so to live, as to carry conviction to all who see us, that we are under the guidance and care of an all-wise, almighty Being. Let our every act, as it were, shew, not only hoiv Christ lived on earth, but that he now lives, and rules, in heaven ; and that he is still as present ivith his people by his Spirit, as ever his oivn Father tvas present with him in the days of his flesh. This is an object worthy the ambition of the first archangel : yet is it attainable by all of us, if only we will " live by faith on Christ," and " cleave unto him with full ourpose of heart."]
THE christian's EXPERIENCE IN AFFLICTION.
2 Cor. iv. 17, 18. Our light aflliction, which is but for a mo- ment, worheth for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ; while zve look not at the things which are seen, but at the things tvhich are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things tvhich are not seen are eternal.
THE Christian in every state, whether of pro- sperity or adversity, differs widely from the uncon- verted world. While others are elated by the one and depressed by the other, he is kept in an equable frame of mind. As he does not place his happiness in earthly things, he is not much affected either with the acquisition or the loss of them. He is thankful for success, but not overjoyed, as though some great thing had happened unto him ; and is patient in tri- bulation, knowing that in the issue it shall work for his good. To this effect the Apostle speaks in the text, in which he assigns the reason why, notwith- standing the greatness of his afflictions, he was kept from fainting under them. And his words afford us a proper occasion to consider,
I. The disposition which the Christian cultivates —
The account which St. Paul gives of himself is characteristic of every true Christian —
His chief aim is to attain things that are invisible —
[By " the things which are seen " we understand every
thing which relates merely to the present world, which the
Apostle comprehends under three names, " the lust of the