the wilderness were much discouraged because of the way. The very persons described in this Psalm were said to go through the valley of Beca; the name of which is derived from an Hebrew verb, which signifies "to weep." What, indeed, is this present life but a valley of tears? The naturalist may attempt to name every thorn and every briar that grows, in consequence of God's curse upon our earth for the sin of man; but, it is utterly im possible to estimate the variety and number of personal and social afflictions which are justly entailed upon our fallen race. Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward. But a still greater portion of these never fail to attend those who are born again of the Spirit. Some persons sink deeper in the mire, and are wounded with the thorns of the wilderness more than others, and thus find more abundant cause to sow in tears. Paul was a great sufferer by land and by sea, from the hand of enraged enemies, and from the treachery of false brethren ; but these, with numberless other external sorrows, he sustained with calmness, saying, None of these things move me. But, when he was made to grapple with the hidden evils of his heart, he exclaimed with tears, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death! Still farther we have to say, that to a believer in Christ, the hidings of God's countenance is a greater source of sorrow than every thing else that may be named. While God shines, the greatest burden feels light; but when his smiles are withdrawn, nothing can satisfy and relieve the heart. Under such painful exercises, how many excellent persons have cried, Why hidest thou thy face in time of trouble? Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Will he be favourable no more? My tears have been my drink day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is now thy God ?—If, my brethren, we contemplate the earth we inhabit, revolving upon its axis; if we reflect upon the order and course of the celestial bodies, producing the unerring seasons of the year, may we not stand astonished at the vast power that has maintained them for so many ages? But with still greater wonder may we behold an immortal soul in a vile body, sinful dust and ashes, helpless as infancy, incessantly surrounded with affliction and opposed by the malice of hell: that such a person, so circumstanced, should advance from strength to strength in the fear of God, and in the practice of virtue, until the end of his race shall be crowned with glory! How this is accomplished, the Gospel informs us; and with a short explanation of this secret spring of persevering grace, we shall close this discourse. 4. One text is full in point, were we to cite no more. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand. Here we rest; by the strong arm of this Jesus we may go on from strength to strength, and every believer may say, The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.-The Bible opens to us the several springs from whence a believing soul pursues his way, and obtains a glorious end. The everlasting love and counsel of the Father, and his adopting grace; the perfection of the Person and work of Jesus; the operation of the Holy Ghost;-the unchangeable promise of Jehovah ;-a union with Jesus as husband, head, and Lord of his Church;-all these, in faithfulness, love, and power, have been verified in the actual perseverance and triumphant death of a multitude that no man can number. These are grounds on which we rest, and whence we draw strength equal to our day. If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? But happy for us, the mountains may depart, and the hills be removed, but God hath declared he will not take his loving kindness from us, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail. Solid hope. Ah, whither else should we go? Here let us rest; on this foundation let us raise the superstructure of present peace and of future glory. No thing in ourselves, let us look for all in Jesus. Here is happiness, sweet blessedness without alloy; which, instead of failing, shall make us a soft pillow in death, and aid us to realize the glory of eternity! Thus, so far from losing strength, or reflecting upon a disappointing God, we shall be carried through every storm, as on eagle's wings, and prove to all around that there is no strange God with us. The Lord our God shall deliver us from every evil work, and will preserve us unto his everlasting kingdom, to glorify his grace for evermore! Happy will it be for you who now hear me, if you can witness to God's graci ous care of you to this hour. A due consciousness of this will yield a thousand sweet emotions of heart, and draw forth your faith to that Saviour who hath promised never to leave nor forsake you. Whatever dark or thorny paths may yet be left before you to tread, the Lord will direct your steps, refresh you by the way, and eventually receive you home to endless joy. I thus congratulate you on your way to the CELESTIAL ZION, and hope to meet you, and sing the praises of redeeming, persevering grace for ever! Although some may be disposed to call in question what is generally termed "The perseverance of the saints," I -never yet heard of any professed Christian who doubted the awful consequences that attend the sinner who per severes in transgression. Sin is of an hardening nature, grows in strength with our years, and bears the most baneful fruit of sorrow. Intoxication, falsehood, theft, and a long list of other vices which might be named, seldom attain maturity in a day. Vice has its bud, and its flower, as well as its fruit. And where these spring forth in youth, the habits are so strong, unless grace prevent, that they will go on from strength to strength, until body and soul are brought to destruction. Beware, therefore, of the first enticements to evil. Many, by yielding to private sin, have been found capable of committing public crimes with impunity. May the Lord grant you pardon and restoring grace, that iniquity be not your ruin. May you possess that life-giving power of Jesus, which shall enable you to enter upon a new course, attended with the most sublime moral pleasures, and prepare you for immortal bliss! THE SAVIOUR'S RESOLUTION TO DRINK THE CUP. JOHN Xviii. 11. The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? EVERY portion of the sufferings of Jesus Christ has a particular claim to our most solemn attention. They not only make a material part of our ransom, but lie at the foundation of our peace, and form a stimulus to our obedience. Besides, the sorrows of our Lord address the finer feelings of our souls: we cannot read them aright without repentance for our transgressions, and gratitude for his unbounded love in dying for us. I now claim your attention to the Saviour's resolution to drink the cup his Father gave him; which comprehends the fulness of his sorrows. May our hearts be duly prepared to receive impressions corresponding with the solemn subject! The words of our text were addressed by our Lord to Peter at the gate of Gethsemane's garden. After he had revived through the ministry of an Angel, from his agony when the cup of indignation was presented to him, he was met by a band of soldiers, conducted by |