"WHAT I DO THOU KNOWEST NOT NOW; BUT THOU SHALT KNOW HEREAFTER."

COLCHESTER:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY G. DENNIS, 40, HIGH STREET; SOLD BY J. MASON, 14, CITY ROAD, AND 66,

PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.

PRICE SIXPENCE.

A SERMON,

&c.

ROM. VIII. 28.

"WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE."

"MAN is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." In this respect, there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. All suffer; but some much more than others. Neither gifts, nor acquirements, nor wealth, nor influence, can exempt a man from sorrow: the tide swells to the throne, as well as to the cottage. The followers of Christ have daily proofs that they have not ceased to be men, because they are Christians. No attainments in grace can raise the servant above his Master, nor the disciple above his Lord. "In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Many bow down under their trials and afflictions; indulge improper thoughts, and give utterance to rash and unguarded expressions, alike injurious to themselves, and dishonourable to God. "My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God." To him that is afflicted pity should be shown; but is such language as this to pass unrebuked? It would be censurable in any man, professing to believe in the existence of a superintending Providence; but for Israel to speak thus, is exceedingly improper, and is justly resented by the Divine Being. " 'Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and

speakest O Israel. My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God? Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding." His path is in the sea, and his footsteps in the deep waters. He rides triumphantly in the whirlwind, and his hand directs the storm!

The Ministers of Christ cannot look on with indifference while God's people suffer: they weep over the miseries they have not the power to remove; and joyfully obey that command, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God! Speak ye comfortably unto Jerusalem." But how is this to be done? Are we to administer nothing but cordials and restoratives when perhaps medicine and probing are necessary. The bold pretender to medical skill may have one sovereign specific for all diseases, which is instantly and indiscriminately applied; but an experienced physician will inquire, and examine, and deliberate, before he prescribes. We must not cry, Peace! peace! when God has not spoken peace; nor heal the hurt of the daughter of God's people slightly.

If we go into the sanctuary, we shall see that duties and privileges are associated-that the precept and the promise go hand in hand: and " that all things work together for good to them that love God. " We observe, in these words,

I.

THE CHARACTERS DESCRIBED:

II. THEIR PRIVILEGE ANNOUNCED.

First. Describe the CHARACTERS.-This is absolutely necessary; because many ardently desire the comforts of religion, while they disregard its sacred duties; they would like the reward without the labour-the crown without the cross-the glory without the shamc-to reign with Christ