Secondly, temperance of attachment-"Be sober." Some would think to enforce such an article as this was not preaching the Gospel--and it may not be preaching their gospel: but when Paul spake "concerning the faith in Christ," he "reasoned concerning righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come." Others think this order only regards excess in eating and drinking. Sobriety intends nothing less than this, but it comprehends much more, at least in the Scripture. One would suppose that common decency, and a regard for life and health, would restrain a man from gluttony and drunkenness. But a Christian is to moderate all his appetites and passions. He is not to be indulgent in sleep; nor suffer this downy foe to rob him of so much of his time. He should consider sleep an infirmity rather than a privilege. It is humbling to think of dying half our time to be alive the rest-Angels are nobly free from this mortifying necessity. We should be sober in all our affections and pursuits as to earthly things. Our Lord speaks of our hearts being overcharged, not only with surfeiting and drunkenness, but the cares of this life-These may morally intoxicate. And as wine oppresses the senses, disturbs reason, and hinders us from any thing useful; so worldly anxieties besot the mind, and unfit us for every good word and work. Paul exhorts "young men to be sober minded." And we see how well they are exemplifying this-How suspicious they are of their own judgments-How disposed they are to consult the aged and the experienced-And how backward they are to decide or speak upon every difficult subject! He also admonishes women to "adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety!" And how well it is to see this also so fully verified" in women professing godliness."

Thirdly, constancy of expectation-"And hope to the end." There is nothing more desirable or necessary than this. We not only rejoice in hope; but "we are saved by hope." It keeps our hearts and minds from the allurements and seductions of the world: and it sustains us in trouble; being, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. Where is the Christian but has often said

"Amidst temptations sharp and long,
My soul to this dear refuge flies;
Hope is my anchor firm and strong,
While tempests blow and billows rise."

Yet it is no easy thing to maintain the full exercise of hope; especially under those trying dispensations, which seem as if the Lord was angry with us to destroy: and also under a sense of our unworthiness, arising from our unprofitableness and deficiencies. These ought to humble us; but we must not east away our confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. There is enough to bear up our hope in every change of condition, and under every moral infirmity, in the promises of the Gospel, and the fulness of the Redeemer. ́ ́And the time of trial is limited. Though we are to hope to the end, the end is not far off; "for yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." Then the burden will be removed from the shoulder. Then the warfare will be accomplished. Then we shall be with him, where he is to behold his glory, and be filled with all the fulness of God. "Be pa

tient, therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh."

AUGUST 28.-" And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”—Psalm i. 3.

THE heir of this promise is described in the preceding verses: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." "He" is the person whose condition and prospects are here displayed by images the most pleasing and instructive.

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water"-Here we see how he came to be found in a situation so favoured. He was not there naturally, but "planted" there. And this was done by a Divine hand: "for they shall be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."

But see the advantage of the situation itself-He is planted "by rivers of waters." It means an affluence of resources necessary to growth. The deficiencies of Christians cannot be charged on Christianity. They are not straitened in their condition, but only in themselves. These rivers of waters mean two things. First, the means of grace. Though these would not be efficient of themselves, there is a subjective suitableness and tendency in them to do us good; and they are appointed for this very purpose; and we may look for the Divine blessing in the use of them. They who undervalue prayer, reading the Scriptures, private meditation, Christian intercourse, the preaching of the word, and the table of the Lord, show little concern for soul-prosperity: but they who are diligent in the proper use of them will be fat and flourishing, and not only have life, but have it more abundantly. Secondly, the Spirit of grace. Divine ordinances are good, but Divine influences are better. Every Christian has what the Apostle calls "the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ." And so ample and rich as well as necessary is this supply, that we are said to "live in the Spirit," and "walk in the Spirit," and to be "filled with the Spirit."

Of such a privileged individual three things are here spoken. First: "He bringeth forth his fruit in his season." From a tree planted in dry and scorching sand it would be unreasonable to look for produce; but not if planted by rivers of waters. As God provides for the fertility of his people, he expects it, and he is not disappointed. They have all the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. He finds it indeed in various degrees; for all the trees are not of the same size and age; but there is not one barren among them. A tree has his time for bearing; and it is enough if he bringeth forth his fruit in his season, his natural, proper, and appointed season. So it is with a Christian. He is required indeed to be always

abounding in the work of the Lord; but this does not hinder the special claims of particular periods. As we have opportunity we are to do good. We are to be humble when we are applauded; to be liberal when riches increase upon us; to possess our souls in patience in adversity: and under bereavements to say, the will of the Lord be done.

Secondly, "his leaf also shall not wither." The leaf is a part of the composition of a tree in its perfect state. It is produced and nourished by the same sap that feeds the fruit. It even aids the fruit by moisture and by shade, and adds to the beauty of the tree, which without it, would appear naked, cheerless, and uninviting. We read of trees whose leaves are for healing. The leaves of others afford a covering from the heat, so that persons may sit under their shadow as well as partake of their fruit. Here we approve of the application of "the sweet Psalmist" of our Israel.

"Green as a leaf, and ever fair,

Shall his profession shine;
While fruits of holiness appear

Like clusters on the vine."

