superficial. When we have thought of them for an hour or two, we comprehend the whole; and if we reflect on them long after, we can perceive nothing

but the same ideas recur again and again. But in Christ there is an infinite variety. If we could muse upon him for hours, and days, and years together, without intermission, and it were possible to keep up a close attention all the while, such is his inexhaustible fulness, that fresh matter would continually present itself, and as many beauties be discovered, as if we had never considered him before.

I could not have fixed upon a more pleasant subject let the worldling delight in thinking of his houses, and lands, and hoards of golden treasure; let the sensualist rejoice in recollecting past pleasures, or looking forward to future; let those who are engaged in business, feel themselves happy in forming plans for trade, or enjoying their success; let the man of letters be pleased with observing the improvements that are continually made in arts and sciences; I envy none of their enjoyments, while I can meditate upon Jesus. Does a malefactor remember with pleasure, the friend who has procured for him a pardon? Does a sick person delight to think on the physician, from whose skill and tendernéss he has the prospect of returning health? Does a beggar recollect with joy, that generous benefactor, from whose door he never goes empty away? I have much greater reason to think with delight and rapture on Jesus, who has been to me a benefactor, a physician, a friend, abrother, and every thing that is kind and compassionate. This is the pleasing subject

which I have proposed to myself; and I hope that we all desire, and design, to fix our eyes, our thoughts, and our hearts, upon Jesus.

Think then what Christ is. Indeed, this is a subject more fit for silent contemplation, than laboured expression for no words can fully describe his infinite amiableness and excellency. I pity those who only acknowledge him to be a creature; though superior to the best of men, or the highest of angels. If he were, indeed, no more than this, my meditation of him would not be sweet. I should fear to trust my salvation with a creature, when principalities, and powers, and spiritual wickedness, appeared ready to assault me with fury. I should be afraid, lest, amidst the infinite variety of cases that must be continually before him, and which no created understanding could attend to at once, I should be overlooked and forgotten. If Christ were no more than a creature, I never could think of him with assurance. But since I know him to be the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty, the wisdom of God, and the power of God; I can think of him with beart-felt delight. Now, if the rain descend, and the floods come, and beat upon me, and threaten to overwhelm me, and I see nothing around but trouble and sorrow, when my thoughts turn to my gracious and omnipotent Saviour," who rides in the whirlwind, and directs the storm," my anxious spirit is immediately at rest.

Think again on what he has done. He has interposed between you and a consuming fire; between you and incensed justice; between you and

the bottomless pit. The manner of effecting the deliverance is as astonishing as the mercy itself. He gave himself a ransom for many. He made peace by the blood of his cross; and having been delivered for our offences, he rose again for our justification: and when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and triumphed openly, and gloriously, over all the united powers of darkness. These are sweet subjects for meditation.. Let others amuse themselves with the exploits of ancient or modern he roes; to me there is nothing so interesting as the love of the Saviour. Every action of his is truly great; and what is more important, I feel myself concerned in every thing which he said or performed. When he laid aside his glory, it was for me. When he was made flesh, it was for me. When he was nailed to the cross, when he conquered death, and him that had the power of it, it was, I hope and believe, for me. I can therefore read his history many times over, and my meditation continues to be sweet.

Think on what he is now doing. That love which induced him first to espouse our cause, and made him go about doing good while he was on earth, will not suffer him to be indifferent to us since he has ascended to heaven. He is there attentive to our interest; and whenever any petitions or praises arise from our hearts, he is ever ready to receive them, and to present and recommend them to God. Whenever the great accuser of the brethren reports our imperfections above, and maliciously aggravates what, alas! in many instances need no aggravation, our ever faithful and merciful High-priest pleads our cause, defends us from all his accusations, and procures a

gracious pardon for our guilt. Think of him as our forerunner, taking possession of the kingdom in our name, which everlasting love has engaged to give us; and preparing a place for us in his Father's house, into which we shall enter when this life is ended.

Think on what he will hereafter do for you. You are delighted when you reflect upon what he has done already, and can hardly help crying out, "Whence is all this to me, who am less than the least of all thy mercies?" Yet all that you have heard, and tasted, is but as the shadow of good things to come; or an introduction to something infinitely greater and sweeter, than eye has seen, or ear heard, or heart has conceived. Think of him, as receiving your departing spirit, and kindly watching over your dust sleeping in the grave. Think of him as coming in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory, and saying to you, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Think of him, as introducing you into the presence of his Father, and seating you on his throne; while all the inhabitants of heaven, with one voice, are shouting, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."

O! Christians, if to meditate on Christ be so sweet, what will it be to behold him, to converse with him, to be always in his presence; not only seeing, but partaking of, his glory? That will be heaven indeed! and any glimpses and foretastes of it, that we are indulged with in his ordinances, is a

little heaven upon earth. Let us then, Christians, show the world to-morrow, of what we have been thinking to-day. Let us still dwell on the pleasing subject which now engages our hearts; and this will preserve us from temptation, and fit us for duty. For the world and sin will hardly be listened to, when our thoughts are intensely fixed upon Jesus.