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bestowed in compassion to the manifold infirmi ties of our nature. But I must at the same time observe, and, I fear, the experience of too many will confirm the observation, that he, who flatters himself with the hopes of enjoying this blessing, will find by long trial, that as it is more precious, so also it is more difficult to be acquired than gold, yea than much fine gold.

But even should we succeed in our persuit of this inestimable treasure, how far are we still from having obtained any security against the various ills that surround us in life! The hand of friendship may indeed be stretched forth to relieve and support us; but our calamities also may be beyond the reach of human aid. Can even our dearest friends restrain the storm that lays waste our grounds, or stop the lightning from heaven that may blast us in a moment? Can they command the sun to chear, or the breeze to refresh us? Can they relieve the breast that throbs with the violence of a fever, or ease the head that sinks with unutterable anguish? Can they stop the raging fire that alarms our midnight slumbers, and in a moment swallows up our lives and fortunes? Can they support the feeble knee, revive the broken heart, or stay the chill cold hand of death? Alas! the power of man is, like his existence, short and limited.

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Omnipotence and all-sufficiency are to be found in God alone, from whom all things are derived. Even the noblest works of his hands are so far from being able to afford help to others in every time of need, that even themselves too often groan under the weight of evils which they can neither redress nor alleviate.

If, therefore, we would secure to ourselves a firm and unchangeable support, we must not rely on the arm of flesh, but on the power of God; since there are a thousand accidents in life, in which the services of our best friends can be of no avail to relieve us.

But, even allowing that men should be at all times both willing and able to relieve us, yet still there is another consideration, which ought to wean us from putting too great trust in them. We should remember that man that is born of a woman is of few days: his being is momentary and uncertain; in the beautiful language of scripture he is justly said to be "cut down like " a flower of the field; to flee as a shadow and " continue not." The soul and body, in whose union life consists, are held together by no stronger tye than the breath of our nostrils; a breath which a blast of air or shower of rain may extinguish; and then fall the stoutest and the bravest bravest of the sons of men. Wisely, therefore, said the Prophet, "Cease ye from man, whose " breath is in his nostrils, for wherein is he "to be accounted of? Put not your trust in

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princes, nor in any child of man, for there is no help in them; for, when the breath of man "goeth forth, he shall turn again to the earth, " and then all his thoughts perish:" all his wealth and pomp, his designs and contrivances perish with him, and he has no more a portion in any thing that is done under the sun. How then can he help others, who is no longer capable of helping himself? Or how shall he not deceive our expectations and confidence, when he is so miserably and so often deceived in his own?

Such then, and so frail, is the confidence we place in man! Let us see, therefore, whether it will not be better to trust in the Lord, who is such an inexhaustible fountain of power and goodness, that he can never fail or deceive us. Let us reflect on the excellence of all his attributes, and consider whether these do not render him the best and only fit object of full trust and assurance in all the dangers of this tempestuous ocean of life.

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The love of man is partial and narrow, con

fined within the narrow circle of his own friends

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and companions, or cramped by the baser fetters of interest or advantage: but the love of God is unconfined and universal: his tender mercies are over all his works, and, like the beams of the sun, scatter bounty and blessings over the whole creation. The love of man is inconstant and uncertain; may be alienated by needless jealousies, or lost by false suspicions: but God is the same yesterday, to day, and for ever: in him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning: his affections cannot change, unless we drive them from us by our own obstinacy and sinfulness; and even then he does not entirely cast away his love from us, but endeavours by all gentle and endearing marks of kindness, to reclaim and reform us. And if we return to him with humble and truly penitent hearts, he willingly blots out our past transgressions, and the arms of his mercy are ever open to receive us, though, like the prodigal in the Gospel, we have squandered our portion with riotous living. If God then hath thus loved the world in all ages, we can have no doubt, but that he will ever be ready to promote our happiness, and to comfort and support those who flee to him for succour. And this also he is the better able to do from the superiority of his wisdom and knowledge.

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The children of men are ever lost in mazes, and perplexed with errors: the clouds and darkness of ignorance ever rest upon their best designs: so that they can neither clearly discern the dangers of life, nor certainly point out the means of redressing them. But God, who is light, distinctly beholdeth all things past, present, and to come, and by him all things are foreseen, determined, and conducted to their respective ends and purposes. We form not the most secret wish in our hearts but he knoweth it altogether; we fall not into the most hidden danger, but it is present to his all-seeing eye. There is not the least circumstance, that may be improved to our advantage, can escape his notice. So that, in all conditions, we may rest assured, that as he perfectly knoweth our wants, so also his wisdom will direct him to the most proper and effectual means for our comfort and support. For, to use the expressive words of inspiration, “ he is a God of knowledge, and by " him actions are weighed."

Again: The power of men is limited and of small extent, so that they cannot always afford the help and assistance they are willing to do. But as for our God, he is in heaven, he hath done whatsoever pleased him. His almighty arm is not stopped by any resistance, disabled by any casualties

VOL. II.

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