sider the folly and misery of the careless and indifferent part of mankind, who see not, and who acknowledge not God in their lot, who live without God in the world, and mind only earthly things. In their prosperity, they forget the Lord; they give not to him the praise of their daily mercies, but consume his gifts without humble gratitude, and foolishly presume on the uninterrupted continuance of health and abundance. But, when adversity comes upon them, they murmur and fret at the dispensations of Providence; they seek not to profit by the rod, nor to glorify God, by bearing aright what he appoints, nor to honour religion, by diligently seeking its blessed supports under their sorrows.

O that such would be intreated, ere the days of darkness come upon them, to turn from lying vanities ; to acquaint themselves with God, as he is revealed in the sacred volume; to be reconciled to him through the Son of his love; and to give their heart to him! O that they would be intreated to take refuge in the hope set before them; to look to Jesus as the way, and truth, and life; to receive him as their own and only

Redeemer ;

Redeemer; and to obey him as their Lord: thus would they find that he is their refuge from every storm, and their covert from the tempest; a friend who sticketh closer than any brother ; a brother born for adversity.

Christian brethren, old and young, you know not what storms, what tempests, what adversities, you may yet meet with in life, you need such a refuge, such a friend, such a Saviour. He waits to be gracious; he is offered to all, even to the most unworthy of Adam's apostate race; he stands and cries, If any thirst, let them come unto me, and I will in no ways cast them out.

Men and brethren, hearken, I intreat you, to the heavenly melody of this compassionate Redeemer ; incline your ear, come unto him, and he will make with you an everlasting covenant, well ordered in all things, and sure.

By all the agonies which he endured, when wounded for your transgressions ; by all the redemption and forgiveness which he purchased, when dying on Calvary; by the glories of his person, and all the riches of his grace; by his omnipotent power to deliver the feeblest of his followers, and his

ability

ability to destroy the most malignant of his enemies; I this day most solemnly and earnestly exhort and beseech you to rely, by unfeigned faith, on the unchangeable God as your portion, on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, on the Holy Ghost as your Sanctifier; and so doing, take the inspired volume as your unerring guide, the faithful promises as your noblest support, the moral law for the rule of your life, and the everlasting covenant for your abiding consolation.

Amen, so let it be. Amen, so we trust it shall be.

SERMON

SERMON VIII.

TRUST IN GOD.

1 PETER v. 7.

Casting all your care upon him ; for he careth

for you.

To the minds of humble believers in Christ, these encouraging words of our text are connected with circumstances which are highly interesting On the one hand, mark the persons who are here addressed, whose external circumstances are distinctly described in the first verse of this epistle ; they are a company of despised, feeble, weary travellers through the barren wilderness of this unsatisfying world; scattered through all the

I 2

corners of the habitable earth, and oppressed by many cares, and fears, and toils.

On the other hand, you behold the glorious Governor of all worlds, looking down with tenderest compassion on these humble travellers to Zion, holding out, for their encouragement, every necessary support, and animating them to pursue their heavenly journey with persevering patience, and with increasing alacrity.

Between both stands the inspired apostle, as an ambassador of peace, beseeching these feeble followers of the Lamb to dismiss all their alarms, to approach the throne of grace, to wrestle, like Jacob, in prayer for every blessing, to cast all their cares on God, and to leave them there, that with minds unincumbered they may run their Christian race, and may go on their way rejoicing; for says our text, and let the saying be deeply engraved on the mind of every pious worshipper," Cast all your cares on God, for he careth for you."

Mark the extent of the important duty here enjoined: Cast ALL your cares on God; that is, all those matters which you may lawfully be concerned about, which you

may