But

Alternate mercies and affecting ehastenings are as needful to the growth of faith in our hearts, as are the summer and winter to ripen the fruit of the tree or the shock of corn that cometh in, in his season. how few comparatively are our troubles; how much we think of a few hours or months of sickness, how little of long years of health and prosperity; nay more, the very troubles which fall upon us are by no means so dark as they seem when at a distance. Many which we dread are averted by our prayers, offered and accepted through a Redeemer's intercession, and the evils we were afraid of never come nigh us. Even when God sees that it is expedient to take away some temporal blessing, He substitutes an inward peace and comfort, which give us experience of

his faithfulness, and a more abiding happiness than that which any temporal mercy can bestow.

Who knoweth what is good for man in this life? Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Your sorrow shall be turned into joy. Eccles. vi. 12; Matt. vi. 8; John xvi. 20.

I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat. Lev. xvi. 2.

O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in the time of trouble. Jer. xiv. 8.

Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. It is expedient for you that I go away if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him to you. Heb. xiii. 6; John xvi. 7.

II.

The strictest watch is needful in the season of prosperity. When we find our undertakings succeed, and that more and more is daily committed to our stewardship, we are tempted to forget the Lord, to whom we must give an account for all, and to place a strong confidence in ourselves, saying,

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My hand hath done this, for I am prudent."

Yet, we should remember, that diligence and temperance in all things may obtain the corruptible crown, to the loss of the incorruptible. If we walk according to the course of this world, and consider its interests as worthy of our only concern, we are walking according to that spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience; and too possibly

receiving prosperity in exchange for the soul. How ungrateful are we, when God has heard us according to the multitude of his mercies, and has afterwards to answer us according to the multitude of our idols, and hide his face from us for ever.

We never have so much reason to pray fervently for the love and fear of God as at that time when the world winds round our hearts with its favours and benefits. The more

we abound, the more sincere and frequent should be the humiliation of our hearts before Almighty God, that he may always still find us in a low estate of mind and spirit, and regard our devotion to his holy will. very condition of life, in which we think we have the least need of watchfulness and supplication, is most unsafe without them.

The

We know that to whom

soever much is given, of him shall much be required; we feel how hard it is not to trust in what we are, and have, and do; and that if riches increase, it is the very tendency of our nature to set our hearts upon them.

They that will be rich fall into temptation for the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Tim. vi. 10.

The young man went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matt. xix. 22.

Jesus saith unto his disciples, How hard it is for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of God: humble yourselves therefore. 1 Pet. v. 6.