What is true of great things is true of small. Private life has its Philips, and Alexanders, and Cæsars, without number, who are striving, with unwearied diligence, for the attainment of a commanding reputation, or brilliant establishments, or ascendency of station. The mere moralist can do little more than condemn their folly, and weep over it. But the Christian may surely be taught, by such examples, a lesson of far higher wisdom; and, touched with a sense of his own weakness, may learn to resign himself, without regret and without fear, into the hands of his beneficent Creator.

The necessity of submission is, in the nature of things, proportional to the infirmities of those who are called on to submit. All agree, even they who are the least disposed to exalt the parental authority, that in early childhood implicit obedience must be exacted. Let the propriety of submission to God be measured, then, by the ignorance and corruption of man. Yet, how inconsistent are we ! Few, perhaps, read the history of our first parents without feeling amazed at their folly, in forfeiting so great happiness for the pleasure of a single transgression. But what was their presumption compared with our own? Their understandings were not obscured by passions, warped by prejudices, or contracted by ignorance and neglect. We have derived from them a corrupt nature, and our faculties are so weak, that it is with difficulty we discover a few things immediately around us; yet we are fearless and confident as they, and ready continually to

hazard the same fatal experiment which they too boldly hazarded, and "brought death into the world, and all our woe."

Submission is a considerable branch of true faith, It is the Apostle's charge against the unbelieving Jews, that "going about to establish their own righteousness, they had not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God." They thought they were perfectly instructed in the way of salvation. They confided in their own wisdom, and the wisdom of their scribes and doctors; and they refused to come, as little children, to learn wisdom from those who were appointed of God to declare it. Thus it is with us in respect of the varying events of this life. They who, by the grace of God, have been instructed, from his word and their own experience, in the ceaseless providence of his government; who fully believe that his eyes are over all, "running to and fro throughout the earth;" are daily more and more disposed to resign into his hands all their ways, their dearest hopes and fondest wishes; fully persuaded that his wisdom and loving kindness will never fail them; and that he will find a way, even for the fulfilment of their earthly desires, if it be meet that they should be accomplished. Nor is it presumption to say, that an entire submission to the will of God, and a cheerful committal of all our concerns to the disposition of his good providence, is the course which true wisdom prescribes for the attainment of the best temporal blessings. "Humble yourselves under the mighty

hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you." "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God." "The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayer." Those, on the other hand, who though they may have a general belief in the promises of God, have not attained to that practical confidence which would enable them, with singleness of heart, to resign all things to his disposal, are apt to " go about to establish their good," much as the Jews did to establish their righteousness. They have too great confidence in their own wisdom; and so do not, as heartily and entirely as they ought, "submit themselves" to the wisdom of God. And what must be the issue? Their schemes, when most successful, want their best blessing; and, if they fail, are without consolation. The error is, indeed, far less fatal than that of the unbelieving Jews, but it is scarcely less instructive.

This paper has insensibly grown to a considerable length; and the patience of my readers may perhaps be exhausted, though the subject is not. It would, however, be unpardonable to conclude without saying something of the spiritual blessings which God has ordained to accompany true submission, and of the heavenly delight which attends it.

Trials and afflictions might well have been ap

pointed, by our great Creator, merely as a test of our allegiance; more especially to fallen man, the fit subject of chastisement. But God, who is rich in mercy, whose peculiar attribute is to educe good out of evil, has not so ordained it. Our earthly parents may chasten us after their pleasure ; but he "for our profit, that we may be purtakers of his holiness."

How imperfectly do we estimate the true value of things! Did we rightly apprehend, or even duly consider, what it is to be "partakers of the holiness" of God, methinks it would be impossible for us to be sad, even in the midst of the bitterest afflictions. The privileges of a true Christian are, indeed, many. To know God, to trust in him, to love him; to have communion with the Father of Spirits; to come to him as pardoned and beloved children in Christ Jesus: these are high and heavenly blessings, in comparison of which, all that the world calls glory vanishes away and is lost. Yet there is still a higher privilege, a better blessing, the fruit and reward of suffering; "to be made partaker of his holiness." This is the utmost point of exaltation: imagination can ascend no higher. If we may be partakers of the holiness of God, we shall undoubtedly be partakers also of his happiness; for holiness and happiness are one. Sin has separated the sister seraphs in this world; and while they roam around our vale of darkness, though, by a secret sympathy, continually tending to each other, some cloud still interposes to pre

vent their perfect union. But in heaven they shall be for ever united, one in nature and one in beauty.

Let us, then, act as beings worthy of our high destiny. Having these promises, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." "For we have need of patience, that after we have done the will of God, we may receive the promise." Now, "tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts." Wherefore, lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees." "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God himself shall be with them, and be their God." "The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion: and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away."

Lastly, consider the delight which accompanies a true resignation. God is not angry because he chastens us; or if angry, (alas, how many are our provocations!) his frowns are but the frowns of a