in his hands. He determines when, where, and under what cir- cumstances each individual of our race is to be born, hve, and die. Nations, no less than individuals, are thus in the hands of God, who assigns them their heritage in the earth, and controls their destiny. (4.) God is no less sovereign in the distribution of his favours. He does what He wills with his own. He gives to some riches, to others, honour ; to others, health ; while others are poor, unknown, or the victims of disease. To some, the light of the gos- pel is sent ; others are left in darkness. Some are brought through faith unto salvation ; others perish in unbelief. To the question. Why is this ? the only answer is that given by our Lord. " Even so. Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight."
Althongh this sovereignty is thus universal and absolute, it is ihe sovereignty of wisdom, holiness, and love. The authority of God is limited by nothing out of Himself, but it is controlled, in all its manifestations, by his infinite perfections. If a man is free and exalted, in proportion as he is governed by enlightened reason and a pure conscience, so is he supremely blessed who cheerfully submits to be governed by the infinite reason and holiness of God. This sovereignty of God is the ground of peace and confidence to all his people. They rejoice that the Lord God omnipotent reign- eth ; that neither necessity, nor chance, nor the folly of man, nor , the malice of Satan controls the sequence of events and all their issues. Infinite wisdom, love, and power, belong to Him, our great God and Saviour, into whose hands all power in heaven and earth has been committed.