APRIL 11.-Jesus said unto them, Take heed what ye hear.-Mark iv. 24.

It is our unspeakable mercy, it calls for our daily tribute of praise, and daily study to improve it, that a free use of the lively oracles of truth is permitted us. Others are denied this rich privilege. Happy those, to whom the word of God is the rule of their faith, a light to direct their paths, and a standard whereby they try and prove the doctrines they hear, whether they are of God, or man! The whole truth, as it is in Jesus, is precious to every believer. "Faith comes by hearing the word of God." As the ear is the inlet to the soul, we should ever take heed what kind of doctrines we hear. Through the ear, Satan gained access to the heart of Eve, and beguiled her. Paul alludes to this, 2 Cor. xi. 3. "I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." What is this simplicity? Even this plain, simple truth, that salvation is wholly and solely by Christ, according to the everlasting purpose and love of God the Father, revealed in the word of truth, and applied to the soul by the Holy Spirit. Lost and perishing sinners are the happy subjects of it. They have no hand in procuring, or making it effectual; but they are wholly saved by election of grace, through faith. Whatever doctrines are contrary to either of these points, oppose revealed truths, are subversive of the plan of salvation, tend to rob God of the glory of his grace, and his dear children of their comfort and joy of faith.

Therefore, disciples, take heed what you hear. These doctrines are not merely speculative, or non-essential; but are the important, fundamental, essential truths of the gospel. To oppose the doctrine of election, is to deny the first cause of salvation, the everlasting love of God the Father; it is to gainsay the prophets, apostles, and even our Lord himself, who spake most plainly of it. This ariseth from human pride, which

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ever imagines it can do something to procure God's love. So of the imputed righteousness of Christ, and the saints' perseverance in faith and holiness; if these scripture truths are maligned and opposed, it is from the supposed self-sufficiency and self-righteousness of the creature, to establish its own righteousness and faithfulness. Hence, salvation becomes precarious, justification impossible. This strikes at the root of true holiness, and tends both to presumption and licentiousness. For these truths are revealed in the word, by the Spirit, most clearly, that they should be the food of our faith, subjects of study, the causes of humility, confidence of hope, rejoicing of love, and excite us to holiness. Approve yourselves "by the word of truth," 2 Cor. vi. 7.

APRIL 12.-And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him. ----Josh. vii. 19.

The Lord our God is a jealous God; jealous of his glory, and his people's good. Sin is contrary to both. God so loves his people, that he will not suffer sin to reign in them. Wilful, allowed sin, however secret, he will chastise for, and bring the soul to confess and repent of. Though sin shall not bring one of God's dear children to hell, yet it may bring a hell into the conscience for a season. Sin may break the peace of mind, but cannot the covenant of peace.

Wilful transgression causes the Lord to hide his face, or frown upon his dear children. This weakens their hands, dejects their hearts, and the enemy gets power against them. This was the case with Achan; therefore the accursed thing must be found out, confessed, and put away. Methinks Achan's case should remind the believer of his carnal, sinful nature. It is from hence spring all his troubles. Indulging its sinful motions brings grief to the soul; encouraging an opinion

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of its goodness and righteousness is dissembling with God: it is hiding somewhat in the "earth, in the midst of the tent," which is abominable to him, and which robs him of his glory. The flesh with its lusts and corruptions, though we may think of them, as Achan did of the Babylonish garment, that they are goodly, yet they are accursed by the law of God. Therefore we are, through the Spirit, "to crucify the flesh, with the affections and lusts." Like the wedge of gold, and the shekels of silver, all must be given up; we must retain none of its riches and treasures. How often has our flesh made our hands hang down, our knees faint, and our hearts troubled!

