all the different dispensations of God's holy providence. Are you in the dark, and under inward trials? Remember, that we walk by faith, not by sight. Be humbled, but not discouraged, by your deadness, darkness, temptations, or corruptions: for, however your spiritual frames, affections, or dispositions of soul may change, yet Christ Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever; and may be safely trusted for deliverance, how distressing soever your condition. Hence, when you walk in darkness, and see no light; yet trust in the name of the Lord, and (by faith in Christ) stay yourself upon your God. Are you under outward afflictions, and adverse dispensations of providence? Exercise faith in the promises; all of which are in Christ, yea, and in him amen, to the glory of God: and humbly hope, that, according to God's gracious promise, all things shall work together for your good; and that your light affliction, which is but for a moment, will work for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. But you are in doubt about your interest in the promises: well, let your hearty acceptance of Christ, and your humble dependence upon the promises in him, remove your doubts. Act always under the influence of this maxim, that you cannot trust too little to yourself, nor too much to Christ. To conclude: if you want spiritual life, Christ Jesus is our life; you must look to and depend upon him for it. If you want light, he also is the light of men; and his Spirit must direct you, This is the way, walk ye in it. If you want comfort, your consolation must be in Christ; and you must rejoice in Christ Jesus, without any confidence in the flesh. Would you live near to God? Draw near with a full assurance of faith. Would you have a victory over the sting and terror of death? You must be de livered from this bondage, and obtain the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Would you live in the prospect of a blessed immortality? Christ in you is the hope of glory. Thus, to live, is Christ, and then to die, is gain: gain unspeakable! To depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better than to abide in the flesh, under the happiest circumstances of life, even amidst all the honours, pleasures, and riches of this vain, perishing world. Thus I have given you some brief general hints concerning that walk with God, which he who would be a christian indeed, and would possess the peace of God in his soul, should endeavour to maintain. Your own experience in the divine life will teach you how to improve upon these directions; and to make a continued progress from and from strength to grace, grace to strength, till you come to the perfection of grace in glory. Now, that the God of all grace may grant you the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, in his sanctifying, quickening, and comforting influences; and that he would guide you by his counsel, and keep you by his power through faith unto salvation, is the prayer of, |