Moab, and said it with efficacy, “Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler?” Thus, when it pleaseth bim, he can open a sanctuary for his people in the midst of their foes, and make these very foes the protectors of his people. In short, “ with God all things are possible." He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. This good old Jacob grate. fully acknowledged, when he met with his darling son Joseph, whose supposed death he had long and bitterly lamented: “ I had not thought to see thy face, and lo! God bath showed me thy children also.” “When the apostles had the sentence of death in themselves," God dispelled their fears, and preserved their lives, in spite of all the rage and cunning of their persecutors. And thus, “ in the mount of the Lord" it bath often“ been seen:” deliverance came when death was expected; or, according to the prophetic style of Zechariah, (chap, xiv. 7.) " at evening time:" when, according to the course of nature, nothing was looked for but deepening shades and increasing darkness, “light” hath suddenly

6 sprung up, and the thick clouds bave fled and vanished away. Here then is a solid ground of confidence and hope; He that careth for us, not only knoweth all things, but can do all things. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. $6 Fear not,” saith he, “ for I am with thee : be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee, with the right hand of my righteousness," Have we not then the most powerful encouragement to cast our care, our whole care, upon God? And still more, when I add,

3dly. That he who is so wise in heart, and mighty in strength; so wouderful in counsel, and excellent in work

ing; is likewise possessed of infinite goodness. Like as a father pitieth bis children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. “God is love," said the apostle John; and well might he say so, who was one of the heralds of that joyful proclamation, “ God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” Here then is a foundation that is able to carry all the weight a believer can lay upon it; for “ if God spared not his own Son, but delivered bim up for us all, bow shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” What can he withhold from those upon whom he bath already bestowed his own dear son, and enabled, by bis Spirit, thankfully to receive him as the “ unspeakable gift” of God to men. How firm then are the grounds of the believer's hope? With what humble, but triumphant confidence, may he cast his care upon God, whose wisdom knoweth all things, whose power can do all things, and whose unbounded goodness doth constantly incline him to bestow every needsul blessing upon his people?

As I have made it my business, in every branch of the subject, to keep the persons in your eye to whom the exhortation is addressed, it is almost unnecessary to remind you, in the conclusion, that the comfort of all I have said must be confined to those who are Christians indeed. None else are the objects of that peculiar care which the Apostle speaks of; and therefore to them only the privilege belongs of casting all their care upon God. Permit me now to add, that as it is their privilege, so it is likewise their duty; and they dishonour them. selves, and reproach their Father, when they give way to anxious, disquieting cares upon any account whatso. ever. We may justly say to such, as Jonadab said to Amnon, “Why art thou, being the king's son, lean

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from day to day?” Carry all your grievances to bim who is both able and willing to redress them. Make use of thy birth-right, o Christian! and cast thy cares upon him that careth for thee. Your very reliance upon him, in the way of duty, your leaning upon his arm, if I may so express it, while you are using the appointed means, insures his protection, according to that gracious promise, (Isaiah xxvi. 3.) “ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon thee, because he trusteth in thee.”

But what shall those do who are of an opposite character? May not they too cast their care upon God, as the God of nature, the Father of their spirits, and the former of their bodies, in whom they live and move? Dotb not his providence extend to all the creatures he hath made? Doth be not clothe the lilies, and feed the ravens, and bear the lions when they cry to bim for food? All this is true; and, in one sense, all men without exception are the objects of his care. But this can yield no comfort to impenitent, unbelieving sinners; for the same God wbo sustains them in life, and gives them what they possess, and most ungratefully abuse, hath expressly declared, “ that though band join in band, the wicked shall not pass unpunished.” I appeal to yourselves, is it reasonable to expect, that God shall take the burden of your cares, while you deny him your hearts, and even fight against bim with the fruits of bis bounty? If you think coolly upon the matter, I am almost persuaded you will blush to ask it.

How then are you to dispose of your cares ?- What shall I say? I might tell you, that your anxiety will do you no good; and therefore it were best to lay it aside, and take things as they happen, without murmuring. But this were only to amuse you; for the burden would still press you with its weight, and all my reasoning

would amount to nothing more than a cold, unavailing advice to struggle with it as you can. But if your cares be very painful, though I cannot encourage you to go directly to God with them in your present state, yet I sball suggest a hint which by the blessing of God may be of use to you. It hath often been observed, that one great care will swallow up many others of smaller importance, and even banish them from the mind altogether. Thus, in a storm at sea, the most covetous worldlings have been known to throw their most precious goods overboard with their own hands, when no other means could be found to keep the ship above water. This points out a remedy; and it is the only remedy that occurs to me. Were you awakened to a proper concern about the life of your souls, this would have a powerful influence to cure your anxiety about lesser things. Were you brought to cry out with the jailor, 6 What shall I do to be saved ?" you would find neither leisure nor inclination to ask these disquieting, anxious questions, 6. What shall I eat? and what shall I drink? and wherewithal shall I be clothed ?" All these would be swal. lowed

up
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your concern for “ the one thing needful." And give me leave to add, that wben this becomes your care, I shall then be at full liberty to invite you to cast it upon God; nay, I shall be able to assure you, that he

I will not only accept the charge, but likewise give you what

you care for, even a complete and everlasting salvation. O then “seek the Lord while he is to be found; call upon him while he is near.”'

" May God determine and enable you to take this course, and make your worldly cares the means of leading your hearts beyond and above this world, to seek rest and happiness in himself. Amen.

END OF VOLUME FIRST.