Christ, as God over all, blessed for evermore, is our legislator; a God of truth, and, without iniquity, just and right is he; and, viewed in his mediatorial capacity, he is the law fulfiller for his people, having brought in for them an everlasting righteousness. He is also the law fulfiller in his people, for without him we can do nothing, and he must work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. The important doctrines of grace point to him, and have their being in him; the promises are all yea and amen in Christ, and the ordinances of his house are designed to set him forth. He is in nature, truth; and, consequently, all his thoughts and designs, all his actions, and all his words, are truth.

In our search after truth, we do well to consider what description of persons are likely to be its advocates. Truth is pure in its nature, and therefore condemns all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men; now, as men cannot approve of that which is opposed to the ways they delight in, they cannot approve of truth. Truth is spiritual, and therefore opposed to that which is merely carnal; the carnal mind, therefore, will not admire the truth; such may be pleased with a description of religion that may reform their characters, and that may cause them to shed tears of legal repentance; but tell them the truth, and they will dry up their tears, and become railers.

Truth has never been popular; so far from this, the world has always been its enemy; all the prophets of old found it so; when our Divine Lord was upon the earth, his miracles were applauded, but the truth he uttered detested; the apostles found the world in arms against the truth; and the faithful ministers of truth in the present day do not find that any alteration has taken place in the world at large towards the truth. The world may run after an eloquent preacher, but not after the truth; a fine place of worship, and a place of fashionable resort may be attractive, while nothing is seen attractive in the truth. Lectures on philosophy may afford a mental feast, when there is no relish for the truth, but, rather it is unpleasant to the ear; and, therefore, they say, "speak unto us smooth things;" and when may it not be said,-Truth is fallen in the streets, and equity cannot enter?

The antiquity and immutability of truth should have our consideration. Truth was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was: see Proverbs viii. It is a consoling thought to the lovers of truth, it never changes; it is the same in all ages, yesterday, to-day, and for ever: in all places, at all times, among every description of people, it is the same; it does not change to accommodate the fashions, customs, or circumstances of man. It never puts on a disguise to obtain a reception; this is the blessedness of the believer: while every thing is changing in this world, and he experiences perpetual changes in himself, he finds no change in the truth; on this he can safely.

rest, while all is giving way around him; he is encouraged by recollecting truth is not of modern date; but we receive, enjoy, depend upon, and honour, the same eternal realities, as the most ancient of mankind received. This is the good old path in which Abraham, Job, and many others, of early ages, went to heaven; this is that word which shall not pass away; but heaven and earth shall pass away, prophecies shall fail, tongues shall cease, knowledge shall vanish away, but truth never faileth.

Truth is invincible and independent. What an innumerable host of foes have attacked the truth; but how firm has it stood against the fiercest opponent; like the rock, it has borne the severest storms unmoved! and as soon might the throne of heaven be shaken, as the truth be destroyed, which is the very power of God. Truth may sometimes seem to be defeated, and its friends may be alarmed, but it only sustains an apparent loss, that its victory may be more glorious. Let earth and hell combine, what can they do against that which is omnipotent? the very conquest of its enemies must turn to their disadvantage in the end, and truth appear as a mighty conqueror, to the confusion of its foes, and the unbounded felicity of its friends. Then, may it be said, who is this that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? Truth stands in no need of human supports; but error cannot stand without human props. Truth comes not with apologies, but stands forth boldly, with a "Thus saith the Lord.'

Truth appears in simplicity and plainness; see it as it is presented to our view by one of its inspired writers, 1 Cor. i.: "I came not with excellency of speech, declaring unto you the testimony of God;""not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth." Truth is disfigured by human adornings: the dress may be admired, but truth is concealed; nor is vulgarism a friend to truth; to use it on its behalf, is but throwing mire in its face.

In our enquiries after truth, we should keep in view its consequences: it always honours God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost,-the one glorious, ineffable, triune, covenant God, the redeemer and glorifier of his people. That which represents God as not having a design previous to the creation of the world in his government of human affairs, which design has not been, nor can be, deviated from, dishonours him; therefore, is not the truth that which represents him as attempting to perform that which, through the obstinacy of his creatures, he cannot accomplish; or that which admits him to be changeable in his purpose, his law, or his love, dishonours him; that which exalts the creature, and consequently throws Christ into the back ground, is not the truth; but that which allows Christ to be the alpha and omega, beginning and end, the all, and in all, of a sinner's salvation, does honour him; and

that which admits the grace of God to be sovereign, free, and sufficient, does honour him, and is, therefore, the truth,

Truth may be considered in its effects on the hearts of God's people: it offends the proud, self-sufficient Pharisee, but it rejoiceth the heart of the humble; it excites the hope of the selfcondemned sinner, and peace and joy are obtained in believing the truth; and although it is charged with licentious effects, it brings forth fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life, being received into the heart in the love of it.

