AND SHALL BE QUIET FROM FEAR OF EVIL."

EARTHLY happiness is continually exposed to danger. There is no security for its prolongation. The knowledge of this exposure frequently produces a painful anxiety, which more or less indisposes men to its contemplation. The hilarity of life is therefore the result of inconsideration. But in such laughter there is madness." We are really walking over concealed fires, which often burst forth unexpectedly into flame. Christianity does not remove this present danger from those who believe its truths. It points out, however, a means of safety to those greater interests which throw all present evils utterly into the shade. The tears of earth are thus dried up, under those beams of hope, which the prospect of heaven sheds upon the heart. Hence, amidst the sorrows of life, the Christian is "of good cheer."

He is tossed, indeed, in a storm; he feels the heat, or is drenched by the rain; but he works the vessel in peace, because He whom the winds and the seas obey, holds the helm, and secures the crew from shipwreck. He shall soon enter "the haven where his soul would be." This is precisely the view given by the text. It does not intend to preclude sorrow, but to promise safety. "Whoso hearkeneth unto me, shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." We have here,

I. A CHARACTER DESCRIBED: And

II. THE BLESSING WHICH HE RECEIVES. Let us notice, I. THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED: "Whoso hearkeneth unto me." These words are part of a solemn address uttered by Wisdom. Wisdom in the sacred volume is the voice of God, the decision, and counsel, and word of infinite power and love. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God." Hence Wisdom speaks with the accents of authority and promise. "Turn ye at my reproof, behold I will pour out my spirit unto you." Jesus Christ is accordingly revealed to his people, "as their wisdom, equally with their righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." The voice of the text is then the voice of incarnate Deity-" Whoso hearkeneth unto me." And this voice complains in the context of human ingratitude, and of unchecked

rebellion under reiterated reproof. "I have called, but ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof." "They hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord." These affecting complaints characterise the ordinary conduct of mankind; even of all who are not effectually taught of God, and made obedient to his word.

In proof of this, let a reference be here made to the dictates of conscience. What is the testimony of conscience? It is resisted, contemned, borne down by passions. It is occasionally heard, but oftener despised. What is the testimony of God's word as proclaimed in the ear of men? They affect to listen sometimes, but they regard not the words of the Almighty. A large multitude, who profess to receive revelation as the voice of God, close their ears to all its accents. The love of reputation, the law of the land, or the law of passion; these are habitually preferred to the law of God. These laws in their practical effects are sometimes accordant with the law of God. And hence a delusion arises in the minds of many who thus suppose that they regard God when in reality they contemn his authority. They might however at once detect this delusion by the consideration that allegiance is uniform. He that said, "Thou

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shalt not steal," said also, "In me ye shall
have peace.
If then a man seek not his peace
in Christ, he in fact reverences little the au-
thority which says, Thou shalt not steal."
It is then an undeniable and melancholy truth,
that the generality of men care not for God.
They follow not his counsel; "they turn not
at his reproof." They value not his favour.
They enquire not for his will. They mind
earthly things." And the Scriptures affirm the
end of such to be destruction. "I will laugh
at your calamity. I will mock when your fear
cometh." "For the turning away of the simple
shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools
shall destroy them."

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But there are exceptions to this madness of the world. There are those who are "born of God;" "who are chosen of God to be holy;" "who come to themselves;" "who lean not to their own understanding;" "who hearken diligently unto God." These were once even as others, under the same curse of insensibility, hardness of heart, and contempt of God and his commandments. But they have been quickened by an almighty energy; and their past folly has become apparent, and they have gladly thrown themselves into the arms of their heavenly Father, and exclaimed, "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel!" These are "the babes to whom the things of God have

been revealed, while they have been hidden from the wise and prudent."

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My sheep hear my voice, and they know me, and they follow me." They listen for that voice as it speaks to them in the solitude of this wilderness. Its sound is melodious to their ears. It is as the voice of the shepherd, honoured, loved, and received for guidance and for comfort. "Oh! how I love thy law, it is my meditation all the day." Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path!" "Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee." "Thy testimonies have I taken as my heritage for ever;" for why? "they are the very joy of my heart." Whoever is born again," by the "incorruptible seed of the word," knows its value, and tastes its sweetness. A true child of God is ever like Samuel, who answered in the midnight hour, "Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth."

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Amidst many other changes which the grace of God effects in the heart, this disposition to listen to the voice of God is among the most remarkable. Before a divine influence awakens attention, the word of God may gain a partial respect, and may raise the tone of morality, and become the ritual of education, and the basis of external religion. But it is regarded rather as the statute book of the judge, than as the affectionate counsel of the Father