things shall work together for his people's good m ;" and that their " light and momentary afflictions shall work for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory"."]
To this Almighty God is pledged, by the love that he bears towards us —
[God has loved his people with an everlasting love ; and therefore with loving-kindness he both draws us to him0, and secures our welfare. Now, the record in my text is especially intended by God himself to illustrate and confirm this truth. Hear what God says by the Prophet Micah : " O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal, that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord?" God is a righteous and faithful God ; and he has engaged, that "no weapon that is formed against his people shall prosper," and that " none shall prevail against them to pluck them out of his hands :" we may be perfectly assured, therefore, that he will keep them to the end ; and that " not one jot or tittle of his word will ever fail." " Having loved his own, he will love them to the endq."]
I close with a word or two of advice —
1. Be not hasty in your anticipations of evil as the result of your trials —
[Jacob, on the loss of his favourite son Joseph, exclaimed, " All these things are against me ! " But that was the very event which God had ordained for the preservation of himself and his whole family ; yea, and for the completion of all his promises respecting the Messiah, and the salvation of the whole world by him. And perhaps that very trial, of which we are ready to complain, is, according to his eternal purpose, to be the destined means of preserving us from destruction, and of preparing us for glory. Wait, and " see the end of the Lordr;" and you will find as much reason to bless God for your severest troubles, as for the most acceptable of all his blessings.]
2. Learn in every dispensation to acknowledge a Father's love —
[There is not, in fact, any single trial that does not pro- ceed from God. " Not a hair of your head can fall" but by his gracious permission. Men, devils, yea the very elements, are only instruments in his hands to fulfil his wills. The Jews, in crucifying the Messiah, executed only "what God's
m Rom. viii. 28. n 2 Cor. iv. 17. ° Jer. xxxi. 3. p Mic. vi. 5. <J John xiii. 1. r Jam. v. 11. s Isai. x. 5. Ps. cxlviii. 8.