O christian! thou son of the Most High, give glory to the Lord God of Israel, hide nothing in thy earthly, vile nature from thy Lord and Saviour; make confession unto Jesus of all that is in thee, vile, abominable, wretched, and hell-deserving as thou art by nature. Give Jesus all the glory of redemption, justification, and salvation. Expect no good from the flesh, in the pleasures and enjoyments of sense. Seek it all in Jesus, and from his Spirit. As Achan troubled Israel, he must therefore perish in the flames of Achor. So, christian, the flesh that troubles thy spirit, is shortly to fall and die under the sentence for sin. But saith God, I will give the valley of Achor [trouble] for a door of hope, Hos. ii. 15. Though the body shall be sown in dishonour, yet it shall be raised in glory. For, saith Jesus, "I am the resurrection, and the life. He who liveth and believeth in me shall never die," John xi. 25, 26.

APRIL 13. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. Heb. ii. 1.

The body receives little nourishment, if its food pass hastily through it. To health and strength proper digestion is necessary. Divine truths, eagerly heard and soon forgot, neither comfort nor strengthen the soul. When the babe Jesus was lying in the manger, and the shepherds had told the glorious things they had seen and heard concerning him, many wondered. But it was the happiness of the virgin mother, that "she kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart," Luke ii. 19. We can never be comfortable in Jesus, but while the truths concerning him dwell in our minds.

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Many complain of bad memories. They can retain but little of the doctrines of grace. True, Jesus saves none for the sake of a strong memory; neither will his loving heart cast off any because of a weak one. it is our daily interest to take the wholesome advice which the Spirit of wisdom dictates. His word is our direction. His gracious cautions prevent evils. He teacheth to the soul's health. It behoves us to give the most earnest heed to the truths of Jesus. They demand all our attention. Pondering them in our minds, dwelling on them in our hearts continually, tend, through grace, to keep us watchful against what would rob us of their comfort, and to strengthen our memories to retain the sweet sense of them. Hence, a holy fear will be excited, lest at any time we should let them slip, or run out of our minds, as water does through a leaky vessel; so as to lose the savour of them from our hearts.

Sudden flashes of comfort, hasty transports of joy, are dubious as to their cause. By the word of truth we are to try them; and by that we shall be able to stand. The gospel of grace inspires with courage. Through the knowledge of Jesus we conquer. That spirit, which excites to diligence and care, will establish in the truth. Studious souls, in the school of Christ, make the most established and lively disciples. The opposition of enemies to the truths of electing love, Jesus' righteousness, the final salvation of his redeemed children, &c., shall do us no harm. This shall be overruled by grace, to the establishing the faith of God's children. The oak is rooted stronger by the blast that shakes it. The more we see of the evil of sin, the pride and unbelief of our corrupt natures, and the subtle devices of Satan, so much more dear and precious shall we esteem the doctrines of free grace, and the finished salvation of Jesus. And we shall prove ourselves his true disciples, " if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope, firm unto the end," Heb. iii. 6.

APRIL 14. He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.-Psalm cvi. 15.

When the sunshine of worldly ease, and a greater portion of the good things of this life than he was wont to enjoy, fell to the lot of that champion of Jesus, of blessed memory, Luther, it excited a holy fear and jealousy in his heart, which made him cry out. "Lord, I will not be put off with these things." However pleasant and agreeable worldly prosperity may be to the flesh, yet indulging and pampering the body begets and feeds many disorders and humours, destructive to the health of the soul. The body, without exercise, loses its strength and vigour. Afflictions are the exercise of the soul; though dreaded, because grievous to the flesh, yet are they profitable to the spirit; or else, not one of God's dear children should know what a single trouble is; for they are all the allotments of covenant love. In our prayers, we too often imitate James and John, "we know not what we ask." We ask amiss, and yet are ready to complain, that the Lord doth not answer us according to our desire; though the very thing we asked would have proved as a serpent, to bite and destroy us.

Oh, what patience doth our God and Father exercise towards the froward dispositions of his dear, but untoward children! It would be bad for the best of us, if we were our own providers. Let Peter have his re