of them were so annoyed and enraged by the testimony he bore to Jesus, that we read they sought to put Lazarus also to death. Especially notice this, if the young men referred to were inexcusable who only had the Old Testament, how much more are you, who have both the Old and the New? If God would not use other means to convert them, why should he use other means with you? If they were left to themselves, because they would not be persuaded by God's servants, how much more may you who will not be persuaded either by his servants or his Son? You stand in a slippery place, you are on dangerous ground, take heed lest you also, by your own fault, go to that place of torment! Can aught beneath a power divine, 'Tis thine, Eternal Spirit, thine To form the heart anew. 'Tis thine the passions to recall, And make the scales of error fall O change these wretched hearts of ours, Then shall our passions and our pow'rs, "O THAT I HAD WINGS LIKE A DOVE!" Ps. lv. 6. THE trials of a believer are often severe. Many a storm has he to endure, many a river to ford, and many a fire to pass through, in his way home to the promised land. Little did the Christian think, when he first stepped into the liberty of the gospel, that there were such rough roads, dark_nights, and terrible storms before him, But, more or less, every traveller to Mount Zion, must experience them. It is generally found to be a rough road, that leads to the city of habitations. Many a Christian has found his courage fail him, and his heart misgive him, on his way home. The darkness is sometimes so dense, the cross is at times so heavy, the dis appointment at some seasons is so great, that the stoutest heart quails, and unites with the timid spirit, in exclaiming, “Othat I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest!" Ps. lv. 6. These things are necessary, to try our sincerity, exercise our graces, and render the promi 66 O THAT I HAD WINGS LIKE A DOVE!" 235 ses sweet and precious. When all goes smooth, and every thing is pleasant, we attach but little importance to the promises, have little power in prayer, and are too apt to over-value ourselves. But trying times endear the throne of grace, strip us of pride and self-consequence, and strengthen our trust in Jesus. Never is Christ so precious as in times of peculiar trial. Never is the Bible so valued as in the day of trouble and distress. The wilderness with its barren burning sands, its storms and tempests, its dangers and its difficulties, endear the promised land; and makes the pilgrim occasionally to cry out, "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest !” REST! O how sweet is the thought of rest, to the weary, way-worn, exhausted traveller. REST! O how sweet is the thought of rest, to the afflicted, tried, and tempted Christian! He most generally thinks of heaven as a place of rest-rest from suffering, rest from sorrow, rest from toil, and rest from conflict. Rest with Jesus. Rest in the home of God. Rest, perfect and perpetual. Peaceful and glorious rest. We have the foretastes of it occasionally now, which makes us at times long for its fulness and perfection. Like the grapes of Eshcol, which when tasted, stimulates us to haste across the wilderness, that we may take possession of the promised land; so the inward calm, the secret repose, the Sabbath at 66 236 O THAT I HAD WINGS LIKE A DOVE!" times enjoyed in the soul, urges us on, and makes us cry out, "O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest!" But we may be too anxious to be gone. We may be in too great a hurry to depart. We had therefore better pray for patience to endure, and strength to bear, and courage to face our trials, than wish for wings to fly from them. As an old writer says, "Better pray for the strength of an ox, to bear your troubles, than for the wings of a dove to fly away from them." Even cowardice, or selflove, may prompt us to use the exclamation. Let us, therefore, while we may have a desire to depart and be with Christ as far bet ter for us; remember, that it may be more for the glory of God, for the benefit of others, and even for our own ultimate good that we remain here. And if so, it is better calmly and patiently to say, "all the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change come;" than from a desire for self-indul gence to cry out, O that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest!" 66 f PREPARATION FOR USEFULNESS. EVERY one must be prepared for his work, and according to the nature of our work must our preparation be. But while preparing we are not always conscious of God's design. If my work is of a spiritual nature, I must be spiritualized to prepare me for it. If I am to be spiritualized, I must be born of the Spirit; for "that which is born of the | flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." A new birth therefore is indispensable, for the natural man, whatever his talents or abilities, understandeth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Spiritual work, must be done by spiritual men. When a man is regenerated, whom God intends to use in any important work in his church, his mind is generally directed to that work. He perceives its importance, desires to be engaged in it, and makes it a matter of prayer. And we may, as a rule, conclude that if we are led to set our heart upon any good work, and finding our want of qualification for it, earnestly pray to the |