Lord, otherwise than as we supply him with opportunities of displaying his grace and all-sufficiency. But though it implies not any thing so derogatory to God, it means something of the greatest consequence

to us:

In the first place, it implies tender care.

A man's portion is the most valuable part of his substance, which he is solicitous above all things to preserve and if it be at any time in danger, he is restless, uneasy and indefatigable, till it be secured. In like manner, are the church, and every particular member of it, the charge of the providence of God. Every Christian, however concealed or unknown, or however persecuted or oppressed, is part of the Lord's portion which he keeps as the apple of his eye, and which the utmost rage of earth and hell cannot pluck out of his hand. Thus Israel of old were preserved amidst the dangers of Egypt; agreeably to this expressive promise delivered by Moses; "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast; that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." To the same purpose are these words by the prophet Isaiah; "Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers: shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself, as it were for a little moment; until the indignation be overpast: for behold the Lord cometh out of his place, to punish the inhabitants of the earth." So God speaks in the prophecy of Ezekiel; "set a mark upon the foreheads of them that sigh and cry for the abomination in the midst thereof. Slay them utterly, the old and young: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark."

I should repeat a great part of the scriptures, if I were to quote all the passages which demonstrate the tender concern of God for his people, His eyes run to and fro through the earth, and his ears are always open to their cries. A woman might sooner forget her sucking child, and cease to have compassion on the son of her womb, than God could forget Sion, which he has engraven upon the palms of his hands; and whose walls are continually before him. Indeed, certain events sometimes occur, which seem to imply forgetfulness and unkindness. As in husbandry, when we see the turf torn up and burnt, it appears to us at first to be a waste of pasture; but when we are informed that it kills the weeds, and that the ashes serve for manure, we applaud the skill and prudence of the husbandman. So it is with the church in general; for they are God's husbandry;" and in the experience of every Christian in particular. Some times the Lord seems to come forth against them like an armed man, with his sword in his hand, and a flame of fire issuing from his mouth, as if he designed their destruction. They are placed in the furnace, and perhaps long are they constrained to endure the fiery trial. The world may pronounce them undone; and they themselves may find it difficult to believe that the Lord has not forgotten to be gracious: But when we see the end of the Lord, how it has purified them from the corruptions which are in the world, how it melts their hearts, and makes them susceptible of heavenly impressions; how it subdues their depravity, and improves and invigorates their faith, hope, love and joy; and how it promotes and sweetens their communion with God, and increases their fitness

for heaven; we take pleasure in infirmities, and glory in tribulation. "We count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations ;" and we bless God that "he dealeth with us as with children." So that I say, however dark and threatening appearances may be, afflictions, the most painful and severe not excepted, are far from being marks of God's absence or displeasure. Therefore, "Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel. I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy redeemer, the holy one of Israel. Fear not; I have formed thee, I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name: thou art mine." The greatest miser never hoarded his gold with more care, never watched it with greater anxiety, never exposed it with greater reluctance, never recovered it with greater eagerness and joy, never manifested a greater regard for his portion, than the Lord has done for his people. Take heed, therefore, how you despise one of these little ones; for however mean their outward appearance may be, they are the excellent of the earth, and the favourites of heaven: and their eternal and all sufficient friend has said that, "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones, it were better for him, that a mill-stone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depths of the sea." Secondly, a portion is an object of delight.

With what pleasure does the worldling survey his possessions! He leaves his intimate friend, and agreeable company, to count his beloved treasure. He walks over his fields each day with fresh pleasure; and every time sees, or thinks he sees, new beauties in the prospect around him. Yet this very imperfectly represents the delight which the Lord is de

scribed as taking in his people. "The Lord taketh. pleasure in them that fear him; in them that hope in his mercy. The Lord hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them who feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name; and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels: and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.' Jewels, treasure, heritage, children, are the endearing appellations by which they are distinguished. The Lord "rejoiceth in the habitable parts of the earth, and his delights are with the sons of men." He turns away (if I may so speak) from the devout and rapturous hallelujahs of angels and archangels, to listen to the sighs and groans of an oppressed and humble believer. "Is Ephraim my dear son, is he a pleasant child? for since I spake against him, I do earnestly remember him still: therefore my bowels are troubled for him; I will surely have mercy upon him, saith the Lord."

Thirdly, a portion implies expectation.

A man's portion, as we before observed, is that which he lives upon; and his expectations are in proportion to his magnitude and value. Indeed, the Lord needs nothing of his people. "If I were hungry," says he, "I would not tell thee; for all the beasts of the forest are mine: and the cattle upon a thousand hills." Yet he expects returns, and returns too in proportion to the nature and worth of his favours. Where much is given, much will be required. Where he has distinguished any with peculiar marks of regard, he expects works of faith, and labours of love: fruitfulness in every good work, and increase in the

knowledge of God. He expects that his people should be essentially different from the rest of the world; "holy and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in the midst of a perverse generation." He expects that they shine as lights in the world, and adorn the doctrine of God their saviour in all things: and that their progress in grace and holiness be proportionable to their various advantages. To neglect this, is to be slothful in business, to be barren and unfruitful, o be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, to receive the grace of God in vain, or to turn it into wantonness; to hide our Lord's talent in a napkin, or to squander it away in sin and folly; which will expose us to that dreadful sentence, "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness."

Would our limits permit, I might here particularly show you how we came to be the portion of God. I will only briefly observe, that it originated in his sovereign and gracious choice; and that this design was effected by the purchase of Christ, who by sending his spirit into our hearts, has enabled us to yield our selves to the Lord.

But let us now, from what has been said, in the first place, consider how lamentable it is that the Lord's portion is so small; that among all the human race, there should be so few to whom the words of the text may be properly applied. Indeed, when they are all collected together they are represented as a multitude which no man can number. But yet, in comparison, it is true, that strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, that leads to life, and few there are that find it. How unequally, alas! how very unequally is the world divided! Satan's portion is large. The