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standing the attempts of malignant foes; your conscience saved from guilt, when surrounded with fiery temptations. With what gratitude must you look back upon these mercies; and with what wonder, too, at the kindness of God, who has caused everything to work together for good!

The recollection, too, of the many delightful opportunities you have enjoyed, the many privileges you have been favored with, the helps you have received, and the mercies that have been bestowed, all call for grateful acknowledgments. Surely, on a review of your past experience, notwithstanding all the trials and discouragements of the way, you must bear testimony to the wisdom of his providence, the greatness of his patience, the faithfulness of his word, and the wonders of his love.

As the remembrance of past mercies should excite gratitude, so it should operate as a spur to duty. You have found, Christian, the yoke of Jesus to be easy, and his burden light. The mildness of his government, the nature of his service, the clemency of his heart, the supplies of his grace, are all powerful arguments to stimulate to diligence. Recollect how little you have done; how imperfectly you have done it; how much you have to do; how little time there is before you; and how soon eternity will open to your view. You can not be too devoted, you can not be too actively employed for so good a Master. "It is high time," says the apostle, "to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than

when we believed." The grace you have received, the many answers to prayer given, the enemies that have been conquered, the difficulties that have been surmounted, should encourage you to go forward. Think not of fainting now, after the battles that have been won, and the glory that has been obtained. Despair not now, after the strength that has been communicated, and the deliverances you have experienced. Relax not now, after you have found the Lord to be faithful. Let the recollection of past favors stimulate to future exertions. Strength shall be given equal to the day. His grace is sufficient, and it is he that hath said, "Trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Therefore be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Is. xxvi. 3, 1 Cor. xv. 58.

Lastly; learn, from past experience of the divine goodness, to live more by faith, to be more dependent on the faithfulness and promises of God. I appeal to you, O Christian reader, whether the Lord has ever been "unto you as a wilderness, and a land of darkness." He has not given you up to wretchedness and woe; he has not left you to yourself. A thousand and a thousand times he has alleviated your pain, heard your cries, and delivered you in the day of trouble. Why not, then, trust him with all your concerns, and leave, cheerfully leave every event in his hand? Remember, from what you have

already seen, that there is no darkness but he can turn into light, no crooked thing but he can make straight, no enemy but he can conquer, no mountain but he can cause to become a plain. Go then, Christian, to his throne. "Be careful for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus." Phil. iv. 6, 7.

ON

CHAPTER VIII.

THE RELATION OF EXPERIENCE.

It is evident, from the consideration of the powers of man, that he was not made for himself. The social principle he possesses, the sympathy he feels, the faculties of communication bestowed upon him. by his Maker, and the relation in which he stands, demonstrate that he was designed to exist not merely as a monument of creative wisdom, but as an instrument to promote the welfare of his fellow creatures. Consider him as unconnected with society: his mind is contracted, his powers have but little room to play, and he becomes subject to an innumerable multitude of evils, which his own wisdom can not shun, nor his power alleviate. The Almighty, therefore, has wisely fitted him for social intercourse, by which his latent energies are exerted, his wants supplied, his mind informed, and the sorrows incident to this present state in some measure lessened.

But if man in general be a creature formed for society, how much more so is the Christian! He not only possesses those principles common to every man, and which are adapted for the general benefit of others, while in this world, but he possesses still

cern.

higher principles. He is endued with wisdom from above. The immortal soul is the object of his conHe does not merely find himself in society, but he wishes to be active in it, in order that good may be done, and the glory of God promoted by his instrumentality. Various are the ways by which these noble ends are to be accomplished. Reading the Scriptures, supplication, meekness of spirit, and a holy conduct, he considers as excellent means of doing good. But he beholds himself as an object of discriminating favor. He can never forget what great things God has done for him. A sense of these lies warm on his heart. He can not be silent. "Shall all creation speak," he exclaims, "shall all the universe be as one tongue to celebrate the divine benignity, shall all the dispensations of his providence loudly proclaim his glory, and shall I be dumb? No! the very stones would cry out. I have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Others shall learn from my relation the wonders of sovereign grace and redeeming love. "Open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul! Suffer me a little, and I will show thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf." Ps. li. 15, Ps. lxvi. 16, Job xxxvi. 2.

"Come ye that fear the Lord,

And listen while I tell
How narrowly my feet escap'd

The snares of death and hell.

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