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must bring his people off victorious. His name, his honor, his glory, are all concerned in the everlasting safety of his Church and people. And let the heart of man imagine, if it be possible, what can afford subject of equal praise, to the Redeemer, as that of bringing home all his tried ones safe at last, through all their difficulties. The undeviating rectitude of an Angel, cannot bring equal glory to Jesus, as that of a saved Sinner. And to see a poor, sinful, dying worm of the earth, still preserved, amidst an host of mighty foes, and at length made a conqueror, over all by the blood of the Lamb: this is what opens a new source of joy in heaven, and calls up that song of praise, which John heard, in anticipation, by the ear of faith, and will be sung, in the full assembly of the first born, when the Lord hath finished the trials of his people. Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

*

And what is the result of all, that I have been saying, but this: If true believers in Christ, are thus necessarily faint, yet pursuing; let it be proclaimed this day, in every Church, throughout the earth, that Jesus, is the strength

* Rev. 12. 10.

of

of his people. He is the hiding place from every wind, and a covert from every tempest. He is as rivers of water in a dry place and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.

And hear, in what a gracious strain of tenderness, he speaks to every exercised soul. Fear thou not for I am with thee. Be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee: yea I will help thee: yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

And while Jesus thus graciously speaks, to the weakness of his household, to support them in their drooping seasons, I would desire them always to keep in remembrance, that these cordials of the Redeemer, they will need more or less all the way. A total exemption from sin, and sorrow belongs only, to that blessed climate, where none of the inhabitants shall any longer say, I am sick. But in the present mixed region, of things, through which the believer is travelling, towards the possession of it, the atmosphere will be frequently cloudy. And while without are fightings, within will be fears.

There is a rest
Every

But how sweet the thought. which remaineth for the people of God.

step

*Isaiah 41. 10.

step we take, is one the nearer to the attainment. Every difficulty in the way, is one the less to encounter. Like boys at school, waiting the vacation, we ought to cut off the daily notch, which marks the number, unto the breaking up, and when the last comes, the carriage will be at the door, to take us home to our Father's house, to return no more for ever.

My Brother! Are you faint by reason of sin? Beg of God the spirit to make application of that precious blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanseth from all sin. Are you cast down by means of the buffetings of the Enemy? Live upon that blessed promise, which saith, the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. Are you mourning under the hidings of God's countenance? Pray for grace, to act faith upon that soul-reviving scripture, which assures you, that the hour is at hand, when Jesus the morning star shall appear, and the Lord will be your everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. In a word; whatever peculiar exercises you sustain, you will find some promises suited to your situation, to live upon; and never forget that they are all your own, and in Christ Jesus are all yea and amen.

But

*

But what shall I say to you, who from being unacquainted with soul-distresses, with which the faithful, are so deeply exercised, can know nothing of their faintness, and consequently desire none of their comforts. I have often thought, what a melancholy state that man is in, who is a stranger to covenant-mercies. And in what awful terms the scripture hath marked the termination of such a life. Woe unto you that are rich for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now for ye shall mourn and weep.

*

Alas! if all your consolation, all your fulness, all your laughter, be derived from creature comforts, and confined to the narrow limits of this life, what will you do, when the brook is dried up? Surely I have frequently said, carnal men must begrudge the rapid waste of time. And the reflection of every day, when past, if they reflect at all, ought to be, "there is another day gone, by which so much of all our happiness is over.

But I turn from a subject, so abundantly distressing, just to add, that I hope no faint soul will depart, while Jesus is present, on purpose,

Dd

*Luke 6. 24, 25.

that

that the hungry may not go empty away. Let it be proclaimed, once more through the Congregation, and may God the Spirit, give it a saving power, in every heart: THE LORD JESUS IS THE STRENGTH OF HIS PEOPLE. He giveth power to the faint, and to them, that have no might, he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint, and be weary and the young men shall utterly fail. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with wings as eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint.