our choice for ourselves, but it would be an unwise choice. We judge too much as those who can see naught beyond that small part of their existence, which is to be passed in the present world, and can appreciate, but most imperfectly, their real interest even in that part. But our heavenly Father consults for us as one whose paternal care and providence extends to the whole of our never-ending life, and who perfectly perceives what, in every instance, will be for our advantage on the whole. And therefore, with a kindness which we must here believe, and which we shall hereafter see and adore, he spares us not the present momentary pain, which may work for us an accession to our future and eternal joy. 'Eternity, with all its importance, lies open to his view, and time appears as a point, and all its concerns as comparatively of no worth.' He pities every sorrow of his children: yet all their present sorrows he esteems as nothing compared with the benefit which they are to produce hereafter.

Let not afflictions, therefore, ever shake our hope in God."

IV. Proceed we then lastly to the application of our text as an EXHORTATION, and to say to you all, "HOPE YE IN GOD." Though the peculiar supports and consolations arising from sure trust

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and confidence in God as a Father and friend, can belong only to the righteous,-that is, to those who are recovered to God through the Saviour; yet giving to "hope in God" that extensive sense which we have done in this discourse, and considering it as including and beginning in a return to God, in the exercise of repentance and faith, we may with the utmost propriety address the exhortation Hope ye in God," to all men of every description. Not that we may encourage the presumption of mankind by teaching them to look for good from the hand of God in their present course, supposing it a course of sin, but that we may persuade the sinner to forsake his way and return to the Lord, believing that He will thus have mercy on him. In this sense, as we asserted at the beginning, our text may be considered as the voice of revelation addressed to mankind at large.

Yes, my friends, the Bible is not that harsh and severe book which you may imagine, designed to rob you of your comfort: religion is not that gloomy service which you may apprehend; nor do its ministers take pleasure, as you sometimes surmise, in alarming and distressing the minds of men. No: the Bible proceeds from "the God of the spirits of all flesh :" and it is a book fraught with mercy for "the work of his hands." Religion is his institution, designed as much for your

good as for his honour. Ministers are his ambassadors sent-not to threaten and alarm and terrify men, further than may be necessary to induce them "to flee from the wrath to come,' but to invite them to salvation. Sin hath ruined us it hath converted into vanity and vexation, that which was in itself " very good." It hath embittered all the comforts which a gracious Creator had provided for his creatures.

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It hath

vitiated and corrupted all the faculties of our souls filled us with "a horrible disease" within: made us, while we continue under its power, incapable of happiness: unfit for the society of the pure and blessed spirits of heaven; and meet and deserving objects of the wrath to come. The Father of our spirits knoweth, and hath compassionated our condition and in the blessed Bible he hath revealed to us a remedy suited to the exigencies of our case. And to urge you to receive and make use of this remedy, is our primary business.

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The representations here made will not, we well know, be admitted by all: the correspondence of our statements with facts will not be felt by all. We know, and we lament it, because it hence comes to pass that multitudes, ignorant of their disease, refuse the offered remedy. But we must go on to make to men the representations, and to

address to them the exhortations, with which we are charged hoping that He, in whose name we speak, will work with his own truths to render them effectual to persuade and to save some.

Hope ye then in God!" Ye who have hitherto lived without God in the world, or have backslidden from him; ye who have buried all your thoughts and cares, your hopes and desires and anxieties in earthly things; learn ye the vanity of those things on which ye have hitherto set your hearts learn ye how uncertain is their duration, how little they can do for you while they last; how soon they may be torn from you: and if they be your all, how poor, how miserable they will leave you in the hour of death, in the day of judgment, in the dread eternity which awaits you. Learn the necessity of some better confidence of some which may support you in the time of calamity and disappointment, in the season of sickness and death of some hope which may be the strength of your heart, even when flesh and heart fail you. Hope ye in God." Betake yourselves unto him without further delay. Acknowledge your transgressions in hitherto idolizing the world, and neglecting God. Approach him now-while he sitteth on a throne of grace. Plead the merits of a Saviour. Acquaint now yourselves with him, and be at peace. Thus shall you find a peace

which deserves the name, and which shall never

fail you.

Ye that fear the Lord-" Hope ye in God." You have returned unto him through the great Mediator. Cleave then Cleave then steadfastly unto him with

full purpose of heart. "Trust ye in the Lord for ever." "Let your expectation be only from him." Enlarge your expectations from him. "Pour out your hearts before him at all times," for he hath promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

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'In all the changing scenes of life," let the Lord, the Lord only, be your hope.

Are you in prosperity ? Let not prosperity withdraw your heart from God. If riches increase, beware "that you set not your heart upon them: " say not to "the gold," thou art my hope, and to the fine gold," thou art my confidence." not in uncertain riches, but in the living God."

"Trust

Are you in adversity? Do not despond. Be undismayed, and "hope to the end;" but let your hope be reposed, not on an arm flesh, and in what man can do for you, but in God. Let hope produce patience and submission: let hope keep you confined to those means only of deliverance or of comfort which are consistent with duty. Strive that the language of your heart may be the same with that of Job: " Though he slay me, yet will