1. Trust in the name of the Lord. Trust-confide in-you know what the term imports in common concerns; it is not merely venturing as a last hope or experiment, as the shipwrecked mariner ventures his life on a fragment of the wreck; but it is that confidence, which he would feel on a towering rock, whose summit was never dashed by the bighest wave. It is that confidence which Noah felt in the ark, when the "hoarse thunder roared a loud onset to the gaping waters." He questioned not his right to use the ark; he questioned not his safety in it,--though "the windows of Heaven were opened, and the fountains of the great deep were broken up," and neither sun nor moon were seen for many days--for," the Lord shut him in." This is trusting in God.

Trust not in yourself or in your own righteousness. Trust in God in a way of duty, but oh! trust not to your duty. Read, meditate, pray, commune,—but confide in neither the one nor the other, but only in the "name of the Lord;" for in Christ He is Emmanuel-"God with us"-and who would build on the sand of human performances, when the rock of eternal ages is at hand? Trust in God. His bright beams alone can dissipate thy darkness. "The moon and all the stars, cannot make it day in the world, nor can means and ordinances make it day in thy soul." They are not the light, but they are mediums for the communication of that which is the true light. "The Lord shall be with thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory."

Trust in His mercy, it is free; in His truth, it is immutable; in His power, it is omnipotent; in His wisdom, it is infinite. By His wisdom, He knows your wants; by His mercy, He pities; by His power, He can relieve; and by His truth, He

Isaiah lx. 19.

insures relief; for He has said," Though for a small moment I have forsaken thee, with great mercies will I gather thee."*

2. "And stay upon thy God"-upon thy covenant relation to Him. Never forget that He is thy God. Call Him so, though He has apparently forsaken thee. After the example of Christ, still say "My God! My God!" And though he frowns and puts into thy hands a bitter cup, still call Him My Father." Though you walk not in the light of His countenance, say, "He will command the light to shine in my heart." Though you do not now rejoice in His name, still hope in Him, and say, "I shall yet praise Him for the health of His countenance."+

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Trust implicitly, and wait patiently. "Stay upon thy God." "Though he tarry, wait." "Let patience have her perfect work." Not a moment will be lost by patient waiting. While faith says, "behind yon cloud my Father hides a smiling face"-while hope whispers, "shortly the Sun of righteousness will arise"-while desire longs for His healing beams-let patience teach them to wait the Lord's time; "for the vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie."‡

Thus trust and wait, and the issue is certain. "It will surely come, it will not tarry." "Then thy light shall break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; thy righteousness shall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord shall be thy reward."§

"Who then is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God."

But, is this the only class present! Would to God that

* Isaiah liv. 7.

+ Psalm xlii. 5. + Hab. ii. 3. § Isa. 58. 8.

it were! Are there now before us those who are in the darkness of nature? Who enlighten and warın themselves by a fire of their own kindling? who "compass themselves about with sparks?" who place their hopes in their own righteousness? and seek their happiness in their own devices?

What shall we say to such? shall we address them in the keen language following our text? "Walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled "—take all the satisfaction you can, and make the best of your portion-but, "this shall ye have at my hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow." Oh! we feel for them too much concern, and love, and tenderness, and by all that is dear, we beseech them to "seek the Lord while He may be found," for this is their happiness. A Christian may have sorrows, and a sinner may have pleasures; but "the darkest state of a saint is infinitely preferable to the brightest state of a sinner." "Say ye to the righteous it shall be well with him," for "though weeping endure for a night "-even the whole night of life-" yet joy cometh in the morning"*—in the morning of eternity, which will soon dawn.

But "woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him." "His light shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him." Then shall he lie down in darkness, in the blackness of darkness forever, where no ray of hope ever comes. Then will he learn that his life was madness when he preferred the ignis fatuus of this world's joys, and honors, and profits, to the light of God's favor.

My dear hearers, are any of you of the number who are under this condemnation, that though light is come into the world, they love darkness rather than light?" I

speak to you as men of wisdom and candor; judge ye, I pray you, whether is better, the darkness of sin and ignorance here, and the darkness of eternal death hereafter, or the light of truth, and grace, and peace in this world, and the light of life in the world to come?

I know that ye can discern between good and evil.

Then show yourselves men; receive the light in the love of it, and walk as children of light; then will you experience its vivifying influence here, and when you are caught up to meet the Lord in the third heavens, ye shall always bask under the Sun of righteousness, and burn with unclouded splendor, and shine with spotless beauty as stars forever and ever.

SERMON X.

"My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”— PROV. iii. 11, 12.

Amongst all the wonders of Providence, nothing is more strange to the eye of carnal reason than the dealings of God with His people. Many are children of poverty. "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called." * "Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom. which he hath promised to them that love him?" + Many have been martyrs for His holy cause-"I saw under the altar, the souls of them that were slain, for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held."‡ Without an exception all pass under His chastening rod. "I beheld and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number" -even all the redeemed-" of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands; and one of the elders said to me, these are they which came out of great tribulation," § &c.

Affliction, or godly discipline, is a primary condition of discipleship to Christ. It appears prominent on the very front of the gate that leads into the narrow way-—" If any Rev. vi. 9. § Rev. vii. 6-14

1 Cor. i. 26. † James ii. 5.