many would think them the favourites of Heaven, and the man, whom they despise, to lie under the frown of the Almighty; yet he learns to wait patiently upon the Lord, and prays, in confidence that his supplications reach, and are graciously received at the throne of grace. Many portions of scripture are applicable, and highly encouraging to the persecuted christian, but none more so than the 37th Psalm, which seems to be recorded on purpose to afford him support. The language of it is this-" Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity; for they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass; and he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon day." The whole is to the same effect, and has proved a comfort to many, who, like their Redeemer, have endured the cross, despising the shame, and, upheld by the mighty power of God, have triumphed over all their foes.

shalt be fed.

Were I to dwell upon all the charges, which

are brought against sincere christians, I might detain you many hours, and I know not whether you would be most surprised at their absurdity, or at their falsehood; but I shall not enter into particulars, as every day's experience may convince you, that to please all men is a thing utterly impossible, and that you cannot be a favourite of the world, while you are determined to keep a conscience void of offence towards God. That none of the opposition and mortification you meet with may move you from your stedfastness, see that you are well rooted and grounded in the truth, and remember what Jesus Christ said to his disciples in the last exhortation which he gave previous to his sufferings, "In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."* Besides the passage, which I have quoted from the 37th Psalm, the Scriptures, if you read them diligently, will furnish you with many exceeding great and precious promises suited to every time of need; and you will moreover derive much comfort from the histories of those Saints, whose lives are recorded, because you will see how they were supported in weakness, and how confidently they could appeal to the Searcher of Hearts, that with simplicity and

John xvi. 33.

godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, they had their conversation in the world. But, sometimes you think-" Is it not presumption in me to suppose, that the great Lord of Heaven and Earth can have a perpetual regard for such a poor creature as I am?" Think again, that it would rather be presumption to imagine he can be absent one moment from any of his creatures; for in him, as was said before, "we live, and move, and have our being." He has told us, in order that we may know that we are personally and particularly attended to, that the very hairs of our heads are all numbered, and what then can make us imagine that we are forgotten or overlooked, but that want of faith, which he always reprehends. May it please the Lord then to increase our faith, and, since we may not reasonably doubt of his protection, let us avail ourselves of it, and beseech him to cover us with the shadow of his wings from every impending evil. As we live in troublous times, there is the more necessity for this, and as some of us have relations and friends, who

* This discourse was written during the French Revolution, when most of the inhabitants of Great Britain had friends and relations engaged in the contest. But troublous times are not past, the minds of men are yet in a state of ferment, and only the mighty power of God can shield us from those evils, with which they threaten us.

are exposed to great peril and danger, we shall find comfort from the consideration, that the eyes of the Lord are upon them also, and that he can defend them from every weapon, which may be lifted up for their destruction. May they know, that it is the hand of the Lord, which wards off the deadly blow, and may they return thanksgiving to him, to whom alone it is due. A thousand may fall at their side, and ten thousand at their right hand, but the evil shall not come nigh them. Knowing in whose hands the disposal of all events is lodged, we are to consider the desolations, which have lately taken place in the earth, and which, alas! are still continuing, not as accidental circumstances, depending upon the will of any restless and ambitious character, but as the judgments of the Almighty, designed for the punishment and correction of a world, which lieth in wickedness; and as we know not what circumstances may arise in the course of events, to put our faith and patience to a severe trial, we may comfort ourselves. with the thought, that we never can be withdrawn from the sight of God, who will, if we continue to depend upon him, cause all things to work together for our good. "Hitherto," does he say to the wicked oppressor, "shalt thou come, but no further."* "I know thy

*Job xxxviii. 11.

PP

abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in, and thy rage against me. Because thy rage against me, and thy tumult is come up into mine ears; therefore will I put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou camest."* These words were spoken to the good King Hezekiah, concerning the proud Sennacherib, King of Assyria, and they are recorded to convince us, that all events are in the hand of the Lord, and that we may trust him in the worst of times, and under the most threatening circumstances, to confound our adversaries, and to prove, that those who wait upon him shall not be ashamed. May we then remember at all times, that the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good, and may we be in that state, in which we can rejoice in his presence, and confidently hope in his salvation.

* Is. xxxvii. 28, 29.