God was manifest [in the flesh." "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." There is little I can add to the statement of the fact, that the Son of God came down, and died to procure the forgiveness of our sins. Illustrations of Divine love, drawn from human relationships, throw light upon it only at the cost of depreciating it. Until we understand more of the Divine nature, and of the relations subsisting between Father, Son, and Spirit, we cannot know much of the depths and height of that love which passeth knowledge. Perhaps you know no man who would give himself, and much less his son, to die for you. Such love, however, hath been found in the heart of man. But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Find, if you can, a father who, for an ungrateful, disobedient, proud and insolent son, will sacrifice the peace, the comfort, and, at last, the life of the darling of his heart, in the hope of reclaiming the outcast, who spurns alike his authority and his love. Suppose it were right for him to make such a sacrifice; suppose the victim willing, and the success certain, still, where is the love that would so do violence to itself? This illustration is almost too feeble and too impossible to be worth anything; but it is the nearest approach I can conceive to the love which is thus set forth in the words:-"God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Bearing

in mind, then, that the pardon of one, and that the least, of our iniquities cost God so much, is it not right that the forgiveness of all your iniquities should fill the first and largest place in your song of praise?

"ALL thine iniquities" suggests another consideration to swell our gratitude.

To think that He makes no exception. "All thine iniquities," sings David; and he thinks of a king whom God took from the sheepfolds, who by adultery and murder caused God's holy name to be blasphemed. "All thine iniquities,” cries Peter; and he thinks of a disciple who denied his Master. "All thine iniquities," cries each one of the spirits of the just made perfect, and murmurings, unbelief, coldness, falls, and backslidings come into their minds. It would have been grace to forgive one, but the forgiveness of all is grace abounding. Should not abounding grace call forth abundant praise? But how ready are our hearts to say,-It is as easy to forgive all as one. It is as easy for Him, but why? Because many sins are no worse than one sin? Because He knows of no degrees in provocation? Not for this cause, but because His compassions } fail not, because they are new every morning, and His faithfulness to His covenant is so great. Are you not grieved at repeated offences more than at a single offence? Are you not more tried when your hopes are disappointed, and your kindness is defeated? Is it not harder for you to forgive the seventieth time than the seventh? Does not the sin that offends you, appear increasingly

hateful at every repetition of it? Be assured that it is not otherwise with God, and adore Him that, notwithstanding, His mercies are so great.

But there may be some who cannot say to their souls, "Bless His holy name, who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Some, from their weak faith in His pardoning word. Our assurance of pardon is in proportion to our faith in God's forgiving word. There are those who are pardoned, though they do not enjoy the comfort of it, but they have little faith. Only believe and thou shalt see the glory of God-the glory of His infinite mercy. Some, from conscious impenitence and carelessness, cannot join in this song. You may, f you will, repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no reason from God's unwillingness to pardon, why we should not all claim Him as the God who forgiveth all our iniquities.

There is space for a few observations on the next words of the song, "Who healeth all thy diseases."

holds back the sword of justice, but heals the wounds sin has made. He had done this for David; and so he says, "Who healeth all thy dis

Infirmity is both the offspring and the parent of sin. By sin came weakness, and through weakness sin is multiplied. Next, then, to deliverance from guilt, stands deliverance from the miserable accompaniments of guilt. We need not only a change of state before God, which is justification, but a change of nature, which is sanctification-the renewing of the Holy Ghost. To pardon, without healing, would be to alleviate the painful consequences of disease, but not to touch the disease itself. God does both; He not only

eases.

I understand him to speak chiefly of moral infirmities. A Christian man's life will furnish many evidences of the care and skill of the physician of souls. Looking back, he will see how he was cured of selfrighteousness and pride; how his faith, patience, courage, and hope, were made stronger, or how besetting sin was conquered and cast aside. The treatment was severe, perhaps, but he blesses God it was effectual. Sensible of remaining infirmities, and of his unmeetness for the inheritance in light, his hope does not fail, because he knows he is in the hands of One who healeth all his diseases.

Can you thank the good physician for wonderful cures wrought in you? Whatever is done in the way of healing in you, has been done by Him. He healeth all; our own skill and strength none. By grace you are what you are. Your meetness for heaven is as little of your own creating as your title. The glorified saints, as they survey their fine linen robes of righteousness, cannot boast that they have been wrought by their own hands. You should find many instances of healing in your life, for forgiving grace never comes but sanctifying grace comes with it.

The Psalmist also intends physical infirmities. God gives health of body as well as health of soul-a precious gift, and calling for loudest praise. But some there are whose

diseases are not all healed. They must look at their moral and physical diseases as one; and just as a physician allows some symptoms to run on unchecked while he is attacking the root of the disease, or is building up bodily strength, so they must believe that God leaves the outward man to perish, that the inward may be more effectually renewed. There is no resurrection for a dead soul in the next world, but there is for a dead body. If God, in His care for your soul, leave your body to perish, He will restore the body, and finish His healing work on the morning of the resurrection. Only, then, by faith, can you sing, "He healeth all my diseases."

HOLY REST.

"THUS saith the Lord; in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength." (Is. xxx. 15.) Rest is repose, quietness and peace, comfort and confidence. Canaan was the land of rest to the Israelites, after the bondage of Egypt, the toils of the desert, and wars of the surrounding nations. Heaven, of which Canaan was a lively type, is a state and place of rest, perfect, undisturbed, and everlasting. "This is not your rest, it is polluted;" but "there remaineth a rest for the people of God.” "There the wicked

cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest."-Mic. ii. 10; Heb. iv. 9; Job iii. 17.

