their cities. 2. The siege should be so distressing throughout its continuance, bringing about such dreadful calamities and keen famines, that natural ties should be forgotten, and a delicate lady should kill and eat her own infant secretly. 3. From vast numbers, they should be reduced to a very meagre band, and driven from their own good land. 4 They should be scattered among all people, from one end of the earth to the other; should serve other nations and worship gods of wood and stone. 5. While among these nations they should have no ease, nor rest for the sole of their feet, but should be seized with trembling of heart, failing of eyes and sorrow of mind. 6. Though thus oppressed and pealed by heaven's judgments, they should not be absorbed by other nations; for saith Jehovah, by his prophet Jeremiah, "They should never, while sun, moon and stars existed, cease from being a nation before him." The allusion throughout the whole prophecy, is plainly directed to the Jewish people. Their history seems to have been as well written by prophetic pens thousands of years ago, as it could be now. The siege of Jerusalem is plainly described and the horrid circumstance of a woman eating her own child is predicted as it happened, with almost aggravating minuteness. A part of the prediction is now in a course of fulfilment. The Jews, though not annihilated, are still a separate and distinct people, scattered to the four winds of heaven, while other nations which were their tyrants, have lost their identity and hardly have a "local habitation or a name." Bear it in mind, that the downfall of the Jews and Jerusalem, was predicted two thousand years before its Occurrence. Did not prophecy become miracle in this extraordinary case?

Let the enquiring mind compare Paul's prediction in 2nd chapter of 2nd Thessalonians, and the rise, progress and general history of the church of Rome and the conclusion is irresistible, that prophecy and fact were in this case identified, and are now beyond reasonable speculation.

Enough has been said upon these two grand arguments for our holy religion, without borrowing other illustrations. With the impregnable arguments already set forth, we might close this discourse; but in conclusion, let us turn our attention to the prediction of the text, which, though we have digressed thus far, we have all along had in our mind's eye. It is David, Israel's distinguished prophet, psalmist

and king, who is speaking: "they gave me gall for my meat, and in my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink." The whole scene of Christ's trial and cruel crucifixion were before his mind, and almost the exact language which another inspired penman was directed to employ was used by him. Matthew informs us, that the blessed Saviour was taken to "a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull. They gave him vinegar to drink, mingled with gall; and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink." How exactly did these inspired minds agree. The Old and the New Testament are in harmony testifying to our Saviour's divine character.

Shall mere testimony be offered? Who with such undoubled evidence before him, will deny the spiritual authori ty of our religion, or the divine authority of Christ's mission? Unreasonable must be that man who will hold to a speculative creed. Leaving all such men to the great ultimate ordeal of judgment, we will remark, that the text may be a fruitful theme of reflection. 1. View it as actually setting forth David's severe trials. 2. View it as a prediction of Christ's intense physical suffering. 3. View it as referring to the fiery trials of the church in general. 4. View it as relating to every believer in general. Fully to unfold all these views, would extend this discourse to an unwonted and unreasonable length.

In the light of the beautiful harmony between the light of reason and revelation, which we have established by the humble essayings of human argument: a harmony so fruitful and encircled with such convincing evidence of the wisdom, goodness and divine majesty of our Saviour; let us adore the God and Father of our spirits, that we have so clear a manifestation of his will revealed in the sacred books of inspiration. "What is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him?"

True love for Christ and unlimited faith in the Father, will apply all these glorious truths to our hearts; and in joyous expectation of a triumphant future, we may say, in the burning, intense desires of our hearts

"There is a world above
Where parting is unknown;
A long eternity of love,
Formed for the good alone,

And faith beholds the dying here,

Transported to that glorious sphere."

AN EXTRACT.

Futurity is known to Omniscience; and it is God's sole prerogative to "declare the things that shall come to pass. Prophecy is therefore a miracle of knowledge-and the declaration of future events is so far beyond the power of human discernment or sagacity, that it is justly regarded as the highest evidence that can be produced of supernatural intercourse with the Deity, and of the truth of divine revelation.

