If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, "the waters had overwhelmed us.” "Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth." "This God is our God for ever and ever." "Cast thy burden upon the Lord." "Trust also in him."

There are some particular "benefits" for which there ought to be particular renderings. Deceit lies in generals.

1. There is the benefit of redemption by our Lord Jesus Christ. Here is the choicest benefit: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Herein God commended his love, "that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Without this all others would be no benefits. Now what doth this call for from us?

Inward adorings. Oh, admire the wisdom that contrived; the power that effected it; the love that set these a work. Angels wonder at it. But the greatest part of the children of men see nothing in it, and make nothing of it.

It

Hearty thanksgiving. Run up all the rest of your mercies to this, as the foundation of all the rest. Do it especially on sabbath days. is the work of the saints in heaven, and will be to eternity, to praise God the Redeemer.

Believing acceptance. This is thanks in deed, and in truth. Cordially accept him.

Answerable walking. Live like one of the redeemed. "Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God. in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

2. There are spiritual blessings and benefits.

Justification. Adoption. Sanctification. And all the benefits which flow from these. How these call for self-abasement, and God-advancement: "Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?" I was "a blasphemer, and a persecutor; but I obtained mercy.' "Unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible,-be honour and glory." "How is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world ?"

3. Present liberty, [the year 1695.] This is surely a choice benefit which we should be thankful for. Time was when we were lamenting after the Lord. And it pleased God to give us what we desired in a way we did not expect. Give God the glory, and improve it. "Grow in grace." "Make your calling and election sure. While you have the light, be busy at work. "Go to the ant;-consider her ways, and be wise." This is our summer; our market day: "Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation." Now be busy.

4. Family benefits. Suitable yokefellows. Children; perhaps many. They are "an heritage of the Lord." Perhaps a plentiful estate. Now this calls you to say, with Joshua, “As for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Be careful of the worship of God in your families. Walk in the fear of the Lord in your particular relations.

Are you blessed with children? Nurse them for God. Not for the devil; not for the world.

As for your estate: "Honour the Lord with your substance." Be charitable to the poor. This rent God expects from each, according to

his holding. Is spending upon our lusts that which should relieve the poor, rendering according to the "benefit ?"

5. Recovery from sickness. This was Hezekiah's case. Hath it not been, as to ourselves, that "as the Lord liveth" there was "but a step between us and death;" either ourselves or ours? Your new life must be a new life indeed. Now I have been in the furnace, I must be more refined.

6. Answers to prayer. Sometimes God answered in the very thing we desired: "I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore I will call upon him as long as I live.” Pray more. Pray better. Love prayer the better while you live.

There is great evil in not rendering. It brings great guilt. It brings great wrath. Sometimes God takes away the benefits we are not thankful for. Sometimes he gives the good things, but withholds his blessing. Sometimes he meets those who do not render by some other stroke. He followed Israel in the wilderness with one judgment after another, and at last shut them out of Canaan.

Then do these three things.

1. Often take a view of your benefits. Take notice every day of the mercies of every day. Preventing mercies. Sin-preventing. Dangerpreventing. Especially think of extraordinary benefits. Past mercies. Mercies in childhood: in youth in the single state: in the married state.

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2. Often ask yourselves, What have I ren

dered? Ahasuerus says, What has been done to Mordecai? May not your answer be as theirs, in reference to God and his mercies, 66 There

hath been nothing done." What do I render? What am I doing for God? "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits ?" Some read, What shall I render? His benefits are upon me: I feel a weight from them. This is a good sign of a thankful heart: "He loadeth me with his benefits."

3. Forasmuch as, when ". we have done all, we are unprofitable servants;" and, if we render ever so much, it is no more than " our duty; let us go to Christ every day for righteousness and strength. There is need of his righteousness every day. Therefore say, "None but Christ. None but Christ."

CHRIST'S DYING WORDS.

There are seven words which were the dying words of our Lord Jesus.

1. Prayer for his enemies: "Father, forgive them."

2. Provision for his mother: "Behold thy "Behold thy mother!"

son!"

3. A comfortable word to the penitent thief : "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise." 4. Looking up to his Father, he said, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me ?" 5. "I thirst."

6. "It is finished."

7. "Father, into thy hands I commend my

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spirit and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

CAUSES OF SOUL TROUBLE.

There are four sorts of sins which usually bring soul trouble to those who are the children of God, and have had the light of his countenance.

1. Carnal security, and self-confidence: "In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.” "Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled." "Be not high-minded, but fear."

2. Letting slip opportunities. So the spouse: "I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them ?" She makes excuses- -will not admit him. The next news is, "My Beloved had withdrawn himself; see Sol. Song v. 3-7.

3. Giving way to a worldly frame of heart: "For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart."

4. Cowardice in God's service. God bid Jonah go to Nineveh to preach. He was afraid; would not go. The next news is that he was in the sea; in "the belly of hell." Some that have denied the truth through carnal fear, have had no rest in their souls till they recanted their recantation. When thou hast found out the Achan, stone it with stones. Throw the Jonah overboard.