shall we rely for assistance in our difficulties, but on him who has directed us to be "strong in the Lord g," and assured us that "through his strength we shall do all things11?" And through whom can we hope for acceptance, but through Him, our Mediator and all-prevailing Intercessor1 ?]
4. For the advancement of his glory —
[When Peter and John had healed a man that had been lame from his mother's womb, the spectators were ready to ascribe the miracle either to " the power or holiness of those " who had wrought it : but the Apostles instantly gave the glory to the Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name, and by whose power alone, it had been wrought: "His name, through faith in his name, hath made this man strong, whom you see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you allk." Thus, what- ever it be that we either say or do, we must consult his glory, and labour to advance it. Nothing is too insignificant for us to attend to in this view : " Whether we eat or di'ink, or whatever we do, we must do all to the glory of God1." If it be thought that it would be presumption to suppose that any thing we can do can by any means advance his glory, we quite mistake : for, in his last intercessory prayer, he said, " All mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them™."]
The same habit of mind must be cultivated, also, II. In all that God does for us —
There may be many occurrences which, to flesh and blood, are painful : yet, in them must we see nothing but an occasion of praise and thanksgiving. Job blessed God as well for taking away his property as for bestowing itn. And thus must we also " in every thing give thanks," knowing that " this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us0."
We, in all circumstances, have occasion to praise our God —
[Those things which have the most painful aspect are yet in reality the fruits of love : for " whom God loveth, he chasteneth ; and scourgeth every son whom he receivethp." Indeed, the beneficial tendency of our afflictions is often as
e Eph. vi. 10. h 2 Cor. xh. 9. Phil. iv. 13.
1 Eph. iii. 18. 1 John ii. 1, 2. * Acts iii. 6, 16.
1 1 Cor. x. 31. m John xvii. 10. n Job i. 21.
0 1 Thess. v. 8. p Heb. xii. 6.