ous curse. THE SCOTTISH PULPIT. sations. A third source of sinful carefulness arises from overlooking the actual insig nificance and worthless nature of the Were a proper estimate objects of men. formed of the world and its objects, it would serve, in a great degree, to moderate wishes after things so vain and In a little our perishable in their nature. time, we shall follow the generations that have gone before us, and all of us, whether high or low, whether rich or poor, shall leave the world behind us, and have no more to do with any thing beneath the This demonstrates the folly of an sun. undue concern about any thing that may befall us in this transitory state: what avail the anxieties and emulations, the strifes and contentions, the zeal and carefulness with which worldly objects and pursuits once inflamed the minds of those now lying in the silent grave, where there is no wisdom, nor knowledge, nor device. Whatever that thing be, about which we are anxious, we may learn, from the state of men of other days, from the end of their labours, toils, and troubles, that we are wearying ourselves for very vanity, misplacing our affections, and exercising The them to no purpose. In a little time we shall be as our fathers before us. time is short: it remaineth that they that weep be as though they wept not; The fashion and glory and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not. ence is well fitted to minister hope and he is righteous and holy in all his dispenpeace, in regard to all the future dispensations of providence that may await you. Your duty is to anticipate that God will continue to deal with you in a like salutary manner, under all the trials that may yet befall you. It is your duty to trust that the evils which you have in prospect will, when they have actually arrived, be not only such as you will be able to bear, but at last find cause to bless God you have experienced. There is ignorance and short-sightedness in men, in that they ao not know what, in any case, is best for them. If men were to be dealt with as they wish-if they were to receive what they desire-they would prove most incompetent judges of what is for their true interest and happiness. While apparent evils are often real blessings, so apparent good is, in many cases, the most perniciThis should diminish undue carefulness about any thing, for that very thing you are most solicitous to obtain, might be that, which, if obtained, you would have most cause to lament. It is the sentiment of a heathen writer, that God would in no wise more effectually punish men than by giving them, to the full, the desires of their own hearts. We do not know but that far greater evils are prevented from coming upon us by our being denied what we wish. The dying man prays for life and returning health, but death may be better for him after all, removing him from a multitude of dangers, The avari temptations, and sorrows, that would only embitter his existence. The fond parent of the world pass away. man who made gold his idol, would have his offspring preserved, and cious knows not any see them rising up to maturity, rather and the fine gold his confidence, leaves But how his substance, and than laid in an early grave. little knows he whether this is for his more what becomes of it. The ambitious own comfort or would be actually in be- is cast down from the eminence to which half of his offspring! The ignorance in he aspired, and where he wished to which we are of what is truly good for us, fix on himself the notice and admiration is a powerful incentive to resignation of the world, and is consigned to everunder the appointments of God. When we lasting oblivion. The learned man who would murmur under evil which is appa- carried his researches into the various rent, we should think how little we know fields of philosophical inquiry, after learnWe ing a little, and leaving much more unof what is really good or evil for us. see but as through a glass darkly. Let known, is at last obliged to resign his us, then, trust to his goodness and wisdom. pursuits. The sensual man, after indulging Let us acknowledge that in all things he in every kind of pleasure, becomes the Though clouds and prey of the worm, and all his means of does well and wisely. darkness surround his throne, and though gratification-all his sources of enjoyment -cease to contribute to his pleasure any And as it has been with the his footsteps have been in the deep waters where we cannot trace them, yet mercy more. and truth go continually before him, and generation that has gone before us, so E 2 shall it be with the generation that now shall sink under the burden of infirmities exists. Within the lapse of less than a into the dust-and deny consideration to century, and of all that now exist scarce- those immortal spirits which, as they are ly a single one survives. The troubled cared for, shall rise to everlasting life, or, scene that man excites in his emulations as they are neglected, shall be consigned now, shall have passed into everlasting to the blackness of darkness for ever? stillness. The eager and the sanguine While the Scriptures are lavish in figures who hurry on in pursuit of temporal to express the comparative insignificance good, shall then have reached the end of their course. Those that are now bustling here, shall have come to that shore whence there is no returning. They that are anxious and fearful now, in consequence of threatened danger, shall then have passed their appointed course of trial, and have no more any thing to dread. and nothingness of the present life, they direct, with the most undivided attention and unwearied assiduity, the attention of man to spiritual things, and to the life that is to come. While they set forth the utter vanity of temporal things, speaking of them as a vain showas a tale that is told-as a vapour which continueth not-they labour with expressions to show the infinite importance and transcendent magnitude of eternal things. And what the Scriptures state on both of these, must come home to the understanding of every individual, as most just, most true, and most wise. How unsuitable, then, that excessive carefulness, that engrossing anxiety and overwhelming concern which are so general in a state of things speedily running to