the hard drudgery to which they submitted. What is it that cheers the sick man upon his bed of languishing but the hope, that through medical aid and good attendance, he will again renew his wonted strength and vigor, and be thus prepared to resume his daily avocation. This hope as we before said is natural to us; and seems to be a merciful provision to keep man from sinking under the various difficulties and trials of his probationary state. It is the spring that gives him life and activity in all his movements.
But, as all the faculties, powers and affections of the soul, have so far suffered by the sad fall of our fore-parents, that they incline to things that are "earthly, sensual and devilish,"[1] rather than to those things that are pure, spiritual and godlike, hope therefore, unrenewed by divine grace, proves to be a deceitful guide. The object of pursuit is far from being attained in every case. In those
- ↑ James iii., 15.
