us into being out of nothing, who has long preserved us, undeserving as we are, who has done so much for us in unveiling to us our errors, and helping us to amend, and show forth some fruits of repentance, will never leave us nor forsake us, but will prepare us for a still better scene, and provide us a situation, wherein we shall be able to record his glory to endless ages. In short, we must praise him for all that is past, and trust him for all that's to come.

On the contrary, to despair of God's mercy, because we are not yet so perfect as many, or as perhaps we might have been, had we duly applied the means afforded us, is surely a very great sin, and attended with infinite danger to our souls. It is the last fatal snare Satan spreads in the way of those who have most need of a Redeemer: for, to despair at the sight of our own wretchedness, is not humility, but the most abominable kind of pride. It is lowering the merit of Christ's sacrifice, destroying the efficacy of his grace and power, and to set up a plea of just reward for what we do, instead of leaning wholly on God's mercy, under the strict religious conviction, that though we should have done all that God hath commanded us, we are still but unprofitable servants: whereas, if we would obtain such an assurance as will never fail us, that peace of God which passeth all understanding, we must entirely distrust our

selves, our own attainments and abilities, in order that we may owe our cure to God alone; and, therefore, though he may for a time withdraw the cheering influence of his favour, and leave us to the leanness of our own unassisted hope, we must still submit to the method of cure he pleases to appoint: we must conclude there is good reason, even for this solitary, gloomy state of mind, and persist in prayer, that he will not lay more on us than we can bear, but that, in his good time, he will shine again upon our hearts with the bright beams of his healing love, and resolutely maintain, with the humble and faithful Job, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. Let us ever remember that nothing befalls us but for our final happiness; that HE can soon wipe all tears from our eyes. Under every oppression, then, of mind, under every fear, under every doubt, how grievous soever to be borne, let us continually say, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. This will defeat the utmost malice and artifice of the enemy, who thinks he can more easily prevail upon us to desert the Rock of our salvation, whenever the hand of God is heavy upon us for our punishment, or the advancement of our faith. Let us then dismiss all vain fears, my brethren, trusting in this eternal truth, that He who is for us, is stronger than he that is against us, and will

abundantly deliver all who call upon him in their trouble, and that for the sake of Jesus Christ his Son our Lord. In that sure rock and castle of our defence is all our hope. May we all be found in HIM, both at the hour of death and in the day of judgment: and that we may not be disappointed of a blessed interest in his love, let us continually employ the remedy of PRAYER, not wavering in our faith, but steadfastly believing that he will surely bless the remedy HE HIMSELF hath appointed.

Now, &c.

LECTURE XLV. ·

OF THE NATURE AND NUMBER OF THE SACRAMENTS:

WITH A SHORT VIEW OF THE FIVE POPISH
SACRAMENTS.

EXODUS, XVIII. 20.

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt show them, the way wherein they must walk, and the work they must do.

HAVING used my best endeavours, by God's good permission, to give you a thorough understanding of the different parts of our excellent Church Catechism, as they may be distinguished under the following regular heads-viz. (1.) the Gospel covenant; (2.) the rule of faith, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, and drawn up under the articles of our Creed or Belief; (3.) the test of our faith, by the fruits of obedience to God's positive laws, as declared in the ten commandments; and, (4.) that special means of grace, the duty of prayer in general, which being of such value and indispensable use to Christians, I have been particularly urgent in