confirm our faith in it. By being bestowed upon them, they were therefore indirectly bestowed upon us. Besides, God is still ready to confer upon us, in a direct manner, grace to help us in every time of need.

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Every good and perfect gift still comes "down from the father of lights." He still offers to "bless us with all spiritual

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blessings, in heavenly places, in Christ." We do not, it is true, behold at present miracles performed; but what is far more valuable, is fully put in our power, and what, if we have but faith and zeal, we shall certainly obtain. My friends, only attend to the words of my text, and you may judge of the value of what I mean. "Now "the God of hope," says the Apostle, &c.

These words, give us such a beautiful and attractive picture of Christianity, and of the effects it is suited to produce, that methinks, the contemplation of it can scarcely fail to increase the zeal, the joy, and consolation of all who truly believe in it; and even provoke to a holy emulation those who have hitherto been strangers to it. may this be the blessed fruit of the re

flections which I am now to make, and which my text has naturally suggested.

The illustration of the three following propositions, will perhaps fully unfold to you all that is contained in the Apostle's prayer.

The FIRST proposition is,-Faith naturally tends to fill the soul with the most pleasant and delightful feelings-peace, joy, and hope. For Paul here supposes, that it is by faith that we are made partakers of these "God," says he, invaluable blessings. "fill you with all joy and peace in be"lieving."

The SECOND proposition is,-Though ́ faith does naturally tend to fill the soul with these pleasing and delightful feelings, yet, even true Christians do not always fully enjoy them. Hence it is that the Apostle so earnestly prays that God would increase to such, these feelings.

The THIRD proposition is,-That if even we labour with success, to remove the ob

stacles which may prevent our full enjoyment of these feelings, we must receive the assistance of "the Holy Ghost," and, like the Apostle, fervently and habitually pray for this assistance, both to ourselves and others.

I. The FIRST proposition is,-Faith naturally tends to fill the soul with the most pleasant and delightful fulness, pleasure, and hope. What a different representation this, from what ignorance or malice often give of religion. Hear the language of worldly men. They depict religion as something melancholy, gloomy, and morose -as something fitted rather to make us miserable, at least here below-than to make us happy. But whose judgment are we to prefer upon this subject-the judgment of him who knows nothing of the. matter, or the judgment of one who has had mature experience—the judgment of the man of the world, or the judgment of the Apostle Paul, who "overcame the "world"-believed and glorified in the gospel of his Lord and Saviour, and most sensibly felt its purifying, consoling, and ennobling power?-The wise, and the candid,

will have little hesitation in making a decision. The Apostle Paul acquainted "himself with God," and found him to be a "God of hope." A God who gave him "all joy and peace in believing." And that the Apostle was under no delusionthat belief in God, as he hath graciously revealed himself to us, is really productive of these blessed effects, will appear, whether we consider the nature of this itself, or consult the experience of real Christians in all ages.

Let us consider the nature of the thing itself. If I really believe that God reigneth, and that he hath revealed himself through Jesus Christ, as my Father and my friend-if I really believe that he possesses infinite power and wisdom, and goodness, and that he is continually exercising all these perfections, for my moral improvement and final happiness, is it not evident, that this belief has a natural tendency to fill my soul with joy, and peace, and hope?

What have I to fear under such a gracious government? Am I afraid to meet the trials, and the troubles of life? If I believe in God, I know that he sends these as

blessings in disguise-and will make them all work together for my good. An I afraid of the power of sin, and of the consequences which it may entail upon me at the day of judgment? If I believe in God, I know that Christ his only begotten Son, hath

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put away sin by the sacrifice of himself,"

that ، there is now no condemnation to "those who are in Him, and who walk not "after the flesh, but after the spirit,”—that nothing shall be able to separate me from “ his love-that I shall never perish, neither “ shall any be able to pluck me out of his "hand." In fine, am I afraid of the approach of death, and of the awful and untried scenes to which it will lead me ?-If I believe in God, I know, that death is nothing more than a messenger to conduct me to my Father's house, where I shall "rest from my labours, and be followed by

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my works;" to my Father's house, where I shall "behold his face in righteousness, "and be satisfied with his likeness." Knowing and believing these things, I need fear no evil-I may safely trust that goodness and mercy shall for ever follow me-I may look upon death as a vanquished foe, and take up this triumphant song,