answering to such descriptions as are given in 2 Tim. iii. 1-5, 2 Pet. iii., and Jude. We see also a very extraordinary diffusion of the gospel, corresponding to Rev. xiv. 5; and a concern for the Jews, corresponding to Psalm cii. 13, 14, Rom. xi. 31. No one can calmly and wisely look on the face of the earth without seeing that the present times are very remarkable. Many think they are such as will rapidly lead on to those very remarkable changes in the state of the world which God has predicted at the second coming of our Lord. Now, we ought not to be like the scoffers, who say, Where is the promise of his coming? nor like the careless servant, who says, My Lord delayeth his coming; but rather like the wise virgins, watchful and diligent, gathering oil into our vessels, and preparing to meet the bridegroom, that when he comes he may find us ready. The voice of Providence, as well as of the divine Redeemer, seems especially now, in the wasting of the Turkish empire, which includes the river Euphrates (Rev. xvi. 12), and in the unclean spirits now abroad, to give this lesson: Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And what a blessed hope is this to the Christian! (Titus ii. 13;) how holy and purifying! (1 John iii. 1-3;) how comforting! (1 Thess. iv. 18;) and how infinitely desirable! The last lingering words of the book of Revelation are, he which testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly; and the reply of every believer should be, Amen, even so come Lord Jesus. (Rev. xxii. 21.) Prayer with reference to these times. Lord, thou hast given me my birth in remarkable days, full of important events: oh give me wisdom to discern the signs of the times, and to know in this my day the things which belong unto my peace! Often hast thou forewarned us that thou wilt return suddenly and unexpectedly as a thief, and that thy day shall come as a snare on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth; I earnestly beseech thee, then, to grant me grace, that my heart may not be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life; but, oh! help me to watch and pray always, that I may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and stand before the Son of Man! Almighty Father, give me thy Spirit, that I may be found among the wise virgins, ready for my Lord's coming. Hear me for his name's sake. Amen! 9. DUE REGARD TO GOD'S PROVIDENCES. There may be a great abuse of Providence; as when a wicked man pleads a divine mission for his wickedness: The Lord said unto me, Go up against this land, and destroy it; (2 Kings xviii. 25;) or when he pleads the uncertainty of life for self-gratification: Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die; or charges God foolishly: I am tempted of God; (James i. 13;) Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his will? (Rom. ix. 19.) Conformity to Providence is our duty. To every thing there is a season, Eccles. iii. 1. St. Paul learned how to be full, and how to suffer want. In the day of adversity we must consider; despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him. In the day of prosperity, be joyful: be thankful to the Giver of all your mercies, Ps. ciii. The leadings of Providence should guide us. These leadings will sometimes, like a pillar of cloud and fire, make your path clear. At other times it will be very doubtful. What God would have us to do, is then to be gathered, not from our wishes, nor merely from impulses on the mind, but from what, after thought, prayer, and consulting with experienced and pious friends, appears by his word to be the path of duty; that will ever be the true wisdom. ye Reliance on Divine Providence is a most clear and blessed duty. Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what shall drink, nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. We need not have one anxiety about worldly things, but should have a noble confidence in God that he will provide for us, casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. What a superiority does this reliance give in the midst of the alarms and tumults of this troublesome world! Constantly to observe the providences of God is a sure way to see many. It is an old saying-“ He that watches God's providences will never want a providence to watch." The striking display of God's dealings with men, recorded in the 107th Psalm, is closed with this promise: Whoso is wise and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord. This will show us prayers answered, and quicken us to continued prayer; (Psalm cxvi. 1, 2;) it will greatly increase our faith; (2 Cor. i. 10; Matt. xvi. 9;) and it will furnish us with abundant matter for praise. Providence must be regarded with direct reference to God's word. That word is a key to Providence. They answer to each other as the key to its lock; or as a full and just exposition to a short text. Providence is the most lively and instructive of all commentaries on the word. It is the fulfilment of promise-the manifestation of threatenings-the accomplishment of prophecies-the living illustration of God's mind and will. History is the unfolding of Bible truth in actual life and experience, and it answers to it as a tally to its counter tally. There is nothing happens to you, or in the world, of which the Bible does not shew you both the spring and the issue. It is a sure guide to lead you into that path which conducts to true peace here, and everlasting happiness hereafter. A due noticing of God's Providence is a great help to daily communion with the Father of our mercies. When Jacob surveyed the way that God had led him, he said, I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies, and of all thy truth which thou hast shewed thy servant. This observing of Providence led David to see in Absalom's rebellion the hand of God, and to look through Shimei's curses to God's blessing. Oh how sweet is that Christian experience which makes everything that happens a means of raising the heart to God-all our life a Providence-and every Providence an act of faith and love, of prayer and of praise! To attain this, two things are all essential H He is the purchaser and the channel of every mercy. With him God freely gives us all things. Without him we can do nothing, and we deserve nothing but wrath; but all are yours, when ye are Christ's. Secondly, To RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST. All our sufficiency being of God, the gift of his Spirit is absolutely needful to raise our hearts to communion with the Father of our spirits in his daily Providence. Meditation. When David had gone through the particulars of God's Providence in the creation and preservation of all things, he concluded it thus:- I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; I will sing unto the Lord as long as I have being. My meditation of him shall be sweet ; I will be glad in the Lord, Ps. civ. 33, 34. Oh that these may be, more and more, my daily feelings and experience! Grant, O my God! that the steps of thy Providence, through thy Son, may be as a ladder from earth to heaven, on which I ascend day by day, and get nearer and nearer sights of thy ways and glory. PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE. The whole Bible is the unfolding of Providence. General.-Psalms civ. cvii. Temporal.-Matt. vi. Acts xiv. Good out of evil.-Acts iii. Rev. xx.-xxii. Signs of the Times.-Matt. xvi. 2d Tim. iii. 2d Peter. Jude. Rev. xiv. xvi, Due regard to Providence.-Ecc. iii. |