preservation from destruction? And, if we reflect upon the way, in which He has brought us to Himself, whether by stopping us short in our evil courses, laying afflictions upon us, causing us to see and feel ourselves on the very edge of the bottomless pit, so that we could have no rest under the sense of our danger; or whether, by the gentler methods of His love, opening our hearts gradually, like Lydia's, and drawing us sweetly and peacefully to the saving knowledge of the truth; have we not cause to admire and adore the special and distinguishing mercy which He has bestowed upon us; and with humble gratitude to acknowledge, that "The very hairs of our head are all numbered ?"

But I must, in the last place, deduce some practical instruction from the whole subject.

1st. Let the Christian be encouraged in the path of obedience.-Are the hairs of our head all numbered? Then what can harm or injure us, if we be "followers of that which is good ?" Satan may rage; the world may frown; the evil still remaining in the heart, may distress: but yet, press forward-seek to glorify the Lord more-never be weary or faint in your minds. Your prospect, like that of the disciples, when CHRIST first uttered the words we have considered, may be clouded, and danger and difficulty may hang upon your steps; but fear not, for not a hair of your head shall perish-not an effort of your

faith shall fail-not an act of love and obedience shall be performed in vain. Realize continually the presence, the Providence, the preserving Grace of your GOD; and, believing that He careth for you at all times and in all circumstances, be encouraged to lay aside every weight, and to run with patience "the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus, "the Author and Finisher of your faith."

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2dly. " Abstain from all appearance of evil.”—Is it true, that God is always numbering our hairs— observing our every action; so that "there is not a "word in our tongue, nor a thought in our heart, but “He knoweth it altogether"? Then, how should we fear to do what is hateful in His sight! how should we dread the very imagination or thought of iniquity! Shall He be so gracious and merciful, as to notice all our wants, in order to preserve us from them; and shall we be careless in the way of duty? shall we willingly cherish unholy desires, or unruly passions? shall we allow ourselves in the practice of the least iniquity? Impossible. If we rightly receive the precious doctrine of God's peculiar care and love both for our bodies and souls, we shall, we must be haters of evil, and followers of holiness.

Lastly, Commit all your wants and desires to the LORD in prayer.-There is nothing beneath His notice. As His Providence and Grace are peculiar; so let your requests be particular. He says, "I will be inquired of, to do it for them." Lay open every thing

before Him. There is no want which He will not supply; no fear which He will not remove; no sin (except that against the HOLY GHOST, which His people never commit,) that He will not pardon; no grace, that He will not bestow; no good thing, that He will not abundantly communicate. Enlarge your desires: ask much, and you shall receive “exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or think." May we all so believe, that the LORD careth for us, numbering the very hairs of our unworthy heads, and ordering all things for our eternal good; that we may "cleave unto Him with purpose of heart," seek His guidance, and glorify His name! and thus, upheld by His arm, and saved by His grace, may we at length unite with the company of the Redeemed, in ascribing to the FATHER, the Son, and the HOLY GHOST, all honour, power, might, majesty, and dominion, now and for evermore! Amen.

SERMON XV.

PERFECT PEACE THE PORTION OF GOD'S

PEOPLE.

ISAIAH XXVi. 3.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

THE chapter before us opens with a reference to some particular day, in which a song of triumph shall be sung, and the promise in the text be fully accomplished:—" In that day shall this song be sung in the “land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation "will GoD appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open "ye the gates, that the righteous nation, which keepeth the truth, may enter in."-The day (or, rather, the period) here mentioned, is the same as that to which our attention is directed in the preceding chapter, and the events of that great period are thus foretold: (xxv. 6-12.) "And in this moun"tain shall the LORD of Hosts make unto all people a

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a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of "fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well "refined. And He will destroy in this mountain the "face of the covering cast over all people, and the

"vail that is spread over all nations. He will swal"low up death in victory; and the LORD GOD will

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wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke "of His people shall He take away from off all the "earth: for the LORD hath spoken it. And it shall "be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have "waited for Him, and He will save us this is the "LORD: We have waited for Him, we will be glad " and rejoice in His salvation. For in this mountain "shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be “trodden down under Him, even as straw is trodden 'down for the dunghill. And He shall spread forth "His hands in the midst of them, as he that swim"meth spreadeth forth his hands to swim: and He "shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands. And the fortress of the high "fort of thy walls shall He bring down, lay low, and bring to the ground, even to the dust."-St. Paul quotes and applies the beginning of the 8th verse, "He will swallow up death in victory," 1 Cor. xv.; saying, "So when this corruptible shall have put on "incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying "that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” He thus affords a key to the interpretation of the passage; which, upon his authority, we may safely consider as describing the solemn and all-important events which are to take place, when the LORD JESUS CHRIST" shall descend from Heaven with a shout,

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