a lesson of constancy. Our innumerable wants daily recurring and multiplying, call us to be" instant in prayer," to " pray without ceasing," and our condition as fallen creatures who so far from being able to atone for sin, or to rise by our natural strength above its temptations, or to perform duty in an acceptable manner, are unable to make one hair white or black, to add to our stature one cubit, or to look for a moment beyond the present one-convincingly proclaims the necessity of faith as an ingredient without which consideration can never be really profitable. If there be one season more suited than another for the exercise of this Christian duty, it is the season of adversity-then the false lights of this world in a great measure disappear-then its comforts decline-then instability appears stamped upon all human possessions—and then the eye of the mind, if opened by the Spirit's sacred influence, beholds the faithfulness and love of Jehovah arrayed in all their glory, and are found to possess an attractive power which draws it away from the painful contemplation of sorrow and sin, and causes it to look forward to that brighter scene which is presented above, where there is nothing chequered, nothing imperfect, and where sighing, sorrow, and pain, will have no place.

Let us then consider that we are not called upon to account for the Lord's dealings, or to make the vain attempt of reconciling the seeming contrarieties in the Divine administration. If clouds and darkness are round about himwe may yet be sure that righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. His servants will one day understand, as far as is necessary, every thing which now appears dark and perplexing, and in the mean season they are called to live by faith-to "take no thought for the morrow"-to "commit their ways unto him"-and to be satisfied with the assurance that "the judge of all the earth does right." When, therefore, we see one thing set against another-when we see the rapid and in many instances, the unaccountable changes which take place in nature, in the concerns of nations, in the state of the church, and in the condition of individuals; let us rely upon the power which we are unable successfully to resist; let us submit to the infinitely wise arrangements of a Providence which we cannot controul; let us "be still, and know that he is God." By all our" searching we can never find him out," for his wisdom is infinite, and the depths of that wisdom, as it appears in the stupendous work of redemption, which is a source of un

ceasing wonder to the angels that are before the throne; lie not more beyond our reach than do the formation and properties of the various animals that roam over our fields, or the flowers which beautify our gardens. As therefore, we can find nothing after God, nothing to censure, nothing to amend; and as it is out of our power to shed light upon any thing that he has involved in obscurity, let us learn to "trust him at all times," to " pour out our hearts before him," and to form our estimate of his dealings not "by feeble sense,' but by the faithful testimony of his written word. Thus, having peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall live in hope of eternal life-and after our last conflict and victory enter into the kingdom of ineffable glory, where "we shall see as we are seen, and know even as we are known.'

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

SERMON IV.

John xvi. 7.

NEVERTHELESS I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU THAT I GO AWAY, FOR IF I GO NOT AWAY THE COMFORTER WILL NOT COME UNTO YOU, BUT IF I DEPART I WILL SEND HIM UNTO YOU."

The

AMONG the first followers of the Lord Jesus, the power of the Holy Ghost was shown forth after a two-fold manner. His blessed influence was felt, as it now is, in the heart, and through Him also divers miracles were wrought by the early disciples. These were extraordinary gifts, which are at present unknown among any description of believers. reason of the natural order of things being put out of course is explained by our Lord himself, he says, Except ye see signs and wonders ye will not believe." At the beginning of the new dispensation circumstances required this double testimony, which spoke both to outward and inward sense.

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