In this life sanctification is imperfect.  The saints carry about in them a “body of death.”  While this continues, they cannot have uninterrupted peace, but must have intervals of darkness and doubt.  Those who have gone before us have often been troubled and distressed, and gone on their way sorrowing.

This is the fruit of sin.  Man was doomed to it at the apostasy.  It hath been from that time the portion of humanity.  None hath been exempted.  Those whom St. John saw walking in white robes and rejoicing in glory, had “come out of great tribulation.”

We can hope for nothing better than to “be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”  We must travel the same road and can promise ourselves no better accommodations on our journey.  If Abram, the friend, of God, felt horror of great darkness, after he had been called of God, we have no reason to expect trials less severe.

Let us not be discouraged, or saint in our minds.  The way to glory lies through this dreary land—­to us there is no other way.  But the end will be light.  If we keep heaven in our eye, and press on unmoved by the difficulties, and unawed by the dangers which lie in our way, “our labor will not be in vain in the Lord.”  God will be with us.  He will not leave us comfortless; but will support us under difficulties and guard us to his kingdom.  After we shall have suffered awhile, he will call us from our labors, and reward us with eternal rewards.  “Then shall we obtain joy gladness, and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”  And the time is short.

“He which testifieth these things, saith, surely I come quickly.  Amen.”  May we have such evidence of an interest in him, as may dispose us to answer, “Even so come Lord Jesus.”

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SERMON VI.

Divine Impartiality Considered.

Romans ii. 11.

“For there is no respect of persons with God.”

The divine impartiality is often asserted in the holy scriptures; and the assertion coincides with our natural ideas of deity.  The pagans indeed attributed to their Gods, the vices, follies and weaknesses of men!  But the beings whom they adored were mostly taken from among men, and might be considered as retaining human imperfections,—­Had unbiased reason been consulted to find out a supreme being, a different object would have been exhibited to view.  But it is natural to mankind to fancy the deity such an one as themselves.  The origin of many erroneous conceptions of the divinity may be found in the persons who entertain them.  To the jaundiced eye, objects appear discolored.  To a mind thoroughly depraved, the source of truth may seem distorted.  Therefore the hope of the Epicure—­therefore the portrait which some have drawn of the divine sovereign, rather resembling an earthly despot, than the Jehovah of the bible!  YET God is visible in his works and ways.  “They are fools and without excuse, who say, there is no God.”  And as far as God appears in the works of creation and providence, he appears as he is.  Passion, prejudice, or depravity may disfigure or hide him; but as far as the discoveries which God hath made of himself are received, his true character is discerned.