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suited to your necessity, as that "Gift of God, which is eternal life, through Jesus Christ."

In order to view this more distinctly, let us consider the sufficiency of

Our PROVISIONS-For "Wisdom hath built her house, she hath killed her beasts, she hath mingled her wine, and furnished her table. She also crieth upon the highest places of the city, Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither; and to him that wanteth understanding she saith, Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled-forsake the foolish and live."

Man, indeed, is daily reminded by the thorns at his feet, by the sweat of his brow, and by the dust to which he is returning, that his paradise is lost: but paradise regained is considered rather as an idea; a subject for poetry. That book, however, which I hope you have chosen as your best companion in the house of mourning, like the vision of Jacob, not only shows the heavens opened, but discovers a gracious medium of communication and intercourse; as it were, a ladder let down from heaven to earth." A medium so suitable to the state of man, that the weakest and vilest, who is humble enough to take hold of it as God's ordinance, advance a step at a time, and call for strength to proceed, may climb by it from earth to heaven.

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Are you, my dear friend, among the number of those who stand before God, not only as stripped of their comforts, but humbled under sin, as the cause of all the desolations with which our fallen state abounds? Open your book at the 61st chapter of

Isaiah. You will there perceive the most precious privilege of paradise restored; the Creator descending to the condition and wants of the creature, and once more holding communion with him. The broken-hearted, the captive, and the mourner, are here shown One mighty to save and to relieve: and that such should not mistake their friend, when our Lord stood up in the synagogue to read, he selected this passage, and, having read it, he closed the book with saying, "This day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears." " I am," as if he had said, " this Deliverer and Desire of nations: the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted: blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be filled: blessed are ye that weep now; for ye shall laugh."

I scarcely need observe, that in an address like this (a bow drawn at a venture), formal statements of the different topics would be improper; and, therefore, I shall not attempt to describe, in their order, the various provisions comprehended in that scheme of redemption, usually termed the Gospel. It may be necessary, however, to remark, that the whole is a proposal to the broken heart, answering all its objections, and meeting all its wants: and that such a proposal will be cordially received, only in proportion as this disposition prevails.

As it is the sick who best knows how to value a physician, the debtor a surety, and the criminal a pardon; so it is the awakened conscience alone, which will embrace a constitution calculated to humble the pride, and mortify the corruptions, as well as relieve the wants of man. If, " without shedding of blood there can be no remission," he, who is earnest to obtain it, will rejoice to find it, though on the accursed tree; and, however the preaching of this cross shall be esteemed "foolishness among them that perish," such a one will not only rejoice in the provision, but magnify the means. "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

Our Lord represents the blessings of his kingdom under the parable of a magnificent feast, which a "King made for the marriage of his Son;" but when all things were ready, and invitations repeatedly sent, he points out the ruin of the world, in its indisposition to accept his gracious proposal. "They made light of it, and went their ways!" However different their pursuits, they all agreed to reject the invitation; they begin with one consent to make excuse: some urged reasons, and some abused the messengers; but, what is this more than the history of human nature in every age?

Let us, however, my dear friend, never forget that the gate lately mentioned, though strait, is open; and that only unbelief and indisposition stand without. Christ has declared that all things are eady: may his gracious influence, accompanying Ais humbling providence, form in you a spiritual aste for them! Certain I am, that, whenever is is attained, his name will be " as ointment >ured forth;" it will give a savour even to obsolete

Detry:

Christ is a path-if any be misled :
He is a robe-if any naked be;

If any chance to hunger-he is bread;
If any be a bondman-he is free;

If any be but weak-how strong is he!

To dead men life he is to sick men health;
To blind men sight-and to the needy wealth;
A pleasure without loss a treasure without stealth.

To prepare the heart for the reception of this treasure, as a God of order, he is pleased to use a system of means; one of which I hope he is now employing for your soul's health. I love to indulge hope, for affliction is a seed time; and let me freely inquire, since God has called you aside, has spoken so emphatically, and you have had leisure for serious meditation, do not the provisions of the Gospel appear new, sufficient, and exactly suited to your case? Do you not mark that gold, which the thief cannot steal? that foundation, which no tempest can shake? that life, over which death hath no power? and that peace which the world can neither give nor take away? Does not the religion of Jesus, that is so forgotten and degraded among men, stand forward now as the one thing needful? Does not his friendship appear now to be "that better part which shall not be taken away?" and which alone can help in extremities? In the wreck of human affairs, indeed, it is, that God often makes his truth appear; and causes his Gospel, like a plank thrown out to the perishing mariner, to be properly known and prized.

"These are the great occasions which force the mind to take refuge in religion: when we have no help in ourselves, what can remain, but that we look up to a higher and a greater Power? and to

what hope may we not raise our eyes and hearts, when we consider that the greatest Power is the best?

" Surely there is no (truly wise) man who, thus afflicted, does not seek succour in the Gospel, which has brought life and immortality to light.' The precepts of Epicurus, who teaches us to endure what the laws of the universe make necessary, may silence, but not content us. The dictates of Zeno, who commands us to look with indifference on external things, may dispose us to conceal our sorrow, but cannot assuage it. Real alleviation of the loss of friends, and rational tranquillity in the prospect of our own dissolution, can be received only from the promises of Him in whose hands are life and death; and from the assurances of another and better state, in which all tears shall be wiped from the eyes, and the whole soul shall be filled with joy. Philosophy may infuse stubbornness, but Religion only can give patience."*

In health and ease, ingenious speculations may amuse and satisfy us; but I think you now feel, with me, that when "he takes away the desire of of our eyes with a stroke," our sorrows are too deep to be alleviated by the mere orator or philosopher: we even turn in disgust from him who would thus trifle with our case; we need a support the world cannot afford. " I faint," says the wounded soul: " I want an Almighty arm to lean on now; yea, a very tender and compassionate one too; one like that of the Son of Man. I need a ' merciful and faithful High Priest, who having been tempted,

* Johnson.

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