with so much of earthly dross, that it is absolutely necessary that what is precious should be separated from what is vile, the trials by which He purges us from our old corruptions and iniquities, are likened to the furnace into which the refiner casts the ore, that the dross may be consumed. They who are altogether "dross," will be proved to be worthless and vile by this trial of holy discipline; but those who are "transformed by the renewing of their mind”1 from their old and evil conversation, are only purged and purified by their afflictions; and when they come forth from their trial, they are regarded as the "jewels "2 of the Great King, and are as "vessels unto honour " in his house. It is even said of them, that they shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of their God. Thus St. Peter, speaking of the joy of Christians, adds, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”5

3

Our duty, then, in seasons of affliction, is still to remember the merciful purpose for which it is sent; and that our gracious Lord does not cast us into the furnace in order to consume and bring us to nothing, but in order to consume and burn up in us what is evil, and to bring us forth (after we have been proved to be true and genuine gold) as vessels unto honour. We should remember that He is ever watching the furnace, that the heat may not be too fierce for our feeble strength; and that as

4 Isa. lxii. 3. See Similitude I. Second Series.

32 Tim. ii. 20. 51 Pet. i. 6, 7.

He Himself was present with those faithful servants of God who were literally cast into "the burning fiery furnace," so He will not fail to strengthen us, if we look to Him for grace, under whatever trial may be laid upon us. It should be, therefore, our earnest purpose to "glorify the Lord in the fires," by patience, and calm trust; and we should even desire, that whatever is necessary for our true purification may not be withheld. We cannot expect that the work of sanctification can be wrought in us by an easier discipline, than is required in the case of so many of our fellow Christians. In the season of sorrow, then, let us not think it strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try us, as though some strange thing happened to us, but rejoice, inasmuch as we are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that, when His glory shall be revealed, we may be glad also with exceeding joy. When we see any fail under their trial, and proved to be only counterfeit gold, or worthless dross, may we be moved to more earnest prayer, and more faithful endeavours, so to improve the gift of God that is in us that we may come forth from the furnace as pure and genuine gold, not one grain of which shall be lost in the fire!

1 Dan. iii. 23.

2 Isa. xxiv. 15.

31 Pet. iv. 12, 13.

"Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent is not changed."-Jer. xlviii. 11.-See also Zeph. i. 12.

IF wine is left to refine and feed upon its lees, it becomes much stronger than if it be often emptied from vessel to vessel. Its taste remains in it, and its scent is not changed. In many cases it is necessary to pour the wine from vessel to vessel, in order to produce the proper flavour, and the degree of strength which makes it most fit for use.

When the prophet Jeremiah was describing the vices and sensuality of Moab, he compared that people to wine which had been suffered to lie and settle on its lees. They had enjoyed a longcontinued prosperity, and had not known the trial of captivity in an enemy's land. And the effect of their worldly prosperity had been, that they became

more proud, more sensual, and more presumptuous. They were more thoroughly imbued with the vices of their old nature, and trusted with carnal confidence and security to the riches and sensual pleasures which they had enjoyed with so little interruption.

Thus we are warned of the danger of worldly prosperity, and of the benefit of the Divine chastisements. Far better is it to be "emptied," so to say, "from vessel to vessel;" to be disturbed in a life of ease and sensual indulgence; than to be left to settle ourselves upon our lees: or, in other words, to live like the rich fool' who said to his soul, "Take thine ease; eat, drink, and be merry;" without concern about the change which awaits us all, and the solemn account which we have all to give.

Awaken me, O Lord, from a state of carnal ease and security! Let me still remember that pride and idleness too often go together with fulness of bread: 2 and that it will be enough to exclude us from the bright inheritance, to have lived a life of sensual indulgence in forgetfulness of God and of the poor. May no chastisement be unwelcome, which may serve to rouse me from so fatal a state! Let me count as a blessing any discipline that may change me from my old condition, and may tend to quicken me to a life of faith and earnestness.

'Luke xii. 19.

2 Ezek. xvi. 49.

"O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away."-Hosea vi. 4.-See also 2 Kings xii. 2; Luke viii. 13.

How bright is the face of nature, when every blade is glistening with the early dew; and the light clouds are painted with all those gorgeous colours, by which she seems to prepare herself for the return of her absent king, the sun! But how soon do those hues, and those jewels of the early morning, pass away! Long before the sun has attained his meridian height, the sky has become cloudless; and the parched land seems in vain to thirst for the refreshing dew, and the kindly shower.

Thus beautiful is early piety! Thus engaging and full of promise are the fresh feelings of youth, before the withering chill of the world has passed upon them. How easily is the heart then touched with tenderness or pity; how the eye glistens at