not repine at the success of evil-doers, he teaches us to consider, how short their triumph is, and how awful will be their end. He then, in the words of our text, instructs us,
I. What we are to do for God —
It is here taken for granted that we have many difficulties to contend with. But instead of being discouraged by them, our duty to God is,
1 . To go on steadily in his service —
[" Trust thou in the Lord, and do good.*' It should \ye an estahhshed principle in our hearts, that duty is ours, and events are God's ; and that we should attend to our own concerns, and leave God to his. Now beyond all doubt our great concern is, to prosecute and " finish the work which God has given us to do." We should not merely attend to good works iu general, but consider what is that particular " good " which God is calling us to do : perhaps it is, to exercise meekness and patience ; or perhaps to put forth fortitude and firmness. In the event of persecution for righteousness' sake, these graces must be culti- vated with more than ordinary attention, and be called into action in a more than ordinary degree. We are not to be per- plexing our minds with inquiries how we may avert the storm which is gathering around us, but be solely careful not to be shaken either in our principles or conduct, or in any respect to dishonour that God whom we profess to serve. Without this fidelity in the path of duty, all trust in God will be a delusion : but, combined with it, our trust in him is a most pleasing and acceptable service.]
2, To seek our happiness in his presence —
[Fidelity itself would not be acceptable, if it proceeded from a principle of slavish fear : we must regard God as a Fa- ther, and " delight ourselves in him." It is not a low measure of spirituality that we should aim at : we should aspire after such an enjoyment of God as David himself spake of, when he said, " I will go unto God, my exceeding joy'\" In order to this, we should meditate upon all his glorious perfections, and especially on those perfections as displayed and magnified in the work of Redemption. Oh ! what wonders of love and mercy may we see in our incarnate, our redeeming God ! In the con- temj)lation of these we should exercise ourselves day and night, till the fire kindle in our bosoms, and we burst forth in accla- mations and Hosannahsto our adorable Emmanuel. Say, ye who have ever been so occupied, whether such " meditations be not
sweet j'*
''•' Pa. xliii. 4-.