111. THE PRAOTIOAL LESSONS. 1. The sinner should reflect upon the f,,cts of the Divine government, and upon the express statements of the revealed Word of God. He may thence learn the certainty of retribution. "The wicked shall not go unpunished; " "The way of transgressors is hard;" "The wages of sin is death." The sentence may not be executed speedily; but it is passed, and it will in God's time be carried out. 2, The godly man should rest assured that, however he may be perplexed by the mys- teries of Divin, providence, however he may be unable to reconcile what he sees in society with hie religious convictions, nevertheless the Lord reigneth, and it shall be well with those who fear, obey, and love him. .And he may well think less of the consequences of conduct, and more of those principles by which conduct is governed, of those motives by which action is inspired, Loyalty and gratitude, devotion and sympathetic admiration, may well lead to such a life as shall be its own reward. How- ever it may fare with a man in this life, he chooses the good part who hates that which is evil and loves that which is good, whose convictions are just, and whose life is in harmony with his convictions. For such a man all things work together for good.-T. Vers. 12-14.-The certainty of retribution. Again and again the writer of this remarkable book reverie to the same mysterious and perplexing facts of human society . .As soon as men began to observe carefully and to think seriously, they were distressed by the inequalHy of the human lot, and by the apparent absence of a just arrangement of human affairs. If a family is wisely and righteously ordered, the obedient children are rewarded; whilst the selfish, wilful, rebellious children are chastised. In a well- administered government the law-abiding citizens are regarded and treated with favour, whilst the strong arm of the law is brought down heavily upon the idle and the criminal. Now, if God be the Father and the King of humanity, how is it thnt the affairs of the world are not so administered that the good are recompensed, and the wicked duly, swiftly, and effectively punished? Can there be a just Ruler who is also omniscient to observe and almighty to carry·out his purposes of righteous govern- ment? Such are the thoughts which have passed through the minds of reflecting men in every age, and which passed through the mind of the writer of this Book of Eccle- siastes, and which are expressed in this passage, I. THE PERPLEXING FA<ITS OF OBSERVATION. These are recorded in the fourteenth verse, and are described as "a vanity which is done upon the earth." 1. '!'he just suffer the inflictions which seem appropriate to the wicked. 2. The wicked reap the prosperity which might be expected to recompense the righteous. These are facts of human life which belong to no age, to no state of society more than to another. Taken by themselves, they do not satisfy the intellect, the conscience, of the inquirer. II. THE ASSURED CONVICTION OF FAITH. The Preacher, regarding the'admitted facts with the eye of faith, comes to a conclusion which is not supported by mere reasoning upon observed facts. ~'or him, and indeed for every truly religious man, there is a te,t of character which determines the destiny of spiritual beings; tho discrimination is made between those who fear God and those who fear him not. Time and earth may not witness the award; but it is the award of the Almighty Judge and Lord. 1. It shall not be well with the wicked, even though be may be permitted to continue and to repent his offences. 2. Ou the other hand, it shall be well with them that fear God. Such convictions are implanted by God himself; the righteous Lord has implanted them in the mind of his righteous people, and nothing can shake them, deep-seated as they are in the moral nature, which is the most abiding work of the Creator-Spirit. III. THE ATTITUDE OF GODLY WISDOM. Those who, in the face of the facts described, nevertheless cherish the convictions approved, may reasonably apply such convictions to the practical control of the moral life. 1. Patience should be cultivated in tho presence of perplexing and often distressing anomalies. We must wait in order that we may see the end, which is not yet, 2. Quiet confidence is ever the strength of God's people. They do not lean upon circumstances; they lean upon God, who never changes, und who- will not fail those who place their trust in him. 3. Expectation of deliverance and acceptance. God may tarry; but he will surely appear, and will vindicate nod savo his own. Our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Much has happened to test our faith, our endurance; but when the trial has been sufficir.ntly prolonged nn,l 214 rccLESTA ST~S; on, Tt-IE PnEAC.11ER. [cir. vm. 1-17,
se,ere to answer the purpose of our all-wise Father, it will he brought to nn end. "Unto the upright ligl1t ariseth out of <larlmcss;" "'l'he Lord is mindful of his O\\'n,"-T.