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through it; and it behoves us to sing with the Psalmist, not only of mercy but of judgment. For shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? Hath there not been much evil to correct in us? Was there not a needs be for the chastening of the Lord? With what gentle rebukes hath God been pleased to break and humble our hearts, when he might have destroyed us! My son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." For in very faithfulness he afflicteth us; and by his loving correction it is that he makes us great. Looking on the past, we have much to repent of, much to be sorry for; many sins to be washed away in the blood of Christ; many tempers to be sanctified; many habits to be reformed. Looking forward, we know not what a day may bring forth. We have seen great changes in the year past, we may see greater, and experience greater during the present year; nay, we know not but this may be the appointed year for our great change. With what holy purpose then ought we to enter upon it, with what care should we consider our present circumstances. With what

earnestness

earnestness should we examine whether we be in the faith; whether if we die, we shall die in the Lord; whether our robes are washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb; whether we have a saving interest in Christ, and a clear title through the Redeemer's merits to mansions in the skies! Next to our souls, we may consider the other circumstances in which we are placed. Do we walk in the midst of trouble? Are we surrounded with difficulties and embarrassments of various kinds? Is our health precarious, our success in the business of life uncertain, our path clouded, and our hope deceived? Then let us remember to our great and endless comfort, that God is a refuge for us. There is no room to despair, while we have the all-sufficient God to go unto. From age to age thousands of thousands have witnessed his faithfulness and truth, and confessed that he helped them in their low estate, and that his mercy endureth for ever. He is the same in fulness, the same in love, the same in power, yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Let us seek him then as one that is able and willing to help us, when reduced to the lowest state: and let our testimonies be added to all that have gone before, of his being a very present help in the time

of need; that others may be encouraged to seek his face and put their trust in him, and thus his name and praise be handed down to the latest posterities that shall be blessed through him.

Being in the hands of such a God, our state may be low, but it cannot be remediless. There is nothing in our condition, nothing in our affairs, nothing in our families or circumstances, or employments, for which God is not all sufficient. Even when we are brought to the lowest state, and are humbled in the dust of death, as we must be, even then we rest in him, we sleep in hope; and he will raise us up at the last day, and crown us with glory and immortality, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.

Finally, my brethren, I would recommend to you as a parting word, that you should attain the habit of attending to the dealings of God with you, that you should observe his providences, and consider the operations of his hand, and keep a record of your particular trials and deliverances, and of the whole merciful dispensation of God to you. And this 136th Psalm points out the right method of improving our mercies; we should dwell on them,

them, not in the bulk merely, but separately and individually, and make each a distinct subject of praise, just as you observe each verse of the Psalm, is dwelt upon, and made a reason for celebrating that mercy which attends us every step from first to last; and which, blessed be God, endureth for ever, &c.

Amen.

SERMON VI.

Preached at the Mission Church, Wednesday, 1 Jan. 1794

1 COR. vii. 29, 30, 31. Brethren, the time is short: It remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none : And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not: And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

WH

HAT a number of just and important AT reflections arise out of this subject.With these just reflections let us, my brethren, begin the new year.

1. The time is short.

2. The ties of nature will soon be dissolved. 3. Our sorrows and our joys will not continue long,

4. Whatever we have, we must soon resign. 5. The world, whether used or abused, will presently pass away.

The time is short, but the business of life is great and momentous. For though we

continue