That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who

have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before us....Heb. vi. 18.

It is the glory of the gospel that it reveals glad tidings to hopeless, helpless sinners. It finds nothing in us to entitle us to the favor of God: but it brings all hope and consolation to the soul, founded upon the most absolute promises, and the strongest assurance of an immutable God. As verily as it is impossible for the God of truth to lie or forswear himself, so is it impossible for any of the heirs of promise to perish. Such is the blessed hope before us. Happy souls, who have fled to Jesus for refuge, and have laid hold of this hope! Henceforward nothing but consolation, strong consolation, ariseth to such poor sinners from the word of truth. This hope can never fail them; whatever within or without fluctuates or changes, this never can.

This hope is ever to be held fast, even though appearances wear a gloomy aspect, sense of comfort declines, feelings of joy seem dead, and all hope from ourselves forsakes us. But, Father, thy. mercies never die; thy counsel shall stand; thy oath cannot fail. Hope in these is an anchor to the soul. Whatever storms or tempests are without, or when the swelling waves of corruption lift up their voice within, yet the God of hope is mightier than all, and the christian hope riseth above all; therefore is it sure and steady. It is cast out of sight within the veil. By this blessed hope of the gospel, poor, sin-condemned, soul-distressed sinners, are kept steady to Jesus, and find a comfortable and secure refuge. And that precious Spirit, who shews 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 own state towards God through our Lord Jesus Christ, even a good hope through grace: and they are made to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Ghost. O 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 unchangeable God, both for time and eternity. And as a fruit and evidence that it is a holy, godly hope, it influences the soul in obedience to all the Lord's commands. "Every man that has this hope in him, purifies himself even as God is pure.".... 1 John iii. 3.

Thus Jesus is the only and alone object through whom God reveals the hope of salvation. His work is finished. It is our hapChrist piness to believe this, and to rejoice in the hope it affords us. is therefore ever to be looked to, and daily trusted in. And the more thou art exercised in this way, so much the more inward hope and joyful consolation will be experienced in the soul. thee."....Psalm xxxix. 7.

"My hope is in

Then had the churches rest and were edified, and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied....Acts ix. 31.

THE form of godliness without the power, is sufficient to make men saints, good church-men, honest souls in the eyes of the carnal world. But when, by the power of the Spirit our hearts possess the faith of Jesus, it cannot be hid, but the life of Jesus also will be manifested in our walk and conversation. Then persecution awaits us, the world hates us, their former esteem for and good opinion of us, is changed into hatred and opposition. The word of the Lord must be fulfilled, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."....2 Tim. iii. 12. This is the lot of every disciple, it is a touch-stone of faith; but this is over-ruled by our master's wisdom, for his glory and our spiritual advantage. These have proved the most thriving seasons to the church of God, most prosperous to the souls of disciples; then the love of this world has been most purged from the heart, and the closest fellowship with Jesus enjoyed: without adversity our graces wither.

But is the rage and fury of opposers abated? Have we a little more rest and quiet from those, who, at our first conversion to Jesus, vexed and oppressed us? Here a godly jealousy is needful, close examination necessary. Is Jesus still dear to us? Do we keep close to him as the beloved of our souls? Are the promises of God still precious? and do we stand steady against the smiles of the world, preferring Jesus to all? See, mark the blessed connection between edification of the truth, walking in the fear of the Lord, and enjoying the comforts of the Holy Ghost. So the church of old prospered when rest was given them. These things are inseparable. True saving knowledge of Jesus in the heart, ever discovers itself by a holy, loving, filial fear of the Lord in the life. The more we are edified in the faith, this fear increaseth: faith and fear are founded in love, and will be accompanied with the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

But though the churches had rest from persecution, still the members were in the body; Satan was active; afflictions and temptations ceased not. In this, nor they nor we shall ever be exempt in this vale of tears: to endure them, we are taught, is part of our blessedness.... James i. 12. By them we learn many useful lessons of faith, patience, humility, and resignation to the will of God, and are made the more to partake of his holiness; so the Holy Ghost sanctifies them to our profit, and enables us to glorify the Lord our God, being cheerful and confident in Jesus' promise: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation.".... Rev. iii. 10.

But thou hast not called upon me, O Jacob: but thou hast been weary of me, O Israel....Isa. xliii. 22.

"GOD hath not cast away his people which he foreknew.".... Rom. xi. 2. Zealous professors may become shameful apostates. God's own children may awfully backslide from him, and sadly decline in their love to him and service of him. Such a conduct is most base to the best of beings, most ungrateful to the most loving Lord and Saviour, most wounding to sensible, gracious hearts: but such wan→ dering sheep shall hear the faithful shepherd's voice, and shall return with weeping and supplications. Slighted mercies, forfeited privileges, neglected means of grace, indifference to the cause of Jesus, and growing weary of the Saviour's ways and service, bear sad witness against the soul.

A little self-examination will discover that such an one hath found other lovers; with them he is delighted, and after them he hath gone. If the life of sense prevails against the life of faith, the lusts of the flesh are preferred to spiritual delights; carnal, worldly company is more relished than the communion of the saints; fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness is more attended to, than fellowship with Jesus: if the private duties of the closet, the public ordinances of God's house are forsaken: if to all this there is an indifference and unconcern of soul, can the solemn charge of our Lord be heard, "Thou hast been weary of me," without pleading guilty? Be astonished, O heavens, at this! Weary IN serving the Lord may be the christian's experience through infirmity; but to be weary of the Lord himself, the Lord of every perfection, the God of all mercies, the Father of all consolation, the only Saviour of our souls, our only hope in time, our all in eternity; to be weary of, to grow shy to such a being, O what shall one say! truly, love is patient and prayer powerful; but for the love of the Father, and the intercession of Jesus, such a soul might, ere this, have reaped his deserts in torments, and been weary of his punishment in hell. But O, after such base conduct, hear the declaration of LOVE...."I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions, for mine own sake, and will not remember thy_sins."....verse 25. Therefore there is hope, grace reigns, grace abounds, mercy is free, proclamation is made. "Return, (such a temper must be changed, or death cannot be hopeful, nor eternity desirable), return to the Lord THY God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity."....Hosea xiv. 1.

