Sivut kuvina
PDF
ePub

exhorted and prayed, they ate and drank, they visited and conversed, with intentions so upright, with hearts so sincere, and with a demeanour so benignant and gracious, as served sufficiently to evidence the righteousness, peace, and joy, which reigned within. In this manner it becomes Christians to pass the time of their sojourning here and in such a state of mind, the path of duty will be found not sparingly provided with appropriate gratifications; while the most inferior offices of social life will be performed with a satisfaction and relish not easy to be described.

Fourthly, We are taught, by the inspired writers, that matter of thanksgiving and felicitation may be gathered even from the trials we are appointed to undergo.

My brethren, writes St. James, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. And the Apostle Paul, speaking more expressly on this subject, thus reasons respecting itNot only so, but we glory in tribulations also ; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope and hope maketh not ashamed, because

the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts. When the love of God is once shed abroad in the heart, it produces there so strong a conviction of his intending nothing but our good in all his dealings with us, that we are not only thereby reconciled to all his dispensations, but enabled also to profit by them in the growth of our graces and the confirmation of our confidence. Moreover, it is written that, through much tribulation, we must enter into the kingdom of God. When, therefore, a humble disciple of Christ finds himself forcibly urged along this beaten road to the heaven of heavens, he may secretly comfort himself thus,-It appears, by evident tokens, that God is leading me in the right way to that holy city, in which I hope to take up my everlasting residence. Through this very path my elder brethren were conducted to glory, honour, and immortality. I see the traces of their feet as I proceed on my course. Here they wept and prayed, here they laboured and wrestled, till they took their last joyful step over the threshold of their Father's door; where their tears are all wiped away, and their trials forgotten for ever.

Were we strangers to affliction and trouble, we might have some reason to doubt of our adoption: but since we carry about us manifest tokens of those righteous chastisements, of which all the children of grace are partakers, we may safely conclude that it will be well with us in the end. To know that we are under the divine method of training, should not only satisfy us amid all the vicissitudes of life, but even carry us confidently through the hottest furnace of affliction. And especially when it is taken into the account, that we are every where accompanied with the presence and followed by the promise of our heavenly Father, who thus addresses the least and lowest of his servants,-When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Thus it appears, that even our temptations and trials may furnish us with solid ground of satisfaction and joy; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at

the things which are not seen; knowing that the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Behold then, my brethren, the numerous springs of consolation which are opened for our refreshment, as we journey through the wilderness of this world. We read of ancient Israel, that, during their long continued wanderings in the desert, they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. Now the same divine Rock is smitten and cleft on our account, and the living streams which flow from it accompany us through every part of our progress. This is that river which maketh glad the City of our God; and while we drink of its waters by the way, they should encourage us to lift up our heads, and proceed on our course with increasing vigour.

My text calls upon us to rejoice before the Lord—and I have endeavoured to point out whence the chief materials of this holy joy are to be collected: first, from the wonders of the visible creation-secondly, from a comprehensive survey of the Lord's mercies -thirdly, from the daily exercise of our

Ꭰ .

own powers and faculties—and, lastly, even from the thorny ground of affliction and trouble. And now, brethren, in obedience to the divine command, let me earnestly exhort you very carefully to cherish in yourselves this amiable and christian temper of soul. Our heavenly Father hath sent us into the world, saying, Go, work in my vineyard. In this vineyard he has marked out the particular spot which is to be the scene of our labours, and pointed out those particular employments in which he would have us to engage; thoroughly furnishing us, at the same time, for every service required at our hands. Let us, then, go forth to our work and to our labour, until the evening; still rejoicing before the Lord in all that we put our hand unto. On the opening of every new day, let us renew our sacred engagements with God; giving ourselves up, without reserve, to his government and guidance, and solemnly determining to take every thing that occurs, as coming from his wise and gracious appointment. And if ever an anxious thought should be excited in our mind, let us instantly oppose to it the

« EdellinenJatka »