SERMON XIV.

ST. LUKE Xxii. 42.

Not my will, but thine be done.

HEN the only-begotten Son of GOD left the bosom of his Father, and took upon him the nature of man, he was also pleased to take on himself the sorrows to which men are subject, and greater than any other man ever felt. "He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was afflicted and tormented. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter."* But amidst all these dreadful trials he has left us a glorious example of patience, and resignation to the will of God. In

Isaiah liii. 3. 7.

his agony in the garden, when he appears to have felt such anguish as never was inflicted on any other man, when his sweat was as it were great drops of blood, falling down to the ground ;”* he then taught us how every good man should meet the severest trials which can befal him. He prayed earnestly, that, if it were possible, GOD would remove this cup from him, but immediately he adds, "Not my will, but thine be done." With this example ever before our

eyes, I will consider the situation of a christian under those afflictions, which at some time or other of our lives are the lot of all; and will point out the conduct which the Gospel requires from him. In order to make what I wish to say on this subject more clear and distinct, I will mention, first, the sorrows which we receive immediately from the hand of God; secondly, those which are inflicted upon us by men; and lastly, those which we bring on ourselves.

The sorrows which we receive from the hand of GOD, are often great; but they are almost always, in the course of our lives, mixed with many and great mercies. We have many days of health for one day of sickness, many hours of

Luke xxii. 44.

ease for one of pain, many comforts to balance one affliction. This ought to be gratefully acknowledged, even when the day of trial comes; and we should say with Job, "Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."* But still the day of trial must come, and we ought to be prepared to meet it. The most common trials which we experience from the hand of GOD are sickness, poverty, and the loss of friends. Our best support in all these is the firm belief that every affliction is sent in mercy, to make us more virtuous and more happy. It is an undoubted truth, which I wish to impress on the minds of all who hear me, that we never can be perfectly happy in this world, or the next, till we have learnt submission to the will of GOD, and have renounced every evil inclination, which would lead us out of that path in which He has commanded us to walk. If we have not sufficiently learnt this lesson in the school of mercy, we must be taught it by affliction; but this lesson is not learnt as it ought to be, till humbled in the dust, we bless our gcious God for our sufferings as

* Job ii .10.

sincerely as for our enjoyments. This we shall do, when we are fully convinced that they are for our real good, and never would have been sent by the Father of Mercy, but to lead us to repentance, to strengthen us in virtue, and to work for us an eternal weight of glory. In this light the good man views every affliction of every kind; and though the flesh may tremble when racked with pain, though the strength may fail when struggling with poverty, though the tears may flow over the dying friend; still he will bend the trembling knees, he will lift up the feeble hands, he will raise the streaming eyes to -Heaven, and bless his Father and his GOD.

Pain and sickness are evils which at some part of their lives all feel; and they are indeed great trials. When God is pleased to send this afflic tion to any man, he may lawfully seek those means of relief which are to be found. He may humbly pray to God for his blessing on the skill of the physician; but still he must say, after the example of his blessed Master, "Not my will, but thine be done." If it be God's pleasure that his sufferings should continue, he must carefully guard against impatience. He must thankfully acknowledge the kindness of his

friends, and never add to their distress by peevishness and ill-humour. He must, as far as possible, suppress complaints, and show by manly resolution that he cheerfully submits to the will of GOD. He must not forget to thank Him for every blessing which he still enjoys; if he have a comfortable home, needful food, and kind relations and friends, these are blessings for which he should then be doubly thankful. If the want of these add to his distress, if every earthly comfort fail, still he should say with Eli, "It is the LORD, let him do what seemeth Him good." Whatever his sufferings may be, let him still remember that his Saviour suffered more, and suffered for his sake; let him consider, that how great soever his pain may be, it cannot keep him long from the regions of eternal joy. If Providence allow no other relief, still the Christian trusts that death will end all his sufferings, and lead him to everlasting happiness.

Poverty is a great trial. By poverty, I am far from meaning any situation in which a man can supply himself with the necessaries of life by honest industry; but I speak of those who have no means of supplying their most pressing wants; who are destitute of lodging, raiment, or food.