"I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a bless ing." Gen. xii, 2. The Christian also is blessed, and is made a blessing. He is useful to his family, to the church, and to the world. Ever intent on doing good, even to his worst enemies, he watches for favourable opportunities; and when they open, he embraces and improves them with a thankful heart.

True Christianity promotes a peaceful temper. Jesus is the Prince of peace; and his followers live in peace both with God and men. They do no man an injury; and when they are injured by others, they do not seek revenge. When Christianity becomes general, an event which is at no great distance, the nations of the earth" shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks: Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isa. ii, 4.

Christianity puts honour upon men, by making them truly honourable. What the world calls honour, is often a reproach to human nature. Every thing in the Christian temper and conduct, is truly dignified and manly. Hence the Christian is honoured by God, by wise and good men, and, in short, by all who know any thing of real worth. The relation in which we stand to God is honourable; our connexion with Christians is honourable; and our Christian calling is honourable.

Let all determine to be real Christians. May our nation no longer be reproached by hypocritical professions; but may we all be what the Lord would have us to be. Then he will dwell amongst us; and we shall be "a chosen_generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people." 1 Pet. ii, 9. The choicest blessings of grace will be poured out upon us in rich abundance, and we shall prosper in all our undertakings. May it appear, in the day of judgment, that we have been humble and persevering followers of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and may we live and reign with him for ever.

Amen.

SERMON XLII.

THE PROPRIETY OF TRUSTING IN GOD.

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. JOB xiii, 15.

THAT man is entirely dependent upon God, is as evident a truth, as the being of a God. It is equally evident, that God careth for man, and useth every possible means to promote his happiness. These two principles, rightly understood, prove the propriety of trusting in him. We cannot live without his blessing; but, we are assured, that he is more willing to bless us, than we are to be blessed. He doth not willingly afflict or grieve us; nor doth he suffer others to afflict or grieve us, except for wise and good reasons. Should he afflict us, even unto

death, still we should trust in him. Hear the determination of pious Job, 66 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him."

Let us consider, First, the proper grounds of trust and confidence in God: And, Secondly, the things for which we may exercise trust and confidence in him.

I. THE PROPEr grounds of trust and confidence in God.

The all-sufficiency of God, is our first ground of trust and confidence in him. We have no wants, either temporal or spiritual, but what he can fully supply. His fulness is like a boundless, bottomless ocean. Giving does not impoverish him, nor is he enriched by withholding his hand. If we extend our thoughts, on the subject of God's all-sufficiency, to the utmost extent, still we may add, in the language of the apostle Paul, he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." Eph. iii, 20. How cheering is the thought, that we have no want at the present moment, and that we never shall have a want, but what God can supply! Before we look to man for help, or place any dependance upon him, we feel a conviction that he has power to help us. Without this, human confidence would fail, and hope would end in black despair.

Divine goodness is another ground of trust and confidence in God. His all-sufficiency, unconnected with goodness, would not inspire us with confidence; but when we consider that he is good in himself, and that he doeth good to his creatures, we are encouraged to depend upon him. On this important subject, we might refer to many pertinent passages of holy writ; but the following is quite sufficient: "Thou art good, and doest good." Ps. cxix, 68. We are acquainted with many men who have power to do good, but they have no inclination. When persons in distress apply to them for help, they shut up the bowels of compassion. If God were to proceed upon this plan, we should be ruined for ever; but he is as good as he is great. He pities the human race, in their low estate, and opens his liberal hand to supply their wants His goodness has been displayed, in various ways, to every son of Adam, from the beginning of the world, to the present moment. Creation, providence, redemption, and grace, furnish us with exalted ideas of the Divine goodness; and, on these important subjects, we should meditate both by day and night.

Another ground of trust and confidence in God, is, an engagement, on his part, to supply all our wants, out of the riches of his fulness. God has made many gracious promises to the sons of men; and "he is faithful that has promised." Heb. x, 23. We may hope for good from man; but, if he have made no engagement, we cannot trust fully in him. He may afford us help without a promise; but, in that case, we remain in a state of doubt and uncertainty. A promise from a respectable man removes doubt and fear, fills the heart with joy and gladness, and inspires confidence and assurance. The promises of God produce the same effects. They are like a solid rock, on which we firmly stand amidst the storms of life. By the promises of our heavenly Father, "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Rom. viii, 28.

We may add, that the unchangeableness of God is another ground of trust and confidence in him. Men are changeable beings. Their minds and circumstances vary almost every day. But God is the same from everlasting to everlasting. He has said, I change not. All change implies imperfection; but God is perfect. If he were a changeable being, what dependance could we place either upon his promises or his oaths? But his power and goodness are invariably the same; so that we may trust in him for what is to come, with an unshaken confidence. All his promises are sure: "He abideth faithful: He cannot deny himself." 2 Tim. ii, 13. The system of nature may be destroyed; heaven and earth may pass away; but the word of God will remain firm and unalterable. As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him." Ps. xviii, 30.

"As

Our own experience is a ground of trust and confidence in God. We have ever found him gracious, merciful, and full of goodness and truth. Hence we can say with David, "The Lord is good: His mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." Ps. c, 5. Our wants have been abundantly supplied; we have been preserved in dangers seen and unseen; and in the hour of distress we have been cheered and comforted. When did we want necessary food? When did we want raiment ? When did we want a friend? In seasons of the greatest suffering, some kind friend has been provided by Providence, to administer to our wants. In the hour and power of temptation, and in times of persecution, God has delivered us for his name's sake. And will he not continue to deliver? The devil, by overwhelming temptations, may seek our ruin; but, "when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." Isa. xlix, 19.

