For the very same kind of effect arises, as we have plainly proved, in other parts of the world, from the absence of heat, and the great prevalence of intense cold. And, moreover, we must remember that their preservation was the especial work of Him, who "ruleth the raging of the sea, and stilleth the waves thereof when they arise."

When Israel had got over into the Wilderness, Moses, at God's command, recalled the waves; which overwhelmed the host of Egypt. Nor was this more wonderful, than when he, in after years, smote the hard rock, and fresh springs gushed forth in the desert.

The river Jordan afforded his chosen people a similar dry passage, and the waters returned into their; wonted channel as soon as the Ark of God had passed over. Whence David poetically asks, "What ailest thee, thou Sea, that thou fleddest, and thou Jordan that thou wast driven back?" And gives the reason, when he subsequently exclaims; "Tremble, thou, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob."

David continues to proclaim God's mercy, and truth; shewing forth his covenant with

his chosen.

And

says,

"I have sworn unto

David my servant; thy seed will I stablish for ever, and set up thy throne from one generation to another."

Now here the very words prove our assertion that the David thus spoken of by God is the promised Messiah; whose throne should endure for ever, whose kingdom have no end.

And the Psalmist rapturously exclaims, “ O Lord, the very heavens shall praise thy wondrous works; and thy truth in the congregation of the saints. For who is he among the clouds, that shall be compared unto the Lord ? And what is he among the gods, that shall be like unto the Lord?

"God is very greatly to be feared in the council of the saints; and to be had in reverence of all them that are round about him. O Lord God of Hosts, who is like unto thee : thy truth, most mighty Lord, is on every side. Thou rulest the raging of the sea; thou stillest the waves thereof when they arise.'

In this exalted strain the pious King of Israel continues his song of praise, declaring, in just, and appropriate, terms the Almighty

Providence of God. Truly grateful for the honour of being himself a Type, and mortal Ancestor of the Saviour of mankind; he advances to the point, whereon we shall easily prove how truly Scripture assigns the name of David to our great Messiah King.

"Blessed is the people, O Lord, that can rejoice in thee: they shall walk in the light of thy countenance. Their delight shall be daily in thy name, and in thy righteousness shall they make their boast.'

دو

This again is a prophecy, which we ourselves fulfil every time that we call upon God's name; whether in our secret chamber, blessing his mercy for another day of mortal life, or calling down his guardian care upon our sleeping hours. Whether our souls aspire here, together, to his heavenly throne; or in our solitary walk, unfeigned joy and praise burst from a thankful heart, enchanted with the wonders of his hand.

O how delightful, when alone in the great Temple of the Universe, the mental prayer ascends to those heavens; far above which, on the everlasting hills, God reigns in awful majesty ! It is the soul, my Christian friends, which thus acknowledges its great

Original. It is that voluntary, natural, and acceptable homage, which the creature pays to the Creator; for God himself is a Spirit, and loveth those who worship Him "in spirit, and in truth."

How much more pleasant, becoming, and natural is the perfect sense of God's presence, and protection, wherever we bend our way; than that pretended, for I cannot think it real, disbelief of his Almighty rule! Wicked men, for their own secret guilty purposes, affect to despise religion; while conscience hourly asserts its claim upon their minds.

Why does guilt shudder at the midnight tempest, howling around his solitary couch; why tremble at the whispers of the wind? Why does the sinner tremble, when thunders rend the skies, and the livid lightnings proclaim a mightier power than man's? His coward heart, which can degrade the Eternal Name before his base companions; now dreads eternal vengeance. His immortal soul shudders at the sad prospect of futurity; and conscience repeats the lessons of his youth.

Born in a Christian country, he has heard God's records of the times of old, his threat

ened vengeance upon sinners.

And the

horrors of the tempest, aggravated by his guilty memory, remind him of Eternity, a sad Eternity of tenfold greater dread.

A Hell of woe, and misery; "where the worm dieth not, and the fire is never quenched :" the everlasting prison of the Devil and his Angels, and of all who do his works in their Earthly scene of trial.

Turn we from these, alas! too true accounts of guilt, and of its certain punishment hereafter. And let us follow the Royal Prophet to brighter scenes, wherein our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ, is thus foretold.

"Thou spakest sometime in visions unto thy saints, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil have I anointed him. My truth also, and my mercy, shall be with him: and in my Name shall his horn be exalted. I will set his dominion also in the sea and his right hand in the floods.

He shall call me, Thou art my Father: my God, and my strong salvation. And I will make him my first born: higher than the kings of the earth."