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his worthy helpmate taught him to gratify his wish by the destruction of the nobleminded peasant. How wise was the answer of the Shunamite, when Elisha offered to speak for her to the king—“I dwell among my own people." If we are not content with such things as we have, we shall never be satisfied with such things as we desire. If there is a difference in outward conditions, it lies against those who fill the higher ones. Their want of occupation-the listlessness far worse than any labour they feel the little relish they have of natural refreshment-their sufferings from weak nerves and timid spirits their squeamish anxieties about their health-the softening of their disposition by indulgence and ease, so that they are unable to endure -their sensibility under trifling vexations, which others despise their leisure to brood over and hatch a progeny of dangers-the envies to which they are liable their cares, fears, responsibilities, and dependance the unreasonable things expected from them, and their inability to give satisfaction to expectants-Where shall I end? These, and a thousand other things, should be enough to show the poor and the busy that those who are placed above them are proportionably taxed.

Neither, however, is the opposite state the most desirable. As far as happiness depends on on any outward condition, there lies-between the extremes of prosperity and adversity, penury and affluencethe most eligible choice. If life be a pilgrimage, man, the traveller, is best prepared for advancing, not when the shoe pinches, or when it is large and loose; but when it fits-Not when he is destitute of a staff to lean upon, or when he has a large bundle of staves to carry; but when he has one, which affords him assistance without incumbrance. Pray we therefore, "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full,

and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."

FEB. 3.-" Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence." Deut. xxiv. 18.

THE bondage of Egypt, under Pharaoh's tyranny and task-masters, was nothing to the bondage of corruption, in which sinners are naturally held, and the power of darkness, from which we are translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. And the freedom the Jews obtained, when they were delivered by a strong hand and a stretched-out arm, was not to be compared with the glorious liberty of the sons of God-for if the Son makes us free, we are free indeed.

And this redemption is what we are called to remember. The admonition may seem needless. For can such a deliverance be ever forgotten? We should once have deemed it impossible; but we are prone to forget his works, and the wonders which he has shewn us. The event, indeed, can never be completely forgotten. But we need to have our minds stirred up by way of remembrance. And for four purposes-"Thou shalt remember, that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt-but the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence."

First, for the purpose of humility. We are prone to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think but with the lowly is wisdom. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble-and surely we have enough to hide pride from us, if we reflect properly. If we are now wise, we were once foolish; if we are now justified, we were once condemned; if we are now the sons of God, we were

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once the servants of Sin.-Let us look to the rock whence we were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence we were digged.

Secondly, we should remember it for the purpose of gratitude. If we are affected with the kindnesses shewn us by our fellow-creatures, shall we overlook our infinite Benefactor? Were they under no obligation to relieve us? Had we forfeited our lives to them? Did they deliver us from the lowest hell? Did they become poor to enrich us, and die that we may live? But we have no claims upon Him, for the least of all his mercies; and therefore should be thankful for all his benefits-Herein is love. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people.

Thirdly, we should remember it for the purpose of confidence. David argued from the past to the future; and said, Because thou hast been my help, therefore, under the shadow of thy wings, will I rejoice. But here we have a peculiar reason for encouragement. For what were we when He first took knowledge of us? Was he not found of them that sought him not? Was the want of worthiness a bar to his goodness then? And will it be so now? Is there with Him any variableness or shadow of turning? Is there not the same power in his arm, and the same love in his heart! Did he pardon me when a rebel, and will he cast me off now he has made me a friend? "If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ?"

Fourthly, we should remember it for the purpose of pity and zeal. How many are there all around you, in the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity, ready to perish! You know the state they

are in; and you know the blessedness of a deliverance from it. You are witnesses for God of what he is able and willing to do. Invite the prisoners of hope to turn to him—you can speak from experience. Say to the destitute, That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us. O taste and see that the Lord is good:

blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

FEB. 4.—" And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord, which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee; I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan, and now I am become two bands. Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude." Gen. xxxii. 9-12.

We cannot too much admire the conduct of Jacob, on this trying occasion; when he had to meet his enraged brother Esau. The religion that, aiming at something uncommon and preternatural, disregards the plain dictates of reason and revelation, is always to be suspected; and, on the other hand, caution and exertion, unaccompanied with a devout dependence upon God, is the wisdom of the world, which is foolishness with Him-and he will take the wise in their own craftiness. Therefore, prudence and piety should always be connected together. Accord

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ingly, Jacob sends forward a deputation, with a soft answer that turneth away wrath; and arranges his company and cattle in the wisest order-But what does he then? When we have done all that we can do-to what does it amount? Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain :" and unless he gives his beloved sleep, "in vain we rise early and sit up late, and eat the bread of sorrows." When we have planned, and are setting all our measures in motion, then is the time to take hold of God, and say, "O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity." Jacob, therefore, now prays; and as this prayer was heard, and He who teaches us how to pray is our best friend, let us glance at the particulars which God has here noticed.

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Observe the relation under which he addresses the Supreme Being "O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac." As much as to say, my family God; and my God in covenant. was laying hold of his faithfulness, as well as goodness, and asking in faith. We have another title under which to bespeak attention-The God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. This inspires more abundant hope; and involves more exceeding great and precious promises; and reminds us of a covenant made with him, and so with us, everlasting, ordered in all things, and sure.

He appeals to the will of God in his present difficulty" Thou saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee"-I am now in a strait, but I have been brought into it by following thee. This was wise. They that suffer according to the will of God, may commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing and it affords great relief to the mind, and much aids our confidence, when we are conscious that the embarrassments we feel have not been brought upon ourselves, but have befallen us in the path of

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