tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God." Observe, he compares the body to a tabernacle: the tabernacle was a temporary accommodation for the children of Israel in the wilderness, an erection soon taken down and removed, and therefore a fit emblem of the transient state of our earthly frame. "It is soon cut down and is withered our years are but as a tale that is told." Our life is compared to a post,-to a weaver's shuttle. The apostle adds, " for in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be clothed with our house from heaven." He does not say, that this tabernacle groans, but he speaks of something which inhabits this tabernacle: for in this we groan earnestly desiring. So far from its being the creature flesh that groans, longs and desires, the apostle declares it to be the contrary, for he 66 says, not that we would be unclothed." The flesh shudders at, and shrinks from dissolution; and he elsewhere speaks of some who all their life time, through the fear of this dissolution, were subject to bondage; but notwithstanding all, the apostle felt a prnciple within that desired to be clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

In all the family of God there are two natures, two armies-there is flesh and spirit, a carnal mind and a spiritual, and these two are constantly striving, warring, and opposing each other. And so long as we are in this tabernacle this new principle is subject to vanity, that is, subject to annoyance, infirmities, and weakness of the flesh, not willingly, but subject to it in hope; in hope of a full, free, complete, yea, an everlasting deliverance. The apostle himself experienced this subjection when he cried out, "Ŏ wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me ?" But the God of hope darted a ray into his soul, hope sprang up, and then he thanked God and took courage: "I thank God through Jesus Christ my Lord."

In the 21st verse the apostle explains what may be understood by this vanity, by summing up all the opposition, all that annoys, all the infirmities of the flesh, and seems to embody them in one general term, and calls it "the bondage of corruption," and says, the creature shall be delivered from it; yea, more, he shall be ushered into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Believer, how frequently do you complain that you feel your spirits confined as it were in a cage; you have not found room enough to stretch your spiritual wings, nor height enough to soar aloft; you are forced back again to earth. But your Lord will come by and by and will open the cage door, then you shall indeed prove it to be a glorious liberty; so that while in this time state the new principle is subject to vanity, pent up as in a cage; remember it is a subjection in hope; and God whose ordination hath subjected it to this vanity, hath subjected the same in lively hope.

The apostle does not intend this subjection to be a subjection of submission, or of approbation; not a subjection to the commands of the flesh, but such a subjection as the Israelites experienced when in bondage to the Egyptians; not willingly, for they cried out by rea

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son of the cruel servility they endured. Paul, as we before observed, groaned in consequence of feeling a body of sin and death, and he greatly lamented this subjection. "O wretched man!" So also the Old Testament church complained, Ps. cvi. 42. feeling this subjection to the spoilers of their peace and comfortable feeling: " their enemies also oppressed them, and they were humbled under their hand," that is, they were necessitated to endure that state of oppression. But, to bring the matter to our own personal experience,God hath set one over against the other, that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man, that he that glorieth should glory only in the Lord. Have you not, my brother, yea, do you not even now feel that state the apostle describes," When I would do good, evil is present with me, and how to perform that which is good I find not?" Then you need no one to explain what this subjection to the bondage of corruption means; because you feel you are the subject of vanity. Bless God it is not willingly; bless God who hath subjected you to this warfare,-that he hath not left you in a hopeless condition; for he hath blessed you with a hope full of immortality, full of eternal life, that is, full of Christ, for he only hath immortality, and he is eternal life. He who is the hope of Israel is your hope, the God of hope. In him and on him they (the church) wait all the day, and from him and by him they expect the victory" they overcame by the blood of the Lamb."

(For the Spiritual Magazine.)

REFLECTIONS ON THE SONG OF SOLOMON.

"A spring shut up, a fountain sealed."-iv. 12.

