Are there then those whose minds waver in doubt; who complain that they have not sensible proof of the truths of religion; who judge only from what they themselves experience in the world; and who, as to the things revealed concerning Christ and Him crucified, are ready to declare with Thomas, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe." (John 20. 25.) For such do these words of the centurion provide most profitable example. Like him let them be assured, that the power of Christ is no less effectual, his love no less ready to save, whether He be present, or absent, on earth, or in heaven.

Are there any who, not acknowledging that they doubt God's word, yet find not its influence effectual on their hearts, because they hear it not from his lips with their ears, and see not with their outward senses the miracles with which it was confirmed? Say they that they mean indeed to obey, but that the present cares and

pleasures of the world put out of their remembrance the thought of things spiritual? Think they with the rich man in the parable, if one went unto them from the dead they would repent? (See Luke 16. 30.) Deem they, that if they might feel the heat of those torments, they should more in earnest avoid them; if they could be present for a while in the courts of heaven, they should the more entirely set their affection on it? To these too we recommend the faith of the centurion. These we would remind, that God has not chosen to afford them sight, but the evidence of things unseen. we exhort to lay hold on that evidence, as on the only means ordained for them to escape the wrath to come; on these we urge a lively faith in God's word, as the means best calculated to purify the corrupted will, to exalt the degraded soul, and to restore in it the almost lost image of its Maker.

These

Enough it would be for us to know that thus it is his will to try us; thus and thus only his offer, that we should be saved.

But we know more, we know that thus also it is better for us. We should feel that thus may we best resist the influence of things sensible, by having our thoughts fixed on things spiritual; thus best attain a high notion of things heavenly, when we are assured that they are what no sense can perceive, no eye can see, no ear can hear. Let us acknowledge then not only that we are undeserving of any easier trial, of any more plain and sensible means of conviction; but that we should be thankful for that very method of the Gospel, which God hath ordained for our salvation. us profess unto our blessed Lord not only that we are not worthy that He should more closely visit us; but that we are fully satisfied with the light He hath given us, with the grace He hath offered us, and the healing He is able to work in us.

Let

What though our prayers be not straightway fulfilled, we may be sure that they are none the less mercifully heard; and that He who best knoweth what is good for us, withholds what we pray for,

only that we may pray with devotion more sincere, or receive with benefit more entire. What though our resolutions fail, our purposes however zealous, however upright, be from time to time frustrated; let us learn so much the more to renew them, not in our own strength, but in the grace of God; so much the more to trust, that through his holy Spirit He will in his good time give rest unto the weary soul, and enable us, "having done all, to stand." (Eph. 6. 13.) What though our frailties yet remain, the corruption of our will yet engender evil thoughts, though forbidden desires and designs still haunt with their unhallowed forms even the heart that is fixed on heaven, even the hours that are set apart for God's special service; let us in the sense of these our infirmities neither feebly despair of health, nor presumptuously demand any more forcible remedy than God hath ordained. Let us indulge no vain hope of more sensible illumination, no false assurance of a more sudden or more irresistible conversion; but use with diligence and patience the means of grace

appointed by our Lord; content, even when we feel farthest off, to know that He is near; and when most we might desire Him to draw nearer, content still to say with the centurion, "Speak the word only, and thy servant shall be healed.”

So might we have a part in this blessed sentence," I have not found so great faith, "I no not in Israel." This was one more eminent particular of his faith, that though comparatively a stranger to the promise of redemption, he should so much more readily believe in Christ, than the chosen people amongst whom he dwelt. And therefore our Saviour adds, (ver. 11.)

many shall come from the east and west," i. e. from all parts of the earth, from all Gentile nations, "and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven," shall be admitted, i. e. into the benefits of the Christian covenant, in common with those holy men of old, whose faith was counted to them for righteousness. (See Rom. 4. 3.) "But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness;" i. e. the