ing to be perfect in the love and service of God. The world may condemn a Christian for his imperfections, but did they know what he suffers on account of them, they would pity him. Whenever he can steal a few moments from the world, whenever he lies down on his bed, and whenever he enters into his closet, he mourns over sin. Every fault he commits, costs him many tears, and every duty he neglects many groans. A Christian truly devoted to God, aims to pass through earth with his heart and hopes set on heaven; and whatever prevents this, distresses his soul exceedingly.

There are other sources of severe afflictions to a Christian. He suffers much because the Lord hides his face; because he enjoys but few evidences of his being a child of God; and because

he fears that, after all his profession of religion, his enjoyments of God, and his hope of eternal blessedness, he will. be a castaway. These are some of the Christian's sorest afflictions, and through them he sinks into despondency. He is like a ship in a horrible tempest; tossed to and fro, and quite torn to pieces.

The ways of God are very mysterious, and oftentimes fill the soul with astonishment. What our heavenly Father intends by so many temptations, persecutions and afflictions, we cannot fully find out, but it is consoling to think, that "what we know not now, we shall know hereafter." If we consult the records of the heavenly kingdom, we shall find that in everything God is secretly working our good. "He afflicts us for our profit,

that we may be partakers of his holi

ness."*

Are you tempted Christians? It is to try whether you be in the faith. Does your heart incite to sin? It is to show you that you must continually seek to have it renewed by the Spirit, and cleansed by the blood of Christ. Does it frequently deceive you? How necessary that you pray unceasingly, Lord "create in me a new heart." Does the devil greatly disturb your peace? It proves that he is your worst enemy. Does the enemy pour in like a flood? Pray to Jesus "to lift up a standard against him." Does Satan propose to you the pleasures of sin, and the gaiety of the world? Does he tell you of the irksomeness of religion, the inefficacy of prayer, the uncertainty of

"Heb. xii 10.

God's love? Oh! how necessary that you watch, and pray, lest he overcome you. He is the father of lies, and will stick at nothing to gain his ends. When he tempted our first parents to sin, as their reward, he promised heavenly bliss, but he meant hell's misery; and he wishes you to give up Christ with a promise of great delights, but he means eternal sorrows. Trust him not, nor give him room in your thoughts, excepting to study how you can in dependence on the Lord withstand him. Whenever tempted, cast anchor upon Christ, "who having been tempted in all points like unto us, knows how to succour those that are tempted."* "Blessed is the man that endureth temptations, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which * Hebrews ii.

the Lord hath promised to all them who love him."*

Are you persecuted? Thank God for his goodness in making you worthy to suffer for his name. "If ye suffer for righteousness' sake happy are ye." + Millions will eternally mourn in the next world, because they were not so distinguished in this as to be the object of persecution for bearing the image of Christ. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven."‡

Are you afflicted?

"These light

afflictions which are but for a moment, work out for us a far more exceeding

* James i. 12.

+1 Peter iii. 14.

Matth. v. 11, 12.