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passionate friend, he imparts strength to the weak, and power to the faint. Are any of his children high-minded and vain? He brings them down with poverty and distress, or he exposes them to reproach, and lashes them with the scourge of tongues. Do they seek their happiness in earthly enjoyments? He disconcerts their ambitious plans, their towering hopes, and their flattering prospects. Are they weary of commanded duty, or do they indulge in the fatal pleasures of forbidden folly? He hedges in their way with thorns, and blesses them with the kind corrections of a wise father. Still, however, he loves his people; and as his power is equal to his wisdom, he is fully able to perform whatever he has promised. Look, then, beyond the distresses of life, and say, All is well. Look not at swelling seas, or threatening storms, but look at Jehovah's never-failing power, and infinite love, and undeviating faithfulness; if he is your God reconciled in Christ, he will make all things to issue in your welfare and happiness; if you are his children, you may possess your soul in patience, even amidst threatening billows; and if you unfeignedly

resign yourselves to his disposal, you may sit with serenity at the table which Providence has provided, and may say with triumph, Thou, Lord, wilt guide me by thy counsel, and then bring me to thy glory. Cast, then, your burden on this omnipotent and infinitely wise God, ye humble and contrite! He knows your frame, and remembers you are dust ;

you are dust ; he pities you as a father, and will not deceive those who rightly trust in him : he may correct you, but it is for your profit; he may withhold many things which your foolish heart would desire, but he will not withhold what is really for your good; he may sometimes lead you by a rough way, but it will at last be found the right way for the city of habitation. Be strong, then, in the Lord, and in the power of his might; though he seem to slay you, yet trust in him ; believe to see his goodness in the land of the living; wait on him, and be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart. Amen.

SERMON

SERMON IX.

SELF-DEDICATION TO GOD.

2 Cor. viii. 5.

And this they did, not as we hoped ; but first

gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Such is the instructive representation here set before us of the faithful servants of Jesus Christ in Macedonia. Although strangers to affluence, and involved in tribulation, yet their souls experienced peace in believing.

They rejoiced in the God of their salvation; they felt the ardours of warm attachment to the Redeemer's cause, and were filled with generous sentiments of brotherly kindness to

all

all the suffering members of the Christian church.

The contrast stated in the second verse of this chapter, between their inward feelings and their outward circumstances, is inimitably beautiful, and shews what mighty things the grace of God can accomplish; for the apostle there records their abundant joy in a great trial of affliction, and their rich liberality under their deep poverty.

Their liberality was even beyond the apostle's expectation: "This they did," says he, "not as we hoped;" not according to the extent we calculated upon, but far surpassing what could have been esteemed reasonable, from a people so poor and so afflicted.

Nor does his commendation of the Macedonian churches stop here; for in our text, the apostle also acquaints us with the source whence their bounty flowed; together with the unreserved surrender they had made of themselves to that great Lord in whom they believed, and their unfeigned subjection to the ministrations of his servants : "First they gave themselves to the Lord, then unto us by the will of God."

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Here your contemplations are naturally directed to the powerful influence of the gospel at the promulgation of Christianity. Taking the subject in this light, a solemn, interesting scene opens to your view. You behold the heathen nations lying in darkness, and the shadow of death ; you see the Sun of righteousness rising, with healing in his wings, on the surrounding nations, and communicating light, and warmth, and joy, to these men of Macedonia. They awake to newness of life; they rise to active exertions in the cause of God; they are animated by the faith of Christ; they feel their hearts knit to each other as his disciples; they walk together in the fellowship of the gospel; and, with gratitude and faith, they assemble in the sanctuary, to worship and enjoy their Saviour and God.

A similar scene shall, we trust, be witnessed on this occasion' in our worshipping assembly. Some of all ranks and

ages

shall join themselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant; shall feel the full influence of good hope through grace, and of strong consolation in Christ; shall glory in their subjection to Zion's Almighty Lord ; and, sit

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