But you complain of sin—the Old man. And what is this old man?—it is _a continual inclination to sin_. Can the brightest saint alter this?—alas, No: And are you not astonished that such poor sinful beings as we are, that we should ever be proud of our rags? Proud, in the sight of God!—such is our depravity. And it is from this same source you feel so much deadness in divine things, so much darkness in soul, and such carelessness and wanderings in your best moments; these all spring from the heart, which we find to be bad indeed. I once knew a little of it, and often preached about it, but my views of it are much deeper now—I both see and feel, groan under and hate, what I cannot get rid of. O could I but get rid of what I feel, how happy should I be. There is but one remedy left, and that is a more blessed acquaintance with the dear Saviour, and the enjoyment of high and heavenly communion with him. To this blessing I humbly aspire. This fevor I am praying daily for—_this_, and _this_ only, is the cure of all our spiritual diseases. This will make me happy in captivity, and contented with the will of God. But, alas, I am very rebellious! What a mercy when we can see that every trial, cross, loss, disappointment, pain, and difficulty is in covenant love, flowing to us, because God has loved us; and to conform us to his lovely image, we want the mind kept by an almighty power—still, resigned, quiet, and composed, as a hand ought to be steady, that holds a glass of some very costly liquid. We want keeping quiet, while God takes the opportunity of pouring into the soul the precious consolations; and helps us to believe that whatever happens, is certainly right, and will be for the best. I have heard of a man, that whatever he met with, he said it was for the best. One day, a dog stole his dinner, and his ungodly companions asked him, if that was for the best? They all being at work in the quarry, the man said, he would just run and see if the dog had eat all his dinner; and while he was gone out, the pit fell in, and killed all his companions. Thus it was for the best that the dog should steal his dinner.