an exhausted state, asked him how he did. He said, "I die happy, for I enjoy the peace of God, which passeth all understanding," and then expired The officer left him, and went into the battle, where he was soon after mortally wounded. When surrounded by his brother officers, full of anguish and dismay, he cried out, Oh! I would give ten thousand worlds. if I had them, that I possessed that peace which gladdened the heart of a dying soldier whom I saw lying under a tree; for he declared that he possessed that peace of God which passeth all understanding I know nothing of this peace! I die miserable! for I die in despair."

Dr. Owen, having been for a considerable time in distress of mind, went one Lord's day with a cousin of his to hear Mr. Calamy, a celebrated preacher in London. From some Occurrence Mr. Calamy was prevented from preaching that day. Being uncertain whether there would be any sermon at all. Dr. Owen was solicited by his relation to go and hear another eminent minister, Mr Jackson Being indisposed to go farther, however he kept his seat resolving if no minister came to return to his lodgings. After waiting sometime, a country minister came up to the pulpit; a stranger not only to Dr. Owen, but to the congregation who, having prayed earnestly, took for his text these words, Matt. viii. 26. “Why are ye fearful? O ye of little faith!" The very reading of the words surprised Dr. Owen; on which he secretly put up a prayer, that God would be pleased by the minister to speak to his case. And his prayer was heard; for in that sermon, the minister was directed to

answer those very objections which he had com monly formed against himself; and though he had formerly given the same answers to himself without effect, yet now the time was come when God designed to speak peace to his soul; and the sermon, (though otherwise a plain familiar discourse) was blessed for the removing of all his doubts, and laid the foundation of that solid peace and comfort, which he afterward enjoyed as long as he lived.

Q.-25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine jus tice, and reconcile us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.

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Xenophon mentions an Armenian prince, taken captive, together with his queen, by Cyrus, who, on being asked, if he desired the restoration of his liberty, his kingdom, and his queen, answered, As for my liberty and my kingdom, I value them not; but if my blood would redeem my wife, I would cheerfully give it " Cyrus having generously restored him all he asked his queen what she thought of Cyrus's person, she replied, "I really did not observe him; my mind was so occupied with the man who offered to give his life for my ranson that I could think of no other." Jesus Christ has actually done what this prince offered to do, and has abundantly exceeded that generous action. May I feel a similar regard to him, so as to overlook all other objects.

I observed a little Namaqua Girl in my house," says Mr. Schmelen, "about eight years of age, with a book in her hand, very accurately instructing another girl about fourteen. When I asked

her if she loved the Lord Jesus? she answered, Yes, I do, and I desire to love him more.' I inquired why she loved him, since she had never seen him? She answered, He loved me first, and died for me on the cross, that I might live.' When I asked her if the Lord Jesus Christ would love little children, she could not answer me for weeping and at length fainted away. I had frequently observed this child under deep impressions at our meetings. She is descended from a wild bushman, and was stolen from her people and country, but has no desire now to return.'

History informs us of two brothers, one of whom for capital crimes was condemned to die ; but on the appearance of the other, who had lost an arm in the successful defence of his country, and on his presenting the remaining stuinp, the judges were so affected with a grateful recollection of past services as fully, for his sake, to pardon the guilty brother. Thus the Redeemer, in interceding for his people, appears, as a lamb that had been slain," presenting the merits of his sufferings and death on their behalf; nor does he thus appear in vain.

Q. 26. How doth Christ execute the office of a king? A. Christ executeth the office of a king, in subduing us to himself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all his and our enemies.

It has been said of Edward the Black Prince, that he never fought a battle which he did not win: and of the great Duke of Marlborough, that he never besieged a city which he did not take. Shall that be said of men, which we deny concerning the Most High God? Is he less successful than some human generals? shall these invin

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cibly prevail, and grace be liable to defeat? Impossible! The former of these, having conquered and taken prisoner king John of France, nobly condescended to wait on his royal captive the same night at supper. Christ having first subdued his people by his grace, waits on them afterwards to their lives' end.

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Constantine the Great observing the failure of his predecessors who sought the aid of their idols, determined to acknowledge the true God alone; in which resolution he was strengthened by his pious mother Helena. Having addressed himself in fervent prayer, his supplications were remarkably answered. Eusebius his biographer, affirms, that while on his march against Maxentius, one of his rivals, he beheld in the heavens a luminous cross, with this inscription, By this overcome! Constantine was deeply impressed; and pondering on the event, as the story states. Christ appeared to him on the following night with the same sign of a cross, directing him to make use of that symbol as his military ensign. He obeyed; and the banner of the cross was always afterwards displayed in his camp. He obtained a remarkable victory over Maxentius, and soon became sole emperor.

The Roman Emperor Julian, a determined enemy of Christianity, was mortally wounded in a war with the Persians. In this condition, we are told that he filled his hand with blood. and casting it into the air said, "O Galilean! thou hast conquered." During this expedition, one of Julian's followers asked a christian' of Antioch, "What the carpenter's son was doing?" The Maker of the world," replied the chris

tian, "whom you call the carpenter's son, is em ployed in making a coffin for the emperor." In a few days after, news came to Antioch of Julian's death.

Q. 27 Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist?

A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross; in being buried, and continuing under the power of death for a time.

A gentleman being with Mr. Hervey in his garden, he plucked a rose and desired the gentleman to present it to his wife to put her in mind of her Redeemer, the Rose of Sharon. She put such respect upon the giver and the gift. as to put it into a frame with a glass; upon hearing of this, he wrote the gentleman, Your lady has shown the most welcome complaisance to me, and to the rose, in putting it to such a use; and could that poor vegetable be sensible, it would rejoice to be a remembrancer of its amiable Creator. I heartily wish she may every day become more and more acquainted with the Rose of Sharon; that his loveliness. riches and glory may be revealed in her heart by the Holy Ghost."

A little boy, between four and five years old, was one day reading to his mother in the New Testament; and when he came to these words, "the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head," his eyes filled with tears his tender breast heaved, and at last he sobbed aloud. His mother inquired what was the matter; but for some time he could not answer her At length, as well as his sobs would let him, he