fallible Guide and Protector, directing its affairs, and sanctifying its members.

Important, however, as it is, that these distinctions should be made known and acknowledged, they are still to be considered only as three several manifestations of the same indivisible Jehovah, who is God over all blessed for evermore. Moreover, these distinctions relate to the church exclusively in its inferior and progressive state, without affecting in any degree its final state of consummation and glory; as we are emphatically taught by an apostle, in the following passage―Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. he must reign till he hath put all things under his feet. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto Him who put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Thus the Divine Nature, notwithstanding all its mysterious modifications, remains endlessly complete and undividedly entire within itself, comprehending in one point all the

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essences of things, together with all the appearances that take place in the heights above or the depths beneath-There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

The same observations are equally applicable to all the dealings of God with us, in this state of probation. Those dealings may be infinitely diversified: but they all flow from the same unmixed Cause, and all tend to the same unvaried point. Our final salvation is the great end which the Father of mercies proposes to himself, in every favour he bestows, in every correction he exhibits, and in every change he appoints. Whether he gives riches or poverty; whether he wounds or heals; whether he lifts up or casts down; whether he puts into our hands a cup of consolation, or causes us to drink a cup of bitterness,-our present, our eternal, our infinite good, is the intended termination of all.

His secret transactions with the spirit of

man are frequently of such a description, as to cause indescribable perplexity and distress. Oftentimes God pursues the soul so swiftly and with so much vehemence, as if she were some great and mighty one. He hunts her from thought to thought, from creature to creature, from place to place; not even suffering her to take breath. He causeth her guilt, her misery, and her weakness to rise continually before her view, in an endless variety of new and dismal forms, as so many powerful and passionate witnesses against her. In this manner He sometimes makes himself marvellous upon the soul, not permitting her to abide in any one state or temper, but tossing and changing the whole appearance of things, within and without, till she becomes totally lost in amazement and confusion. In such a bewildered case, what course can the trembling soul adopt? She can adopt none of an effectual kind: nor can all the world furnish any adequate assistance under these agitating circumstances, till God himself is pleased to lay aside the appearance of a roaring lion, and take up that of a gentle lamb.

manner.

At other times, the allwise God sees it good to treat the soul in a totally different Now his whole appearance is that of a reconciled Father, and all his words are words of peace-Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a few moments; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

By whichsoever of these methods the sovereign Disposer of all our concerns may choose to operate upon the soul, He is influenced by one and the same motive, and keeps the same end for ever in view. Just as a painter, who designs some admirable piece, adjusts his light and shade with the nicest management, allowing this or that to prevail in different parts of his canvass, as it may most contribute to secure the intended effect: even so all the operations of God upon the soul are scanned, and considered, and disposed in the most admirable order. Not so much as a mote, or a hair, in any busi

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man are frequently of such a description, as to cause indescribable perplexity and distress. Oftentimes God pursues the soul so swiftly and with so much vehemence, as if she were some great and mighty one. He hunts her from thought to thought, from creature to creature, from place to place; not even suffering her to take breath. He causeth her guilt, her misery, and her weakness to rise continually before her view, in an endless variety of new and dismal forms, as so many powerful and passionate witnesses against her. In this manner He sometimes makes himself marvellous upon the soul, not permitting her to abide in any one state or temper, but tossing and changing the whole appearance of things, within and without, till she becomes totally lost in amazement and confusion. In such a bewildered case, what course can the trembling soul adopt? She can adopt none of an effectual kind: nor can all the world furnish any adequate assistance under these agitating circumstances, till God himself is pleased to lay aside the appearance of a roaring lion, and take up that of a gentles lamb.