XLIX.

We walk by faith, not by fight.-2 Cor. v. 7.

IN N the beginning of this chapter the apostle enters into a pathetic review of the happiness of a future ftate; and his conclufion feems to be, that as man is composed of a foul and a body, he has two places of abode (this world, and the next)-provided for him; in both of which he is destined to dwell; and for both of which he is properly furnifhed. In this world, which is made up of fenfible objects, he walks by fight—that is, as far as his worldly affairs are concerned, he is under the conduct of his fenfes. But he must remember, that he is also the destined inhabitant of a future world, from which all objects of sense are removed. With regard to this future world therefore he cannot walk by fight; but muft walk under fuch a conduct, as will bring invifible things before him, as if they were visible—that is, as the apoftle speaks, he must walk by faith.

But

But tho' we are under a neceffity of walking by fight, as far as the things of this world are concerned -yet the wife, and good man knows, that the affairs of this world need not fo wholly engage him, as to prevent his walking also by faith: just as a man travelling by night through a pathless defart, may take care how he fets his foot, and at the fame time have eye fixed upon the distant light, which leads him to the point he aims at.

his

L.

Increase our faith.-Luke, xvii. 5.

THE mind of man resembles a flowing, and ebbing fea. Its fentiments, and affections are never at a stay-always in a state of fluctuation. Sometimes the religious affections flow in with a full tide-and fometimes they ebb almost entirely out of fight. In short, our feelings are impreffed by the weather-by indisposition-by high healthby good news-by 'bad news-by company-by converfation-by gain-by lofs-and a variety of other circumstances: and these feelings again often influence our beft formed fentiments. This moment the man is pious, and devout-the next, his mind is filled with paffions, and conceits, which he would be afhamed to publifh.-More, or lefs all mankind live under the influence of this uncertain atmosphere; which is the natural air of a state of trial.

Now, among our other virtues, the great leading principle of faith is often fubject to these variations.

There

There are times, when it may flame out with all the warmth of devotion. There are other times, when dark clouds may overspread the whole work of redemption-when all the promises of God are obfcured; and even a future ftate is involved in mists, and seen with no diftin&ness. The pious christian, in the perplexity of his heart, often fhudders at these paroxisms of his faith. But tho' it is his duty to preferve this great principle, as much alive, and as active as he can; yet let him not be too much diftreffed by these occafional depreffions. The healthiest body is fubject fometimes to periodical indifpofitions; and fo may the healthiest mind. Even the disciples of our bleffed Lord had reafon to beg an increase of faith.

It is proper however to try every means to keep our faith as steady as we can.—We should be frequent in reading the fcriptures-in meditation, and in prayer-and fhould often reflect on the fugitive, and mortifying state of worldly happiness-and on the glories of a future ftate.

LI.

Whofo hath this world's good, and feeth his brother have need, and fhutteth up his bowels of compaffion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?1 John, iii. 17.

PASSAGES of this kind, fays the objector,

seem to imply a grofs impropriety. You inculcate that all events are in the hands of Godthat his wisdom knows beft how to difpofe themthat he uses them as the means of moral difcipline -as the means of rewarding, punishing, correcting, and trying mankind: and yet notwithstanding all this, you urge the neceffity of interfering in this matter; and when it pleases God to correct a perfon for his fins, you think it right, to counteract Providence by relieving him: as if, when the law had paffed fentence on a criminal, fome private person should, on his own authority think proper to rescue him.

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