tians. There would be a holy, humble, self-denying practice. Men would " press towards the mark of their high calling of God in Christ Jesus." There would be a taking up the cross and following Christ. They would not waste their time in prying into mysteries, and discoursing about secret things which are far above their comprehensions, whilst they neglect the weightier matters of humble faith, and submissive, obedient practice. The Lord knows! and the Lord appoints! Be it so! We rejoice in his sovereignty. We would bow to his supremacy. "The Lord is King, be the people never so unquiet." He is King of kings, and Lord of lords!

But never let it be forgotten that we have a work to do-even to work out our salvation, with fear and trembling; the Lord working in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. The humble Christian sees in the covenant of grace two parts of a vast system. The Lord promises, and will perform; but to whom are the promises made? to the believing, or to the unbelieving? to the obedient, or to the disobedient? to the penitent, or to the impenitent? We can

not be at a loss to answer these questions: as the law with all its terrors is revealed against the ungodly; so, in God's dispensation of mercy, the Gospel proclaims the pardon of sin, even to the vilest and most abandoned, if they repent them of their sins, and look by faith to the appointed sacrifice for sin. But we have no instance of a sinner saved in his sins: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die; but God commendeth his love towards us, in that whilst we were yet sinners Christ died for

us."

The comfort arising from this subject. It is a source of the most pure comfort to the penitent, to reflect upon the foreknowledge of God. For that same good Lord knoweth likewise whereof we are made; he remembereth that we are but dust. Our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ knoweth, for he hath experienced, the infirmities of our mortal nature. He knows the temptations of Satan, for he submitted to them: he knows the strength

of every enemy with whom we have to combat but he who knows the trial, can impart strength to his servants. God is faithful, who will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able to bear; and it is the earnest wish and prayer of the Christian to depart from iniquity—he would be separate from it he listens to the promise, "Sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under the law, but under grace." 1. In applying this subject we would say, what a merciful provision is made for us in the Gospel-what a solid foundation have we to build upon! Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor the rich man in his riches; let not the mighty man glory in his strength; but "he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." No fancies or false wisdom can change the purpose of God. The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal. If we glory, let us glory in the sovereignty of God—in the mercy of God-in all the wise appointments of him who is our Heavenly Father, and of him who is made unto us wisdom, and of him who can sanctify us and make us holy.

With these views of the Gospel, let us pray that if we name the name of Christ, we may depart from iniquity: that we may not deceive ourselves with a name to live whilst we are dead: but that, being called by his great name, we may live up to our high calling.

There is a day coming, in which our partial knowledge shall be infinitely extended-when we shall no longer see through a glass darkly, but shall see and know God, even as also we are known. Then, indeed, our state will be altogether different, for then there will be no iniquity to depart from. Having been purified by the Spirit of God; assisted in our pilgrimage, warned of the evil nature of sin, and led to stretch out an anxious wish for better enjoyments, we shall be actually taken to participate in these blessings in the kingdom of Heaven. Then all the preparatory steps will cease to be requisite. Faith, and hope, and prayer, and self-denial, will no longer be put into exercise. We shall enjoy, we shall praise, we shall adore, and magnify the Lord our God. "O praise the Lord of heaven, O praise the Lord of all lords, for

his mercy endureth for ever.'

دو

His know

ledge will call forth our adoration. His holiness, his truth, his justice, his power; but, above all, his loving-kindness and his mercy. Mercy led us through the wilderness, not with a flaming sword, but with a golden sceptre. Mercy went before us when we passed through the deep waters; mercy was a wall unto us on the right hand and on the left. It led us into Canaan. "O give thanks to Him who hath done these wonders, for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of Heaven, for his mercy endureth for ever!" Let them give thanks whom the Lord hath redeemed and delivered out of the hand of the enemy.