XLIX.

We walk by faith, not by fight.-2 Cor. v. 7.

N the beginning of this chapter the apoftle en

IN

ters into a pathetic review of the happiness of a future ftate; and his conclufion feems to be, that as man is compofed of a foul and a body, he has two places of abode (this world, and the next)-provided for him; in both of which he is deftined to dwell; and for both of which he is properly furnished. In this world, which is made up of fenfible objects, he walks by fight -that is, as far as his worldly affairs are concerned, he is under the conduct of his fenfes. But he must remember, that he is alfo the deftined inhabitant of a future world, from which all objects of fense are removed. With regard to this future world therefore he cannot walk by fight; but muft walk under fuch a conduct, as will bring invifible things before him, as if they were visible that is, as the apoftle fpeaks, he must walk by faith.

But

But tho we are under a neceffity of walking by fight, as far the things of this world are concerned -yet the wife, and good man knows, that the affairs of this world need not fo wholly engage him, as to prevent his walking allo by faith: just as a man travelling by night through a pathless desart, may take care how he fets his foot, and at the fame time have his eye fixed upon the diftant light, which is to lead him to the point he aimed at.

Increase

L.

Increase our faith.-Luke xvii.

THE

'HE mind of man resembles a flowing, and ebbing fea. Its fentiments, and affections are never at a stay-always in a ftate of fluctuation. Sometimes religious affections flow in with a full tide-and fometimes they ebb almost entirely out of fight. In fhort, our feelings are impreffed by the weather-by indifpofition-by high healthby good news-by bad news-by company-by converfation-by gain-by lofs-and a variety of other circumstances: and thefe feelings again often influence our beft formed fentiments. This moment the man is pious, and devout-the next, his mind is filled with paffions, and conceits, which he would be afhamed to publish.-More, or lefs all mankind live under the influence of this uncertain atmosphere: which is the natural air of a ftate of trial.

Now, among our other virtues, the great leading

leading principle of faith is often fubject to thefe variations. There are times when it may flame out with all the warmth of devotion. There are other times, when dark clouds may overspread the whole work of redemption-when all the promises of God are obfcured; and even a future flate is involved in mifts, and féen with no diftin&tnefs. The pious chriftian, in the perplexity of his heart, often fhudders at thefe paroxisms of his faith. But tho it is his duty to preferve this great principle, as much alive, and as active as he can; yet let him not be too much diftreffed by thefe occafional depreffions. The healthiest body is fubject fometimes to periodical, indifpofitions ; and fo may the healthieft mind. Even the dif ciples of our bleffed Lord had reafon to beg an increafe of faith.

It is proper however to try every means to keep our faith as fteady as we can.—We should be frequent. in reading the fcriptures-in meditation, and in prayer-and fhould often reflect on the fugitive, and mortifying ftate of worldly happinefs and on the glories of a future state.

Whofa

LI.

Whofo hath this world's good, and fecth his brother have need, and fhutteth up his bowels of compaffi on from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?-1 John iii. 17.

PASSAGES of this kind, says the objector,

feem to imply a grofs impropriety. You inculcate that all events are in the hands of Godthat his wifdom knows beft how to difpofe themthat he uses them as the means of moral difcipline -as the means of rewarding, punishing, correcting, and trying mankind and yet notwithstanding all this, you urge the neceffity of interfering in this matter; and when it pleases God to correct a perfon for his fins, you think it right, to counteract Providence by relieving him as if, when the law had paffed fentence on a criminal, fome private perfon fhould, on his own authority think proper to rescue him,

To this we anfwer, that God takes, within his

plan,