S. T.

"HAPPY art thou, O Israel, a people saved of the Lord!" Inclosed in the vineyard of grace, thou art constantly watered from the pure river of eternal life-surrounded by the endless perfections of Deity, and the countless beauties of thine adored Lord. Separated from the world's wide wilderness by distinguishing and regenerating grace, and planted by the heavenly husbandman in the sacred plantation of grace, thou art in union with thine heavenly husband, and hast an interest in the affections of his heart. Grace in thy heart is an everlasting spring; it is a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

In my last paper, I noticed wherein the church of Jesus resembled a garden inclosed," as expressed in the former part of this passage. In addition to what was then said, it may be remarked, in continuance of our subject, that the inclosure of grace is well watered from the celestial reservoir of eternal love; and that constantly and perpetually, secretly and manifestly, by a divinely sovereign, and irresistible power. The grace distilled into the soul is sovereign and free; it gently alights on the tender herbs, and extracts therefrom their fragrance.

A profuse shower would tend rather to root up, and annihilate; for mortality cannot sustain too bright a vision of glory and immortal felicity, but can merely look through the prison walls of clay, as "through a glass darkly;" nor was it ever designed the spouse of Jesus should receive a portion in time, which her title-deeds expressly declare is to be received in the future state of her existence. Could the heir of glory enter into the full knowledge and contemplation of the joys awaiting her, she would be totally unfitted for the converse of men, and the concerns of time, unmeet for society at large, and a total blank in the universe of active life. So glorious a development of consummate bliss as this, would extinguish every inferior allurement; nay, more, would beget an extacy of ravishment, incompatible with human frailty, and burst asunder the slender cord which binds it down to sense, to soar aloft to the fair paradise where Jesus dwells.

The amazing mercy revealed by the Holy Ghost, in the calling in of the spouse of Christ from a wilderness of sin and sorrow, to a palace of unspeakable beauty, and to the enjoyment of the charms emanating from her Lord, needs some counterpoise to the spirit. Did not darkness occasionally overshadow her course, and were not dense clouds to intervene between Jesus and the soul, the revelation of his inimitable and all-conquering beauty, though it were in measure but as a drop to the ocean, or in degree as a single glimpse to the full enjoyment; she would be too much intoxicated with the draught to be capable of superintending earthly things, and altogether unfitted for life, and the management of its meaner occupations.

It may be calculated among the christian's choicest mercies, that he is altogether under the supremely wise conduct of the Holy Spirit; and that every bitter and sweet are nicely mingled in his cup by an unerring hand, according to the divine appointment and designs of the eternal Three-one Jehovah, before it is partaken; and that in the fulness of time he cannot fail receiving it, and must drink the draught however palatable or unsavoury it may seem to be. Ephraim's rebellion augmented his sorrow; but it was ordained long before Ephraim was, that that sorrow should constitute part of his bitter portion. It is a great favour indeed, to be restrained from evil, though with bit and bridle; but it is a greater favour to be kept reconciled to the gracious will of our ever blessed Lord. It is unbelief that clogs the christian's zeal, and damps his joy, and makes his footsteps heavy. But for unbelief, the bane of spiritual-mindedness, how truly light would be every affliction to be borne, and how safely would he pass onwards to the heavenly shores!

It is a remarkable fact, that the plants of nature do not contribute one particle to their own growth or beauty, but depend solely and entirely on the God of nature, who giveth them every shower in its appointed season. And as to the illustrious plants of grace, they are entirely passive in their production, as well as in the reception of all the successive showers of covenant favour, and the various communi

cations of grace, so frequently renewed to them from the fountain of grace. The first dawning of conviction, and the keener sensibilities excited by the more latent operations of the Spirit on the soul, are only effects flowing from the grand cause of all. The first step of manifestation of redeeming love to the soul, is the production of life; and from this moment convictions of the evil of sin arise, and continue more or less to the latest period of mortality. Convictions of sin do not beget the principle of life; but rather argue its existence. Nor is the saint less passive in receiving the exceeding riches of eternal love and favour which are imparted from the exhaustless ocean of bliss, through all the stages of her existence. The different exercises of faith and prayer, are means of blessedness, but we must look to a higher cause who prompts to the use of the means which are ordained to administer to the end designed. The showers of grace fall often unperceived, but their influence is known and felt; and precisely as effect will succeed cause, is the spouse of Jesus constrained to become active in honouring the giver by a walk and conversation as becometh saints.

