did the multitude to whom our text alludes; upon all these he looks down with pity and compassion, fully determined to administer sustenance to them, and to work such a miracle in their behalf as the limited power of man can neither conceive nor comprehend.

More especially may we feel assured of the great and glorious advantages which the disciples of Jesus Christ may expect from their divine Lord and Master; those who have entered into the pale of Christ's fold, inasmuch as they are the children of God, being even "heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ;" and we know, by the assurance of our Lord himself, that such as these have an infinite preference over those whose advantages are less, and whose situation in relation to the Almighty is inferior. Without, therefore, speculating too deeply on the state of those who are still in heathen ignorance, though we may safely and satisfactorily leave them to the wonderful and unlimited mercy of God, abundant reason have we to congratulate ourselves on the invaluable succour which Christ is ready to extend to us-on the gracious and ready help which we may ever obtain through Him, and by which we may be raised to that perfect and renovated state which alone will render us meet to be partakers of the Kingdom of Heaven. We indeed, brethren, even the most Christian and the most prosperous among us, are a hungry and half-famished multitude, who have not even the means of purchasing for ourselves food; yet have we it freely and abundantly

" without money,

offered us, and without price," by the grace of God, through Christ who has purchased it for us. To understand this system of grace by which justice and mercy are reconciled with each other, by which men are prevented from sinking under the effects of spiritual want and inanition, does indeed surpass our utmost comprehension. We cannot indeed comprehend how, or in what way, consistently with the perfect goodness of the Almighty, man, a sinner, born and nurtured and hardened in sin, can ever be so purified and renovated as hereafter to be reckoned among "the just " who shall be "made perfect," and rendered fit to dwell in the presence of perfection itself. Sin, brethren, like an incurable disease, it would be natural to suppose can only be destroyed by the death of the individual who is afflicted by it, and into whose nature it has engrafted itself. Like the water once tainted or discoloured, and which a constant addition of the same pure element may nearly only, but not completely, restore to its original purity, the stain of sin may indeed be diminished by a series of acts of virtue and obedience, but to conceive that it can be utterly effaced, is indeed beyond our human abilities. Yet we know that it will be so, for what consistency can there possibly be between light and darkness; what communion between Christ and Satan? Christ, moreover, hath told us that it will be so, and we believe him, because he hath given us sufficient evidence of his divine nature, and of the almighty power which

G

will be exerted in our behalf. Let us, therefore, submit ourselves to the proof which our Lord is willing to impose on us, by expressing our belief in these his glorious attributes of mercy and power: he himself has already purchased bread that we may eat: he himself knows what he will do in respect of all who require his protection and assistance.

May you therefore, brethren, under the full persuasion that there is a God above who looks down upon you with an all-seeing eye, and whose scan is so perfect and so comprehensive that even a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his knowledge; may you, under the full conviction of such an assurance, endeavour to do such things as may secure to you that protection from above, which, great and powerful as it is, will not be bestowed on those who neither desire it, nor are ready to apply it to their souls' health. For while, with such grounded confidence, you look to Christ for help and safety, you will be at least so indifferent to the things of this world, as will prevent them from creating any uneasiness within you, whatever accidents or misfortunes may befall you, provided these be of a worldly nature only, and such as in no way interfere with your hopes of everlasting salvation. You have enough, brethren; we have enough, I ought rather to say, to make us happy and contented, provided we apply all that we have to our edification and comfort. We have Christ the Redeemer, the Son of God and the Saviour of man-him who has come to seek and to save that

which was lost-him who has come to feed the hungry, to enrich the poor, to refresh the weary and heavy laden—him, brethren, have we, who has already made his resolve; who knows what he will do; who will befriend us in the hour of need; who will satisfy our most craving wants. To Him, therefore, be the glory for all the blessings, comparatively trifling though they be, which we at present enjoy, more especially for those great and eternal privileges which, unless, like Esau, we in a voluntary manner dispose of our birth-right", we shall most assuredly receive hereafter, when time and its paltry honours and distinctions shall be engulphed in the abyss of eternity. To God, therefore, through Christ, by the gracious help of the Spirit, let us render unceasing praise, while we acknowledge Him, the Eternal Trinity, to be equally and alike instrumental in the work of our salvation, for ever and ever.

a See Hebrews, xii. 14-17,

SERMON VII.

MISERIES OF LIFE NECESSARILY PRELIMINARY TO THE HAPPINESS OF ETERNITY.

DEUTERONOMY viii. 16.

"Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end."

In the foregoing words we are assured, on the testimony of one who received his commission from God, that the sufferings and calamities with which . the whole of mankind are more or less afflicted, are sent for no other purpose whatever than that of doing good to those who suffer by them. Were we, however, to endeavour to make ourselves acquainted with the reason why the rugged path of pain and misfortune is the only one by which we can arrive at tranquillity and happiness, there can be no doubt that we should altogether fail in our attempt. It would be quite as reasonable to inquire why the element of water is alone adapted to transport a floating body from one point to another, as to ask why we