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fails despair is to the Christian, what a stroke that cleaves the skull is to the man; there is no longer the breath of life in him. He who possesses the hope of salvation, through the power of such hope can do all things, and bear all things; because he still looks forward to the end of his hope, which will reward all his actions, and make ample amends for all his sufferings; but, that once given up, there is nothing any longer worth contending for or thinking about. The mind, turning itself on every side to seek rest, and finding none, sinks into all the wretchedness of utter despondency, and the agonizing groan of suicide is heard! Daily, therefore, cherish and invigorate your hope in Christ; pray daily to God, that it may never fail you; diligently read such parts of holy Scripture as may revive it when languishing, and re-establish it. Should you find your own meditations insufficient, consult without delay your minister, or some religious and sensible friend. A word of instruction, comfort, and encouragement from another, spoken in season, has often prevented the dreadful crime of self-murder from being committed. Evermore, then, remember to "take for an "helmet the hope of salvation ;" and put it not off, till the contest be finally over, and hope ceases by our becoming possessed of its object.

To the Christian, thus armed for defence in the day of battle, the apostle recommends only one offensive weapon; but it is abundantly sufficient; "the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;" sharper than any two-edged sword fabricated by the art of man, piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow; reaching the very thoughts and intentions; subduing and mortifying evil desires and blasphemous imaginations as they arise within; confuting and silencing infidelity and error as they assault us from without. A single text, well understood and rightly applied, pierces the heart of a temptation or an objection, and lays the most formidable adversary dead at our feet. With this weapon the blessed Jesus conquered in the wilderness; by the same weapon, and no other, must every disciple of his expect to conquer in the world.

And now, friends and fellow-soldiers in the Christian warfare, listen to the voice of inspiration, and be directed by one who cannot direct you wrong. Enemies of all kinds surround you; enter not into the battle unarmed: the host of darkness is in array against you; put on the armour of light to discover and survey it. it. Let truth be the girdle of your loins, let righteousness be the protection of your heart, and let the sandals of the Gospel of peace adorn and defend your feet in the way in which you go; fet faith be your invincible shield, and hope your impenetrable helmet; and on the thigh be girded the sword of the Spirit, bright and shining, and ready for use, and to be drawn at a moment's warning. Thus completely armed from head to foot, always remembering from whence come skill and strength for the battle, fall upon your knees, as the apostle enjoins at the close of his exhortation; "pray with "all supplication, and watch with all perseverance." Then go forth; and may the Almighty go forth with

you, teaching your hands to war and your fingers to fight, and at length giving you a complete and glorious victory over every enemy, through the Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus Christ.

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As the world was made by wisdom, it requires wisdom to understand the frame of it. The more a man increases in wisdom, the more he will understand it; and the more he understands, the more he will approve. The full perfection of a complex machine in all its parts, with their respective bearings and mutual dependencies on each other, is best comprehended by an artist. Superficial thinkers see little, and blame; deep thinkers see much, and commend.

In viewing the constitution of the moral system, there is scarcely a phenomenon that strikes so forcibly upon the mind, or occasions so much perplexity in it, as that of the inequality of mankind, or the state and condition of the poor. In the passage of Scripture which has been just read, we are invited by the promise of a blessing, to employ our thoughts on that subject: "Blessed is he that considereth the poor;" that giveth himself thoroughly to study and understand their case, and why it is as it is; to see the reason of the thing, and his own duty resulting from it.

The inequality of mankind is a plain and undeniable matter of fact: nor does it happen occasionally, in this or that age, in this or that country: it is universal and unavoidable, at least in the situation of affairs which has taken place in the world since the fall. From that period, it ever has been so, it ever will be so, it ever must be so, till the time of the restitution of all things. What, then, will be the first consideration with a rich man, when he sees a poor man?

If he be endowed with a clear head and a good heart, will he not reason in some such manner as the following?

God has given the earth to the children of men, for the support of all. While I abound, why does this man want? Plainly, that we may bear one another's burdens; that my abundance may supply his need, may alleviate his distress, may help to sustain the affliction under which he groans; that I may take off his load of woe, and he take off the superfluity of my wealth; that so the stream, now broken and turbid, may again find its level, and flow pure and tranquil. Otherwise, if he be suffered thus to carry on his shoulders through life the weight of all this accumulated misery, should he murmur and complain, would it not be with some colour of justice, and must not I in some measure be answerable for his so doing? We are formed, by the same Artificer, of the same materials; our trust is in the same Saviour, and we must stand before the same Judge; yet there are, on my side, health, affluence, and joy; on his, sickness, indigence, and sorrow: I have enough to supply every want that luxury itself can

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