souls from affliction and death, and is a very present help in trouble.

From the inexhaustible stores of his goodness he supplies his heritage with the richest blessings, and causeth them to rejoice in his munificence.

He looketh, especially, with a propitious eye, upon those who fear him, and walk in the ways of faith and piety, and embraceth them in the arms of peculiar friendship.

They shall live in honour and reputation; their memories shall be blessed; and their virtuous and worthy actions command the applause of many generations.

They shall dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and abide under the shadow of the Almighty, secure from harm, amidst the pestilence that walketh in darkness, and the arrows of destruction that fly at noon day.

The Lord will be their refuge and fortress, in all times of danger, and make them safe under the wings of his protection amidst those wars and fightings, that spread desolation and death among the nations.

For the Lord taketh pleasure in those who. fear him, and such as are upright in their way are bis delight; and no good thing will he withhold from them.

He will satisfy them with life, crown them with prosperity, and shower down salvation upon them, in a constant flow of blessings, pertaining to time and eternity.

When they call upon him, he will answer them, will set them on high, and be their por

tion and refuge, because they know his name and obey his commands.

All his paths are mercy and truth unto those who keep his covenant. He will open to them his good treasure, and compass them with favour as with a shield.

EXER. XVI.

Celebrating the unrivalled majesty and glory of God, with expressions of joy and confidence in him.

Mas. O THOU Supreme, Eternal, Selfexistent God, we would bow with humble adoration at the footstool of thy throne, esteeming it the noblest employment of our rational faculties to celebrate thy praises,

Fam. Who is like unto the Lord, our God, who is like unto him, glorious in holiness, venerable in praises, doing wonders.

He is seated on a throne of glory in the heavens, far exalted above all comprehensions and comparisons: The whole creation is as nothing before him.

Who in the heavens can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto our God.

The Lord our God is great; there is none like unto him, neither are there any works like unto his works.

Though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, yet to us there is but one God, of whom are all things, and

by whose almighty providence the world is sustained and governed.

The idols of the heathen, though worshipped as gods, are vanity and a lie; they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.

But to the Lord our God belongs everlasting strength; his dominion is universal, and all the powers of nature, as they were derived from him, so they owe their efficacy to his allsustaining arm.

The heavens and the earth exhibit bright evidences of his being, perfections, and active all-disposing providence.

We will therefore acknowledge him in all our ways, and in all our affairs and concerns, will raise our souls above means and instruments, in devout adorations to the great First Cause, who alone is uncaused.

We will rejoice in the Lord, who, though he liveth upon the inexhaustible stock of his own perfections, and standeth in no need of the homage and service of angels or men, yet condescendeth to visit our abodes with his loving kindness and tender mercies.

We will worship the Lord, who, though he can receive no benefit from our devotions, hath, for the promotion of our own best interest, invited and encouraged, yea, commanded us, by prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving, to make our requests to him.

Our souls, therefore, wait upon God, for our expectation is from him. Commit our way unto him, and trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass..

The Lord is our portion, therefore we will hope in him. He is our strong habitation, whereunto we may continually resort.

He whose heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord, shall be as Mount Zion. In quietness and confidence shall be his strength; and because the Lord is at his right hand, he shall not be moved.

By patient continuance in well doing, let us endeavour to approve ourselves unto God, our Creator and Preserver; then will he be our friendly guide and support through life, and finally crown us with the rewards of good and faithful servants.

EXER. XVII.

Faith in God, and his Son Jesus Christ, and the way to increase and strengthen it.

Mas. LET us draw near unto God with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, casting all our cares upon him, that we may obtain grace to help in time of need.

Fam. For he, who cometh unto God, must believe that he is; and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

And this is his commandment, that we believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, who himself hath also said unto us, ye believe in God, believe also in me.

Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper; believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and ye shall be saved.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering, and always be upon our guard against the snares of infidelity and the insidious arts of the advocates of impiety and wickedness.

We will take heed, lest there be in any of us an evil heart of unbelief, inclining us to depart from the living God, and to cast off his laws.

We will wait upon him in the ordinances of his house, watching daily at wisdom's gates, and waiting at the posts of her doors.

We will attend to the glorious light of the gospel, as to a light shining in a dark place, giving us clear information respecting the way

to eternal life and salvation.

This is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Let us walk as children of the light and of the day, that we may not fall under this condemnation.

Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God; but the word preached doth not profit, if it be not mixed with faith in those who hear it.

A man is justified by faith; but the faith that justifies, works by love, and is made perfect by works.

Let us remember, that as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Let us, therefore, add to our faith the graces and virtues of a christian life; for if,