SERMONS. 425 



tended to immediate inspirations and assistances, 

 to use human means and industries, and so to ex- 

 pect God's blessing. But the inquisitors were for 

 once so wise, as to absolve him without exami- 

 nation. 



Our Psalmist states the matter well. * Trust 

 in the Lord, saith he, but be doing good too, and 

 so verily thou shalt be fed. Commit thy way 

 unto the Lord, and he shall bring it to pass : but 

 walk in it thyself; how is it else thy way? f Com- 

 mit the keeping of thy soul, (saith the Apostle, 

 and so, commend the keeping of the public too,) 

 to God : but still h dyoc^oTroux, in well doing, in 

 doing thy duty in thy station in all the instances 

 of it. 



In the age of miracles, indeed, when the sea 

 divided, and suddenly turned green meadow; and 

 when an angel went forth and dispatched so many 

 thousands in a night : well might the watch-word 

 be, stand still and see the salvation of God; the 

 Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall do nothing. 

 But the season is changed, and it is now — Come 

 forth, and help the Lord against the mighty; and 

 work out your own salvation, (and so the salva- 

 tion of the nation too,) because it is God that 

 works : that is St. Paul's logic. 



We must not presume to use our Lord, as 

 Herod did ; call for him, when we please, to work 

 us a fine miracle ; neglect our affairs, and leave 



* Psm. XXX vii. 3 — 5. , f I Pet. iv. ult. 



