compare, therefore, your own heart and life with God's word, that you may see, as in a glass, what manner of men you ought to have been; and then say whether you are such as that word requires.

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But perhaps you will reply,' At this rate, who is not wicked?'-It is too true, my brethren!" all have sinned" 2-all are wicked," both by nature and by practice. And therefore, unless we suppose that all mankind will be "turned into hell," we must take a different ground in explaining the meaning of this term. 1 Jeremiah v. 5,

2 Romans iii. 23.

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