there may be such again; and these under the pretext of zeal for God and religion. The church, however, is not only safe, but really served, by external opposition. It has been so in all ages. Against the wisdom, the care, and faithfulness of Christ, the devices of men have no effect. All the power and policy of devils are as nothing. The utmost rage and wrath of the combined enemies of the cause of truth and righteousness will fall on their own heads, to their utter destruction. The song of Luther, in seasons of discouragement, was the forty-sixth Psalm"God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed; and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.-There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God; the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High." The city of God is the church; the only place of safety amidst surrounding desolation. "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God shall help her, and that right early.-Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah." 3. We are greatly encouraged as sinners to apply to Christ for salvation.-This application must be made, or we are not safe in him; our confidence is vain, and our expectation will perish. Are you persuaded that you are sinners; and do you feel your need of salvation? Behold the glorious ability and fitness of the Son of God. What could you wish to find in a Saviour, which you find not in him? His nature is Divine; his perfections are unchangeable; his offices are abiding. He is "the same," and his years shall not fail." The man is pronounced blessed who trusteth in the Lord: this blessedness belongs to you who trust for salvation in Jesus Christ; for he is "the true God, and eternal life :" he is "Jehovah, our righteousness and strength." Some of you may be deeply sensible of your sins, and concerned about your souls; but be not discouraged. In Christ you find a suitable and an allsufficient Saviour. Is he not the Friend of sinners? Think of what he once was. Zaccheus the publican, Saul of Tarsus, the thief on the cross, and many others found in him a Friend; and his very enemies bore testimony to the truth; "Behold! a Friend of publicans and sinners." What he once was, he is now, for he is " the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." Does he not give "exceeding great and precious promises ?" You are convinced that once he gave them. He proclaimed, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink." "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Still his language is the His word stands good. He is faithful who hath promised, who also will perform; for he is "the same," and his "years shall not fail." same. We have noticed the immutability of the Saviour's perfections. Think of this again. His power is the same now as when he raised Lazarus from the dead; as when he made the world. His pity is the same now as when he pardoned the penitent thief, and granted him a seat in paradise. His love to transgressors is just the same as when he left the skies on the errand of salvation, and became "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." And remember, especially, the motives of his love, its springs and principles, are without variation. He never loved sinners in consideration of any thing lovely or deserving in them; the motive was wholly in himself and so it is to this day. The deepest unworthiness is no bar to the exercise of his affection; the most aggravated guilt only the more exalts the exceeding riches of his grace, the boundless extent of his love. Look, therefore, to the Lord the Saviour. Think of what he hath done and suffered : believe what he hath spoken: receive his Gospel : plead his promise; and henceforth rest on his inviolable fidelity. 4. Believers are hereby relieved under the pressure of their trials.-Some of you are believers: you have come to Christ: you have made him your hope, your refuge, and your rest. Yet you find that in the best sense, you are not at home. You are in a wilderness, among briars and thorns; on an ocean, tossed with waves and tempests. You are subject to painful anxieties from various quarters. All around is full of change; and there is nothing beneath the sun on which you can depend with confidence for an hour. Be it so; there is One who is invariably "the same;" a Rock that never moves; a Refuge that never fails; and this Rock, this Refuge, is Christ "A faithful, unchangeable Friend, Whose love is as great as his power, And knows neither measure nor end." The storms of trial may blow; the rains of adversity may fall; the floods of temptation may rise and assail the soul; yet, if built on this Rock, if hid in this Refuge, you are infallibly and for ever secure! Frequently you are discouraged with doubts and fears. Every grace is imperfect; sin is ready to prevail; your religious feelings vary; your spiritual enjoyments fluctuate. At seasons you are full of heaviness, and sometimes exceedingly cast down. But why? Ask yourselves-Have you any knowledge of Jesus and his grace? Have you any love to his precious Name; any faith in his revealed truth; any hope in his everlasting covenant? Is the desire of your heart towards him, and the concern of your soul to grow in likeness to him? This being the case, indulge not your fears and doubts. The Gospel directs you to "rejoice, and to be exceeding glad." Instead of these sad complaints and mournful apprehensions, adopt the words and imbibe the spirit of the Psalmist: "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." Such a hope is warranted in the weakest believer; because it is God his Saviour who affirms, "I am Jehovah; I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob," ye feeble and afflicted remnant, " are not consumed." 5. Aged persons are comforted from this subject.— Infirmities increase, languor oppresses, and strength declines with advancing years; but this is your support-" Thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail." The aged hardened transgressor can derive no consolation from this truth; but such as know and love the Saviour may rejoice in it even to grey hairs, and in the near prospect of an exchange of worlds. You feel the pressure of years, the burden of infirmities, the gradual sinking of the whole frame. You find that this debility has a trying effect on the temper and energies of the mind: your memory is impaired, your imagination is dull, all your faculties seem to be enfeebled and benumbed: you understand feelingly what the Psalmist expresses; "My flesh and my heart fail." But if this Friend, whose Learn the same Lord liveth, and 6. Young persons, by this subject, are seasonably admonished. Such calculate on few changes, and are ready to dream, their years shall scarcely ever fail; but such must be undeceived. Several are now in health and youth: you enjoy a flow of spirits, and unabated vigour; but know this, though at present you feel not the fact, and think not of consequences, your days are fleeting as a shadow: "You know not what shall be on the morrow; for what is your life? ་ |