His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me : nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.-He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." Matt. xxvi. 39, 42.

[We find not unfrequently that those who can submit without a murmur to afflictions, which come more immediately from the Lord, and in the way of manifest dispensations of His Providence, are yet exceedingly fretted and irritated, when the unkindness and wickedness of men is the more immediate cause of their trouble and distress. But the natural feelings of anger, pride, and resentment, are plainly contrary to the precept and example of Him who says, "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also:" and again, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which

dispitefully use you and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven." (Matt. v. 39, 44, 45.) Any indulgence of such feelings is therefore utterly unjustifiable. And these feelings assume a yet "more awful character, when they blind our eyes, and shut up our hearts, against the acknowledgment of God's overruling and all-controlling Providence, in those events which are brought about by wicked instruments, and those chastisements which are inflicted by means of ignorant and perverse and sinful men. If it be not seen, and humbly acknowledged, that the wicked is a sword in God's hand,―(Psalm xvii. 13.) and our enemies the rods which He is often pleased to use in chastising us,- (Isa. x. 5.) we shall be apt, in the mere indulgence of human passions, to justify ourselves in fretting against the Lord. In reference to this kind of trial, the example of David, as quoted from 2 Sam. xvi. is especially to be commended to our attention and imitation. And still more it behoves the Christian to study the example of Him, "Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again," and,

when he was buffeted, and mocked, and scourged, and spit upon, submitted with such silent meekness and patience, that those who beheld "marvelled greatly." What? did our Saviour endure all these insults, indignities, and cruelties from sinful men without a murmur, and shall sinful men, who profess His name, be unwilling to endure reproach and contradiction and injuries from their fellow-creatures? Have we pierced and crucified our Saviour by our past sins and transgressions, and shall we crucify Him afresh by persevering in conduct so contrary to the example He hath left us? With such considerations, and with frequent contemplation of such examples as are above selected from the Scriptures, let us seek to impress our minds and hearts with the folly and wickedness of our resentful murmurings, and with the sweetness and desirableness of a contrary frame of spirit. And let us make it our daily prayer that every fretful temper and evil disposition within us may be subdued and purified to "the meekness and the gentleness of Christ:" for "this is thankworthy," (or "this is grace") "if a man

for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently; this is acceptable with God." (1 Pet. ii. 19, 20.)

The instant and entire submission, in cases of sudden and severe affliction, is to be especially noted in Aaron, Job, and Ezekiel.]

Lord, who hast suffer'd all for me
My peace and pardon to procure;
The lighter cross I bear for thee,

Help me with patience to endure.

The storm of loud repining hush,

I would in humble silence mourn; Why should th' unburnt, though burning bush, Be angry as the crackling thorn?

Man should not faint at Thy rebuke,
Like Joshua falling on his face;
When the curs'd thing that Achan took,
Brought Israel into just disgrace.

Perhaps some golden wedge suppress'd,
Some secret sin offends my God;
Perhaps that Babylonish vest,

Self-righteousness, provokes the rod.

Ah! were I buffeted all day,

Mock'd crown'd with thorns, and spit upon;

I yet should have no right to say,

My great distress is mine alone.

Let me not angrily declare,

No pain was ever sharp like mine; Nor murmur at the cross I bear,

But rather weep, remembering Thine.

O Lord, my best desire fulfil,

And help me to resign;

Life, health, and comfort to Thy will,
And make Thy pleasure mine.

Why should I shrink at Thy command,
Whose love forbids my fears?

Or tremble at the gracious hand
That wipes away my tears?