a close, and with which our connexion shall be speedily terminated. The difference is not great, whether we Walk, then, according to the directions possess all the world has to give, or suffer of an enlarged wisdom. Let it be your all it has to inflict-whether we acquire labour and employment to be more conits most lavish blessings, or sustain its versant about your never-dying souls, severest calamities. In a short voyage, than about the cares of this uncertain and it is common for people to trouble them-transitory state. It has been already said, selves but little with the manner of the that there is a moderate care after temaccommodation from which they are in poral things which is permitted and a little time to be released. Their time commendable. This moderate care is, is occupied in thinking of the labours they are in the way to transact, and their thoughts are directed to the end of their journey. Success or disappointment as to that, forms their great subject. And are the visitors of an eternal world to be possessed with carefulness relative to a state they are so soon to leave, without concerning themselves as to the great end of their being their eternal destination? Are they to be possessed with those things which are temporal, and neglect those things which are eternal ? Are they to occupy themselves with interests which are in a few years to come to a close, and to abandon to negligence or contempt, the infinitely momentous concerns of an eternal world? Are they to Having thus endeavoured to point out pursue the good and eschew the evil the sources of that unholy carefulness to incident to this shadowy existence, with which even the people of God are subject the utmost energy of soul, and to leave-having shown that it proceeds from an unheeded, unsettled, and unprepared their undue attention to created things-having state of preparation for the world of shown, further, that this carefulness proretribution? Are they to give all their ceeds from ignorance of the salutary consideration to their body-to that feeble nature of afflictions and trials-and finally, frame, which, in spite of every precaution, that it results from overlooking the however, very different from that absorb ing solicitude about temporal things, which will hinder all proper preparation for things that are spiritual. În the one case, the world is used-in the other, it is abused; for, in the one case, it is kept subordinate to God, and in the other, it is placed above God. When we give our undivided attention to the world, we virtually declare that we do not believe what God has said. We prefer the pleasures of sin to the rewards of heaven, and the gratifications of this world, unsatisfactory and evanescent as they are, to the unenjoyed felicities of the paradise of God. actual insignificance of human pursuits, we conclude with a short practical improvement. then, that your time and all your concerns In the first place, learn the value of a spirit of resignation and acquiescence to the divine will. To God belong the In the second place, learn to seek kingdom, the power, and the glory. It is spiritual improvement from every event his part to command-it is our part to that befalls you, however adverse it may obey. It is his part to appoint-it is ours be. The discipline of Providence is a to submit. Shall not God dispose of us moral discipline. We are placed in this and of our concerns as seems best? Shall life, that we may become meet for a we dare to say to him, What dost thou ? higher and better existence. Be suitably And how unavailing is it to set ourselves exercised, then, by the dispensations in opposition to God? He is infinite in through which you pass, and let them power, and who, by taking thought, can bring ever the peaceful fruits of righteadd a cubit to his stature. In vain is it ousness. When tribulation worketh exto think of thwarting the divine arrange- perience, experience leadeth to hope-to ment, or to alter the divine counsel. It hope that needeth not to be ashamed. is your happiness, then, to bear with Though the race be not here always to the patience the circumstances of your lot-swift, nor the battle to the strong, yet can to consider that all things are in the hands of a wise and gracious God, and that he knows better what is good for you, than do you yourselves. Rejoice, we come to the conclusion in respect of believers, that goodness and mercy shall ever follow them, and in the temple of the Lord they shall dwell for evermore. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST; A SERMON PREACHED IN THE ORIGINAL SECEDERS' CHAPEL, RICHMOND STREET, EDINBURGH, ON THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY, 15TH APRIL, 1832, By the Rev. THOMAS M'CRIE, D.D., Author of the Life of John Knox, Life of Andrew Melville, &c. &c. "And it was the third hour, and they crucified him.”—Mark xv. 25. THERE is, my friends, an historical know-in respect of its efficacy in making a ledge relating to the last sufferings of our complete expiation for our sins; and how blessed Lord and Saviour, of which all of little experimental acquaintance have we us are partakers; but there is still much with the subject, in respect of its renovatroom for increasing even our historical ing, its sanctifying, and its transforming and doctrinal acquaintance with this most energy. One of the means by which we interesting event. We need to consider may increase our knowledge, and, at the whether our faith rests upon its proper same time, strengthen our faith in this ground-the testimony of God. "Who important doctrine, is by reading and hath believed our report?" exclaimed a studying the inspired history of the improphet; "Who hath believed our re-portant transaction. God has provided port?" re-echoed the Apostles of our Lord richly for our instruction in this point of Jesus, after he had risen from the dead and gone to glory. How far do we come short in an acquaintance with the great doctrine of our Lord's death, considered in the light in which the Spirit of God hath revealed it to us as an atonement of fered by him, the Great Substitute, who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, view, by furnishing us with a fourfold narrative of the event, very circumstantially interesting; and we may have recourse to