the hosannahs of the populace, and you find in him no undue elation of mind : or view him in the garden of Gethsemane, or in the hall of Pilate, or when suspended on the cross, you see in him no undue depression. He drank with composure the cup which God had put into his hands ; saying, " Not my will, but thine be done." Religion does not divest men of the feelings of humanity ; but moderates, directs, and perfects them. It leaves us at liberty to deprecate sufferings, provided we do it in submission to the Divine will : but, at the same time, it so elevates us above them, as to render them in- capable of diverting us from the service of our God, or of retarding us in our progress heaven-ward. Philosophical principles have effected much to compose the minds of suf- ferers : but it is the Gospel alone which gives effectual power so to rise above the things of time and sense, as to possess, under all circumstances, the contentment sooken of in our text.]
But you will naturally ask, How am I to " learn" this lesson ? I answer,
1. Apply to God for the influences of his Holy
Spirit —
[It is, as 1 have said, the knowledge of Christ crucified, and that alone, that can ever fill the soul and render it superior to all earthly things. But who can give you that knowledge? It is the office of " the Holy Spirit to take of the things of Christ, and to reveal them unto us." None but he can " open the eyes of our understanding :" none but he can " guide us into all truth:" nor can any but he renew our souls after the
Divine image Pray then to God for the gift of his
Holy Spirit : and, if you yourselves would not mock your child with giving him a stone when he asked for bread, much less will God mock you, by refusing to impart to you this gift, in which all good things for time and for eternity are contained.]
2. Contemplate the fulness which is treasured up for you in Christ Jesus —
[" It has pleased the Father, that in Christ should all fulness dwell :" and for you is it treasured there, that " you may receive out of it" according to your necessities. Hence then, if you have believed in Christ, you are authorized to say, " All things are mine, since I am Christ's." And if all things are yours, whether " things present, or things to come," what can you lack ? or what ground can you have for discontent? Only get clear views of Christ as your righteous- ness and strength, and you will be at no loss for the attain- ment which your soul desires ]