same moment of time, without confounding in the least degree the motives and purposes of his rational creatures; and who at the great day of account will reveal to each his secret sins, while all shall stand speechless and self-condemned before his awful tribunal!

Lord, give me grace to judge myself now, that I may not be condemned in that day. O send down thy blessed Spirit into my heart! Sanctify every thought, every affection and desire. Purge me with the cleansing blood of thy dear Son. Clothe me with his spotless righteousness; that, being viewed by thee in Christ my Saviour, I may be saved with an everlasting salvation; and never be confounded, world without end.

"THOU, GOD, SEEST ME." To feel the abiding impression of this solemn truth, would be a sacred preservation from sin. When an evil thought arises in my heart, should I like to divulge it to my nearest friend? Ah! no. Conscience, shame, or a regard to his good opinion checks the disclosure. What! and shall I dare to indulge such a thought, exposed to my Almighty friend, and naked in his sight, when I would not dare to mention it to a fellow worm! Where is the fear of God? Where is the belief of his omniscience? Where is the awe of his omnipresence? Where is the dread of final judgment? Yea, where is my love to Christ, who died to save me from "Doth not he see my ways, sins? my

count all my steps?" Jub xxxi. 4.

and

This method of addressing conscience may, through grace, present a powerful barrier against the injections of Satan, and the workings of natural corruption. Lord, strengthen me more and more!

Give me grace never to harbour a thought which I should be ashamed to express. May I never forget that, as speaking is but thinking aloud, so thinking

is speaking to thee, who requirest not, like weak mortals, the medium of words and sounds. Thou hearest the inward voice of the soul, pouring out itself before thee in silent yet fervent breathings of desire; and thou knowest the subtile workings of inbred sin.

May I ever consider myself as in thy immediate presence; surrounded by thy immensity. "THOU, GOD, SEEST ME." May this thought constrain me to act with purity, truth, and sincerity, when no human eye can observe my actions; or, if my actions are visible, when they cannot unveil my motives.

May I do all from a principle of love to thee, and with a simple desire in all things to promote thy glory; for thine eyes "run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show thyself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards thee."

How consoling is this view of the divine immensity, with respect to our distant Christian friends! Wherever they are, whether crossing tempestuous oceans, or dwelling in distant climes; whether traversing dreary deserts, or climbing craggy steeps; God is still near them, to protect and bless them.

Should he call them out of the body, when separated from all they love upon earth; yet he is still near, to cheer their departing spirits, and to conduct them in safety to their eternal home.

Let me then rejoice, O Lord, in thy presence! Let me be always happy in this sweet assurance, that thou art a sun and shield, and wilt give grace and glory to every humble follower of the Lamb.

may I live daily nearer to thee by faith and prayer! Unite heart to fear thy name. mv Bind my affections to thy cross; and suffer me not one moment to wander from thee, or lose the thought of thy immensity and glory. It is in thee that I live,

and move, and have my being; it is from thee that I derive every spiritual and temporal blessing; and it is through thee that I humbly hope to be brought in safety, as a monument of mercy, into thy everlasting kingdom.

O holy, holy, holy, Lord!

Whom angel-hosts adore;

When shall I join, i a raptured strains,
The bright celestial choir?

In pity, view a sinful worm,
A prisoner here below;

A pilgrim journeying through the land
Of darkness, sin, and woe.

Ten thousand voices round thy throne
Unite in hymns divine;
"Salvation to the Lamb!" they cry,
As high in bliss they shine.

Fain would I now begin the song,
To thee, my God and friend;
Then mingle with the choirs above,
In praise which ne'er shall end.

XI. ON THE DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY.

AT the creation, amidst the darkness of chaos, Jehovah said, "Let there be light, and there was light." When veiled in human flesh, he commanded the raging wind and waves, saying, "Peace, be still: and immediately there was a great calm." To his tempest-tossed people he now speaks these composing words: "Be still, and know that I am God" -and they find rest unto their souls.

In violent public commotions, God can "still the

madness of the people;" and in inward mental agonies, he can calm the agitated spirit. "When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only." Job xxxiv. 29.

When we read the history of past ages, and consider the ever-changing scene before us; when we study man, and perceive though but a small portion of the passions and contending interests, which shake the fabric of society; how delightful, how composing to the mind, is this all-gracious declaration, "Be still, and know that I am God."

The political world, like the air and sea which surround us, is ever in motion; but the happy believer finds his rest in God. In the present day, the human mind seems to be acted upon in a most remarkable manner. Knowledge is diffusing its light in every direction; and the intellectual powers are acquiring an expansion, which their ancient boundaries can neither limit nor control. The Christian world is all awake to the spiritual and moral degradation of mankind, and is labouring to disseminate the sacred truths of revelation, which alone can raise our fallen race.

The enemies of the Gospel and of social order are alike awake to their deeds of darkness.

There is, therefore, at the present eventful period, an evident struggle between light and darkness. The struggle may be violent, but the believer hears the cheering voice from heaven, which dissipates every rising fear: "Be still, and know that I am God."

O my soul, rejoice that the Lord reigneth. He can calm the rough surges of the mind. He can bid the inward tempest cease. He can pour an enlivening ray upon the drooping heart; and cause a

sweet serenity and peace to reign within. Trust in the Lord at all times. Be still, and know that he is God.

There is something peculiarly soothing to the heart of a pious Christian to know, that he who rules over all worlds, in whose hands are the destinies of nations, and who guides the minutest concerns of families and individuals, is his father and his friend.

The more we know of God, of his power, wisdom, love, faithfulness, and truth; the more we shall bow before his throne in humble adoration, and filial confidence and love.

To know God in Christ; to know him as a covenant God; to know him as our God; is to possess all the sources and secrets of true peace, in the midst of surrounding storms and tempests. This knowledge will raise us above the agitated elements of the world, and place us in that pure region where the soul can breathe more freely, and expand her powers more fully. