that any one can be said, in the full meaning of the text, to have his mind 'stayed upon God.'

exposed us to the curse of a broken law; they had also unfitted us for communion with God. And, accordingly, while by his atoning blood he washes away the guilt of sin from his people's souls, he at the same time, by the grace of his Holy Spirit, renews their fallen nature, and restores them to the image of God. He blesses them by 'turning every one of them from his iniquities,' Acts iii. 26. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,' 2 Cor. v. 17. It is a truth, never to be forgotten, that these two blessings, deliverance from the guilt, and deliverance from the power of sin, are inseparable. Where one is not, the other cannot be. Let no man, therefore, vainly dream that he can escape the curse, if he be not emancipated from the bondage of sin; that he can be washed and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, if he be not also sanctified by the Spirit of our God. But while Christ will give a half deliverance to no man, he will impart a free and full salvation to all that come unto God by him. He is both able and willing to save to the uttermost. How infinitely precious, then, must be the knowledge of Christ. To know him is life eternal, 'For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,' Acts iv. 12. Wherefore, then, do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David,' Isa. lv. 2, 3. | liarly distressing, how brightly did the same spirit

6

TRUSTING in the Lord in the scripture sense of the expression, manifestly embraces the two great departments of providence and grace: trusting, that is, in the providence of God as to all that concerns our outward estate; and trusting in the grace of God as to all that concerns our inward and everlasting welfare. These two departments comprehend the whole of man's connection with God, and include all his interests temporal and eternal. And it is only when there is an unhesitating confidence as to both these departments and as to all these interests,

1. In the first of these departments how beautifully do we find this constant reliance on the divine love and faithfulness displayed in the scripture history of the saints of old. The Lord is my shepherd,' said the pious king of Israel, 'I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over,' Psal. xxiii. Nor was this spirit of entire dependence on the Author and Preserver of his being, this recognition of the divine hand as ordering all his lot, confined to those more pleasing events which might naturally be expected to awaken emotions of gratitude. His trials were traced to the same source, and received with the same firm reliance on the Lord's wisdom and mercy. When Shimei the son of Gera, a man of the house of Saul, insolently exulting over the misfortunes which were driving David for a time into exile from his city and his throne, 'came forth, and cast stones at David, and cursed him still as he came :' instead of giving vent to that indignation which so grievous an outrage would have excited in a mere man of the world, not only did he restrain any feeling of this kind in his own mind, but expressly forbade any manifestation of such a feeling on the part of his followers. 'Let him alone,' said the humbled king, reading his sin in his affliction, let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him,' 2 Sam. xvi. 10. In the case of Job, too, in circumstances pecu

shine forth! For when the messengers, in swift succession, brought him the tidings of another and another woe, and when by the sum of their desolating intelligence they had swept the venerable patriarch in one moment from the very ward wretchedness and misery, what is it we hear height of fortune into the lowest depths of outhim exclaim? Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord,' Job i. 21. One other touching example of the same habitual reliance on God, as ordering all things in His holy providence with unerring wisdom and watchfulness, let His own word supply. When Joseph made himself known to his brethren in Egypt, it was thus he comforted them under the bitterness of their self-accusations. 'Now therefore be not grieved nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to

on one occasion he saw a great multitude following him, attracted for the hour by the fame of his mighty deeds,-and impressed perhaps with the idea that the cause of a master who had all power at his command, could have no trials for those who embraced it, he turned suddenly upon them, and with this sharp sentence, as with a cutting wind, he separated the chaff from the wheat, saying, 'If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me,' Matt. xvi. 24.

mate the divine abhorrence which this treachery | be the first to forsake it, and thereby to bring can never fail to call forth. It is the revolt of reproach on his name. And accordingly, when one who had sworn allegiance,—it is the unfaithfulness of one who had been treated and trusted as a friend, it is a dishonour put on Christ by one who had long affected to be devoted to his cause. Of an iniquity so marked and so base it is not enough to say, that it must exclude its perpetrator from the kingdom of heaven. Its character and desert can be adequately depicted only by holding it up as an act which involves and necessitates his consignment to everlasting ruin. It is a drawing back unto perdition. He whose eyes are as a flame of fire, who looketh not on the outward appearance, but who searcheth and trieth the heart,-clearly discerned all the while the hypocrisy which feigned lips and a fair profession were employed to conceal. And though he be indeed slow to wrath, yet is he also of great power, and will by no means acquit the wicked.