Prophecy abounds in the holy scriptures, in such a series, and of a kind so magnificent, that the evidences of its fulfilment may be examined, in numerous instances, by those of the present age, with increasing light and more powerful demonstration of its divinity. Every reader of the Bible perceives that prophecy, in its most sublime revelations, comprehends the whole course of time; commencing with the first prediction, delivered to guilty Adam in the garden of Eden, concerning the appointed Saviour of the world, until the consumma i n of the mystery of Providence in the kingdom of God. Events and ages, however, yet future, are embraced by the inspired predictions; and while we survey the manifest fulfilment of many of them, relating to various people, extensive countries, and mighty cities, their actual present condition affords evidence that is accumulating in strength, in support of the saving belief of christians.

Contemplating divine prophecy in its original revelation -in its progressive advancement and fulfilment, in relation to numerous tribes and people-in the desolation of ancient cities in the subversion of mighty empires-in the subjugation of the Israelites in the advent of Messiah-in the accomplishment of his work of redemption-in the dispersion of his enemies. the Jews-in the establishment of his kingdom-and in the preservation and propagation of his gospel to regenerate our depraved world-no subject can be imagined so elevating to the brightest understanding, or so delightful to the pious mind. Events that are now transpiring in the nations of the world, more particularly the silent, peaceful, revolution which is taking place, especially throughout Europe, manifestly declare the mysterious direction of divine Providence, and a glorious improvement in all parts of the world, by the advancement of pure christianity.

"Let not your heart be troubled ye believe in God, believe also in me. JOHN, XIV: 1.

Amidst the variety of subjects which, for a considerable time past, have employed the attention of our ministers, whether in the pulpit or from the press, there is one topic which seems to have been almost entirely overlooked:-I mean the consolations which the gospel has provided, as the remedy for the troubles and afflictions of God's people. Important as the subjects of discussion have been and worthy of the deepest regard, they do not supply this "lack of service"- -a service which in its place appears to be as pressingly called for as any that we can render to the church of Christ.

Make the best of human life, brethren, it is fated to have its griefs; nor has the highly privileged state of the christian exempted him from this lot. The aspect indeed of the church's trial may change with changing times and circumstances, so also may the measure of our sufferings. The afflictions of the primitive christians, in apostolic times, were, in some respects, of a different character from those which are experienced by us, and much more grievous to be borne;particularly in regard to earthly privations and bodily sufferings: yet have we our measure meted out to us; and so must we expect it will be, while we inhabit this vale of tears, and while we have to conflict with sin and with its train of evils. Christian sufferings, however, are not to be considered in the light of a curse-inflicted merely as the penalty No!-our gracious Master, in his wisdom and covenant love, has given them a disciplinary character;—has infused into these bitter draughts a wholesome quality; and, as a pledge of his kindness, has furnished the means for sweetening the draught, and for sustaining the spirit in its painful struggles.

It is my present purpose, brethren, to throw some contri

bution into that division of the spiritual treasury which seems most to nced it :-in other words, to present, as I may be enabled, the remedy which the gospel furnishes for the troubles of the heart:"let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." I shall not stop here to enquire whether (as some think,) the translation would be improved by rendering both these expressions imperatively-"believe in God, believe also in me." In substance and effect the two readings amount to the same thing; and I deem it unnecessary to trouble you or myself with this

criticism.

Our text is a small part of an extended discourse delivered by our Lord to his apostles-"the eleven," I mean, for Judas had gone out at an early period in the conversation which took place at the table. It was his valedictory address-his farewell sermon to his beloved little band, after the last supper, and just before his separation from them by death. This circumstance, you can easily conceive, is well calculated to add weight to the things which were spoken, and to deepen the interest of a discourse in itself so interesting and so weighty.

"The things concerning Jesus" were now hastening to a crisis. The dreadful agony was just at hand;-Pilate's bar rose in full prospect before him—and death, in its most appalling form was staring him in the face! Nevertheless, his heart is on his disciples. His affections still linger around the little family from which he is presently to be separated; and as a rich legacy suited to their need, he leaves them this his farewell sermon.

Yes, "a rich legacy suited to their need." How admirably! how sweetly suited! what wise instructions! what salutary admonitions! what soul-encouraging promises! and what soothing and consoling assurances for desponding spirits? All bearing the impress of heaven itself, and blended in harmonious keeping, to meet the cases of those to whom they were addressed. Surely, my friends, we may well apply to this discourse of our blessed Lord, the character which Solomon gives to a "word fitly spoken :-" like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Surely these heavenly truths, these precious promises-grounded on the power, and love and faithfulness of Christ, are more beautiful to the view of the soul, than would be to the bodily eye, the rich