In trees bearing fruit, leaves are not sufficient without it; but as accompaniments, and additions they are valuable. A form of godliness is nothing without the power, but the power cannot properly dispense with the form. When profession results from principle it is not ornamental to religion, but useful to ourselves and others. And when the Christian appears what he really is, when he not only gives himself to the Lord, but to his people, by the will of God; when he not only believes with the heart, but confesses with the mouth, and holds fast not only the reality but the profession of his faith without wavering, he is the tree whose "leaf also shall not wither." We have evergreens; but none of our fruit-bearing trees are such. All these with us at the approach of winter drop their verdure, and remind us of our decay and mortality. "We all do fade as a leaf." But in warmer climes there are trees which retain their foliage by constant and fresh vigour all the year. And there are Christians that exemplify this. The profession of many is undurable: it has no root in themselves; it is not sustained by any internal and vital succour : it is influenced only by outward excitements which often fail; and thus even all their pretensions are given up. But God puts his Spirit within his people, and thus causes them to walk in his statutes. The water he gives them is in them, and springs up into everlasting life. One of the finest sights in the world is a Christian at the end of a long course with an unsullied reputation, not only sincere, but without offence, and still alive to the things of God-His hair may be white, but his leaf is greenand the hoary head is a crown of glory being found in the way of righteousness.

Thirdly; "whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Here the metaphor ends. Exertion cannot be ascribed to a tree. Some indeed would carry on the figure, alleging that the word "doeth" admits of being rendered "beareth;" and so they would read, “And whatsoever he beareth shall prosper," that is, it shall not be blasted or blighted, but shall reach maturity. But this had been previously insured. Our translators saw no propriety in this change. They

knew that God's word is not bound by the rules of human criticism; and that metaphors should not be carried too far. It is wise to know when to drop them. The assurance addresses itself to a common feeling in our nature-It is hope of success that induces men to labour. Who, if he knew it, would exert himself in vain? To a Jew such an address would be peculiarly suited; as on his obedience, prosperity was invariably to attend. With regard to the Christian, the promise cannot be taken without some distinction. In his temporal enterprizes he is not authorised to look for his success in all he does. His plans and wishes may often fail; but welfare requires this; and all things work together for good to them that love God: while success is sure to attend him in his spiritual affairs. There he cannot labour in vain. He prays, and he shall prosper in it; "for he that seeketh findeth." He fights, and he shall prosper in it; for "his enemies shall be found liars unto him, and he shall tread upon their high places." He sows, and he shall prosper; for "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy”—AND WHAT

SOEVER HE DOETH SHALL PROSPER.

AUGUST 29. For thou hast a little strength."-Rev, iii. 8.

THIS is the language of Christ to the Church of Philadelphia. It is obviously spoken in a way of commendation and encouragement. Though they were distinguished by no great attainments, there was something in them really good and spiritual; and therefore he would not deprive them of the privileges they enjoyed, but would even enlarge them: "I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it-for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and not denied my name." It is thus he comes down like rain on the mown grass. It is thus he verifies the prediction, "a bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory."

It would be an abuse of this passage were we, in consequence of it, to become remiss in duty, and, as the Scripture says, "to settle upon our lees." It shows a low aim, and is even an unfavourable proof of a man's sincerity, when he only seeks to be satisfied of the existence of his religion and of his eternal safety. We ought to be anxious, not only to have life, but to have it more abundantly. We should be concerned for the honour of God, and our usefulness to men. By the weakness of our grace we lose much in a way of evidence and comfort. We are commanded to 66 grow in grace;" and are assured that God "giveth more grace." Indeed the prin ciple naturally urges the progress, and they who have tasted that the Lord is gracious will desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby.

But the declaration does afford " strong consolation." And such consolation the Apostle tells us is necessary, not only to them that are fleeing, but "to them that have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before them." It is no easy thing when persons are pressed down by a sense of their vileness and imperfections to keep them from fearing that they have no part nor lot in the matter, and that their hearts are not right in the sight of God. They are prone

to judge of the truth of their grace by the degree of it; and lose the comfort derivable from what they have, in thinking of what they have not. Comparing themselves with saints of great eminence, and dwindling into nothing before them, they forget that in the household of faith there are various ages and statures; and that those who are not fullgrown men" may be "little children." The fold of the heavenly Shepherd contains not only sheep but lambs, and he gathers the lambs with his arm, and carries them in his bosom.

The weakness of our grace should therefore humble us, but not drive us to despair; and while we lament that we have not more, we should be thankful that we have any. Though the mixture is lamentable, the Lord will not reject the ore for the dross adhering to it; and will in due time separate the one from the other. As soon as it is sown we say, This is a field of wheat. The blade is not the full corn in the ear, but it will become so-" Four months and then cometh harvest." If it be but the dawn with us at present, the dawn, though less than the day, is better than the night, and proves that the sun is rising, and at hand; and what shall stop his course, or turn him aside? And "the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

What a lovely Being have we before us! He is fairer than the children of men! Let us give him all the confidence of our hearts. Let us admire, and praise, and recommend him.

And let us be concerned to imitate him. Hence it is said, "Be ye followers of God as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also loved us." Is he forgiving, and meek, and condescending, and tender, and compassionate? As the professors of his Name let the same mind also be in us: and let us remember, that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. If we resemble him we shall not despise the day of small things. In our social state as a church we shall not exact perfection, and if we have not all the satisfaction we could desire, we shall lean to the side of candour, and receive one another as Christ receives us. If we are strong we shall bear the infirmities of the weak, and not please ourselves. We shall give up things in which we could conscientiously indulge ourselves, lest we offend the consciences of our weaker brethren. We shall not press young beginners with high and difficult doctrines, but patiently wait till experience prepares for the admission of them. He taught his disciples as they were able to bear it. Milk is for babes: who could think of giving them not only strong meat, but the bones of controversy, which, if they happen to have a little flesh upon them, or marrow in them, are beyond their use. If a brother also be overtaken in a fault, let us restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering ourselves, lest we also be tempted, and thinking of him who took our infirmi ties and bore our sicknesses. Let us always have a word in season for the weary. Let us comfort the feebleminded. Let us make straight paths for our feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Blessed Jesus! Beholding as in a glass thy glory, may we be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.