But we are not of them who draw back.' That we may not be found among that number, nothing is more needful than to consider well beforehand what the service of Christ requires. • What man sitteth down to build a tower without first counting the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all they that behold begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth, whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?' Luke xiv. 28-31. In entering the service of Christ, we are proceeding to build a tower, strong enough to defend our souls from the terrors of death, the sentence of condemnation, and the agonies of hell. In joining his standard we are proceeding to make war on the devil, the flesh, and the world. In a work so great,-in a warfare so severe, we must lay our account with difficulties and trials grievous to be borne. It is indispensable therefore, that we learn to look them in the face-to count their numbers to measure their force-lest coming on us unawares, we give way before them and be tempted to draw back unto perdition.' For this very reason the Saviour so often and so urgently warns us of the perils and perplexities that beset the Christian's course. He will seduce no one into his service under the vain imagination, that in following him the way will be all smoothness and sunshine. Those who engage in it with views so mistaken, will, as he well knows,

The offence of this cross' may come in a great variety of ways. It may come in the form of suffering for righteousness' sake. 'He that receiveth the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and bye he is offended,' Matt. xiii. 20, 21. It is a small thing to bear the name and profession of a Christian, when no sacrifice of personal ease, or substance, or safety is required. But it takes a strong faith to maintain that name, and to hold fast that profession, in the midst of bonds, and stripes, and imprisonments, and death.

Nor let it be thought that there can be no persecution without the sword. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution,' 2 Tim. iii. 12. In the vast majority of cases this persecution is and must be something totally different from open violence. There is a persecution of ridicule; a persecution of calumny and reproach; a persecution of personal unkindness; in many forms as hard to bear, and often as fatal in its influence, as the prison or the stake. Truly is it said that the fear of man bringeth a snare.

But men may be tempted to draw back where no outward attack is made upon their stedfastness at all. Every man has within his own breast ample materials out of which to form a grudge against the cause of Christ. If that cause demand a portion of his worldly goods, his avarice is wounded, and he complains of the burden imposed. If it interfere with the prosecution of his carnal views and schemes, he begins to look upon it with impatience and discontent, as an inconvenient obstacle in his way. And what is perhaps the commonest case of all,—when its claims are found to jar against his accustomed way of life—to condemn his love of pleasure, his selfish spirit, his attachment to the world,-he soon learns to look on it as an irksome restraint

from which he longs to be free. Religious exercises in which before he was wont to join, are gradually discontinued,-religious society which he formerly frequented, is more and more forsaken —religious objects which he had been used to encourage are at length abandoned, and everything too plainly indicates that he is drawing back unto perdition.

And is there any thing hard or unreasonable in these terms? Is it not enough for the disciple that he be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord? It was by a similar course the Saviour himself won his way to that throne whose glory, with infinite condescension, he thus engages to share with his people. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." The apostle Paul has given us a noble commentary on this elevating promise of the Saviour in the twelfth chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews, where he thus writes in ver. 1, 2: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.' 'For consider,' adds he, (ver. 3.) ‘consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.'

'Blessed is the man that endureth temptation,' Jam. i. 12. He that endureth to the end shall be saved,' Matt. x. 22. And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith,' 1 John v. 4. We are not of them who draw back, but of them who believe;' walking by faith and not by sight,-enduring as seeing him who is invisible. Faith is the secret of the Christian's strength, it lifts him above the world even while he is in it; it enables him to have his conversation in the heavens. It teaches him that 'our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know, that, if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens,' 2 Cor. iv. 17, 18; v. 1. Thus following on to know the Lord, forgetting|his Lord, No cross, no crown.' This language the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, the true believer holding on his way stedfast and unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord —at length receives the end of his faith, even the salvation of his soul.'

TWENTY-FIFTH DAY.EVENING.

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne,

Rev. iii. 21.

