or Daniel, in whom was an excellent spirit, to dissolve doubts and explain hard sentences-than is the husbandman taught by his God. Yet he does not work miracles; no special inspiration is either promised or to be expected; and we shall therefore trace the methods by which the Divine Being has condescendingly chosen to instruct men, and on this subject to teach them discretion.

The various seasons are instructive on this head: for every thing there is a time; summer and winter, seed-time and harvest, are the gift of God; a certain language is spoken by the changes of weather, urging man to his successive labors, teaching him when to cast in his principal wheat, and when to put in the sickle, the corn being fully ripe.

The differing qualities of soil are the result of Divine interference, and are of singular use in directing the labors of the farmer: at first, man was ignorant on this matter; he sowed every where alike, till he found which prospered and which did not.

The diversified results which have attended the toil of the husbandman, have been fruitful in information; for where God grants or witholds his blessings, he thus either commands or forbids the peculiar labor or effort. All these ideas are most

beautifully illustrated and confirmed by an infalli ble and inimitable writer. "Thou visitest the "earth and waterest it; thou greatly enrichest it "with the river of God, which is full of water; "thou preparest them corn when thou hast so

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provided for it: thou waterest the ridges thereof "abundantly; thou settlest the furrows thereof; "thou makest it soft with showers; thou blessest "the springing thereof; thou crownest the year "with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fat

"O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in "wisdom hast thou made them all."† "He has

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taught us more than the beasts of the earth, and "made us wiser than the fowls of the heavens." There is no speech or language where this voice is not heard, by which man is taught and encouraged to till the land, that it may give its increase ; that there may be seed for the sower and bread for the eater.

But it is necessary to proceed

II. To the the improvement of this subject.

1. Contemplate the amazing condescension and goodness of God; he is styled in our text the

*Psalm lxv. 9, 10, 11. † Psalm eiv. 24. Job xxxv. 11.

Lord of Hosts." He who rules in the heavens, directs the flight of angels, and by whom empires rise, flourish, and decay, stoops to be your teacher: he is good and does you good continually: and thus he acts," that you may seek after him, if haply "you might find him.”*

Have you rendered him the grateful homage which is his due? Has he not instructed you for the field, though you have not known him? Did you ever seriously enquire, to whom you are indebted for your knowledge and success in conducting your farm, or cultivating your land? God is near you; he is in this place, and is by these means inviting you to approach and reason with him. All your corporeal powers are his gift-your strength for service, your skilfulness in work; if you undervalue these favors, soon, by their removal, he may teach you how great was their utility, Hitherto you have gone withersoever you would; but the active limb and the intelligent mind may soon be recalled. You are entirely dependant upon him, and yet have you not been rebellious and disobedient? What patience has he displayed! How plainly has he spoken to you but ye would not hear!

Frequently have you been impatient and irri

* Acts, xvii, 27.

tated even to your own disgrace, by the obstinate stupidity of your cattle, as they have drawn your plough or as you have foddered them in the sta ble; but your ignorance and obstinacy has been greater; yes," the ox knoweth his owner, the ass "his master's crib, but you do not know neither do you consider:" hitherto God has nourished you and educated you as his children, but you have rebelled against him.

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Alas! that you know not that his goodness is designed to lead you to repentance. Be wise now, therefore; be instructed, "lest he should be angry " and ye perish from the way, now his wrath is "kindled but a little: this is the day, the hour of

your salvation; acquaint now thyself with him "and be at peace, so shall good come unto thee."

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2. Seek direction from him in prayer,-" In every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known "to God." The very declaration of our text encourages you to this duty. There are some, who thinking God altogether such a finite and feeble being as themselves, imagine it is wrong to ask his interference in matters so trivial and minute, and often by these means conceal an endeavor to prevent the recurrence of their minds to Deity, and blot his name from their memory; but as we are called to see him in every thing, so to seek him

in all our concerns. Nor is it doubtful but that business of whatever kind it is, will best succeed in which God is honored by prayer; property so procured, is unmingled with the curse and wears well; and though for the sake of society, the fields of the prayerless flourish, yet to them the blessing is witheld; "they are but as sheep fattened for "the slaughter."

If however, success is not granted, disappointment itself will prove a crop to him who honors God by daily addresses. "Fire, hail, snow, and " vapor" are recognised as his act; "the stormy "wind fulfils His word"*-though it may devastate his fields and blast his hopes, his mind will still be rendered calm and composed. And while in the midst of dearth and drought, others will fret themselves and curse God, and " are hardly bestead " and hungry," he with the exulting Prophet will rejoice," though the fields shall yield no meat, "though the flock shall be cut off from the fold, " and though there shall be no herd in the stall.Ӡ Prayer to the Lord of Hosts ensures us wisdom and discretion, sweetens prosperity, or prepares for the cheerful and beneficial endurance of disap pointment.

Go then to your closets, call on God for dis