what they must necessarily encounterand be ready-not so much to prostrate their understanding, as to make that acknowledgment of its weakness, without a due sense of which no man will effect any progress in heavenly knowledge.

But farther than this-there are many who need comfort-who deserve it-and who are likely to derive it from the declaration which has now been made.There are many to whom the difficulties which they encounter in religion are a source, not of offence, but of disquiet and self-reproach.-A question occurs-suggested either by the enquiry of othersor by their own reflection-involving some point which they are unable to clear up. For this ignorance they tax themselves severely-as if it were their own fault, and might have been removed by more diligent reading-or more careful thought. If the question have been proposed by others, they will mark the smile of triumph with which their embarrassment will be observed, and doubly painful will be their feelings-for not only

will they have exposed their own ignorance, but have brought discredit also (as they imagine) upon the word of Truth. Now we all know that on points of earthly wisdom, a child may put a question which the deepest philosopher cannot answerand so in heavenly things the babe in Christ may propose a difficulty, which he who has become a man in knowledge shall not be able to solve-and that because the subject-matter lies beyond the reach of the human understanding.-Let the Christian student therefore persuade himself that he shall encounter many such difficulties in his course-let him be prepared, whenever they occur, to yield to them in an humble spirit-and to acknowledge them with openness and candour-and he will have rendered himself proof, as well against the uneasy misgivings of his own bosom, as against the taunts and cavils of the gainsayer.

There is another circumstance also, which it is most useful and most important to bear in mind with regard to the subject before us, and which is applicable

also to most other Scripture knotsnamely, that it presents a theoretical, not a practical difficulty. It is a difficulty referring to practice no doubt, because it lies at the root of all Christian moralsbut still it is not a difficulty in practice. No man can explain or understand how it is that he himself can be said to work out his own salvation, while he believes at the same time that it is God that worketh in him both to will and to do of his good pleasure. But no man in the world ever found this ignorance an impediment to his working. Let any

one set about the discharge of his duties with the difficulty as vividly impressed upon his mind as possible-Let him resolve to use his utmost exertions-though convinced at the same that without the assistance of God's grace those exertions will be useless-let him labour as if success were in his own hands-and pray as if none but God could grant it—And what will be the result?-Because there is a contradiction-or what appears such to our understandings-in the theory on

which he acts, must there be also confusion and inconsistency in his practice ?— We know, my brethren, that the very contrary is the case.-We know that this man alone will be uniform and consistent in his course, while he who proceeds upon any other principles-much more simple as he may suppose them-in the actions of to-morrow will contradict what he has done to-day.

We have to work out-not reason out our salvation :-and he who refuses to practise his duty until he fully understands the theory of it, will continue debating and demurring until the day of judgment comes with fearful explanation of his doubts.-Should a man refuse to eat bread (if I may be allowed a familiar illustration) until it were clearly explained to him in what manner bread can become flesh and blood, so as to conduce to the nourishment and increase of our bodieshe would starve before he ate his next meal. Why, then, should he be more fastidious about receiving the bread of life?It will be time enough to doubt

and hesitate when he finds it unwholesome. It will be time enough to take offence at the difficulties of the Gospel when we find some practical inconsistencies existing in it. But who has ever complained of these?-Who that has been willing to take the Gospel for his guidehas failed to find it "a lantern unto his feet, and a light unto his paths ?"1-Without doubt many difficulties and perplexities hang about Christianity.-The believer's course is beset by thorns and brambles on the right hand, and on the left. But only those who wander feel them for to him who is content to abide in the straight path, God has made plain the way. The Bible was given us that we might act-not speculate-and its cry to those who open it is, "Do God's will, and you shall understand his doctrine."

And looking round about upon them all, he said, "Stretch forth thy hand." Some such invitation is now once more addressed to us all and the eye of the