again on ours, again to illuminate this part of the earth. So, in these events, all hope seems to be given up; but though we see not by what means the providence of God prepares a remedy for us, yet, it thus works in our favor; and, in due season, this will infallibly appear. Truth, when resisted and opposed, is like trees agitated by the wind; sometimes it only makes them bend; sometimes it breaks off the branches; sometimes it plucks them up; but even then, the roots are safe and shoot out afresh. Consider all the history of the church, it is nothing else but a perpetual succession of such events; unequal, indeed, as to their intervals, as days and nights are of unequal length, but not, on that account, of an order less constant. Sometimes truth is proposed and received in its purity; at another time, it is mutilated. At one time, they who profess it, are tolerated; at another they are dispersed and destroyed. But when persecutors have proceeded to the utmost violence; when they imagine they have gained a complete victory over truth, and over them that profess it, yet we have seen, at a distant period, the root and seeds remained to spring up afresh, and stronger than before. Thus, it appears, we should only wait with patience; the work of God will be carried on to the end, and that which seems contrary to it, will, at last, advance it. Times of danger pass away, and better times succeed: for this reason, Jesus Christ exhorted his disciples to possess their souls in patience: patience: and God says the same thing by the mouth of Isaiah; Come, my people, enter into thy | chambers, and shut the door about thee; hide thyself, as it were, for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. But in those seasons, we may further observe, that God takes care of every one who puts his trust in him. It is here, as in battles, all are exposed to danger, but all lose not their lives. All are in the same peril, but God is with them that fear him to defend them, and finds sufficient means to distinguish them from others, and to provide all that is necessary. He strengthens them in proportion to the trials through which he compels them to pass; he inspires them with firm and exalted sentiments, and gives them victory over the world by faith. He also knows how, whenever he pleases, to grant them special protection. Such was David's confidence in God. He said, In the time of trouble, he shall hide me in his pavillion; in the secret of his tabernacle he shall hide me; he shall set me upon a rock. David has also given the same assurance to all the faithful: For this, says he, shall every one that is godly pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. In the shipwreck of St. Paul, the vessel was lost, but all the crew were saved; some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. It happens thus to the church; it is sometimes as it were ship wrecked; wrecked; all are exposed, but God preserves and saves them all. A MORE PARTICULAR VIEW OF THE NECES SITY AND UTILITY OF THESE PAINFUL DISPENSATIONS. But all this is too general; we must distinguish between the interior and exterior state of things. In the falls and ruins we have described, on what, properly speaking, does the danger descend? We lose the liberty of our holy assemblies; we are deprived of the assistance of preaching, and of the ordinances; but this is only the external part of religion; it is not its essence. These are the means which God usually makes use of, to produce and nourish christian virtues: but where ordinary means fail, providence supplies their place. He who knew how to send bread to Elijah in the wilderness by ravens; he who sent his angels to minister to his necessities, knows how to feed and satisfy our consciences in retreat and solitude. When the spirit speaks no longer by preaching as formerly, he ceases not to speak in the scripture; and, he is sometimes by it alone, best understood; because he is better regarded. Believers draw no longer from rivulets, yet their faith does not fail; for they ascend to the fountain head, and find there, more pure and refreshing waters. Are they in doubt, or in error? They look up to God and are instructed. Are they defiled by sin? They are reclaimed. Are they in distress? They are com forted forted. It is the comforter himself that speaks; they hear him; they understand his voice, and feel his power on their hearts: for they recall by meditation, the knowledge which he has imparted, and to their efforts, he joins his efficacious operations, to make them fruitful in faith and holiness: thus, where some means fail, others occupy their place; they are less in number, but greater in power; and the effects of this power are always the same; faith is preserved, hope subsists, and charity abides. All virtues in the believer are lasting; they live in him, and manifest their life, by the good works which they produce: they are in him not like hidden seeds, but at a plant as its full strength and maturity; which is first adorned with flowers, and afterwards with fruit. Behold their victories over the world; behold the trophies with which the city of God in ruins, is ornamented! They may kill the body, and destroy animal life; but they cannot kill the soul, nor deprive it of that They may destroy build grace by which it lives. ings made of wood and stone, but believers are the true temples of the Holy Ghost, which cannot be demolished. What proportion is there between the means that men employ and such an effect? As they cannot save a sinner, they cannot destroy a believer. They may move him, because he is a man; they may astonish him by fear; they may allure him by hope; but they cannot prevent his being persuaded of the truths of the gospel, nor of his being sensibly affected with the love of God. The Lord has reserved to himself dominion over the the movement of conscience, and, as he alone, has the right and knowledge which pertains to that dominion; he alone, can direct the conscience, as it seems good in his sight: thus, however men may dispose of the body, God will be always master of the heart. It is the house which he keeps, and there is none stronger than himself, to seize his goods and carry away his spoils. Let us then pause here, and reflect on external appearances. They unroof the house of God, they break down its wainscoting, and carry away its ornaments; they do more than this, they reduce it to rubbish; they throw down its altars, they forbid public worship; its glory is removed from Israel. But pass to the interior state of things; view them in the lights of faith; all will then appear very different. You see, indeed, no longer large assemblies meeting together; believers are not found, as usual, one body, in one place, but they are united in heart. One and the same faith guides them, the same truth illuminates them, the same hope consoles them; each of them is united and joined in affection to all their brethren; and, this multitude, though dispersed, is, at present, to the eyes of God, as though they were collected; and, the prayers which they address to him, in the same spirit, excite his compassion; and draw down his promised blessings. By the same pleasant and powerful ties, though invisible, they are joined to an innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. They unite |