And how unaccountable soever this may appear to the carnal mind, the fact is literally exemplified, more or less, in the history of the faithful, in all ages. They are unknown, and unnoticed ; despised, and frequently oppressed, by the world: yet well known, and highly esteemed, in the sight of God. In themselves, and in all their interests, they seem to be apparently dying, to the eyes of men; yet in the midst of all, they not only live, but live everlastingly secured, from all real danger, and are strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. And though chastened from the tender affection of a Father, too wise to mistake their interests, and too gracious to be unkind in his appointments, concerning them; yet they know nothing of those rebukes of his displeasure, by which he condemns the unbelieving world.

Men of corrupt minds, suppose them to be always gloomy, and sorrowful; whereas in reality, they are always rejoicing in the hope of God. And though confessedly poor, as the most part of them are, in this world's poverty, and all of them literally so, in that poverty of spirit, which is the badge of their Christian character; yet are they enabled to impart to others of the unsearchable riches of Christ.

So

So that though considered in themselves as nothing, and in reality being so indeed, as to any personal possessions, of their own, yet having Jesus for their portion, in him, they may be truly said to possess all things.

Such is the family feature of the disciple of Christ! And his walk of faith, carries with it an exact uniformity of correspondence!

And I have often thought, that among the felicities of heaven, a portion of the enjoyments will be, to look back over the everlasting hills, and trace the wonderful path of grace, in which the Lord hath brought his people on, amidst all the difficulties, and discouragements of the

way.

To observe the kind preventions of love, in the days of our unregeneracy. The display of an Omnipotent Arm, unremittingly stretched forth to keep back from death, and the grave, before the work of grace was formed in the heart. To mark down the instances of pardoning mercy since, in the numberless transgressions, and departures from God, by which the walk of the most upright may be traced

Gracious God! What an huge Volume, doth every believer's history form, of the Lord's forbearance, and man's undeservings. And what a subject, will be unfolded to our view, when the whole is finished, and bound up together, in a mass of particulars: to manifest, that our merit was never made the standard of divine favour, but the sole result, of his distinguishing. mercy: who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

And if it be reasonable to suppose, that the happiness of our future state, will gather some of its sweetness, from our being more intimately acquainted, than we now are, with the Lord's gracious superintendence, and watchings over us, in our progress through it; it should seem to follow, that nothing can be more conducive, under God's teachings, than the carefully attending to his approaches towards us now, in the various methods by which he manifests his love to his people, otherwise than he doeth to the world.

My Brother! depend upon it, though God the Spirit, hath graciously caused to be recorded, a book of sweet experiences, in his holy

word,

word, in the lives of the faithful, who have gone before you in the Christian path; from whence under his teachings, you may gather perpetual instruction, and consolation, to guide and comfort you, on your way: yet doth he afford also, another book of closer experiences still, in your own life, by the perusal of which, you may trace (if your forgetful heart, do not lose the memorandums of it,) a multitude of instances, to testify his unremitting care, and watchfulnes over you. And I do venture to believe, that if you were to accustom yourself, to this study, the view of past evidences of God's faithfulness, would furnish some of the best means, to strengthen your future dependence upon him, and to prepare you under his blessed influence, against any of the remaining trials, with which his providence, may see it fit to exercise you, in the unfinished period, of present life.

your

A train of thought like this, hath crossed my mind in the contemplation of the subject which the short sentence of the text carries with it. Faint yet pursuing.

The characters of whom this was said were Gideon and his little army, who were engaged in fighting the battles of the Lord. God had assured

Z 2

assured them of conquest; but in the moment, when they were promising themselves the victory, new difficulties and discouragements

arose.

The text represents them in the heat of action. Faint under the many heavy assaults, which they had sustained; yet pursuing, as if nothing hurt, the sure destruction of the foe. Such is the spiritual warfare of the believer. From the first moment he buckles on the holy armour, in the conflicts of grace, there is no remission, until he is undressed for the grave. There can be no truce in this war. Whatever sharp skirmishes, you may have already gone through, depend upon it, more yet remains for you to encounter. And you cannot have a better testimony, that you are a true Soldier of Jesus Christ, than while carrying this motto on your banner; faint, yet pursuing.

It will form a very pleasing subject, and I hope no less profitable than pleasing, if under the divine teachings, we trace this state of warfare, in the believer's experience, through the variety of methods, by which grace is brought into exercise.

Perhaps