that have a low opinion of themselves, as nothing in spirituals, and worse than nothing in sin; as empty of all that is holy and good, and compounded of all evil; and "blessed are they that mourn," in a sense of their sins; and then, "Blessed are the meek," and these are joined, because meekness is a disposition inseparable from the other: he that duly considers that he is a miserable sinner, a worthless rebel, and is humbly and sorrowfully affected for his unworthiness, his passions will be subdued; and, as melted metal receives any form, so he patiently suffers what God inflicts. A "broken heart" is an "acceptable sacrifice" to God, Psalm li, and implies a tender sense of sin, as an offence to the holy and gracious God; and it may be extended to signify a heart that is submissive to God's will, in allusion to a horse that is broken, and easily managed by the reins of the rider. Contrition for sin is always joined with resignation to the chastening providence of God. Besides, godly sorrow will lessen natural sorrow. first deserves our grief, and the sharpest accents of our grief should be placed upon it; and the more sensible we are of it, the lighter will affliction be to us the turning the stream of sorrow from affliction to sin, is a powerful means to abate it; there is health in the bitterness of medicine, and ease in the depth of this sadness. Besides, repentance inclines the heart of God, and opens his tender compassions to the afflicted. When the repentant sinner is covered with tears, the great Comforter descends, and brings healing to the troubled waters; this advice is more necessary for the afflicted, because, usually, the strokes of Providence are properly a reproof and correction for sin the application of a corrosive, implies that some corrupt matter is to be discharged. God is provoked by his children's neglects, and though love

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cannot hate, it may be angry; and without renewing their repentance, and recovering his favor, their afflictions are very bitter. What can be more sad than to feel the sting of a guilty conscience within, and the displeasure of God without? The burden is heavy and oppressive that is laid upon a galled back. It is therefore, our best wisdom, and duty too, "to search our hearts and try our ways," that we may discover what is the procuring cause of our troubles, "and turn unfeignedly to the Lord." This will endear afflicted souls to God, and incline him to afford gracious supports to them. It is true sometimes our sufferings are designed for trial. Counterfeit coin, though with a fair stamp and inscription, is discovered by the fire; thus mere professing christians, or specious hypocrites, are made known by trials; but true gold endures the fire without loss, and the more it is tried, the brighter it is. Thus the true christian, whom neither the gain of the world, nor the loss of life can remove from the stedfast owning of the holy truth, has a clear manifestation of his sincerity. There may be a feast within the house, when a storm of hail rattles upon the tiles. But it is, sometimes, so ordered by Providence, that the evils we suffer are of a mixed nature, partly chastisements, and partly trials. This was the case of the believing Hebrews, to whom the apostle directs his counsel, Heb. xii; their persecution was from the ungodly heathen, for a cause purely religious; but it was permitted by the righteous God, as a punishment of their sins. And here the Divine goodness and wisdom is admirable, that the same affliction is instrumental for the purifying his people from sin, and the advancement of his glorious gospel. The first and most immediate effect of His discipline is the humbling and sanctifying them, to prepare them for his

love; by which they are fortified to bear courageously the worst evils. We should also apply the mind to consider the blessings we receive, as well as the evils we endure. Whilst the intense thoughts are fixed upon the suffering, the soul is racked with inward tortures; but did we turn our eyes upon our enjoyments, and the comforts that are interwoven with our troubles, it would be a means, not only to compose us to patience, but thankfulness. The apostle directs us, to "trust in the living God, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy," 2 Tim. vi. 17. In the poorest and lowest state of life, we have many favors and effects of His rich bounty; and it is the ignorance of our deservings and of our enjoyments, that causes discontent and murmuring under our troubles. Particularly, this consideration will be effectual to repress the discontent that is apt to kindle in our breasts, upon the sight of the different dispensations of Providence, that some are exempt from the current adversities of the world, and live in ease, whilst we are deprived of many outward comforts. How many are under tormenting pains, or in desperate sadness, their minds bewildered. and gone, they have no taste or comfort in their abundance? How many are fallen into the depths of misery, and that, aggravated by the remembrance of former happiness? How many are surrounded by their cruel and bitter enemies, and see no refuge, no sanctuary for their escape, but a necessity of perishing? And can we pretend a better title to the mercies of God, than our fellowworms? Our original is from nothing, and our works are sinful; that we are not so desolately miserable as others, when equally guilty, is from the rich goodness of God, and should make us thankful. Add further, let the most afflicted of God's people in the world compare his condition with that of the most prosperous wicked per

sons, and the comparison will be effectual to endear God to him, and quiet his passions under suffering. The good things of this world, in their abundance, variety, and excellence, cannot make him, that is without God, truly happy; the miseries of this life, in all kinds and degrees, cannot make a child of God utterly miserable; nay, they are inestimably more happy in their sufferings, than the ungodly in their prosperity. Manna rains down from heaven while they are in the wilderness ;-supports and comforts are from the love of God shed abroad in their hearts; and their present afflictions are a seed of eternal joy, to meeten and prepare them for the joy of heaven. Our Saviour, from whose judgment we receive the true weights and measures of things, to regulate our esteem and affections, declares to his disciples, when under the sharpest persecutions of the tongues or hands of their enemies-under tortures-calumnies-disgrace and death, even then he declares them "blessed, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them;" and heaven is such a transcendent blessedness, that even the lively hope of it should make us blessed under any affliction by the same rule the most prosperous sinners are miserable here, for the irresistible, irremediable ruin that is ordained and prepared for them in hell, they would deceive themselves with the paintings of happiness, with an airy imaginary happiness; whilst the senses are filled, the soul is empty; but they will not long enjoy the ease of their ignorance and security; the world can do no more to make them happy than if one should compound a draught and give it to the poor and miserable, that induces sleep and pleasant dreams for a few hours, but when they awake, they are still poor and miserable. Our Saviour pronounces a woe to the rich and full, "to those that laugh now, for they shall weep and mourn.'

Lastly,―frequent and fervent prayer to the "Father of mercies, and God of all consolation," is a blessed means to support the spirit, and make it humble and obedient to the afflicting providence of God. It is a Divine counsel-" Is any afflicted, let him pray." It is prayer opens the heart, and carnal grief breathes out— prayer opens heaven, and Divine joy flows into the soul. The King of Glory keeps no state, there is always easy access to His throne, and his ears are always open to his humble suppliants. His most gracious nature inclines Him to sustain us in our dejections. We have a powerful plea from His compassions to encourage our prayers in great troubles. "He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer." The most glorious attribute of the Spirit-"The Comforter," is most useful and beneficial to afflicted suppliants; affliction is the season, and prayer the sphere of his activity. That our prayers may prevail, take the following useful rules :

1. They must be addressed with an humble trust on the mercies of God, that incline him to relieve and sustain the afflicted. Thus St. James directs the afflicted, to "ask in faith, nothing wavering," chap. i. 6. We read in scripture of the light of God's countenance-his melting eye-the compassionate expressions of his most gracious nature towards his suffering people. He doth not esteem himself more highly honored with the glorious titles of Creator and King, than with the endearing name of our Father; and with a confidence becoming that relation, we are directed by his Divine Son to make our requests to Him. Indeed, if the promises of God did not encourage our hopes, we should not presume so much upon his affection, as to lay the burden of our cares and sorrows on his arms; but heaven is not fuller of stars, to