whatsoever pleaseth him ;" "nor will he give account to us of any of his matters." Nor should we for one moment rise against any of his dispensations. However dark or trying they may be, we should say, " It is the Lord : let him do what seemeth him good." In truth, his dispensations are frequently ordered for this very end, " to humble us, and to prove us," as he proved Israel of old : and he says to us, " Be still, and know that I am GodV This is our dutv, whether we con- template his majesty or his love ; and in every event of life we must learn to say, Not my will, but thine be done."]
3. With humble affiance —
[Great as is our God, he has engaged to interpose in behalf of his people, and to order every thing for their good. On him, therefore, we should rely with perfect confidence ; not doubting but that he will accomplish for us that which, on the whole, shall be most for our good. The example of David, in this respect, is most worthy of imitation : "In the Lord put I my trust. How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" What? "The Lord is in his holy temple : the Lord's throne is in heaven1;" and, as long as he is there to succour me, " I fear not what men or devils can do against me." In relation to every concern, temporal, spiritual, eternal, this must be our frame : and this our song, " If God be for me, who can be against me?"]
4. With unreserved obedience —
[No authority must be regarded in opposition to his ; no disposition be harboured that is contrary to his will. Of the angels it is said, " They do bis will, hearkening to the voice of his word." Thus should we be listening with deep attention to the manifestations of his will : and, when once we have dis- covered it, we should fulfil it with our whole hearts. Nothing should deter us, nothing should impede us : we should strive to do his will, with the readiness and constancy that it is done in heaven.]
From this subject we may gather ample matter,
1. For reproof —
[It is truly surprising, that, with all our knowledge of
God, we should be so regardless of him, as not to have him
" in all, or any, of our thoughts." It is not too strong to say
of the generality of those who are called Christians, that they
11 Ps. xlvi. 10. j Ps. xi. 1—4.