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tion into the remotest lands; yet let it be remembered it is through his permission, and to execute his just judgments upon guilty and impenitent nations. So that we may justly say with the Psalmist, "O Lord, our governor, how ex-/ "cellent is thy name in all the world, thou that "hast set thy glory above the heavens." Let all the nations of the earth worship thee and praise thy power; for thou hast ordained to each their proper bounds; "thou hast set all the bor"ders of the earth.”

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The third work which the Psalmist ascribes to God in the text, is the alternate succession of the seasons :- "Thou hast made summer "and winter." A work of Providence no less deserving of admiration than any of the former! for as the summer is necessary for the production of those various stores which are the support of man and beast; so is the winter no less necessary to temper and moderate the air, to mellow and fertilize the earth, and prepare the various tribes of vegetables to send forth their useful treasures for the benefit of man. And though it is not, like the summer, adorned with fruits and flowers; though it is not equally gilded with the cheerful and invigorating beams of the sun, but may be called in some sort the decline, or temporary death of nature; yet health

health is in its train, and social converse enlivens its gloomy hours; it communicates strength to the body and vigour to the mind, which would be too much relaxed and enervated by a constant and unremitting warmth. So justly has the Almighty in the regulation of the seasons tempered pleasure with profit; and whilst he has by their various uses supplied us with all things necessary for life, has at the same time by their successive revolutions delighted us with a pleasing variety and the charms of novelty.

When, therefore, we consider these various works of Providence, let us raise our thoughts to the almighty Author, and shew forth his works with praise. When we consider the benefits he bestows upon us, let us adore that goodness which provides for all his creatures, and chiefly for man, the lord of all.

When we con

sider the beauty and order that shine through all the parts of the universe, let us admire his wisdom. When we are struck with the greatness and magnificence of them, let us reverence his almighty power; and in all our thoughts, words, and works, love and honour so great, so good, and so merciful a God, and cry out with the Prophet, "There is none like unto thee, O

Lord; there is none that can do as thou doest:

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"thou art great and good, and doest wondrous "things; thou art God alone."

More especially whenever we look back upon the years we have past, let us remember that the several seasons of them were the workmanship of God, and that every day and night of them was ordained by his wisdom. This, whilst it disposes us, on the one hand, to "tell of his loving "kindness early in the morning, and of his "truth in the night season," should at the same time lead us to consider what use we have made of them; deploring our past negligence, and resolving to redeem the time to come by a wise application of every hour. When the day appears, we should reflect that it is an additional gift of God's goodness, and therefore should be usefully employed; that the light calls all creatures to their several employs, and therefore should not be spent by us in idleness and vanity. And when the night comes to cover us with darkness, we should remember that it also comes from God, and is under the guidance of his divine Providence; that it cannot hide us from his all-seeing eye, nor cover our sins from his knowledge; for the darkness is no darkness to him, but the night is as clear as day. Let us not, therefore, employ the solemn hours of silence

silence and repose in doing such things as may too well be called the works of darkness; "" but "let us walk honestly as in the day; not in " rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering " and wantonness, not in strife and envying; "but let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and "make not provision for the flesh to fulfil the "lusts thereof."

And, as the revolving seasons fly over our heads, let them remind us of the swift lapse of time, and therefore of the necessity of diligence in our several callings; and especially in that great work for which we were sent into the world, and on which the fate of eternity depends. A few more changing months or years, and then all our days will be gone: time will be no more: "Whatever, therefore, our hand "findeth to do, let us do it with all our might; "for there is neither work, nor device, nor "knowledge in the grave, whither we are

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Lastly, let us consider the different periods and seasons of the year as emblems of the changes and chances of this mortal life. If the summer of prosperity smiles upon us, let us not be vainly puffed up, but remember that every life will have also its succeeding winter of af

fliction.

fliction. And if the wintry storms of adversity press hard upon us; if affliction rain her bitter drops upon our unsheltered heads; if the hand of death tear from us friends, parents, children, and every dear and tender connection in life; yet let us stand firm in Christ, and patiently wait for that resurrection from the dead, which will quicken our hopes, dry up our tears, and revive our dejected minds. If the dark night of sorrow overtake us, let it be our comfort that it cannot last long. The day-spring from on high and the light of a better life

will soon visit us, cheer our hearts.

And though we now wander in darkness, and amidst shadows, doubts, and uncertainties, we shall then be set free from that vanity to which all things below are subject: we shall then enjoy such a day as will be succeeded by no night; such a summer as will never end. Jesus, the brightness of the everlasting Father, will be our glorious sun; heaven and immortality will be our portion; and we shall join with angels and archangels in celebrating the praises of that God who appointeth the day and the night, who setteth all the borders of the earth, who maketh summer and winter..

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