this, under the satisfying reflection that it is the preparation of his own hand, and in the confidence that, in a believing use of it, our minds may be instructed, our consciences pacified, and our shall it be with the generation that now shall sink under the burden of infirmities exists. Within the lapse of less than a into the dust-and deny consideration to century, and of all that now exist scarce- those immortal spirits which, as they are ly a single one survives. The troubled cared for, shall rise to everlasting life, or, scene that man excites in his emulations as they are neglected, shall be consigned now, shall have passed into everlasting to the blackness of darkness for ever? stillness. The eager and the sanguine While the Scriptures are lavish in figures who hurry on in pursuit of temporal to express the comparative insignificance good, shall then have reached the end of and nothingness of the present life, they their course. Those that are now direct, with the most undivided attention bustling here, shall have come to that and unwearied assiduity, the attention of shore whence there is no returning. man to spiritual things, and to the life They that are anxious and fearful now, that is to come. While they set forth in consequence of threatened danger, shall the utter vanity of temporal things, then have passed their appointed course speaking of them as a vain show of trial, and have no more any thing to as a tale that is told-as a vapour which dread. continueth not-they labour with expresHow unsuitable, then, that excessive sions to show the infinite importance carefulness, that engrossing anxiety and and transcendent magnitude of eternal overwhelming concern which are so things. And what the Scriptures state general in a state of things speedily on both of these, must come home to the running to a close, and with which our understanding of every individual, as most connexion shall be speedily terminated. just, most true, and most wise. The difference is not great, whether we Walk, then, according to the directions possess all the world has to give, or suffer of an enlarged wisdom. Let it be your all it has to inflict-whether we acquire labour and employment to be more conits most lavish blessings, or sustain its versant about your never-dying souls, severest calamities. In a short voyage, than about the cares of this uncertain and it is common for people to trouble them- transitory state. It has been already said, selves but little with the manner of the that there is a moderate care after temaccommodation from which they are in poral things which is permitted and This moderate care is, a little time to be released. Their time commendable. is occupied in thinking of the labours however, very different from that absorbthey are in the way to transact, and their ing solicitude about temporal things, thoughts are directed to the end of their which will hinder all proper preparation journey. Success or disappointment as to for things that are spiritual. În the one that, forms their great subject. And are case, the world is used-in the other, it the visitors of an eternal world to be is abused; for, in the one case, it is kept possessed with carefulness relative to a subordinate to God, and in the other, it state they are so soon to leave, without is placed above God. When we give our concerning themselves as to the great end undivided attention to the world, we of their being-their eternal destination? virtually declare that we do not believe Are they to be possessed with those what God has said. We prefer the things which are temporal, and neglect pleasures of sin to the rewards of heaven, those things which are eternal? Are and the gratifications of this world, unthey to occupy themselves with interests satisfactory and evanescent as they are, which are in a few years to come to a to the unenjoyed felicities of the paradise close, and to abandon to negligence or of God. contempt, the infinitely momentous conHaving thus endeavoured to point out cerns of an eternal world? Are they to pursue the good and eschew the evil the sources of that unholy carefulness to incident to this shadowy existence, with which even the the utmost energy of soul, and to leave-having shov unheeded, unsettled, and unprepared their undue attent state of preparation for the world of shown retribution? Are they to give all their ceed consideration to their body-to that feeble n frame, which, in spite of every precaution, 1 actual insignificance of human pursuits, we conclude with a short practical improvement. then, that your time and all your concerns In the first place, learn the value of a spirit of resignation and acquiescence to the divine will. To God belong the In the second place, learn to seek kingdom, the power, and the glory. It is spiritual improvement from every event his part to command-it is our part to that befalls you, however adverse it may obey. It is his part to appoint-it is ours be. The discipline of Providence is a to submit. Shall not God dispose of us moral discipline. We are placed in this and of our concerns as seems best? Shall life, that we may become meet for a we dare to say to him, What dost thou ? higher and better existence. Be suitably And how unavailing is it to set ourselves exercised, then, by the dispensations in opposition to God? He is infinite in through which you pass, and let them power, and who, by taking thought, can bring ever the peaceful fruits of righteadd a cubit to his stature. In vain is it ousness. When tribulation worketh exto think of thwarting the divine arrange-perience, experience leadeth to hope-to ment, or to alter the divine counsel. It hope that needeth not to be ashamed. is your happiness, then, to bear with Though the race be not here always to the patience the circumstances of your lot-swift, nor the battle to the strong, yet can to consider that all things are in the we come to the conclusion in respect of hands of a wise and gracious God, and believers, that goodness and mercy shall that he knows better what is good for ever follow them, and in the temple of you, than do you yourselves. Rejoice, the Lord they shall dwell for evermore. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST; A SERMON PREACHED IN THE ORIGINAL SECEDERS' CHAPEL, RICHMOND STREET, |