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what you cannot, will never be required of you. Remember the Saviour's words: "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no he shall in no wise lose his

reward."

-Perhaps she left it from indifference. She was now so impressed and occupied with infinitely greater and better things, that she forgets the very errand that brought her to the well. The feelings of new converts are peculiarly strong and lively. The eternal realities and glories that open to their view, dazzle their minds, and render them incapable of distinctly observing other objects. Considering the infirmity of our nature, it is not to be wondered at, if the powers of the world to come, and the "one thing needful"-the care of the soul, should, for the time, engross all their attention, and make them too heedless of other claims.

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Hence what we should censure in others, we excuse in young beginners, especially if they are suddenly awakened. I say, excuse-for we never wish to justify ignorance, imprudence, and rashness. God is not the God of confusion; "Let every thing," says the Apostle, "be done decently, and in order." Religion is not to draw us off from our business and callings. Neither are we to leave our places and stations in life, even in pursuit of things good in themselves. When the Demoniac had been dispossessed, he besought the Saviour that he might be with him-But "Jesus suffered him not; but said, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done for thee." And, says Paul to the Thessalonians, "Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands"-to provide things honest in the sight of all men ; to maintain your families without dependence; and have; to give to him that needeth ;

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and to preserve your religion from censure. We are not, therefore, to abandon our water-pots. We are not to be careless of our worldly substance; but to preserve and use it. Witness the cautions in Scripture against suretyship, and backing bills, and the admonition, "Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost."-Yet those who are born from above, and bound for glory, are only strangers and pilgrims upon earth: and they who have found the Pearl of Great Price, will not, and cannot, feel towards worldly things as they once did. They cannot be so anxious to gain them; so overjoyed in possessing them; so depressed in losing them. And they will be willing to forsake, whatever the service of God requires them to part with, however dear or valuable. Thus Matthew, sitting at the Receipt of Custom, upon hearing the call, "Follow me," "arose and followed him."

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Perhaps she left it, as it would have proved a hinderance to her speed. The king's business requires haste. In this she was now engaged; and, burning with zeal, she could not bear the thought of losing a moment in communicating the knowledge she possessed; and of saying to her neighbours, Come, see a man which told me all things that ever I did-Is not this the Christ? She knew the importance of the case. And she knew the brevity and uncertainty of the opportunity. It was not the gratification of their curiosity-it was their life. And if he withdrew from the well before they arrived, the day of their visitation might never return.

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Upon the same principles, let us get rid of every impediment, and avoid every delay, not only in gaining good for ourselves, but in doing good to others. All is hanging-upon the moment! "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might. There is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

JUNE 5.-"Be thou their arm every morning."
Is. xxxiii. 2.

THIS is a prayer for others. And, when we repair to the Throne of the Heavenly Grace, we should never forget our fellow Christians. But those will never pray earnestly, or even sincerely, for others, who do not pray for themselves. Every believer, therefore, includes himself in the number of those for whom he implores the blessing-" Be thou their arm every morning.

He is made sensible of his own weakness and insufficiency. He knows, he feels, and he increasingly knows and feels, his need-of an arm-a Divine arm—every morning.

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He needs this arm to defend him in all his dangers, and to keep him from all evil, especially the evil of sin, that it may not grieve him.

He needs this arm to uphold him under his burdens. The pressure often urges him to exclaim, Lord, I am oppressed, undertake for me."

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- He needs this arm to lean on, in all his goings. What a journey lies before him! And what step can he take alone! This is the image of the Church. She is represented as coming up out of the Wilderness, leaning on her Beloved.

And, as this arm is necessary-so it is sufficient and it is kindly held out in the promises and invitations of the Word-There, says God, "Let him take hold of my strength." And we take hold of it by faith and prayer.

-Let me then avail myself of the privilege-Be thou my arm every morning. Let me lean-and converse with thee. Let me lean-and feel thee at my side. Let me lean-and go forward without dismay or discouragement. "Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in

hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

JUNE 6.—" And walk humbly with thy God."

Micah vi. 8.

WHY not joyfully? There is a foundation laid for this. It is their privilege. It is said, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. This is not, however, absolutely necessary. In a sense, Christians may go on without it. We have known much self-denial, and deadness to the world, and spirituality of devotion, and zeal for the glory of God and the welfare of others, in persons who may be said to be saved by hope, rather than confidence. But with regard to humbleness of mind, this is indispensable—always, and in-every thing: and no progress can be made without it. So that when Luther was asked what was the first step in religion, he replied, Humility; and when asked what was the second, and the third, answered in the same way. And Peter admonishes Christians to be clothed with humility; as if he would say, This is to cover, to defend, to distinguish, to adorn all. But how is our walking humbly with God to appear?

It is to appear in connexion with Divine truth. Here God is our teacher; and if, as learners, we walk humbly with him, we shall cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Christ: we shall sacrifice the pride of reason; and having ascertained that the

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Scriptures are the Word of God, and discovered what they really contain, we shall not speculate upon their principles, but admit them on the Divine authority. Nothing can be more proud and vain than to believe no more than we can comprehend, or can make appear to be credible in itself. not this founding our faith on knowledge, and not on testimony? Is not this trusting God like a descredited witness in Court, whose deposition is regarded only as it is collaterally supported? Is this honouring his wisdom, or veracity? Is this receiving with meekness the engrafted Word? Is this receiving the kingdom of Heaven as a little child? It will appear in connexion with Divine ordinances. Here we walk with God as worshippers; and if we walk humbly with him, we shall have grace, whereby we may serve him acceptably, with reverence, and with godly fear. We have, indeed, in Christ, boldness and access with confidence; but it is by the faith of him: that is, by the confidence of one who feels his encouragement derived from a mediator. We may come boldly to the Throne of Grace: but it is to obtain mercy and find grace to help us the boldness, therefore, can only be the boldness of the indigent and the guilty, who have nothing of their own to plead. We approach him as a father: but if I am a father, says He, where is mine honour? We have heard some address the Supreme Being with such a levity and freedom as they would not have used to a fellow-creature a little above their own level in life. We should keep our feet when we go to the House of God. He is in heaven, and we upon the earth, therefore our words should be few.

- It will appear in connexion with his mercies. Here we walk with God, as our benefactor and if we walk humbly with him, we shall own and feel that we have no claim upon God for any thing we possess or enjoy. Am I indulged? I am not worthy

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