him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. MARCH 24.-"I will walk in thy truth." Ps. lxxxvi. 11. EVERY resolution expressed by a good man, in a proper frame of mind, will be founded, not in selfconfidence, but in dependence on divine grace. Then it will be useful; it will tend to stimulate, and to humble; to bring to remembrance, and to bindit will be like a hedge, that defends the field; or like the hemming, that keeps the robe from raveling out. "I will walk in thy truth," is a noble resolution, and worthy our imitation. Walking, in the Scripture, takes in the whole of our conversation, or conduct and to walk in any thing, intends a fulness of it. For a man to walk in pride, is something more than to be proud: it says, that pride is his way; his element; that he is wholly under the influence of it. Four ways we should thus walk in God's truth. We should walk in the belief of his truth. It deserves our credence. It is a faithful saying, as well as worthy of all acceptation. If we receive the witness of man, the witness of God is greater. Men are very tenacious of the honour of their word. If their veracity be denied, they instantly demand satisfaction for the insult. How often is God made a liar! How slow of heart are we to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Lord, increase our faith. We should walk in the practice of his truth. This is as necessary as the former, and the evidence of it; for we are to shew our faith by our works. Faith without works, is as the body without the soul there is nothing vital or operative in it.__The Gospel is a doctrine according to godliness. Every part of it has a practical tendency: and we are required to obey it from the heart. It is well to hear; but hearing is to be viewed in the order of means, and not as an end. Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. these things, happy are ye if ye do them. If ye know We should walk in the enjoyment of his truth. For it is not only of a sanctifying, but a consolatory nature: it brings us glad tidings of great joy; it is all written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. If, therefore, our conversation becometh the Gospel, it will be happy, as well as holy. Thus it was with the first Christians: they walked, not only in the fear of the Lord, but in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. They were not free from trouble; but, as the sufferings of Christ abounded in them, the consolation also abounded by Christ. They were not free from complaint and self-abhorrence; but in His Name they rejoiced all the day, and in his righteousness were exalted. Of themselves, they felt they could do nothing, but they were strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and through him they could do all things. They knew not what a day would bring forth; but they were careful for nothing, casting all their care on Him who cared for them. The Gospel did not shut them up in a dungeon of doubts and fears; they knew the truth, and the truth made them free indeed; and they walked in the glorious liberty of the sons of God. We should walk in the profession of his truth. If we know the joyful sound, so as to be blessed by it, we shall feel this yoke easy, and this burden light. We shall not act to be seen of men; but we shall have no objection that men should see us. Praise will not draw us out of a corner; and fear will not drive us into one. We shall be willing for all to know that we are not our own, but His who bought us with a price; and that we are not only bound, but determined to glorify him in our bodies and spirits. For his love will constrain us, not only to confess him with the mouth, but with the life (for actions speak louder than words), despising in our eyes a vile person, but honouring them that fear the Lord; attending only where his truth is preached, and his glory is maintained; and going forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. If we are thus governed, we shall be a credit and a comfort to our ministers, who have no greater joy than to hear of their children walking in the truth. We shall hold forth the Word of Life, and cause them to rejoice in the day of Christ, that they have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain. We shall adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. We shall be fellow-helpers to the truth. And the Judge will graciously say "They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy." MARCH 25.-" The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever." Ps. xxxvii. 18. EVERY thing here requires attention -"The persons-"The upright." The upright mean those who are sincere: sincere in their dealings with their fellow-creatures; with their own souls; and with their God. The character is equally rare and excellent. It admits of imperfection, but not of partiality; and is never found separate from the renewing of the Holy Ghost. -The period-"Their days." These are "known of God." This knowledge being spoken of as a privilege, something more than mere intelligence must be intended: for in this sense, He knows the days of the wicked, as well as of the upright. The meaning is, that he knows them kindly, and graciously; that he feels, and will acknowledge his concern in them; and make them all work together for their good. He knows their number-This is with him. He has appointed it: friends cannot enlarge; enemies cannot reduce it. Whenever they die, they have filled their days, and are immortal till their work is done. He knows the nature of them-and he determines it "If light attends the course they run, "And 'tis his hand that veils their sun, Have they days of affliction? He knows them: knows their source, their pressure, how long they have continued, the support they require, and the proper time to remove them.-Have they days of danger? He knows them; and will be a refuge and defence in them.-Have they days of duty? He knows them; and will furnish the strength and the help they require.-Have they days of inaction? when they are laid aside from their work, by accident or disease? He knows them; and says to his servants, under every prevention, It is well that it was in thy heart. Have they days of privation? when they are denied the ordinances of religion, after seeing his power and glory in the temple, and going, with the voice of gladness, to keep holy day? He knows them; and will follow his people when they cannot follow him; and be a little Sanctuary to them in their losses.-Have they days of declension and of age? in which their strength is fled, and their senses fail, and so many of their connexions have gone down to the dust-evil days, wherein they have no pleasure? He knows them; He knows them; and says, I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth. Even to old age I am He, and to hoar hairs will I bear and carry you. The portion-"Their inheritance shall be for ever." So was not the inheritance of many of the angels in heaven; for they kept not their first estate. So was not the inheritance of Adam in Paradise; for the Lord drove out the man. So was not the inheritance of the Jew in Canaan; for the glory of all lands was made a desolation. So is not the inheritance of the man of the world. His portion is in this life. And what is this, but a vapour, a shadow! Yet, at the end of it, he is stripped of all, and departs as naked as he came. Yea, and before the close, his hopes and comforts may be all laid bare. For "Short-liv'd as we are, yet our pleasures, we see, "Have a much shorter date, and die sooner than we." And the Christian has not only being, and health, and riches, and honour, and peace, and joy, and friendship-but all these for ever! Indeed, the more important and valuable the acquisition, the more miserable he would feel if there was any uncertainty in the continuance. The thought of loss, and even of danger, would embitter all. But it is for ever-for ever! Yea, it will be always increasing. After millions of years we shall be singing a new song. In the world we may have losses, but they cannot affect our estate. I, one day, says Mr. Newton, visited a family that had suffered by a fire, which had destroyed all the house and the goods. I found the pious mistress in tears. I said, I give you joy, madam! Surprised, and ready to be offended, she exclaimed, What! joy that all my property is consumed! No-but I give you joy that you have so |