this is not only something very blissful and very sacred, but also possible, and by God's grace attainable; but yet are compelled at the same time to say, Ah, who will give me the wings of an eagle!' and are obliged to confess, that this is not attainable by human effort, and that no one can receive anything, except it be given him from heaven.

But when it is not yet given the individual, and a more intimate manifestation of the Lord to his soul is still denied him, this state is more painful than those are able to conceive of, who are already full, and, as the Apostle says, "reign without us.'

However, "faithful is he who hath called you, who also will do it." If it be once given you duly to apprehend, believe, and understand the Who also will do it"—your peace will flow like a river, and your righteousness as the Yea, he will do it! O bless

words,

waves of the sea.

SERMON X.

WHEN Paul says, that his preaching consisted not in excellency of speech or of human wisdom, he states something that is applicable to the whole of Scripture, which presents to darkened reason a labyrinth, out of which it sees no outlet, and something that also very frequently applies to the ways in which God leads his people. What deep complaints are uttered by the man after God's own heart in Psalm xxxviii. ; from which, however, we will only adduce the tenth verse, where he says, My strength faileth me." Strength is necessary in order to labour; and he who does not possess it, is incapable of the latter. The Christian must labour much. He must watch, pray, deny himself; preserve himself unspotted from the world; lay aside the sin which so easily besets

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him and renders him slothful, put on the armour of light; believe-because without faith it is impossible to please God; love—because only he that loveth abideth in God, and God in him; in short, to say every thing in few words, he must work out his own salvation with fear and trembling. Let us not think to excuse ourselves with the idea that we are unable to do this; for the debtor mentioned by our Lord, was delivered over to the tormentors, just because he was not able to pay.

David was able to do it. It is true, he never imagined he did it perfectly, but confessed that no one can understand his errors: yet he succeeded. What did he not possess, whom Saul called a stripling, whose form was more pleasing than great; what courage did he possess, and how much did he accomplish! A lion and a bear once attacked his flock, and carried off a lamb; but the little beautiful boy ran after him, smote him, and rescued the lamb from his jaws; and on its attacking himself, he caught it by the beard, smote it, and slew it. O pleasing type of Christ! The fair and ruddy youth had courage enough to go forth against the Philistine, whose height was six cubits and a span,

when every one else fled before him. His brother Eliab angrily reproached him for being presumptuous, and thought he would do better to go and tend the few sheep in the wilderness. But it was not presumption; it was confidence in the living God. The fair-faced courageous youth probably did not at that time anticipate that he should ever compose such a psalm as the 38th; and lament in it that his strength failed him. If his strength had departed, he was no longer able to accomplish that which he could otherwise have performed, and which was at other times easy to him; it was now become difficult, and even impracticable. "I am feeble, and sore broken," says he in verse 8; I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart" according to Psalm lxxvii., he was so troubled that he could not speak, much less accomplish anything. What was the reason of so much wretchedness? His iniquity was the cause of it; on which account he at length says, "I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are just, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me."

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What was it that failed him? Not all strength in the general, but his own strength.

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My

strength faileth me."

Before, he had been able

to do much that was good; but this is now at an end. No wonder that he began to be troubled about his sin. In verse 17, we are told he was ready to halt. This was a severe trial to self-love, self-righteousness, and to the life of self. But whom the Lord loveth, he overthrows in this manner, and gives them over unto death.

What was the result of this guidance? He never obtained his own strength again, nor did he wish for it; for God has no pleasure in the strength of a man. Nothing was left him, but to declare his iniquity, and to hope in the Lord; who, according to Psalm lxviii., gives his people might and power. His own strength was then no longer needed; he was then strong when he was weak, and great by being humbled. Then he no longer said, 'I care;' but, I lay me down and sleep in peace, for thou, Lord, only causest me to dwell in safety."

Strange beginning! glorious end! Such is also the case in the history of Jacob.