for your good. The absence of the object for the possession of which you are anxious; the failure of your efforts to acquire it; the final disappointment of your hopes, are working together for your good. What is there farther for you to desire? Let us all, my brethren, lay to heart the truths on which we have meditated, and fervently seek from the Giver of all good the blessing of a contented spirit. The sinfulness of Discontent is pointedly marked in the history of the children of Israel. When the people complained, during their abode in the wilderness, it displeased the Lord; and the Lord beard it, and His anger was kindled: and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp (b). Afterwards they became discontented with the manna, and murmured for flesh to eat. Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the Lord was kindled greatly. His power, which had been questioned, he displayed by bringing an innumerable company of quails round the camp. But while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people; and the Lord smote the (b) Numbers, xi, 1. P3 people people with a very great plague (i). Hear St. Paul in his application of the example of the Israelites to ourselves: Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (k). Hear St. Jude characterising the sinners of the last days as speaking hard speeches against God, as murmurers and complainers, walking after their own lusts (1). Let us beware of being found in the number. Let us have faith in God, and quietly commit ourselves in all things unto Him. Let us be content with such things as we have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (m). (i) Numbers, xi 10—33. (k) 1 Cor. x. 10. SER SERMON XII. On WORLDLY ANXIETY. PHILIP. iv. 6, 7. Be careful for Nothing: but in every Thing by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving, let your Requests be made known unto God. And the Peace of God, which passeth all Understanding, shall keep your Hearts and Minds through Christ Jesus. IN N this passage the Apostle warns us against a frame of mind, which, whether its intrinsic nature or its effects as to morality be regarded, will prove itself intimately allied to a spirit of Discontent. The preceding verse closes with a very weighty admonition; The Lord is at hand. As though St. Paul had said, "The present "life is not only so uncertain, but is like"wise so short, that death, which fixes your "state for judgement, may well be always " contemplated by every one, whether old or young, as near." To the various instruc→ tions which he had before been delivering this consideration would give additional force, Had he thus exhorted the servants of Christ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice! The more warmly would they rejoice in the promises of the gospel, when they reflected that it could be but a short time which should pass before they should depart and be in possession of their inheritance with their Lord. Had he thus addressed them; Let your moderation be known unto all men! The more easily would they restrain themselves through the grace of God from setting their affections on things on earth, when they bore in mind that the period could not be long before they should be separated from earthly things for ever. The same consideration would contribute to teach and to enable them to obey the succeeding command Be careful for nothing. On another occasion we find the Apostle employing the same general argument in a manner substantially similar. When he counsels the Corinthians to be cautious as to the needless aggravation of their difficulties in their Christian course, and the accumulation of fresh anxieties respecting temporal concerns, by entering into the married state during those days of distress distress and persecution; it is thus that he impresses the advice. This I say, brethren, the time is short. It remaineth that they that weep be as though they wept not; and they that rejoice (not they that rejoice in the Lord, but they that rejoice in the present accomplishment of their worldly wishes), as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy as though they possessed not; and they that use this world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you without careful ness (a). We perceive then how powerful is the motive, with which the Apostle introduces to the Philippians the directions upon which we are now to meditate: Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. They are direc tions replete with the soundest advice and the most encouraging consolation. May the divine grace guide us all to apply them aright to our own instruction and comfort! I. What is the disposition of mind against which Saint Paul admonishes us? Carefulness; that is to say, harassing anxiety, whe (a) & Cor. vii. 29-32. ther |