Where should my foolish passions rove? Let me be fasten'd to thy cross,

Where can such sweetness be

As I have tasted in thy love,
As I have found in thee!

Wretch that I am, to wander thus

In chace of false delights!

Rather than loose thy sight.

Make haste my days to reach the goal

And bring my heart to rest
On the dear centre of my soul,
My God, my Saviour's breast.

Then I saw and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction....Prov. xxiv. 32.

OBSERVATION is the life of understanding. Experience is the joy of faith. Learning good from others' harms is true wisdom. Can we look around us among the circle of our professing acquaintance, and not see the awful effects of slothfulness in the ways of God? What supine indolence to the cause of Jesus, and careless indifference as to the health and prosperity of the soul, do we behold! A very affecting description of this the Spirit of wisdom here presents to our view: "I went by the field of the slothful, (the once seemingly growing and shining professor) and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, (the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, has choked the word....Matt. xiii. 22.) and nettles has covered the face thereof;" (the rank weeds of corrupt lusts, sensual gratifications, carnal pleasures and delights overspread the life and conduct); "the stone wall of the vineyard is broken down;" (the soul lying open and unfenced against the incursion of the beasts of prey, Satan, the men of this world, carnal company; senseless of its danger, and slothful to all means of deliverance, the poor soul composes itself with) "yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep." Is not this a striking, though awful-likeness? Do we not almost daily behold its original? How melancholy the sight! how alarming the conduct! how dreadful the sentence! "So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth (with speed); and thy want as an armed man,” (being without power thou canst not withstand it). See this, O soul! remember thy calling is to diligence. "Consider it well," (what sad effects spiritual sloth produce!) "Look upon it, (as a frame and temper of soul to be constantly dreaded, and earnestly prayed against); receive instruction:" "For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning." To what end? To shew what has happened to others, "are ensamples to us, and for our admonition; upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." ....1 Cor. x. 11, 12. The apostle speaks of "things that accompany salvation."....Heb. vi. 9. Diligence in the ways of God is one of these things; without this we cannot enjoy the full assurance of hope, that we are "followers of them who, through faith and patience, do now inherit the promises."

I love the volumes of thy word;
What light and joy these leaves afford
To souls benighted and distrest!
Thy precepts guide my doubtful way,
Thy fear forbids my feet to stray,

Thy promise leads my heart to rest.

[eyes, Thy threat'nings wake my slumb'ring And warn me where my danger lies:

But 'tis thy blessed gospel, Lord, That makes my guilty conscience clean, Converts my soul, subdues my sin,

And gives a free but large reward.

Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God....Acts vii. 56.

'SUFFICIENT to the day is the evil thereof.' As the trial and exercise of our day is, so shall our strength be. Saints shall have suffering grace for suffering times. Hours of great outward calamities often prove seasons of the greatest aboundings of inward consolation. It is said, "Stephen fell asleep." What! fall asleep under a shower of stones? Yes: the sweetest sleep he ever experienced. It was preceded by a supernatural sight of glory; he awoke in the full enjoyment of glory; he suffered first for Jesus, he is the first who is favored with a view of the glorified Jesus in his kingdom. How faithful is the Lord we serve! how great are his compassions! how reviving to the soul is the spiritual sight of him! Whether patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and confessors, as believers in all ages, the same Lord was the object of their faith; they were comforted by the same Spirit, whose blessed office is to glorify Jesus in the views of believing souls. True, 66 no man shall see me and live, saith the Lord.".... Exod. xxxiii. 20. Even highly favored Stephen saw not the essential glory of Jehovah but through the medium of the man Jesus. Whether with his bodily sight, or in the full visions of faith and the Holy Ghost, he saw the glory of God in the person of the glorified, exalted Son of man, Jesus, this discovery fired his soul with heavenly joy, and inflamed his heart with holy transport.

Faith's views of Jesus have a transforming influence upon the soul. While he is beheld, love is communicated. Ascending hearts to Jesus are favored with descending love from Jesus. Love, received in the heart, cheerfully diffuseth its sweet savour around us; it enlarges the bowels of compassion, and opens the mouth in prayer even for its worst enemies. Thus Stephen prays for his very murderers. When for himself he stands; when for them he kneeled down, as though more importunate for them than for himself. What hath Jesus done for sinners! What doth he in them! How precious is he to those who believe! How should our hearts long for clearer views of him by the Spirit! As in his love, so in his person he is WONDERFUL; he is ever the same, a MAN; he appears in his human form before the throne, interceding for sinners. The same suffering, crucified man, who loved our persons and bore our sins, still lives and pleads our cause as our triumphant conqueror in our nature over all our enemies. Thus daily conceive of, look to, and embrace in the arms of faith, thy Lord and thy God, O soul, as man and mediator, as having once atoned and is now interceding for thee; so mayest thou ever comfortably say, "Into thine hand I commit my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, Q Lord God of truth."....Psalm xxxi. 5.