which we have done all that prudence and forethought can point out. The plans of honest industry and frugality for making a provision for old age, or a young family, are blasted by the folly or knavery of others: or a blessing on which we mainly built our happiness is suddenly struck from under us; and the wife, the child, or the friend, is hurried into the unseen world, while we are vainly calculating on the enjoyment of the beloved society for many years. A fatal accident deforms the person, or a violent sickness ruins the strength, and the man drags on the sad remnant of his days in inactivity, perhaps in pain. Now, he who is not taught of the Spirit, feels his soul wither within him under the blast of such misfortunes as these. "If in this life only he has hope, he is of all men most miserable 1;" for life has lost the very thing which gave a zest and relish to every other enjoyment. And though his attention is often diverted from his bereavement, still a consciousness of irreparable evil hangs ever on the soul, and weighs it down in gloomy despondency. A calm and sullen acquiescence under the inflictions of a Being, with whom it is impossible to contend, is the highest pitch of virtue at which such a man can aim; and his best hope is, that time may blunt the edge of present sorrow, and create a desire for new objects. But when the Holy Spirit has instructed him to form a right judgment, no one thing in this

1 Cor. xv. 19.

world appears in the same light, or in the same proportions as before. A grand overpowering idea is admitted into the soul, and sits supreme there. It is the idea of Eternity, of our own interests through its never-ending ages, of the wise and good Being who arranges every event with relation to those interests. We are sure that the judgments formed under this view must be right, because reason tells us that no circumstances of time can bear a comparison with the interests of eternity. Still we need a divine Teacher to bring these truths home to us, to press them so forcibly on the memory, to paint them so vividly to the imagination, that they may ever be present, and supply us with motives and arguments sufficient for every emergency. A truly pious mind is enabled by the light thus shed abroad on his soul fully to reconcile the sharpest and most enduring afflictions with the special love and favour, which he believes that his reconciled God and Father bears towards him. His senses are exercised to distinguish between real good and evil; he grows better acquainted with himself; sees and acknowledges defects to which he was blind in his unconverted state; and discerns that the bitter cup, which he has been compelled to drink, was mingled for him by the tender and compassionate Physician of souls, and was exquisitely adapted to remedy imperfections still adhering to his renewed character, and which unfitted him for admission into the regions of perfect and happy obedience. The world and its

various concerns are to him like a picture on a great scale, like a scene painted for some large theatre. Inspect it closely, and all is distorted; its colours are daubs; its figures have no intelligence or meaning. It fills the eye indeed, as this vain world occupies the heart of those who have no treasure beyond it. But place this scene at a proper distance; view it, as the artist meant you should, from a point where all the parts are comprehended together, where they are seen with relation to each other, and you are immediately struck with the beauty and excellence of the whole design. Every line now appears to have its propriety and use; and each part being seen in its proportion, you understand and approve what before had excited disgust. The capacities of him who is taught of the Spirit are in like manner enlarged. He receives every dispensation, whether good or ill, with a certain assurance that it will operate really and permanently for the furtherance of his highest interests. He may not at first see this clearly, but as life advances the prospect clears up; he looks back on past days, and wonders at his former blindness, which urged him to murmur and rebel, where he ought to have been thankful. Faith assures him, that he shall at a future season determine the same with regard to his present lot. He may not know now what God does; but he will know it hereafter. Hope reads in past mercies a promise that God will never leave nor forsake him. And innumerable tokens of God's love, which he is

daily receiving, light up in his bosom a corresponding love to God and man. Where these heavenly graces are in vigour, there must be peace, there must be joy. The kingdom of God is begun within; the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, gives his promised blessing; and whether the world smile or frown, the favoured child of God evermore rejoices in his holy comfort through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour.

SERMON V.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

GAL. V. 22, 23.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

UNLESS sufficient means are afforded us to judge of our spiritual state, we must wander through life uncertain and comfortless. When dangers and sorrows assault, we shall not have that Christian hope, which is absolutely necessary to support the soul from fainting under temptation; for our house may after all be built on the sand, and in the heedless confidence of prosperity we may have banished fear, only that it may return with tenfold horror in the hour of adversity. We conclude then that God has given to the honest and single-hearted inquirer light enough to direct him in his very important work. Indeed every religious and moral precept in the Bible may