be of it and He, whose you are, will not only keep you from falling, but render you useful in it, and bring you honourably out of it-Be of good cheer, says He, I have overcome the world.

Is it the reality of his regard? "He had loved his own which were in the world." What other principle could have actuated him; in selecting them; calling them; informing them; employing them; adopting them; honouring them; blessing them with his constant intimacy? They had not chosen him, but he had chosen them, and ordained them, that they should go and bring forth fruit. He treated them not as servants, but as friends; and all things that he had heard of the Father, he made known unto them. He could say, as the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you. And is not this true of all his people? Who said, deliver them from going down into the pit? Who bore their sins in his own body on the tree? Who shut the mouth of hell? Who opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers? -O Christian, who sought-and who saved thee? Whatever you are, whatever you have, is the effect of the love of Christ, that passeth knowledge.

Is it the permanency of this affection? Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. They tried him, and proved themselves very unworthy of his continued attachment. But he bore with their dulness and imperfections. He chided and reproved them; but this was not only compatible with his constancy, but resulted from it for as many as he loves he rebukes and chastens and faithful are the wounds of this friend. And now we see him at the last, all alive to their welfare; teaching and comforting them; washing their feet, and praying for them.-In the garden, when he found them sleeping, he extenuated the infirmity-The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. When he surrendered himself to his enemies, he stipulated for their exemption-Let these

go their way. He died with them in his heart. He rose and appeared to them; and though they had all forsaken him and fled in the hour of trial, he said, Be not afraid, Peace be to you. He laid his hands upon them, and while he blessed them, he was taken up into heaven. And did he forget them then? He sent them another Comforter that should abide with them for ever. And was this peculiar to them? He is the same yesterday, to-day, and

for ever.

He rests in his love. He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. A true friend loveth at all times. But there are few such friends to be found. Yet he abideth faithful. Job's brethren proved like a summer's brook. One told David in his distress, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. At my first answer, no one, says Paul, stood by me, but all men forsook mebut he adds, nevertheless the Lord stood by me and strengthened me.-So will it be with all those who trust in him: "They shall not be ashamed or confounded, world without end."

"This God is the God we adore,

"Our faithful unchangeable friend;
"Whose love is as great as his power;
"And neither knows measure nor end.
""Tis Jesus, the first and the last,

"Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home;
"We'll praise him for all that is past,

"And trust him for all that's to come."

MARCH 1.-" And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee." Numb. x. 32.

WHILE this invitation is founded in benevolence, it also displays humility. Christians are convinced, that they can only give according as they have

received. But, from God's communications to them, they know that they can be useful, and that they ought to be useful to others. They never receive grace for themselves only. If the glory of the Lord has risen upon them, they are to arise and shine. If they are converted, they are to strengthen their brethren. If they are comforted, they are to comfort, with the same comforts, those who are in any trouble. If they are rich in this world, they are to do good, and be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God"Hence says Moses to Hobab, "If thou go with us, what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee."

-And he repeats the assurance: "It shall beyea, it shall be." And was it not so? Did he repent of his adhering to Israel? See what is said in Judges, and in Samuel, of his descendants. And was Obed-Edom a loser by the ark? Did not the sacred guest more than pay for its entertainment ? "It was told David, saying, The Lord hath blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the ark of God." Who is likely to be injured by casting in his lot with the followers of the Lamb? Will his family suffer? Many a wretch has reduced his wife and children to penury and ruin by his vices-but every principle of a good man will lead him to provide for his own: and the generation of the upright shall be blessed.-Will his substance? The play-house, the ale-house, the gaming-house, the house of her who lives in the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death, will injure a man much more than the House of God. -Will his health? Is this likely to be injured, or benefited by temperance, and calm temper, and cheerful confidence, and benevolent feelings? Religion must befriend reputation, as it produces and

guards all the elements from which it is derivedwhile the name of the wicked shall rot.

Therefore, come with us, and we will do you good; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. We cannot promise you great things in the world; but the Lord will bless your bread and your water and a little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked. We cannot promise you exemptions from affliction; but nothing shall befal you but what is common to man and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, and will, with the temptation, also make a way for your escape. We cannot secure you from privations and sacrifices; but we can promise, that you shall be more than indemnified for every thing you do, or suffer, or lose, for the cause of God. He will not be unrighteous, to forget your work of faith, and labour of love. A cup of cold water given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, shall not lose its reward. "There is no man," saith the Saviour, "that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." We can assure you, that if you travel with us, you shall feed on the manna, and drink of the rock, and be guided by the cloud, and behold the glory of the Lord, in the Wilderness: and then you shall share with us, beyond Jordan, the land flowing with milk and honey. How blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven: who have peace with God: who are delivered from the sting of a guilty conscience, and the torment of fear who walk in the comforts of the Holy Ghost: who rejoice in hope: who know that death is their friend, and heaven their home: who have their fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life! "Lo, this; we have searched it; so it is: hear it, and know thou it for thy good."

Lord! I have often heard this invitation-I now accept it. I am a companion of them that fear Thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. "Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation; that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance."

MARCH 2.-"But Peter followed him afar off."
Matt. xxvi. 58.

THIS, too, was better than forsaking him, and fleeing, as the rest did. Here was the working of some degree of principle. Here was some love to the Saviour, or he would not have followed him at all -the lingering of that affection which may be seemingly smothered in the Christian, but can never be extinguished; and will soon be blown again into a flame.

But he was overcome by fear. His Lord was apprehended, and going to be tried and crucified. What if I, said Peter, should be found in the same doom as one of them! The fear of man bringeth a snare. Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath, will he give for his life.

Yet this was very unbelieving in him. He had seen his Lord's miracles, and knew what he could do. He knew that he had actually stipulated for their release in the garden, as the condition of his own surrender. He knew that he had assured them, that after he was risen from the dead, he would appear to them, and employ them as his witnesses; which involved their preservation. What a difference between Peter and Paul-Paul, who said, "None of these things move me; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy." And between Peter and Luther-Luther, who