The experience of good men, in all ages, should be considered as a ground of trust and confidence in God. They bear witness, that all who trust in him are safe and happy. When were they forsaken ? The Psalmist says, "I have been young, and now am old;" yet have I not "seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." Ps. xxxvii, 25. They have suffered even unto death; but he has received them to glory. Read their history, and learn to trust in Him who supported them. "Our fathers trusted in thee: They trusted and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee, and were delivered: They trusted in thee, and were not confounded." Ps. xxii, 4, 5. God has the same regard for us as he had for them. Good men, in every age, are objects of his love. The truly pious, whatever their outward circumstances may be, are the favourites of heaven.

But, after all, we cannot have any good ground of trust in God, without an use of means. Means and ends are inseparably connected together; and to neglect the one, is to lose the other. The husbandman, who ploughs his ground, sows his seed, and watches over it with care, may trust in God for a fruitful harvest: The man of business, who is industrious and honest in his dealings, may trust in God for that success which will make him comfortable: And the Christian, who

uses the means of grace, and obeys God in all things, may trust in him both for grace and glory. It may be affirmed of the promises in general, that conditions are either expressed or implied. If, by the strength of grace, we perform the condition, the promise will be fulfilled; but if we neglect the condition, we cannot claim the promise. In this case, God cannot be charged with a breach of promise; but we may be charged with a neglect of duty. When the apostle Paul and his companions were threatened with a watery grave, he exhorted them to be of good courage, saying, without any condition expressed, "There shall be no loss" of any man's life among you; yet afterwards, when the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, he said, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved." Acts xvii, 22-31. Let us now proceed to the Second part of our subject.

II. THE THINGS FOR WHICH WE MAY EXERCISE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN GOD.

To trust in God, implies a firm reliance on him for a supply of all our real wants, whether temporal, spiritual, or eternal. He who distrusts God in one thing, generally distrusts him in all things; but we should confine our ideas of trust and confidence, to those things which are lawful and necessary. To trust in God for unlawful things, is abominable wickedness; and to trust in him for unnecessary things, is foolish presumption. Our desires must be regulated by his wisdom. He knows what is good for us; and, whether he gives or denies what we ask, we should be satisfied. Unless we do so, we shall be perpetually perplexed with wild and imaginary wants. The imaginary wants of men are many; their real wants are very few. Our real wants will be supplied; our imaginary wants ought not to be supplied. But, to enter upon particular things:

We may safely trust in God for every thing that relates to our bodies. He has engaged to supply us with food and raiment. "Consider the ravens: For they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: How much more are ye better than fowls?" Luke xii, 24. On the subject of raiment, we are exhorted to "consider the lilies, how they grow: They toil not, they spin not; and yet, I say unto you, That Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these. If, then, God so clothe the grass, which is to-day in the field, and to-morrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, 0 ye of little faith!" Verse 27. At the same time, we may rest assured, that he will supply us with necessary health and strength, and with protection and safety; for these things are expressed in his promises and engagements.

Encouraged by his blessed word, we must trust in him for every thing that relates to our souls. Do we want light? He is the fountain of light. Do we want pardon? He is gracious and merciful. Do we want holiness? He will springle clean water upon us, and make us clean. Do we want strength? He is omnipotent. Are we tempted and tried? He is able to deliver us. Plentiful provision has been made for our immortal spirits, in the plan of redemption. Every necessary blessing has been purchased, and is secured to the faithful by

immutable promises. Let us trust in God our Saviour. He who bought us with his blood, is able to save us to the uttermost.

We may trust in God for family blessings. Our parents, children, husbands, and wives, are under his providential care. Let us endeavour to provide for them, instruct them, pray for them, and set them a good example; and then leave them to his care, and commit them to his holy keeping. If they prosper, we shall rejoice; if they suffer, we shall feel resigned; if they find their way to heaven, we shall glory in the grace of God; if they perish in their sins, we shall silently adore his awful justice.

The pious should trust in God for the prosperity of the church. He cares for it; leave it to his care. When religion is at a low ebb, we are bowed down in our spirits, and are afraid lest the faithful should fail amongst the sons of men; but let us cast away our fears. God is in Zion. The HOLY ONE is in the midst of us. The enemies of the church shall be confounded and put to shame. We may perplex ourselves about her interests, without rendering her any essential service. The Lord will guard her safely on every side. He has said, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper: And every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn." Isa. liv, 71.

To conclude, we may safely put our trust in God for those blessings which relate to the eternal world. He will take care of us when we quit this lower world. In distant and future worlds, we shall find him the same God. It matters but little where we may dwell, or what we may be, if we have his approbation. In his presence we shall enjoy complete happiness; and our happiness will be uninterrupted and eternal. "We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." 2 Cor. v, 1. In that house may we live for ever! Amen.

SERMON XLIII.

THE CASE OF LOT'S WIFE.

Remember Lot's Wife. LUKE xvii, 32.

Ir is an awful thing to trifle with Divine warnings. Many instances of this kind are recorded, for our learning, in the sacred Scriptures. If we pay due attention to them, without delay, we shall escape from the wrath to come; but if we neglect them, the awful justice of God will find us out, and we shall perish in our sins. For "he that, being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." Prov. xxix, 1. Remember Lot's wife, and take