verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit; that we might be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous, nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby."

Thus, then, we have an account of that which seems to be imperfect in God's work. Man was made free, and man having, of his own free-will, set himself up against God, and sinned,sorrow and pain are needed to set him right, and yet worse things are what he justly deserves, if he will not be set right. And there is really nothing in this to set against the reason given by our Lord why we should trust God in all things; or rather, those who have tried His goodness in correcting them, and have striven to make use of His chastisements for their profit, know by their own experience that the very pains and sorrows of life are really for their good, and afford still further example of their Heavenly Father's goodness.

He does not bid us be imprudent and careless; but He does bid us forbear anxious and distrusting thoughts about our life and provision in this world. And remembering

» Heb. xii. 5-12.

this, we may even extend the argument to our spiritual life, and learn to trust Him for the supplies we need for its continuance and advancement. Thus S. Peter writes—" Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." And S. Paul—" I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy. Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."6

And much more is it clear that He will not fail us, when we think how our new life was given us. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things." Here is a gift far greater and more blessed than our temporal life, and one which may well be the ground of our confidence, that He will do all for us that we need for our eternal welfare.

f

Therefore "lift up the hands that hang d 1 S. Pet. iv. 12, 13. • Philip- i. 3—7. f Rom. viii. 32.

down, and strengthen the feeble knees." Who is there that trembles and fears to enter upon a life of obedience to God's will, because he thinks it will be hard, and does not know how he shall get over this trial and that difficulty? Only let him be strong and very courageous in spirit, let him take hold on the strength of Almighty God, which is at hand to support him, and all will be well. "God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."1

It is true that Peter fell, but then he had been trusting himself. He had not duly counted the cost. He savoured the things that were of men. And yet, because he truly loved, the Lord raised him from his fall, and strengthened him, so that he became a strengthener of others, when he had learned not to trust in himself, and to say,

66

not by our own power or holiness," but "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.">

The flesh will be finding excuses, in that the way is long, and this and that is hard, but reason must acknowledge, and the faithful spirit must believe, that God knows best, and that He Who has done such wonders for us already can never fail us at last.

I Heb. xii. 12.

b 1 Cor. x. 13.

> Acts iii. 6.

Who are we that we should judge of His doings? Who are we, that we should doubt if He is right, and hold back from what He bids us?

Only trust Him, and He will bear you through all, and strengthen and support you to the end. The path of duty may be one of pain and sacrifice, but under His protection it is safe, and sure of all needful supplies. Only walk on in it, strive your best for the day, and trust Him for the morrow, saying with the Psalmist, "The Lord is my Shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed me in a green pasture and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table for me against them that trouble me. Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. But Thy loving kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."k

k Ps. xxiii.

SERMON XX.

Psalm xix. 7.

"The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple."

The Holy Spirit teaches us, in the Psalms, what we are to rejoice in, and what to give thanks for. He teaches us what is good for man, and how it is given to us, that we may receive it, and receive it with thanksgiving. And it is good for us to sing of these things, that we may think of them continually, and be ever ready to profit by them. Now one of the chiefest blessings for which we are thus taught to glorify God is the knowledge of Himself and of His Will. Never is the Psalmist more earnest, never more full of wonder and delight, than when he is singing the praises of God's holy law, and His sure and faithful testimonies. His affections are perhaps more tenderly moved when he speaks of the mercy that has saved him from trouble, and pardoned his sad transgressions. Still there is a depth of wonder and adoration that belongs particularly to the