once heard his prayers, and saved him from destruction. Alas! alas! his goodness" is like the morning cloud, and as the early dew it soon passeth away."*

But let me not condemn only the toiling sons of the deep, because their conduct is no worse than all who are living without God. There are storms wherever we go, at sea and on land ; storms of sickness, deprivation and poverty. Disease fills our bodies, and conducts to the borders of the grave; death mows down some dear friend, or takes away some loved relative; and we are impoverished by some reverse of fortune, or the common accidents of life. These things ought to teach us that "this is not our rest," and that it is necessary to seek one to * Hos. vi. 4.

come.

We ought ever to remember,

that the storms of this life, however severe, are but trifling compared to that dreadful one which will overtake those who live in sin, and die without repenting of it. Poor sinners, be warned, and while it is called day, remember your precious souls, lest the storm of divine wrath come upon you, and blast you in everlasting death.

The life of a Christian is generally a very stormy one; and though the experience of God's children is diversified, yet in its chief features there is a great resemblance: when once embarked in the voyage to heaven, they have a boisterous course. They have not only to contend with the common storms to which all men are subject, but many others which a Christian can only describe. How frequent are the storms

of persecution, temptation, adversity, bereavements, and spiritual distress! and it is Jesus alone saves a Christian from perishing. Jacob, David, Job, and Paul, with a host of saints, were severely tried by the storms of this life, but humbly trusting to their heavenly Father, they passed safely through them, and are now enjoying the blessed fruits. Christ's followers must never expect to go to heaven on a bed of roses, for it is through much tribulation they reach it. Stormy weather makes them bumble, thoughtful, and serious it leads them to think of their actual condition, and plead with God. This was David's experience. "Before," says he, "I was afflicted I went astray, but now I have learned to keep the commandments; therefore it is good

I

for

me, I have been afflicted."* Paul considers it a gracious gift of heaven to meet storms of a spiritual nature, and declares to the Philippians, " unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but to suffer for his sake." Painful and distressing as these storms are, there is something joyous in the thought, that they only "endure but for a moment, and work out for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" because if we suffer for Christ, we also shall reign with him in his happy kingdom, where sorrow and sighing are never heard or known.

Mariners, when they reach a quiet haven, care but little how many storms they have endured; and Christians + Phil. ci. 29,

* Ps. cxix. 67-71.

should not be too much pressed down on account of this life's storms, as it is certain they will ere long arrive in that

glorious harbour, "where the weary

are at rest."

Stormy seasons are appointed by infinite love to purge us from sin, and assimilate us to the likeness of Christ. He passed a tempestuous and stormy life on earth, and has left us an example that we should follow in his steps. He watches our course with the deepest interest, and while we cast all our care upon him, we need not fear. The billows cannot overflow us, neither will the deep swallow us up. 66 I, even I," says the dear, Redeemer "will be with you in trouble." Soon this life will end, and then storms will cease for ever. We are at present toiling in deep waters, but a blessed port is be