The plants of grace in themselves are less than nothing, and vanity itself, even while they grow. Their's is a life of receiving. The lustre they transmit is the fruition of the Saviour's love; the rich evidence that his finished work has been imputed to them by a blessed transfer, and put on them by faith. All the darksome or comfortable frames through which they pass, form no part of their salvation; they add nothing to it, nor can they detract from its blessedness. In the purposes of love they were saved before time; yea, before the dark cloud hovered around the cross of Calvary, or the wheels of time were put in motion, the spouse of Jesus was virtually redeemed by his precious blood, so that nothing can sever her from his embrace.

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The spouse of Jesus, may be as fitly compared to "a spring shut up," and a "fountain sealed," as she is to the preceding figure in our text. The terms are synonimous. "A garden inclosed," "a spring shut up," and "a fountain sealed," are capable of different interpretations, but their real import is the same. Is the beloved of the Lord "a garden inclosed ?" she is equally so spring shut up," and "a fountain sealed." She is shut up in the sacred enclosure with her Bridegroom in the chambers of his love, and closeted with the King of kings within his sacred temple; in perfect safety from the malevolence of infernals, the vile machinations of slanderous enemies, and the more to be dreaded hypocritical professions of pretended friends. She is sealed up as a sacred deposit, and an invaluable gem, unto the day of redemption, that is, the coronation day; in fact, her life is hidden with Christ in God.

As it regards the experience of the Lamb's bride, her springs of consolations are often closed; sin is the great dam which diverts her course, and daraps her joy; still, there is always cause for gladness amidst her sorrows, on gospel grounds; and in truth there is no

twice legitimate cause for sadness. The course of a spring may be contrarily directed for a season, but left free, it will soon regain its natural flow. So with the redeemed; sin may draw a veil over the eye of faith, and beget confusion; but this is a situation very uncongenial with her native inclinations; her state of captivity is both painful and unwelcome, as will be manifest when the Sun of righteousness arises in all the animating beams of pardoning love; then the soul will regain its true element and position, sorrow will depart, and real joy appear to dissipate the gloom.

Every spring of comfort has its origin in everlasting love. The fountain of free favour is out of the reach of men and devils; it is in heaven; and how sweetly do the streams flow from the never-failing spring and fountain to water the divine plantation, to invigorate and enliven the plants of grace, and make them both fertile and luxuriant. The grace of Jesus is indeed like the water from the smitten rock, it pursues his spouse with a steady and constant course throughout the wilderness. No heat from the furnace of temptation or tribulation, or persecution, or sin, can dry it up; floods of sorrow cannot drown it, flames cannot consume it, sin cannot root it out, it is immortal seed which cannot be hidden or destroyed. The loss of earthly substance, and the dearer ties of sense, a beloved wife, or husband, or the dear infant, whose graceful actions and endearing smiles produced transports of affection in the tender parent so as to render the severating stroke of death doubly painful-these are great afflictions. The ivy cannot be separated from the oak without poignant grief. The idol cannot be given up with resignation, without the superabounding exercise of this holy principle; the finest sensibilities of nature all co-operate to court the stay of the dear object; but Almighty grace has designed the trial for his own glory, and to effect in the heart of the disconsolate saint, some permanent, some substantial good. And though the keenest anguish may flow from the effect of these "terrible things in righteousness," the springs of consolation in him are still the same; still the genial operations of his love and grace flow ever unabated. Satan called into action all the hellish artifices of his nature to overcome her Lord, but all his buffetings and temptations proved unavailing and abortive, and recoiled upon himself; such also shall be the result of his inflictions on the saints; for nothing shall separate them from the being and influence of his heavenly love, and power, and grace. How delightfully animating is this thought, dear pilgrim, amidst a world of changes and warfare with thine enemies ;-amidst thy diversified trials by the way, what music to the ear of faith are the words of Jesus, " nothing shall separate thee from the love of God in Christ."

The graces of the Holy Spirit in which the spouse of Jesus stands adorned, and the grace of Jesus planted in her, fanned into exercise by celestial gales, render her surpassing lovely to him, and highly meet for the enjoyment of his conjugal embraces. Grace first contrived the glorious plan, and produced the lovely image; and grace,