thwart His design and oppose His authority.Such a contemplation as this must give rise to others yet more painful, because leading to selfcondemnation. What a contrast, must each one say, does my folly present to the wisdom which I see every where displayed; and how dark does the turpitude of my rebellion appear in the light of the ready obedience of all other creatures! The goodness with which every thing around me is rendered subservient to my use, fills my soul with horror at the thought of that ingratitude with which I wantonly destroy them, or consume them only for my personal enjoyment. Surely the power that supports and governs all other creatures, might justly be put forth to annihilate me, or torment my soul with interminable woes. I, originally the highest, have reduced myself to the lowest rank of terrestrial beings. I have rendered myself more insignificant than the ant under my foot, and my spirit trembles within me at what I behold of the Being whom I have so greatly wronged.

These are reflections that would rise spontaneously in every mind not warped by passion and evil habit from the dictates of sound reason. Such an acquaintance with God, then, is not that which will give a fallen creature peace.

2. We may acquaint ourselves with Him further, in the dispensations of His providence.

The care which the Almighty takes of the works of His hands, the profusion of blessings with

which He supplies the daily wants of His creatures, are indeed calculated to inspire us with an exalted view of His benevolence. They may also, in one respect, give us peace; for the bounty that has fed, and the power that has protected us hitherto, will not, we presume, be withheld on the morrow; and therefore is the mind relieved of every care as to what may then transpire. But are we, upon the principles of justice, warranted in this assumption? It seems to assume that we deserve the continuance of these providential mercies: whereas, an impartial retrospect of our lives would convince us, that were the Lord to deal with us "according to our sins," and reward us " according our iniquities," He would instantly close His bountiful hand and withdraw the blessings we enjoy. Consider, for a moment, how we have requited Him for the past. Have we rendered Him such a return as common gratitude would have dictated? Or have we not rather received His daily favors as the ordinary supplies of providence, without thinking it necessary even to acknowledge the hand which bestowed them ? True, we may never disturb ourselves about the provision of to-morrow, concluding that the stores of heaven, out of which we have been hitherto supplied, will not, cannot fail. And hence we perhaps flatter ourselves that our acquaintance with God, in the dispensations of His providence, has given us peace. No, this is not peace, it is insensibility. Such a one is unable to appreciate the Almighty's

goodness, and blind to the extent of his own obligations. Happily, the arrangements of providence are seldom interrupted. But what does this argue? Nothing in our vindication, certainly: for the more abundant the temporal mercies we enjoy, the more regardless do we appear to be of our Divine Benefactor. The fact, then, that our blessings continue to be daily and hourly provided, only proves that the kindness and forbearance of our God are such, that even our ingratitude can neither weary the one, nor exhaust the other. He will not be always chastising His children with the severity they deserve; nor will He deny even to the wicked all the comforts of this life, knowing that an eternity of woe awaits them in the next. While, then, He causes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust, (Matt. v. 45.) His goodness should lead, not to presumption, but to repentance. Presumption hardens the heart in impenitence, and treasures up for the soul," wrath against the day of wrath." Then let us not mistake the indifference that too generally prevails as to future events, for that peace which an acquaintance with God, in the dispensations of providence, is so calculated to produce in the devout mind.

3. Under the calamities of life, we are peculiarly enjoined to acquaint ourselves with God and be at peace. We should recognise His hand in our sufferings, and acknowledge that they are

sent in justice. We ought to confess that we deserve even more miseries than we can now endure, without one of the numerous mitigations that attend them. With this confession on the lips, and a corresponding feeling in the heart, we should submit patiently to the divine will whatever are its appointments. Thus did Job behave when he heard of the destruction of his goods, his cattle, and his children. He arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job i. 20, 21.)

A man assents, as he thinks, to this proposition with all his heart. But why does he think so? Because he acknowledges that God is the Author of his sufferings, that it is of no avail to complain, and that, therefore, upon the whole, it is far better to submit in silence than to murmur against the decrees of Heaven. And is this the peace, think you, that arises in the Christian's soul when under the chastisements of his God? No, it is such a peace as the galley slave feels while singing to the splash of his oar. It is nothing more than that determination of mind to which most persons of common understanding can bring themselves under afflictive or hopeless circumstances. It is quite distinct from that composure with which the child of God can smile

through his tears. With a body emaciated by disease, or racked with pain; with a heart yet bleeding under its recent disruption from some object tenderly beloved; he feels within him a buoyancy of spirit that arises from this conviction, It is the Lord! That Lord whom it is his privilege to call his Father, and all whose chastisements he knows to be ordered in a Father's love, and administered by a Father's hand. This thought will suspend in an instant every rising murmur, and speak peace to his soul.

4. There is yet another, and that the most efficient means of acquainting ourselves with God-His holy word. Therein are all His perfections revealed for our instruction. His covenant of redemption, His reconciliation to man through the atonement of the cross, with every thing else that it is needful for our peace to know, will be found amply unfolded to the humblest comprehension. Then, brethren, acquaint yourselves with Him, by a careful and diligent perusal of His word, and you will be at peace. Con. sider the importance of the injunction in this point of view. God is the Being who created us: and He has published a law for our government in this life, and for His own rule of judgment in the next. By that law He will examine all our deeds done in the body. And can any one be so inconsiderate as to venture to appear before His tribunal, without knowing something of the Judge, something of the mode of proceed