enemies, the devil, the world, or the flesh; they hang their harps on the willows, and refuse to be comforted. In this condition they adopt the language of Job, "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him." "O that I were as in months past!" How sudden and how melancholy the change, from the height of consolation to the depth of sorrow!

3. When the mariner embarks, he leaves behind him, perhaps, those who are as dear to him as his life. Gladly would he carry them with him if he could; but the calls of duty must be heard before those of affection. He looks behind him as he goes, and casts a wistful eye to the place where all that is dear to him on earth remains; wishes them a thousand blessings, and drops the involuntary tear of warmest affection over them.

So it is with Christians. Often, when called to follow the Lamb, they leave-O painful thought! they leave some of their best earthly friends behind; a wife, a husband, a child, a brother, a sister, yea, all that they value on earth, who are unwilling to accompany them in the way of religion. They often look behind, drop the tear of Christian love, and wish to take them by the hand, and conduct them to him who taketh away the sin of the world. They part with them with the greatest reluctance, and are often whispering to themselves, And shall we be separated forever? Shall we, who are connected by the tenderest ties of blood and friendship, be at last

as wide apart as heaven and hell? Forbid it, thou God of all compassion! Unite us to thyself by love divine, and permit us to meet and worship before thy throne in heaven forever.'

4. When the mariners have left their native shore, and launched out into the mighty deep, nought appears but sky and water; the little company seem to be alone in the world.

So in measure it is with Christians. Having left the crowd of unbelievers, and fled for refuge to Christ, they appear to themselves a little flock. Thus it was in a particular manner in the age of the first Christians. They were few, They were few, compared with Jews and Gentiles, who opposed them; for the world was against them; and always will be, while unregenerate, against the true disciples of Christ. "Ye are not of the world, even as I am not of the world," said Christ to his followers.

The Bible teaches us to believe that real Christians, in all ages, are few, in comparison with those who reject the gospel. Many are called, but few are chosen. "Strait is the gate," said Christ," and narrow is the way, that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it: but wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be who go in thereat." "Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called." Thus Paul speaks. But was not Paul mistaken? Christians believe he was was inspired by the Holy Ghost; if so, he hath spoken the truth. It follows, we may receive it as a divine truth, that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called."

The same thing is established by observation. Look which way you will, and you find that the

majority neglect religion, and live without God and without hope in the world. There are times, indeed, when the godly have much company. This is the case when religion is revived; then converts come as the clouds, and as the doves to their windows. But in general, they have been much alone in the world. They sometimes think themselves alone as to their exercises of heart; or that no person was ever troubled as they are, with sins and temptations.

5. The mariners, always when at sea, keep their port in view, and endeavour to make their passage in the best and safest manner they can.

So it is with Christians. When they set out in the divine life, they keep heaven in view, and endeavour to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

6. The mariners meet with storms, and sometimes seem to be in danger of shipwreck; are driven back to port, or hover long in sight of their haven, but are not suffered to enter.

So it is with Christians. Their little bark is beat about by many a wave; and they are ready to think they shall never reach their haven. The following particulars will illustrate our meaning.

(1.) Violent temptations, horrid thoughts, and blasphemous suggestions attack them; insomuch that they shudder at themselves.

(2.) Risings of indwelling sin; which cause them to fear that they have never known the truth as it is in Jesus, and shall surely fall, and be lost at last.

(3.) Reproaches of the world. Those who are strangers to the nature of religion oppose and persecute the saints. There is in man a fear

of reproach, and a wish to avoid it; and sometimes the Christian acts unworthy his character, and upon reflection becomes unhappy.

(4.) The false principles of religion, that God permits to take place, often extremely distress him; because the glory of divine truth is obscured, and weak or unguarded persons are led captive for a time, till the light of truth breaks forth, and destroys the man of sin, with the false prophet.

It hence appears that he meets with innumerable afflictions in the present life, and is often ready to faint under them. Such indeed is his situation, beset by a sinful heart within, accompanied with languor of affection, doubts and fears, the temptations of an alluring world, and the arts. of false religion without, that he would certainly fall, if it were not for hope, which is as an anchor to the soul. His feeble bark is like the ship at sea, tossed with every wave, and exposed to ten thousand dangers. We now pass to consider the hope,

II. Which is said to be as "an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec."

By this hope we are to understand either the two immutable things spoken of in ver. 17. i. e. the purpose and promise of God, which lay the foundation for hope; or Christ himself is intended, who is called the hope of Israel, Acts xxviii. 20. "For the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain," said Paul. Or it may intend the grace of hope, or hope as an act of the mind. The last appears to me to be the sense, because such an exercise of heart is encouraged by the two im

mutable things mentioned in the preceding verse, and because it is distinguished from Christ himself in the next verse, who is said to be the forerunner. Hope is said to enter within the vail, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest forever, after the or der of Melchisedec: it therefore is distinct from Christ, who is gone to heaven, and is followed by hope; which is said to be as "an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast."

Those things that are said of hope now come under consideration.

1. It is as an anchor to the soul. By the an chor a vessel is kept from driving ashore, when the wind is high and the current strong. By this little but useful instrument, many vessels have been preserved, and many lives saved.

sons.

So hope keeps the soul in the most trying seaHence we are said to be "saved by hope." Is the believer tempted? Hope waits for the accomplishment of the promise, that God will not suffer him to be tempted more than he is able to bear; but with every temptation will make a way for his escape. Is he burdened by sin within? He waits in hope of a final and complete deliverance. Is he afflicted? He hopes that all will be for his profit; knowing "that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Is he in darkness of mind? He hopes that the Lord will lift upon him the light of his countenance, and put joy and gladness in his heart. Is he grey with years? Hope sustains him while he totters; he expects a blissful immortality. Is he called to die? Hope sustains him. He looks