But while, dearly beloved in the Lord, you are walking circumspectly, endeavouring to glorify your Father which is in heaven, by bearing much fruit, there can be no objection whatever to your rejoicing in the full assurance of all the blessedness implied in

the text.

It is your undoubted privilege to rely confidently on the faithfulness of God; never for a moment to doubt his love to you: to trust in him at all times. And when there is any thing which would bring a cloud over your spirits, either in your family, your affairs, or your secret experience, you may call to mind his former mercies: think what he has done for you; thank God, and take courage. For though he may see it needful for your good at times to bring tribulation upon you, still whatever changes may take place in his dealings with you, there is never any change in his disposition towards you. He loves you in sorrow and adversity as well as in joy and prosperity.

Cherish, therefore, a confiding, hopeful spirit. REALLY, BELIEVE, that he is making all things work together for your good. And be well persuaded, that among all the changes and chances of this mortal life, there shall no harm happen unto you. For the Lord would never have shewn you what he has shewn you, if it had not been his purpose to keep you by his mighty power through faith unto salvation.

SERMON IV.

CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.

AND

1 SAM. XVIII. 1.

IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN HE HAD MADE AN END OF SPEAKING UNTO SAUL, THAT THE SOUL OF JONATHAN WAS KNIT WITH THE SOUL OF DAVID. AND HE LOVED HIM AS HIS OWN SOUL.

THIS was the beginning of a friendship, every way admirable for the grounds upon which it was formed, and the manner in which it was proved.

I do not think it a good practice, sometimes indulged, to dilate upon some favourite character in Scripture, and pronounce it to be faultless. Some have so described the character of Daniel, and others the character of Joseph: but neither of these seem to me to afford claims approaching to such an epithet compared to those of Jonathan.

Joseph (much as every right mind must approve him in the main) was yet evidently faulty. In his boyhood he evinced a tendency to boast of his dreams before his brethren; and, in his prosperity, he so far forgot the true God as to swear by the life of Pharaoh.

Whether Daniel could have discharged the daily duties of his high office, under a heathen king, without some sacrifice of principle, at least in smaller matters, has been, by some, made a subject of probable doubt.

But it seems really difficult to point out any thing in the history of Jonathan, giving us the slightest ground whereon to fix a definite charge against him. His whole life would bear the strict scrutiny of the eye of envious malice; and yet, I think, baffle the desire to find ground even for suspicions against him. But his conduct to David represents this amiable and excellent person in a marvellously graceful and becoming attitude.

I should compassionate that man who could read the history of this friendship without admiration, and pity him still more, if he felt no wish to imitate the character of Jonathan.

Notwithstanding, Jonathan was but a sinner, like ourselves, and had that within him which might (but for the grace of God) have sunk him to the level of his unhappy father, or any other even viler character than he. One man alone stands forth in the sacred history, a perfect model of moral perfection: the man Christ Jesus, who only has left us an example, such as that, in all points, we may follow his steps.

Still, Joseph and Daniel, and especially Jonathan, being dead, yet speak, and seem to

say with the Apostle Paul, Be ye followers of me, even as I am of Christ: that is, 'copy me just so far as my conduct agrees with the 'conduct of Jesus.'

Remembering, therefore, that our blessed Lord himself was pleased to select one out of his little band of followers, as his more peculiar and bosom friend, the disciple whom Jesus loved, I think I shall not be unduly exalting the character of a fallible mortal, like ourselves, if I venture to hold Jonathan forth as a profitable study; especially for the younger class of my hearers. And the more so, because it will enable us (and was, perhaps, designed by the Holy Ghost) to consider him as a guide in yet higher matters than mere human friendships.

Pray with me, my brethren, that I may be guided, by the spirit of wisdom, to speak the words of truth and soberness, while I endeavour to set the son of Saul before you,

I. AS A MODEL OF CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP.
II. AS A TYPE OF THE CHURCH.

I. Let us consider Jonathan as a model of christian friendship.

The text, you will remember, describes the feeling of Jonathan toward David at, apparently, the very first time these two inteesting characters were brought together.

David was of humble parentage; (if any of the blood of Abraham can justly be so called.) While his elder brothers had been

allowed the dignity of following the profession of arms, his life had hitherto been spent in the lowly calling of a shepherd's boy.

Jonathan was the heir apparent to the throne of Israel, and had greatly distinguished himself as a valiant warrior.

But neither Jonathan nor the elder brothers of David, nor any other mighty man of valour in the whole army, had courage to accept the terrible challenge of Goliath, the giant of Gath. On the contrary, when the boasting Philistine exclaimed, I defy the armies of Israel this day. Give me a man that we may fight together, we read that, When Saul and all Israel heard these words, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.

At this juncture, David, thinking (it would seem) of nothing less than such a fearful encounter, arrives at the camp of Israel. And, finding none other willing to face the proud champion of the enemy, inquires into the particulars of his challenge, and at once resolves to accept it.

How little encouragement he had from man, for so great an undertaking, is well known to you all. At first, his own brother, Eliab, threw a stumbling block in his way. He said, Why camest thou down hither, and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart, for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.