his people." Deut. xvii. 12, " And the man that will do presumptously and will not hearken unto the prophet that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God or unto the judge, even that man shall die, and thou shalt put away ihe evil from Israel," verse 13, and all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumption." Chap. xviii. 22: “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously; thou shalt not be afraid of him." 2 Peter ii. : "Presumptuously are they, self willed." After having quoted most if not all the passages in the word of God in which the words presumptuous or presumptuously occur, the difficulty attending the distinction proposed will not we think be great, especially if we take into account that under the old dispensation, there was a variety of sacrifices adapted to the variety of transgressions, most of which may be comprised under two general heads, ignorance and inadvertency; both of which are wrong, since in the first case, our heavenly Father has promised to give wisdom in answer to our request; and in the second he has especially directed to circumspection and watchfulness; and whenever we fail either in supplicating for the one or attending to the other, the consequent sins bring with them as a natural result, that distress and sorrow which in the sensitive mind, must ever attend a deviation from the direct and onward path. But presumptuous sins differ materially from errors, secret faults, ignorance, and inadvertency, inasmuch as there is at the time of the commission, a full consciousness in the judgment, that the thing we are performing or contemplating is actually wrong. We said a full conviction, yes, a full conviction; for although the tempter, the seducer may work by his artful sophistry upon our dreadfully deceit. ful hearts with a view to palliate or extenuate the matter, yet cannot he succeed in convincing us that it is not actually, positively and flagrantly, wrong. To presume then, to dare, in spite of conviction, in opposition to light, feeling, manifested mercy and positive commands, is, we say, to sin presumptuously and distinguishes presumptuous sins from errors, secret faults, ignorance, and inedvertancy. We notice secondly, The possibility of the Lord's own servants committing presumptuous sins. In doing which we shall first refer you to the present passage, for if it was not possible for them thus to sin and come under such a dominion, the prayer must be altogether pointless and unmeaning. It is neither, for the Psalmist knew to his sorrow the awful liability. Did he not act presumptuously in the case of Uriah, upon whom he "came presumptuously and slew him with guile?" Did he not act presumptuously when he numbered Israel contrary to remonstrance, and although in the first case death was not awarded him as the result, yet did he suffer an inconceivable amount of sorrow and anguish, and in the latter seventy thousand of the people of Israel were punished with death for his presumption? We might notice the cases of Jehosaphat's affinity. Hezekiah's arrogant exhibition. Jonah's perverseness and Peter's solemn denial. Each of whom we think there is no doubt were aware that the part they were acting was forbidden; yet did they dare, yet did they presume, to follow out for the time the bent of an inclination diametrically opposite to the will of a just, righteous, and holy God. In confirmation of this scripture fact we might appeal to the solemn experience of many of the servants of God in subsequent ages, and also to many of them now engaged in the conflict, now writhing under the painful re "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."-Rom. viii. 18. "Remember that thou in thy life-time receivest thy good things."-Luke xvi. 25. THE people of God need not be surprised if they are called to endure great tribulation in this world. It is the discipline which infinite wisdom has prescribed, and which infinite love and mercy adopts. It is the old, the trodden path to immortal bliss. Millions who ere now triumphing in the heavenly world, have endured the same conflict, were called to withstand the same powerful enemies, to conquer inbred corruptions, endured the same persecutions, sorrows and afflictions. For it is said of those who have arrived safe in the abodes of bliss, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." This present life is one uninterrupted scene of sorrow, anxiety and distress; that trouble succeeds to trouble, as wave succeeds to wave; yet how short is the period when viewed in connection with eternity. One mo ment's enjoyment of the bliss of heaven, will infinitely compensate for all our sorrows and tribulations. The greatest trials which believers have, are unattended with the curse and wrath of God, and yield another powerful motive to the exercise of patience. In the bitterest cup of which the true believer partakes, there is not one drop of divine wrath. In his afflictions he is animated by the thought, that paternal and covenant love appoints them all, that the designs of his heavenly Father are most merciful and wise. Through grace he patiently bears losses, persecutions, and sufferings, believing that God doth not willingly afflict, nor unnecessarily grieve the children of men." " "T is here to suffer as we love, Anxious lest friendship's smile should cease: The followers of the Redeemer experience tribulation from sources with which mere professors are quite unacquainted. They are hated and persecuted by the seed of the serpent under the garb of religion, whose only end and aim is filthy lucre, pride and human applause. The solution of this conduct the dear Redeemer has graciously given us, in those words, If