with Christ, dangers or no dangers, irrespective of every thing. What hast thou to do with the dangers, if thou hast the command of thy Lord in thy course, and plain duty? In such a case the dangers are nothing to thee; they are not to be considered; they are Christ's business, Christ's care. Thy care must be Christ's work, his is thy life and protection. Thou art setting out in duty. Now perhaps the wind begins to rise, but what is that to thee? Thou must still take thy steps towards Christ and for Christ. Hast thou taken one step?

Stand still, and gaze about

What must thou do next? upon the dangers? O no! but look for the next step. Look to Christ, and take the next step.

It may be it is the Slough of Despond that thou art passing through, and thy soul is cast down within thee. Look for the steps, Scripture steps, promises and directions. On them step forward to Christ, and thou art safe, even amidst that Slough of Despond and those dangers. Thou wilt be out of it soon, and on the side towards the shining light. But even if thou miss the steps, and sink deeply, thou hast still nothing to do but to struggle towards Christ. When Christ is the end and aim of all effort, a man is sure of safety and success. It may not be success according to the flesh, but it will be, according to the Spirit. Christ's mercy shall be exalted and manifested, and Christ's glory shall be accomplished in all his dealings with the soul that in all things

aims at him. Aiming at Christ, making him your end, there can be no such thing as final defeat or disappointment. The dangers that surrounded you shall accomplish only his object and your good, while your soul is stayed on him.

But again, perhaps you answer to the question, Wherefore didst thou doubt? Because you are in darkness. The dangers you think would be nothing, if you only enjoyed the light, but you are in darkness, and therefore do you doubt. Doubt whom? Should darkness in yourself make you doubt Christ? O no! it is rather an argument for faith; for in him is light and in him only; in him is light, and no darkness at all; and therefore, the greater the darkness that you find elsewhere, the more earnestly ought this to make you be pressing on towards Christ, till in him you find light. It will always be darkness out of him. Come to him, therefore, for light. The darker it is with you, the darker around you, and the darker in your own soul, the greater the reason for relying on the Lord. will not help you to stay where you are; it will not help you to brood over the darkness, it cannot make your case worse to go forward to Christ, and in fine, trusting in Christ, waiting on him is the only thing you can do. It is the very thing you are commanded to do. Who is among you that, hearing the voice of God's Word, walketh in darkness

and hath no light! Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay himself upon his God. But in truth a man can never say that there is no light. When all other light fails, and there is none inward and none external; there is light in God's Word. If there is no light in the soul for it to enjoy, there is light in God's Word for it to be guided by. Let it follow that, and there will be light in the soul.

Darkness is a reason for doubting every thing but Christ, but a reason for trusting in him, drawing near to him, and keeping close at his side. Darkness is a reason for distrusting one's self, and walking warily in prayer, and crying out for Christ's help, but certainly not a reason for unbelief. When Peter was in darkness, nothing but darkness around him, darkness within him, and the waves opening to swallow him up, Christ was shining, and the only light that could be seen that night was in him. It is always so. We may seem to have light in ourselves, but it may be mere ignorance and pride; or if there is real light, it is only because Christ is shining within us and upon us, and some reflection is seen of his own light. Darkness in ourselves, and darkness around us, is no reason for doubting the light, but for believing in it, loving it, and pressing forward to it. I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. While ye have the light, believe in

the light, that ye may be children of the light. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you; for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. Again, we say,though at the hazard of repetition, darkness is no reason for doubt, but a strong reason for faith; for it is plain that though a man may be in darkness, and have great reason to distrust himself, that is no reason for distrusting Christ, but for pressing after him; for all the real light of the world is in him, and he that followeth him shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? Hope thou in God.

Be still, my heart, these anxious cares
To thee are burdens, thorns, and snares;
They cast dishonour on thy Lord,
And contradict his gracious Word.
Brought safely by his hand thus far,
Why wilt thou now give place to fear?
How canst thou want, if He provide,
Or lose thy way with such a guide?

When first before his mercy-seat
Thou didst to Him thy all commit,
He
gave thee warrant, from that hour,
To trust his wisdom, love, and power.
Did ever trouble yet befall,
And He refuse to hear thy call?
And has he not his promise passed,
That thou shalt overcome at last?

He who has helped thee hitherto,
Will help thee all thy journey through,
And give thee daily cause te raise
New Ebenezers to his praise.
Though rough and thorny be the road
It leads thee home apace to God;
Then count thy present trials small
For heaven will make amends for all.

NEWTON.

Now the consideration of our Blessed Lord's question shows us that there is such a faith as to exclude doubt; that in respect to Christ it always ought to exclude doubt, doubt in regard to him being the consequence of sin, and in itself a sinful state of mind. This entire faith, excluding all unbelief, ought to be the possession of every Christian. No Christian ought ever to entertain a doubt of Christ's promises, Christ's forgiving mercy, Christ's supporting presence and allsufficiency. Every Christian ought to have the fullest confidence of Christ's presence in his path of duty, and ought to tread that path without fear, and with the fullest faith, even though in darkness. The secret of this faith is simply an eye single to Christ and his glory, with which the whole body shall be full of light. If self be out of the way, and the heart looking only to Christ, anxious only to please him and advance his kingdom, then there is no opportunity for darkness, and nothing at all but light and glory in the prospect. Every Christian ought so to believe in Christ, and s