tion? And is the relation of all this given us merely to gratify our curiosity? Are we to peruse the life of our Lord and Saviour as we would read the history of a Cyrus or Alexander? No-it is not written for our amusement, but for our profit. And then we peruse it properly when we admire him-love him above all-depend wholly upon him, and feel the transforming efficacy of every view we take of his character, changing us into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the spirit of the Lord.

Let us therefore be followers of him as dear children. Let us cultivate benevolence, and do all the good we can, especially to the fatherless and widows. These he has peculiarly recommended to our attention, not only by his example but by his word. Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me; I will surely hear their cry; and my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless, I know you cannot work miracles but you can shew mercy. Go-visit the widow in her affliction. I know you cannot raise her dead son-but you can preserve her living one. Go-and administer healing medicines and wholesome food; and clothe his naked body, and inform his

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ignorant mind; go and endeavour to snatch him from ruin, and render him the staff of his poor widowed-mother's age. Go-go, and enjoy all the luxury of doing good. When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me; because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

DISCOURSE XVII,

FEARS REMOVED.

And Manoah said unto his wife, we shall surely die, because we have seen God. But his wife said unto him, if the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would, as at this time, have told us such thing's as these. Judges xiii. 22, 23.

SAMSON is the last of the Israelitish deliverers recorded in this book. He differs very much from all his predecessors; for we never find him presiding over the council, or commanding in the army-but a tremendous scourge to the enemies of his country in his own person.

His history is full of wonders. An angel ushers him into the world. This angel first

appeared to his mother, and foretold his birth. He soon after discovered himself also to his father, in company with his mother. His father immediately provided an entertainment for him-but the angel commanded him to offer it in sacrifice to the Lord. He did so-the angel ascended in the flame, and they saw him no more. By this they knew that he was a divine messenger, and in consequence of this hension Manoah said unto his wife, we shall surely die, because we have seen God. But his wife said unto him, if the Lord were pleased to kill us, he would not have received a burnt-offering, and a meat-offering at our hands, neither would he have shewed us all these things, nor would, as at this time, have told us such things as these.

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And what does this passage teach us? I. What peculiar impressions, divine manifestations make upon the mind. II. The difference there is in the knowledge and experience of the Lord's people. III. The profit that is to be derived from a pious companion. IV. How much there is in the Lord's dealings, with his people to encourage them at all times, if they have skill enough to discern it.

I. See the peculiar impressions which divine manifestations make upon the mind. To a certain degree these impressions are proper.