ye were of the world, the world would love its own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." Hence the foul calumnies with which they are assailed, the unjust reproach which they suffer, and the cruel persecution which they sometimes endure. For there is a generation whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw-teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men," Prov. xxx. 14. The servants of God are often molested, and in their course tried to be impeded, by those who are at ease in Zion, the messengers of Satan, transformed in outward appearance as angels of light, but not by the renewing of the mind by the Holy Spirit. By these they are often misrepresented, falsely accused, calumniated by secret reports, and slanders of a variety of kinds are heaped upon them. How many are upbraided with a slanderous report respecting their character, which, when taken away, usefulness appears gone; report upon report augmenting as it goes from one to the other. Oh, what a deadly stab is this, and particularly to gospel ministers. The wicked are held by God's chain now, but a full developement of their character and conduct will appear, when God shall lay them all naked and open before them, or the counsels of the heart, says the apostle, made manifest; and that will be at Christ's judgment-seat: then they will dread the wrath and power of Christ, when they shall come into his presence, or stand before his tremendous seat, from whose holiness the very heavens shall flee away. No beasts of the desert and the forest are more savage and cruel and destructive, than are professors when God leaves them to the dreadfully malignant propensities of their depraved minds. It is but seldom that the most savage animals destroy any of their own species: lions do not destroy lions, leopards do not destroy leopards, wolves do not destroy wolves; but men more savage than they, have destroyed the lives and reputation of millions of their fellow men. The bloody papists have shed the blood of myriads of the saints, in their professed zeal to propogate the peaceful and benign religion of the Son of God. Oh, heart of man!" deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." Unregenerate men consider every one their enemy who is bold to tell them the truth "as it is in Jesus." The carnal mind is enmity against God, and against his faithful servants. He will always find a chequered path while he is in the world, and he must expect to find it so until he lay aside his sandals, his sword, and his staff; then he will bid farewell to all sickness, pain, sin and sorrow. While in this vale of tears, it is no smal! mercy to know and believe that the bounds of our habitation is fixed by infinite wisdom; and all our trials shall assuredly work together for good; and what works for our good, will work for God's glory; and that is the end of his purposes, works and operations. Jesus, my hope is fixed on thee; Wherever the gospel is faithfully preached, there is always opposition; but where they are quiet, I am certain the true gospel is not preached. For a counterfeit gospel meets with no opposition from carnal professors; it meets with no enemies and avengers amongst them, but is rather praised and embraced, and the preachers of it are in credit with carnal men, and receive from them riches, honour, and a quiet life; whereas the truth of God can never be preached faithfully without giving offence to carnal professors. For Satan works upon the human consequence and pride of such, to raise a storm in the true church against the faithful ministers of Christ. Such is their concealed enmity and malice, they will secretly endeavour to undermine their reputation to others, in order to ruin them. They are often throwing out inuendoes, whispering suspicions, which are the offspring of their own cruel minds. To hear of any thing injurious to the character of another, especially if he be considered a rival, is a delicious feast to their envious and malignant minds. Many a godly man's character has been ruined, and his family half-starved, by secret assassins. There are thousands of whisperers and backbiters and slanderers, who employ a good part of their time in endeavouring to traduce aud ruin the reputation of others; and many such are to be found among the gossipping preachers and rich professors of the religion of Jesus Christ. Such characters are the pest of the visible church. It is difficult to say what these persons have done with their consciences; how they contrive to bribe, and to blind, and to keep them silent. There will one day most assuredly be a dreadful rupture between such persons and conscience. It will at last bite like a serpent, and sting like an adder." "Be sure your sin will find you out." Deception is the aim of thousands, who profess an ardent attachment to religion. The day is at hand, when the mask of their hypocrisy will fall from their face, and their genuine state be exhibited to the view of men and angels. Much of the tribulation of the children of God in this world. arises from the influence of Satan upon their minds; and with this source of trouble the ungodly are entirely unacquainted. The aim of Satan with them is, to keep them in a fatal slumber. This crafty foe attempts to influence the people of God by every cruel expedient within his power to harass and distress their minds. He suggests innumerable evil thoughts to trouble and disturb their peace of conscience. He tempts them to believe that their sins are too numerous and aggravated for the pardoning mercy of God; he labours to terrify them with fears of death and judgment and hell; he interrupts in religious services, by working upon their