1. If we would hope to enter into the fellowship of Christ's glory in heaven, we must be contented to enter into the fellowship of his sufferings on earth. It is as true of the Christian as of

may, indeed, appear unmeaning or extravagant to unspiritual professors and mere men of the world. Perhaps to some young or inexperienced disciples it may seem repulsive and severe. But, as in the meditation of this morning, occasion was found to observe, the Saviour will have no one to be allured into his service by false and flattering representations concerning it. His yoke, indeed, in one sense, is easy, and his burden light, for it brings peace and gladness to the soul. But still with a fatal perversity are fallen men prone to break his bands, and to cast his cords from them. If, therefore, any one should ask in what the conflicts of the Christian consist,

let him know that the first and sorest of them WE are here plainly taught that the religion all is with himself. In subduing pride, in upwhich conducts the soul in safety through the rooting selfishness, in mortifying those fleshly troubles of time, into the glorious rest of a happy lusts that war against the soul, he will find ample eternity, is not a transient emotion, but an abid- materials for a painful and protracted struggle. ing principle, practical, permanent, progressive, And while the corruption of his own sinful and like the morning light, shining more and more deceitful heart will furnish fuel for many fiery unto the perfect day. It is he who not only trials within, the world that lieth in wickedness begins, but endures to the end, that shall be will not leave him long a stranger to trials from saved. It is he who not only fights, but over- | without. 'In the world ye shall have tribulacomes, that shall have the wreath of victory tion, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world,' John xvi. 33.

bound about his brow.

2. And this should remind us that in pursu- | And who can ever want an encouragement to ing this self-denying career, the believer may fight the good fight of faith,' who has the sure reckon, with entire confidence, on the tender prospect of being at length received into the joy sympathy and unfailing support of his gracious of his Lord-welcomed to the mansions Christ is Lord. The words of the text, which tell him now preparing for them that love him, with these of the struggle, assure him it is one through gracious words, 'Come, ye blessed of my Father, which, in an infinitely more aggravated form, his inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the Saviour has gone before him. For in that he foundation of the world?' Matt. xxv. 24. himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.' If it be soothing to enjoy the sympathy of an earthly friend, how unspeakably more sustaining, more elevating the sympathy of the Son of God; of him

who not only is 'touched with the feeling of our infirmities,' but is 'mighty to save.' For 'now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the fire kindle upon thee; for I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour,' Isa. xliii. 1-3.

3. But once more, the Christian's warfare on earth is needful to make him 'meet for the inheritance of the saints;' it is soon to terminate in that fulness of pleasure which is at God's right hand. Does the long absent mariner grudge to encounter the toils and privations of the deep, when home and country are awaiting his return? Does the soldier shrink from the field of conflict, when victory is already within his grasp? And shall the Christian be deterred or daunted in bearing a cross which he is so soon to exchange for a crown that fadeth not away. 'It is a faithful saying, If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him?' 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12. True, indeed, the spirit of self-indulgence might prompt the wish to be allowed to reap the harvest without being subjected to the husbandman's toil. Pride may whisper that the probationary process is unneeded, It is, however, for the very purpose of humbling pride, and subduing selfishness, of teaching us to live for, and to glory in Christ, alone, that the cross is laid upon us. He who 'knows what is in man,' sees how greatly this discipline is required; and 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.'

TWENTY-SIXTH DAY.-MORNING.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much

fruit; so shall ye be my disciples,' John xv. 8. WHEN Christ came into the world as a Redeemer, the design and effect of his mission were not only to bring peace on earth and good-will to men, but also and chiefly to give glory to God in the highest.' He was himself, in his own person, the brightness of the Father's glory; and by the work given him to do, he was to make known even to the principalities and powers in heavenly places the manifold wisdom of God. The heavens, indeed, declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy work. His eternal power and Godhead are clearly seen, being understood by the things which he hath made. But the testimony to the divine perfections and government which these works of creation afford is dark as midnight, compared with the effulgence of that revelation which is made in and through Christ. Whosoever hath seen him hath seen the Father.'

But while the glory of the Father is thus manifested directly, and supremely in the person of the Son, that glory is reflected and multiplied, in ten thousand forms, in the souls of his ransomed people. They are God's husbandry; they are God's building. Washed, and justified, and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God, they bear his image as new creatures, created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works. They are God's witnesses,' exhibiting in the graces of a regenerated nature a most blessed and impressive evidence of the depth and tenderness of divine compassion, of the unsearchable riches of divine love, of the awful majesty of divine justice, of the attractive beauties of divine holiness, of the infinite resources of divine wisdom Finally, then, 'cast not away your confidence, and power. Nothing, accordingly, is or can be which hath great recompence of reward. For more dishonouring to God, than a Christian proye have need of patience, that after ye have done fession stained by ungodliness. It is as if the sun, the will of God ye might receive the promise.' instead of sending forth light and warmth to 'For yet a little while, and he that shall come, gladden and vivify the earth, and thereby to illuswill come, and will not tarry,' Heb. x. 36, 37. | trate the benignity of its great Creator,—were to