solid, immoveable, abiding! Christ yesterday, to-day, and for ever the same! wherever we are, He is still with us. The calm deep waters of comfort and joy, that continually flow from him, follow us in never-failing streams, and are infinitely pure and refreshing. us, O then let us fervently pray that we may never more seek supplies from worldly springs, resorting to them only as casual refreshments by the way, but from God: from God alone thankfully receive that living water, which will so abundantly satisfy that we shall never again thirst for any besides. Behold the Saviour who gives us this living water; behold him with the eye of faith lifted up upon the cross! Let us adore, believe, rejoice, and live. With such heavenly refreshment, with such animating knowledge of our Saviour's love and tenderness let us go forward in our pilgrimage, and with daily increasing diligence and ardour reach to those things which are before, that we may lay hold on eternal life, where happiness unclouded will crown the warfare we have passed, and we shall for ever enjoy rest and peace. Surely, such a promised reversion, on testimony so faithful and so true, fully counterbalances all the evil to which we are liableare now exposed to. It supplies us with motives of submission, as well as opens to us unnumbered springs of comfort. Every thing here below is mutable; but whatever belongs to the Christian believer is everlasting. God, the unchanging God, who is his portion; the covenant, the faithful covenant, which is his security; and heaven, which is his inheritance these can suffer no alteration. If we have these blessings imparted to us, (and they are graciously offered to every one,) we may well say, "This is all my salvation and all my desire." Oh, if we are thus blessed with a sense of the favour of our Creator, we shall, under the severest trials, enjoy a peace unruffled as the repose of heaven. Our ransomed powers will then voluntarily be dedicated unceasingly to the service of our Creator, and our ardent devotions will inspire us with pleasures as permanent as they are ele G vated and holy. And how can it be otherwise? If the contemplation and esteem of transcendent goodness, unrivalled excellence, and infinite perfection afford delightful satisfaction, we are permitted to experience it in all its plenitude. If the exercise of unsuspecting confidence in a Being of infinite power, omniscient wisdom, and unbounded goodness be the sure foundation of tranquillity and peace, we may enjoy the calmest serenity! If communion and fellowship with the best of Beings be a source of rational and unmingled happiness, then must the genuine Christian believer be truly happy. He draws near to that God "in whose presence is fulness of joy," and he loses his relish for the shallow streams of earthly bliss. He mingles his notes of praise with the songs of the redeemed. He joins in the exalted employments of the angels of God, and receives a foretaste of the joys of Paradise. The glorious privileges which he enjoys fill his bosom with inward peace, and loving gratitude. The curse is removed from all his trials; he has a covenantright to all divine favours; God is his father, -death is his friend,-heaven is his home! He has nothing to do with events. Providence has engaged to make "all things work together for his good." All his high interests are secured he dwells in safety, and fears no evil. Such is the man who enjoys life in all its vicissitudes. : And what are the principles which bring forth such rich fruits? even assured faith and love of God with an abiding sense of His divine favour. 66 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see him as He is." (1 John iii. 2.) This faith (for which let us earnestly pray) is the Christian's guide, comfort, and support; a perpetual source within him of joy and thankfulness, and a ground of a hope and trust that never will be shaken. Without causing us to neglect present duties, nay, rather imparting increased energy to perform them, such a faith, and such an affiance, enables us to look forward to heaven, as our proper country; to our great Father, from whom we came, and to whom we must return; and to consider this perishable life as the trial and preparation for our true life, and our death as a step to immortality : "Immortality! Oh! that alone, Amid life's pains, abasements, emptiness— ness. "It doth not yet indeed appear what we shall be;" but of a future state, and of its perfect blessedness, we are perfectly assured. The gospel has brought life and immortality to certain light, and has furnished us also with all the aids necessary to direct and support our endeavours in attaining that blessedThe Holy Scriptures frequently speak of this blessedness as the assured portion through Christ, of good persons after death. St. Peter, for instance, says, "When the chicf Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away;" and St. Paul, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, |