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ciples of reafon. For who, or what, can injure those who are under the protection of Omnipotence? And yet it is not always easy to maintain the perfuafion of it in the mind, and to abide in the exercise of faith, when, to an eye of sense, all things feem against us. But though we believe not, he continueth faithful, and will not forfake those whom he once enables to put their trust in him. Job was a faithful and approved fervant of God, yet, for a season, his trials were great, and his confidence was fometimes fhaken. But he was fupported, and at length delivered. There are many inftances recorded in fcripture, to confirm our faith, and to teach us, that God manifefts himself to be for his people, and, in different ways, renders them fuperior to all their difficulties and

enemies.

At one time, he prevents the threatened danger. They only see it, or expect it, for he is better to them than their apprehenfions and fears. Thus when Sennacherib was furious against Jerufalem, and fuppofed he could easily prevail, he was not suffered to come near it *. When he thought to de

* Ifa. xxxvii. 29, 33.

ftroy

ftroy it, he felt a hook and a bridle which he could not refift, and was compelled to retire difappointed and ashamed.

At another time the enemies go a step farther. His people are brought into trouble, but God is with them, and they escape unhurt. So Daniel, though he was caft into the den of lions *, received no more harm from them, than if he had been among a flock of fheep. He permitted three of his fervants to be thrown into a furnace of fire, but he reftrained the violence of the flames, fo that not even a hair of their heads was finged t.

The most that oppofers can do is to kill the body. If God permits his people to be thus treated, ftill they are not forsaken. Their death is precious in his fight ||. They who die in the Lord, are blessed. They are highly honoured, who are called and enabled to die for him. If he is pleased to comfort prefence, and then to take them home to himfelf, they can defire no more. Stephen, though apparently given † Dan. iii. 27. + Luke xii. 4.

them with his

* Dan. vi. 23. Pf. cxvi. 15.

up

up to the

power

of his adverfaries, and cruelly ftoned to death, was no lefs happy than those who die in compofure upon their beds, with their friends around them. Nor was he lefs compofed. For the heavens were opened to him, and he faw his Saviour in glory, approving his fidelity, and ready to receive his fpirit *.

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In brief, whatever men or devils may attempt against us, there are three things, which, if we are true believers, they cannot do. They may be helpful to wean us from the world; they may add earnestness to our prayers; they may press us to greater watchfulness and dependance; they may afford fair occafions of evidencing our fincerity, the goodness of our cause, and the power of that God who is for us.-Such are the benefits, that the Lord teaches his people to derive from their fufferings, for he will not let them fuffer, or be oppreffed in vain. But no enemy can deprive us of the love with which God favours us, or the grace which he has given us, or the glory which he has prepared for us. Now what

fhall we fay to these things?

VOL. II.

* Acts vii. 56-60.
A a

Alas,

Alas, there are too many, who fay, at least in their hearts, (for their conduct bewrays their fecret thoughts) we care but little about them. If they were to speak out, they might adopt the language of the rebellious Jews to the prophet, As to the words which thou haft spoken to us, in the name of the Lord, we will not hearken unto thee. But we will certainly do whatsoever thing goeth forth out of our own mouth *. And there are others who plainly fay, Let us then continue in fin that grace may abound. They do not fo exprefly reject the gospel, as take encouragement from it, to go on in their wickedness. The cafe of the former is very dangerous, that of the latter is ftill worse. But grace, though long flighted, though often abused, is once more proclaimed in your hearing. The Lord forbid, that you should perifh with the found of falvation in your ears!

At prefent, and while you perfist in your impenitence and unbelief, I may reverse the words of my text. Oh, confider, I befeech you, before it be too late, If God be against you, who can be for you? Will your com* Jerem. xliv. 16, 17.

panions

panions comfort you in a dying hour? Will your riches profit you in the day of wrath? Will the recollection of your finful pleafures, give you confidence to stand before this great and glorious Lord God, when you shall be summoned to appear at his tribunal. May you be timely wife, and flee for refuge to the hope fet before you!

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