this universal law. Temperature is the middle point betwixt heat and cold. The dryness of the atmosphere absorbs the moisture exposed to its influence. Twilight unites the light of the day, with the darkness of the night. The three kingdoms of the natural world are regulated by the same law; and we perceive throughout, a unity of operation, according to action and reaction, for the production of different states. In civil relations also, during the present depraved state of mankind, governments would become corrupt, and societies would be disordered, were there no mutual opposition. Passing from the physical and civil, to the spiritual or moral world, we perceive the traces of the One Great Mind, and admire the beautiful simplicity of the universal law. How wonderfully is evil here beheld, as overruled for good!

We must however be careful, lest we ascribe the origin of evil to a Creator. This is not only impossible, from the natural holiness of JEHOVAH', but also from the very nature of evil. Nothing but what is positive can be the subject of creation: but evil is negative, being the absence of good; even as darkness is the privation of light. The origin of evil can be ascribed to the necessary weakness and dependance only of a creature. This cause is all-sufficient and satisfactory; but to consider evil as originating with the Author of good, is as absurd as to assert that darkness can proceed from the source of light, or death emanate from life.

Yet there are many Christians, at the present time, who indirectly ascribe evil to the Author of all good; and thus hold an opinion even more erroneous than that of the Manichees. For these ascribe evil to an eternal Principle, who is the

author of evil only: whereas, those who hold the doctrine of a decreed reprobation, make our Holy GOD the originating cause of both good and evil; since where the end is predetermined, the means also must be the subject of decree.

A decree of election by no means supposes one of reprobation. Those who are not elected cannot be said to be reprobated, without changing a negative into a positive act of the Divine Will.

The reader is referred to the Rev. T. Jones's "Fair Balance," for a fuller discussion of this subject.

SERMON VI.

JOHN xi. 35.

"JESUS wept."

THE Bible was divided into chapters and verses for the facility of reference. This division is altogether arbitrary, and of comparatively modern date. The text I have chosen is remarkable, for being the shortest verse in the Bible. There must have been a cause for the separation of these two words into a verse; and the only satisfactory reason seems to be, astonishment at the fact recorded. "JESUS wept!" These were words, which deserved peculiar regard. “JESUS wept!" Love drew forth in Him those

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tears, which no violence could cause to flow. "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as the lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He opened not His mouth." Yet at the tomb of Lazarus, "JESUS wept." The same sympathy of character, the same sensibility of heart, proceeding from the same SPIRIT OF CHRIST, is recorded of St. Paul in the Acts of the Apostles, and by himself in his Epistles. The great Apostle, who was remarkable for his undaunted spirit amidst the greatest perils, wept in bidding farewell to the Ephesian elders;-wept, by the influence of charity, when writing to those, who walked not according to the Gospel of CHRIST. Paul wept. Dear brethren, would to Gop that we all felt thus towards those, among our kindred and friends, who still lie in darkness, and in the shadow of death;-towards those, into whose hearts the glorious light of the Gospel has never yet

shone-towards those, who know not the peace of trusting in the Cross of CHRIST, for the atonement of their sins; in His righteousness, for their justification; nor in His SPIRIT for strength and sanctification. Over such, Paul wept. Over such, "JESUS wept!" And shall we remain insensible to their state, and regardless of their eternal welfare? Shall we remain indifferent towards the eternal misery of those, who are near and dear to us; and over whom JESUS still weeps?

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The consideration of my text leads me to inquire, the reason why, the place where, and the time when “JESUS wept." And may our meditation on these words be the means, whereby we also may receive grace, to "rejoice with them that do rejoice, and to weep with them that weep."

It is recorded that JESUS wept thrice. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus. He wept over Jerusalem. -Again, the great Apostle tells us,