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the Scriptures, which the Almighty hath caused to be written for your learning. And may you so consider the teachings of Scripture, that through the Spirit they may indeed be profitable to you for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction, and make you wise unto salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Let us pray. O almighty and most merciful Father, who chastenest in love, and commandest those who are chastened in the day of adversity to consider, grant that this person who is now visited by thy chastening hand, may deeply, seriously, and effectually consider his ways in thy sight, and thy ways towards him. Thou hast given thy holy Scriptures to be profitable to him for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction; grant that he may so search and meditate upon them with self-application, that through the grace of thy Spirit he may be brought more and more to a true knowledge of himself and of thee. Stir up, O Lord, his heart and mind,

that he may call to remembrance his thoughts and tempers, his principles and motives, his conversation and conduct, and try them by the rule of thy holy will and commandments, that he may reflect on thy wisdom which knoweth all his offences and the secrets of his heart, on thy holiness which hateth every thing evil, and on thy justice which recompenseth unto sin its justly deserved punishment; that so feeling his sinfulness, vileness, and misery, he may humble himself before thee with self-abasement, turn unto thee with a penitent heart, and seek with faith thy pardoning and accepting mercy, through the atonement and righteousness of Jesus Christ. Amen.

D

ADDRESS III.

The Importance of making a right use of Affliction.

IN a former Address you were exhorted to make a right use of your present affliction, by calling your past ways to remembrance, examining your spiritual state in the sight of God, and considering what the Scriptures teach you respecting him, and yourself, and the way of salvation. This, however, is often found to be an unpleasant work; you may feel indisposed to enter upon it, soon grow weary of it, and be inclined to pass it over slightly. I will therefore read to you some passages of Scripture, which will shew you the importance of doing this, by shewing you the danger of neglecting it, the value of your soul, and the ap

proaching awfulness of death, judgment, and eternity.

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Let us pray. (Prayer as before.) Job xxxvi. 8.-If they be holden in cords of affliction, he openeth their ears to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity: if they obey not they shall perish. Luke xix. 41, 42. 44.-Jesus wept over Jerusalem, saying, If thou hadst known, in this thy day, the things that belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes: -thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Ps. xcv. 8.-To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. Gen. vi. 3.-The Lord said, My Spirit shall not always strive with man. Matt. xvi. 26.-What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Eccles. xii. 7.-The dust shall return to the earth, and the spirit unto God who gave it.

Matt. xviii. 8.-If thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee; it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into everlasting fire.

John xii. 35.-Walk while ye have the light.

John ix. 4.-The night cometh, when no man can work.

Eccles. xi. 3.-In the place where the tree falleth, there it shall lie.

Heb. ix. 27. It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judg

ment.

1 Sam. xx. 3.-There is but a step between me and death.

1 Chron. xxix. 15.-Our days on earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

James iv. 14.-Our life is even a vapour, which appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Acts xxiv. 15.-There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

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