of judgment strikes terror. Yet, "Let them praise thy great and terrible name, for it is holy," Psalm xcix. 3. This should lead to deep humiliation and mourning. It is a beautiful frame of soul to be in, when all the affections are in exercise at once: that Providence which does this for the PRESENT, may appear awful, but it will ever be found, in the END, to be advantageous. Thou speakest as David did, IN HASTE, when thou concludest that, "all these things are against thee." Labour hard for answerableness of spirit to Providential dispensations. Above all, bless God for Christ, whatever mercy thou wantest. There would be no pardon without a sacrifice -no person accepted but through Christ's righteousness imputed-no pardon given but what comes through his hands-no prayer heard, save in the virtue of his intercession. Admire God's patience. So many inventions, and no more vengeance ;-O! amazing! It is well for us God doth not mark every iniquity. Set God as an holy God before thee, daily. "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." Wo to such as were never interested in God's forgiveness. "The wages of sin is death." Without interest in God, as a covenant God, there can be no pardon-no hope-no heaven. This is by Christ, "in whom, whosoever believeth shall not perish, but have everlasting life."

XCIX. Jerusalem! my happy home!
Name ever dear to me!

When shall my labours have an end
In joy, and peace, and thee?

When shall these eyes thy heaven-built walls
And pearly gates behold-

Thy bulwarks, with salvation strong,

And streets of shining gold?

There happier bowers than Eden's bloom,
Nor sin nor sorrow know:

Bless'd seats! thro' rude and stormy scenes
I onward press to you.

Why should I shrink at pain and woe,

Or feel, at death, dismay?

I've Canaan's goodly land in view,

And realms of endless day.

Apostles, martyrs, prophets there,
Around my Saviour stand;

And soon my friends in Christ, below,
Will join the glorious band.

Jerusalem! my happy home!

My soul still pants for thee;

Then shall my sorrows have an end,
When I thy joys shall see.

C. "The Lord reigneth," Psalm xcvii. 1. This doctrine serves for the unspeakable consolation of the people of God. It is a matter of rejoicing to ALL the world, that "the Lord reigneth," for there is none so vile and wicked but experiences much, though many consider it not, of the good effects of this universal dominion, which God exercises. Through it the devils cannot do what they please-through it the wills and passions of evil men cannot have their full sway; there is an almighty One that holds the reins upon the malicious and hateful passions of men; the ill effects of which, the greatest contemners of God that live in the world, would quickly experience; but to the people of God, as being the lesser number, the most hated and maligned part of the world, and the far weaker, as to natural strength and power, the good effects of the Lord's reign,

;

and the necessity of it are most eminently demonstrated : "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, "THY GOD REIGNETH," Isaiah lii. 7: particularly to Zion, to the church and people of God is it good tidings-to the whole visible church it is good tidings-but particularly to the invisible part, that is militant here upon earth, and the individual members thereof. This doctrine, first, is of great use to comfort them against, and under all their distresses for things which happen to the church in general, or themselves in particular. A ship at sea were but in an ill case if it were not for him that sitteth at the helm a skilful pilot there ordereth her well enough, so that the winds serve his design; thus it is with the church, or with God's people individually, they are only safe in the Lord's government of all the affairs of this lower world. Luther, I remember, saith thus of himself, “I have often attempted to prescribe to God ways and methods in the government of his church, and other affairs; I have said I would have this thing done in this order, with this event. But God did quite contrary to what I asked of him. Then I thought with myself what I would have had, was not contrary to the glory of God, but would have been of great use in sanctifying his name. In short, it was a brave design, well advised, but undoubtedly God laughed at this wisdom of men; it never was his manner to allow men to instruct, govern, teach, or lead Him. God is not a passive, bu, an active God." That great man and Melancthon were two famous instruments in the reformation of Germany, but of different tempers: Melancthon was a man of a more mild and gentle spirit, of a melancholic and

timorous temper. Luther was more fierce and bold. Melancthon would often write very desponding letters to Luther about the state of the church. Luther would constantly make use of this argument from the governing providence of God to support him. "Melancthon," saith he, "let God alone to govern the world; 'The Lord reigneth.'" It pleases God so to order it in his providence, that the face of affairs relating to the church, often looks sadly, and there is nothing which giveth the spirits of the people of God greater disturbance. Now all this arises from our not attending to this principle, which yet every true christian professes to receive and to believe. Were we but rooted and grounded in the faith of this one principle, that "The kingdom of God ruleth over all, and that he exerciseth a special care and government relating to his church, and ruleth the world with a special regard to the good of his little flock," we could neither be immoderately disturbed for the concern for the glory of God, nor yet for the church of Christ. "Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let men say among the nations, The Lord reigneth let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof, let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein: then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth," 1 Chron. xvi. 31-33. Say therefore unto Zion, "Thy God reigneth." Let the ungodly rage, scoff and threaten, and do what they can; let them take counsel together and join hand in hand; when they have done all they can, they will find, that "the Lord reigneth." And this is enough to say unto Zion, or to any of her sons and daughters. Two things are sufficient in the most troublesome and tumultuous times to still, support, and comfort the desponding spirits of God's people :

1. That "The Lord reigneth," and hath an unquestionable superintendence over all the beings of his creatures, all their motions and all their actions; He is higher in power than the highest of them.

2. That this God is our God. The Psalmist uniteth both in that excellent Psalm, xlvi. 10, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth: the Lord of hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge." Let not therefore those, that fear the Lord, trouble them selves about the motions of the world, and commotions in it-about the ragings of godless men against the interest of Christ. Let them not trouble themselves further than is their absolute duty, that is, to be sensible of the rebukes of Divine providence. "He that sitteth in the heavens laugheth; the Lord shall have them in derision, and shall ONE DAY speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure,' and let the world know, that "yet hath he set his king upon his holy hill of Zion." Did we but consider this as we might or ought, we should see as little reason to be disturbed, as to the concerns of our own souls. God's people are troubled with the fear of two things as to their own souls ordinarily, first, the prevailings of their own lusts and corruptions, secondly, the prevailing of Satan's temptations. This doctrine excellently serves to still our unquiet spirits, as to either of these troubles. If the Lord's kingdom be over all, both these fears must be vain and causeless; supposing the faithfulness of the promises :-" Sin shall not have dominion over your mortal bodies.-God shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.-He will, with the temptation, make a way to escape." If the Lord's kingdom be over all, neither shall corruption prevail, nor Satan de