The weekly Sabbath is the day of rest. On it God rested from all the six days' work of creation, and man must rest thereon from all his work and labour. The Sabbath, rightly observed, brings rest to both body and soul, and is a lively emblem and delightful foretaste of heaven itself. (Gen. ii. 1, 2, 3; Ex. xx. 10, 11; Heb. iv. 4.) Holy rest is the privilege of the godly, and of them only. "The wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt;" "but we which have believed do enter into rest."Is. lvii. 20; Heb. iv. 3.

Reader, observe the Psalmist,"Return to thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." (Ps. cxvi.) Listen to the prophet (Jer. vi. 16), "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls." Come to the Saviour, and the blessing shall be your own, for he says (Matt. xi. 28, 29), "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls." J. M. L.

preparing to go into the country, and Aunt Ellen is preparing to come here. But I do not see any one preparing to go there. Why don't you try to get ready? You scarce ever speak about going."

In the summer of 1785 Wilberforce was travelling on the Continent, and had taken for his carriage companion Isaac Milner, afterwards Dean of Carlisle. Dr. Milner, a man of extensive learning and great ability, was a firm holder of Evangelical opinions, though at that time he was not much influenced by them. Wilberforce afterwards declared that had he been aware of his peculiar sentiments he should have taken special care not to choose him for his travelling companion. One day, as they journeyed along, a clergyman's name was mentioned in conversation, with respect to whom Mr. Wilberforce said he thought he went too far in his religion. Dr. Milner controverted this, showing, from the nature of religion, that such a thing was impossible. Various interesting discussions ensued, day by day, as they travelled amidst the sublime scenery of Switzerland. The result was a thorough awakening of Mr. Wilberforce's mind to the subject of religion. No sudden and violent emotions were felt, but he became interested, determined like the Bereans to search the Scriptures for himself, and see if these things were so. And feeling his need of Divine guidance, in so momentous an inquiry, he bent his knees in prayer to the Father of lights, to supplicate the tuition of the Holy Spirit. His prejudices, previously very inveterate, gradually melted; his difficulties gave way; he saw clearly that those views of religion usually denominated Evangelical were truly and veritably the doctrines of Holy Scripture; and when this conviction was once formed, with his characteristic honesty and sincerity, he openly avowed the change. For awhile the alteration in him was rather in the head than the heart; more in his opinions than his feelings. But so frank a nature

as his could not long hold such sentiments as he now embraced without perceiving their importance and feeling their influence. Gradually the new leaven penetrated the recesses of his heart, and pervaded his whole character. He became a deeply experimental Christian, a man of prayer, a devout reader of the Bible. He came out in the face of the world a new man. There was little indeed to change externally, for he had few or no vices to lop off, but what was before mere worldly virtue, now assumed the warm tints and lovely hues of Gospel holiness. His conversion produced quite a sensation in the fashionable world. Strange reports and caricatured accounts of his altered habits were circulated, and it required no small amount of courage and resolution to breast this tide of ridicule. But he held on his way, and was faithful unto death.

THE REV. W. Jefferey gives the following account of a convert, with whom he met in Ireland last autumn:

In a cottage occupied by a Presbyterian family, we met Mary Ann B a young woman. There was an indescribable exactness of propriety in the manner she received us, taking a chair by her grandmother, nearly one hundred years of age. No pen could portray the refined excellency of her looks; although she entered the cottagecircle with bare feet, her inimitable ease, and elegance of self-possession, with an exquisite aspect of meekness, combined with deep satisfaction and lofty repose richly pictured on her countenance, conveyed the highest impressions of her moral dignity, and declared that the convert had

become associated with a Spirit of an ineffable order.

Many being gathered together, forming a considerable circle, addressing myself to the convert, as she sat by her father's side, I pencilled the following questions and

answers:

"When were you converted?" "About five weeks ago, Sir." "What were you before your conversion ?"

"A poor sinner, and a very guilty sinner."

"Who gave you such a change?" "It was God. O yes! It was God!" "Connected with any particular circumstance?"

"Yes, Sir; through the text, 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come unto him, and will sup with him, and he with me."" Rev. iii. 20.

"And what did the preacher say?" "O, he said that many believed something about Christ-that He was able to save souls, and had done so; but did they believe in Him for the saving of their own souls? And then the question came to me, 'Have you believed in Him for the saving of your soul?' I felt the answer, 'No! No!! you have not!!' Then I went out, because I felt as if I must cry. I sat down upon a grave, and four little girls came up to me and said, "Does anything ail y'?' but I could only scream, ‘O what shall I do to be saved?' and then I put my hands together and lifted 'em up in prayer, and said, 'Holy Father! if this be Thy Spirit's work upon me, O send it down more powerful, for Jesus Christ's sake.'

"A friend heard I was sitting on a grave, and came running and said, 'What is this? O Mary Ann, what is this?' but I wanted strength to say, 'The hand of the Lord is upon me.' "What did you understand by the hand of the Lord ?'

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66 Showing me, in the first place, that I was just a guilty sinner. But I had confidence and assurance that Christ was able and willing; and I was willing too! (It was Him that

first loved me.) My friend then helped me up from the grave, and led me, saying, 'Let the Lord finish His own work that He has begun.' We went into Mrs. L-'s house, and while there more power came upon me, and I felt I had greater and greater love to God and the Son of God, and more and more convinced He was able to save me. I then asked Mr. John N to read at the 16th verse of the tenth chapter of the Hebrews, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord: I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;' but it was the next verse I had in my mind, their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.""

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