visible manifestations of his power and love. If he delay, we must wait his time : if he appear for a time to have forgotten us, we must regard it only as a call to give him a more abun- dant measure of glory, by a full persuasion, that " in the mount of difficulty he will be seen ; " and that, though he were to suffer us all to perish, he would rather raise us up again from the dead than fail to accomplish any one of his promises. Such was Abraham's faith; and such should be ours alsoe: and "sooner shall heaven and earth pass away" than one such Believer ever fall short of the promised inheritance.]
And now let me address,
1. The querulous —
[Alas ! to what an awful degree has discontent raged in our hearts, under circumstances of trial ; so that we have dared to question, not only the willingness, but even the power, of God to relieve us ! Nay, we have even, like Jonah, vindicated our complaints, and thought that " we did well to be angry." But remember, Brethren, that God is the disposer of all events: and, whilst you vent your rage against those who may have been accessary to your troubles, your murmuring is in reality against God. Beware, I pray you, lest you provoke him to anger, and bring down upon your souls his heavy displeasure. Your wisdom and your duty is, under every affliction, to "be silent before God," or to say, " It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good."]
2. The doubting—
[You do not we]J[ to limit the mercies of your God. " Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I have a child, who am oldf?" And wherefore do you suffer any difficulties to shake your confidence in God? " Is there any thing too hard for the Lord?" Peter, when he saw the waves, began to sink through fear. But our Lord reproved him, saying, " O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" So then I say to you, Look only to the promises : and think not whether they be more or less difficult of accomplishment : but take them ; plead them ; rest on them ; expect the fulfilment of them : and be assured, that " not one thing shall fail, of all the good things which the Lord your God has promised to youg." " Faithful is He that hath called you; who also will do itV]
3. The true believer —
[" Hold fast your confidence in God." This will bring peace unto your souls, and will give glory to your God. Of all the graces that have been ever exercised by the Lord's
e Heb. xi. 17—19. f Gen. xviii. 12, 13. e Josh, xxiii. 14.
»' 1 Thess. v. 24.