to
* Ps. Iv. 4, 5. and perhaps Isai. xxxviii. 10 — 14.
' Hos. V. 14. Isai. xxxi. 3. ^ Isai. Ixv. 24. '' 2 Kin. xx. 1 — Q.
• Jonah ii. 1 — 7. '' Ps. cxvi. 3 — 8. ' Jam. v. 10'.
'" Ps. 1. 15. ° Phil. iv. 6, 7. "" Ps. Ixxxix. I9.
" John vi, 44. p Acts xvi. 29— 31. "^ 2 Cor. xii. 9.
to overwhelm us ? we can both do and suffer all things, if he strengthen us "^5 yea, we shall be more than conquerors through him that loved us^ Like a shipwrecked mariner standing on a rock, we may defy the waves that roar beneath our feet. Such was the experience of David himself ; and such shall be ours also, if the storms that threaten us drive us for security to that place of safety. Let us then, in every affliction, look to Jesus as our help ; and, with a deep impression of our inability to go to him aright, let us cry unto God, " Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I !"]
Address,
1. Those who experience no overwhelmmg trou- bles—
[However serene the sky at present be, no man knows how soon a storm may arise. But supposing our voyage through life be ever so favourable, it must come to an end : and what shall we do in the hour of death without an interest in Christ ? Above all, what must become of us, if we be not fixed upon that Rock at the day of judgment ? Let us then improve our tranquil hours in securing an establishment on Christ Jesus ; that, however sud- denly calamities may come, or death may summon us into the presence of our God, we may be found standing immoveably on the Rock of ages. Then, like Noah, shall we rejoice in God's favour, when thoughtless myriads shall be overwhelmed in the deluge of his wrath.]
2. Those who are bowed down under trouble — [You are but too apt to carry your complaints to men,
instead of spreading them before God, What wonder then you find no deliverance ? Has not David told you, that this was his very experience ; and that nothing but the use of this remedy afforded him relief" ? Chide then, and resist, your backwardness to prayer. Lay the blame, not on God, who is willing to impart help, but on yourselves, who are unwilling to implore it. Your troubles are sent on purpose to drive you to the Saviour, whom, in a time of prosperitv, you are too prone to neglect : and if you suffer them to produce that effect, you shall soon number them among your richest blessings.]
'Rom. viii. 37. Mb. * Ps. xl. 1— 3. N.B." the rock:' " Ps. xxxii. 3—5.