waves of corruptions lift up their voice within, yet the God of hope is mightier than all, and the christian's hope riseth above all; therefore is it sure and steady. It is cast, out of sight, within the veil. By this blessed hope, sin-condemned, soul-distressed sinners are kept steady to Jesus, and find a comfortable and secure refuge. And that precious Spirit, who shows them their danger, and guides them to safety, causeth the joy of hope to spring up in their souls. They enjoy hope, in themselves, concerning their state towards God, through Christ, even a good hope through grace: and they are made to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. Oh, this is a comforting, operative grace! it leads the soul to expect all that God has promised, even all the blessings of the everlasting covenant of grace, which flow to us from the life and death of Jesus. All are secured by the immutable counsel and solemn oath of an unchanging God, both for time and eternity. What strong consolation this, to every believer! Thus Jesus is the only and alone object through whom God reveals the hope of salvation. His work is finished. It is our happiness to believe this, and rejoice in the hope it affords us. Christ is therefore ever to be looked to, and trusted in. And while thus exercised, inward hope and joyful consolation will abound. "Every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, even as God is pure," 1 John iii. 3.

MAY 7.-And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures ?-Luke xxiv. 32.

When the fire of divine love burns in the heart, disciples cannot refrain speaking of it to each other. But, how transient are the frames of God's dearest children! Too apt are the strongest believers to live

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upon sense and feeling, instead of faith and the promises. The former may, and often does, fail in enjoyment; but the latter is founded upon the firm, immutable foundation of the God of truth; therefore is sure and infallible. Then, stand fast in the faith.

These disciples were just before in dejection and despondency. The time was come for resurrection comfort, but their Lord not appearing, as they expected, they were sad. Jesus was with them; but they knew him not. He upbraids them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!" Then he expounds the scriptures concerning himself. Presently, the fire kindles in their hearts. But it seems that it was soon past; yea, gone before they spoke of it. "Did not our hearts burn?" how sweet was it! what delightful moments were those! Doubtless, they could have wished them to have continued always. So they should, if the Master saw good. If Jesus knew it was best, all disciples would enjoy hearts ever warm, ever glowing with the heavenly flame of divine love. It verily is sweet to sense. Those who have been "baptized with the Holy Ghost, and fire" of divine love, will speak of it to the glory of Jesus, and long for more lasting enjoyment of it. This best. wine is reserved for the last. Disciple, soon shalt thou drink thy fill, without danger of being intoxicated. But thou must wait the promise, as these disciples did. Thou must go to the same place where they now are, before thy thirsty soul will be perfectly satisfied. May it be our present concern, that we give Jesus no cause to upbraid us for folly and unbelief, in not abiding by the prophets' promises, and his testimony! We are to live upon the truth of the word, and not upon fire and feeling within. But yet, disciples should ever be on their guard against such as deny the experienced comforts and joys of the Holy Ghost. Be not put off with dry notions, which are like the pale light of the waning moon, but administer not the animating warmth

of the meridian sun. For, saith our loving Lord, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life," John vi. 63.

MAY 8.-I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Rom. vii. 21.

The heathens, at their sacrifices, were wont to cry out, "Keep at a distance, O ye profane." But they withheld not their offerings, lest the unhallowed should be more polluted, or their sacrifices defiled by them. For the consolation, edification, and establishment of godly souls, the apostle Paul has left his own experience, in this chapter. Here, he confesses that he was a poor sinner, yet a holy and happy believer in Jesus. Hereby, to many precious souls, Christ hath been made more infinitely precious, while sin has appeared more exceedingly sinful; and they have been made to sink lower in humility, at the feet of sovereign grace. Let those who dare advert to this blessed testimony, for contrary purposes, remember the Judge is at the door. Shortly they must account for it, if they turn the food of God's word into the poison of their souls.

Fools make a mock of sin, while godly souls groan under the burden of indwelling corruption. The conduct of the former is an awful proof of their state. The sorrows of the latter are a certain evidence of their spiritual life and sanctification. Being born again of the Spirit, to do good is the delight of their hearts. Being living members of Jesus by faith, they love conformity to their Head. Being sons of God by adoption, it is their joy to love, obey, and please their heavenly Father in all things. Perfection in holiness they aspire after. Entire freedom from sin they long for. But God will not suffer his own elect to be deceived, so as to think themselves what they are not, nor will they ever be, in the flesh, perfectly freed from sin; for the old man, with his affections and lusts, is ever present

with them. "In their flesh dwells no good thing;" they are not to expect any good from it. It lusts only to evil continually. Hence their best thoughts are interrupted and diverted; their most holy desires damped and discouraged; their best actions are seldom, if ever, free from the bold intrusion of unwelcome guests, the world, the flesh, and the devil. "I would be wholly devoted to the Lord," saith the gracious soul; "all my powers and faculties, time and talents, would I wholly, freely, and willingly dedicate in love to him." Scarcely is the pleasing thought conceived, but the evil of pride injects, "What a rare name will this acquire me! how shall I be admired, and shine in the christian world!" Oh, this sinks the christian with shame, and causes him to hide his head with holy blushing! But let not this discourage thee. Paul abated nothing of his zeal for God's glory because of this. Follow his steps. "Trust in the Lord, and do good," Psalm xxxvii. 3.

MAY 9.-While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Gen. viii. 22.

"Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come," 1 Tim. iv. 8. By faith we receive the declarations of Jehovah, as the blessings of a father's love. The returning seasons, the revolving periods of time, declare the glory of our heavenly Father. While the christian meditates upon the innumerable blessings of time, and gratitude inspires his heart for them, yet, far nobler subjects demand the contemplation of his soul. Happy for us! when temporal blessings are enjoyed as covenant mercies, and are sanctified to us in Christ. We see, and adore the sovereignty of God, in appointing times and seasons. The immutability of his will, is the law by which they are governed. When the fixed period shall come, all nature shall be reduced to its primitive nothingness. Time shall be swallowed up in a never-ending eternity. Happy souls! who are taught the displays of grace from the images of nature; who bow to the sovereignty of love, rejoice in the covenant of grace, and rest upon the immutability of God's purposes, and promises in Christ to poor sinners. Such are assured, that as in nature, so in grace, seedtime and harvest shall not fail to God's church and people, because of "his everlasting covenant, which is ordered in all things and sure."

There is a time for the immortal seed of the word to be sown in every elect soul. This is experienced, by the seed striking root in conviction of sin, and its springing up in faith, desire, and love to Jesus. And because the Sun of righteousness ever lives, and shines upon his members, they shall most assuredly reap a harvest of eternal glory. Chilling cold, and winter's blasts, may succeed the summer of love and warmth of affection. Nights of darkness, from desertion, temptation, and affliction, may follow days of peace, joy, and consolation. These various seasons and changes will pass upon, and be experienced by, believing souls, "while the earth remaineth;" so long as our earthly nature continues: but it is sentenced to dissolution. We must leave it on this side Jordan; then we shall see it no more, as an enemy, for ever. But, in the presence of Jesus, the soul shall have fulness of joy, and the body shall be raised a glorious body, to enjoy the pleasures which are at God's right hand for evermore. There shall be no night of darkness, no chill of affections, no winter of distress. This is now our sweet consolation; Christ saith, "Because I live, ye shall live also," John xiv. 19. And "when Christ our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in glory," Col. iii. 4.