imagination, and tempting to cherish unbelief. He is acquainted with the easily besetting sin of every believer, and at every opportunity he throws out the lure. The enemy eagerly seizes every opportunity to distress and perplex the 66 minds of God's saints; and by death only are they entirely freed frem the malice and craft of this potent foe. When they are indulged with prosperity, he tempts them to foster pride and vanity; when they are visited by losses and privations, he tempts them to murmur and repine; when they are favoured with joy and peace in believing, he tempts them to confide in their own strength and wisdom; and when they mourn the loss of the light of God's countenance, he tempts them to doubt of the mercy and goodness of their heavenly Father. Thus the subtlety and malice of Satan is exercised, in all possible circumstances and situations. His enmity is never exhausted, and his craft is equally durable. The real followers of the Lamb are greatly tried by poverty, and want of the bread that perisheth. They are a poor and afflicted people." Friends, an emotion of sympathy excited by a tale of distress and need from a poor brother, ought to be followed by some efforts for the relief of the sufferer. When such relations are listened to in real life, from time to time, without any such efforts, the result seems to be that a cold and barren sentimentality is produced instead of active benevolence. 'He that seeth his brother in need and shutteth up his bowels of compassion: how dwelleth the love of God in that man?" Not at all, for if it did the fruit would appear. Wouldest thou know indeed, says one, what it is of which thou mayest justly say unto thyself, It is mine? Examine thyself, find out thine own measure; so much as thou needest is thine, the rest is for others' good. That part of the beam of light which shines in thine eye is thine, all the rest is another's; that which thou eatest to suffice thine hunger is thine, all the rest is thy neighbours; that water which thou drinkest at thy well is thine, all the rest is for the refreshment of others. If thy barns and storehouses, thy wardrobes, thy trea sures, imprison or detain any thing, thou art but a common enemy, and offendest against the common profit. It is the bread of the hungry that thou detainest; it is the garment of the naked that thou lockest up in thy wardrobe; it is the shoe of the barefoot that rots by thee; it is the poor man's money and the talent of the Lord which thou hidest under ground. Look, how many thou hast not fur. nished, so many hast thou wronged. Oh, remember, "Thou in thy life-time receivest thy good things." Let this check us when are tempted to misapply that which God has entrusted us with of this world's goods. Nay, let us say, I must not do so with that which God has given-which are not only the creatures of his power but the gifts of his bounty-for the poor and needy of his flock: Go to the couch of pain, Whose lot it is to know 'T is done to me !-Matt. xxv. 40. Their painful situations should but increase our sympathy with and affection to them for Jesus's sake. They are loved by the same Father, washed by the same blood, supplied by the same grace, opposed by the same enemies, and have the same heaven in view. The fruits or tokens of an accepted state by our Lord's express declaration, is, brotherly love: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another." The effects of a narrow and selfish spirit are but too evident amongst professors of the gospel. I believe that the greater part of those who profess to know the Lord, are deceiving themselves with a form of godliness and a name amongst men, being destitute of its power; for the grace of God cannot fail of producing in some degree its proper fruits. For though they may abound in knowledge and gifts, and have much to say upon subjects of truth and christian experience, they seem to want the indispensible criterion of true godliness, a love to the brethren; without which all other attainments are of no avail. They may make a great noise in the church and in the world; they may be wise and able men, as the words are now frequently understood; but in the sight of God their faith is dead, and their religion is vain. I am more and more convinced, the longer I live, that real religion, or in other words, the life of God in the soul of man, is scarce to be met with, and that the Lord's secret ones do not constitute the religious mass of the day, however they may associate by thousands. I more fear the professor, with his lamp without oil, than the highwayman with his pistol with powder and shot. Afflictions, though not blessings in themselves, yet when sanctified are productive of great good to them who are exercised thereby. Let us not, therefore, sink into despondency under a view of approaching difficulties, nor suffer our imaginations to dwell with horror upon supposed future events. The evils and afflictions of this life do indeed appear like rocks and precipices, rugged and barren, at a distance; but at our nearer approach we shall find little fruitful spots and refreshing springs mixed with the harshness and the ruggedness of the present dying scene. Sorrow, like a stream, loses itself in many channels; while joy, like a ray of the sun, reflects with a greater ardour and quickness when it rebounds upon a saint from the bosom of God. Do not flatter yourselves with the prospect of a time of uninterrupted ease and unclouded enjoyment; but consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, when at any time ye are weary and faint in your mind. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil; having your loins girt about with truth, and hav |