I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. Isa. lvii. 15, 16.

To insist too much upon the sensible joy of faith, might make weak souls weaker still. Many a sincere Christian's heart is like a bottle of a very narrow passage, which can receive the lew of heavenly comfort only by little drops. But dost thou feel thyself quite naked, and void of all good? Christ will surely cover thee with the robe of righteousness. Go entirely out of thyself, looking only to him for every thing; and whatever gifts of joy, peace, and holiness may be given thee, be very thankful for them, yet trust not in them, but in Christ alone.This will make thee sure, and keep thy heart at rest.

Thus saith the high and lofty One,
I sit upon my holy throne,
My name is God! I dwell on high;
Dwell in my own eternity.

But I descend to worlds below;
On earth I have a mansion too;

The humble spirit and contrite
Is an abode of my delight.

The humble soul my words revive;
I bid the mourning sinner live;
Heal all the broken hearts I find,
Aud ease the sorrows of the mind.

Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. Ps. xxx. 7.

SEE, my soul, in this verse, a picture of thine own experience: how

much art thou and David alike! When I look up to heaven, how often do I see the sun both shine and set! When I look down into myself, how often do I see my comforts rise and fall! One while I am upon Mount Tabor, and have a glance of Heaven; another while I lie in the Valley of Bochin weeping, because I have lost sight of my heavenly country. Joshua's long day is many times turned into Paul's sad night. When God would quicken my affections, he gives me a glance of Heaven, that so I may be in love with what I see. When I begin to bless myself, and rest in my happy privileges, he draws a veil over the bright vision, that I may rest in nothing but himself, nor loath what I so greatly love. He suffers my happiness here to be imperfect, that so I may be pressing on that place where I shall be perfectly happy for ever Lord, when thou showest thyself, let me love thee; when my mountain stands strong, let me praise thee; when thou withdrawest thyself, let me follow thee; when thy countenance is hid, let me still believe that thou lovest me: under all my changes here, let my soul be always breathing, panting, longing, and reaching after thee, till I shall so perfectly enjoy thee, that I may never lose thee more. Amen,

Lord, guide me in this Christian race,

And keep my mind intent on thee;

Rejoicing when I see thy face,
And trusting when I cannot see.

Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. Luke xxii. 31, 32. Yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. Amos ix. 9. For I will keep thee from the hour of temptation. Rev. iii. 10.

SOMETIMES We may imagine ourselves to be divinely convinced of

the will of God, both by seeming outward providences, and inward persuasions of faith; and yet it is possible that the siftings of Satan are at the bottom; however, the Lord will over-rule him at last, and order all things to the best for his people. May the Lord make us watchful against our own spirit, and against the evil one, especially when he is transformed into an angel of light, that it may not be in his power to sift us so as to gain an advantage over us, by our listening to his inward suggestions, or yielding to his subtile temptations!

In vain the baffled prince of Hell,
His cursed projects tries;

We that were doom'd his endless slavés,
Are rais'd above the skies.

may my Jesus guard me safe
From ev'ry ill design!

And to his heav'nly kingdom keep
This feeble soul of mine!
God is my everlasting aid,

And Hell shall rage in vain ;
To him be highest glory paid,
And endless praise! Amer

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, &c. ; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is, in the sight of God, of great price. Pet. iii. 3, 4. In rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah xxx. 15. A CHRISTIAN'S best accoutrements and festival clothes, in which he

daily celebrates his Sabbath, is called (Col. iii. 10, 12, 14)“ The new man, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, and, above all, Charity." These are our true ornaments, and we should seek to be dressed in them.. READER, What dost thou adorn most? body or soul? "O thou meek and quiet Lamb of God, justly I blush before thee, when I consider my impatience, tho' I am never innocent like thee! I humbly beseech thee to forgive me these my transgressions, since thou hast made sufficient atonement for all by thy meritorious silence; but deliver me from this choleric, hot, and peevish temper also; and give me grace, in all inward and outward troubles, to have the long-forbearing mind which was in thee! Make me daily more and more like a lamb, that on all occasions, grievous or joyful, I may be duly composed, and show that excellent heavenly ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, not in many words, but in reality and power." Amen.

Giver of Concord, Prince of Peace,

Meek, lamb-like Son of God,

Bid our unruly passions cease,

And quench them with thy blood!

O let us find the ancient way,

Onr wond'ring foes to move! And force the heathen world to say, "See how these Christians love !"

60

(LEAP YEAR.) FEBRUARY 29.

Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none; cut it down, why cumbereth it the ground? Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it; and if it bear fruit, well; and if not, then after that thou shall cut it down. Luke xiii. 7—9.

THOU

Ou fruitless fig-tree, thou barren professor, dost thou hear this, and not tremble? God is come seeking fruit ;- - will thy bare profession, thy knowledge of the principles of religion, satisfy the great God? Will the notions of truth in thy head, thy talking and disputing, thy hearing the word preached, thy commending or censuring sermons and preachers, just as thou art in the mood, will this serve thy turn? and wilt thou thus endeavour to ward off the heart-searching God? Know thou, God is come to seek for fruit, and for good fruit from thee; not the fruit of good words only, but the fruit of good works; not the fruit of talking well, but of walking well, the fruits of holiness in life and conversation ;- fruit short of this God will not regard. If thy conscience be awakened, look to thy merciful High Priest, consider well his intercession for such a barren soul as thou art:" Lord, let it alone," &c. Father, let this man live one year longer,— O turn away from this thine anger! I will yet see what may be done: I will take other methods, I will try what corrections may do ;-) perhaps, the rod may work more upon him than my word has hitherto done, aud may tend to make his barren heart fruitful; 1 will also stir up my servants to awaken him by a more sharp and searching manner; and if these new efforts be blessed to him, all shall yet be well, thy grace magnified, and his soul saved; if not, then thou shalt cut him down.

If, under means of grace,

No fruits of grace appear,
It is a dreadful case!

Tho' God may long forbear.

At length he'll strike the threaten'd blow,
And lay the barren fig-tree low.