Truth is valuable, beyond estimation; what are all finite excellences compared to it? As the welfare of the soul is of greater consequence than all other things, so truth is of more value than all other things, for truth only can benefit the soul. Truth is the element in which the new-born spirit lives, moves, and has its being; it is the soul's support and food; the soul's ornaments; its beautiful garments, its raiment of wrought gold; to be clad in it, is the highest glory created intelligence can be raised to; it is the whole armour of God. "Thy truth shall be my shield and buckler;" it is a tower of safety, the rock of refuge; a most delightful companion in solitude: it makes its possessor rich in the midst of poverty, "having nothing, yet possessing all things;" it makes happy in the midst of misery; it renders the mind independent in the midst of oppression. He that holds the truth, possesses that which no creature may be able to deprive him of; spoil the man of his goods you may, thrust him into prison, make his feet fast in the stocks, or inflict the most excruciating torture, yet he retains that invaluable treasure, the truth: this is the believer's rod and staff, which, in the valley of the shadow of death, enables him to sing, "I will fear no evil." How valuable, then, is truth; it is worth loosing all for, counting all things but dung compared to it. Well may we contend earnestly for it; and who would not sell all he has to buy the field in which this jewel is found, the worth of which is beyond rubies? It cannot be valued with the gold of Opher, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire; and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold-the price of wisdom is

above rubies.

How anxious, then, should we be not merely to be able to talk about the truth, but to possess the truth; and not to hold it with a loose hand, but to grasp it firmly. The wise man enjoins us to "buy the truth, and sell it not." To possess the truth, something must be parted with; and to retain it, something must be refused. To possess it, we must part with selfsufficiency, self-righteousness, and all boasting of free will and creature's wisdom; we must submit to become as little children, and even fools, that we may be wise. Let God be true, but every man a liar. Let the creature be nothing, that Christ may be all, and in all. We must also part with the friendship of the VOL. IX.-No. 106.] H

world, and, perhaps, sustain some worldly loss, if we will have the truth; but who, then, will receive the truth?-only the sons of God, who are led and taught by the Spirit of truth. What is truth in one age, is truth in all ages; therefore, to the carnal mind, however improved, however educated, the truth will always be foolishness. The means used by the Spirit of truth are, the exposure of the evils of the deceitful and desperately wicked heart of man; by shewing the total inability of man; by temptations; sanctified afflictions and trials; by exciting to earnest prayer; and by leading to impartial examinations of the scriptures of truth. Many will be our temptations to part with the truth; it may be suggested to us, if we will resign the truth, we shall not be so much despised: we shall be more respected, and we shall get on better in the world, with many other things pleasing to human nature; but let us part with truth at no price, for we cannot receive an equivalent for truth. What can be offered us, that is worthy our notice, in return for such an invaluable treasure? O ye ministers of the truth, part not with one particle of truth; though, by doing so, you may obtain human applause, advance your reputation in the religious world, occupy a superior place of worship, have a genteel congregation, or obtain a larger stipend. May you each be able to say with Paul, "I have not shunned to declare unto you all the council of God;" then, at the end of this state of warfare, you may also say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also who love his appearing."

FRAGMENT

J. G.-V. D. M.

FROM AMBROSE SERLE, ESQ.

THE faithful courage of Caleb was admirable. He did not ask for his portion, a fruitful plain, easily to be vanquished; but the mountain of Kiriath-arba, the strong residence of the strongest enemies; and this at the age of eighty-five. "If the Lord be with me, (said he,) then I shall be able to drive them out (the Anakim), as the Lord, hath said," or promised. And Joshua blessed him; and so did the true Joshua.

This anecdote shews the principle and the power of faith. Cleaving to an omnipotent Saviour, it knows that God, finds no difficulty in fulfilling his promises. "All things, for this reason, are possible to him that believeth." No promise is made to unbelief, and therefore it gets nothing good. In general, the promises run contrary to or above nature, in order to show us, that all our best blessings are owing to wise and omnipotent grace. Witness Abraham obtaining Isaac, and the other instances recorded in that truly golden legend, the 11th chapter to the Hebrews.

ESSAYS. No. XCII.

No. II.

THAT the heirs of grace are all the children of want, is undeniably evident both from revelation and experience; for the numerous promises in the word of God are so many declarations of his forethought and goodness towards them. Subsequently to regeneration, every real saint is partially acquainted with his own poverty, and also with the rich mercy of God in Christ Jesus. Grace, which is the foundation of his hope, prevails by the power of the Holy Ghost, in the virtue of Christ's redemption, to deliver him from the power of inborn depravity, and to introduce him into the liberty of the gospel. Every act of mercy which God is pleased to shew to his children, promotes in them true spirituality of mind, which is discovered by their perception, consciousness, and activity. Secret devotion is a prominent characteristic of true christianity. The closet is the place where the man of God retires to open his heart in confession, supplication, and thanksgiving, to his gracious Father, and here he is met by him, and God is pleased to open his counsel upon him, by the enlightening teaching of the Holy Ghost through Jesus Christ his Son. It is part of the will of Christ, concerning his people, that they should thus act. "But then, said he, "when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and, when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Indeed, an affectionate and constant observance of this branch of holy duty is an evidence that the soul is in a healthful and thriving condition; for when the closet is seldom visited, the Bible is neglected, and the public worship of God and the ordinances of his house are slighted. No spiritual act done by a truly regenerate man is performed by him with a design to make an atonement to God for his sin, nor to create an interest in his love, for that is of eternal date, and the blood of Christ was shed according to covenant engagement to reconcile his people. But a dutiful observance by faith of the revealed will of God, is the means by which he is graciously pleased to condescend to commune in and through Jesus Christ with his children; therefore, although there is no merit in the conduct of the saints, God demands from them the homage of the heart, and the obedience of the life.

In the closet the relationship founded in the person of Christ is recognized and acted upon, for God is not a gracious Father to his people anywhere else. The heir of all things is the centre where God has fixed his choice and settled the plan of wis