making the very depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over. To you, then, he is now saying, " Come down into the very depths of the sea :" it is there that you shall see my wonders in your behalf. Be not frightened, " though the waves thereof roar:" for " when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee ; and when through the foaming surge, it shall not overflow thee?:" nay, they shall be thy very safeguard from the foe that pursues thee ; and shall be the destruction of those that would destroy thy soul. Realize in your minds, Brethren, this consolatory truth, that " tribula- tion is the way to the kingdom i;" and then, whatever you may suffer, you will give thanks to God, who, not in anger, but " in faithfulness, has caused you to be afflicted r."]
3. Those who despond in relation to the Church.
[The Jews at this day appear to many to be in so despe- rate a state, as to render any efforts in their behalf vain and nugatory. But are they in a more hopeless condition than they were in Egypt or in Babylon ? or is God less able to de- liver now, than he was in the days of old ? Surely not : " His hand is not shortened, that it cannot save ; nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear8." If there were only amongst us an holy importunity, crying, " Awake, awake, O arm of the Lord ! " verily, his arm should be revealed ; and he would work, as in the days of old. Be it so ; there are seas of difficulty in our way : but cannot " He who cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon, and dried up the sea for his people," interpose now with equal effect, and glorify himself in our salvation ? He can; he will: he has spoken it; and his word shall stand. Yes ; " the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion ; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads : they shall obtain joy and gladness ; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away1" ]
p Isai. xliii. 2. i Acts xiv. 22. r Ps. cxix. 75. s Isai. lix. 1.
1 ver. 11. If this were a subject for the Conversion of the Jews, this thought should be amplified, and confirmed by other passages of Holy Writ.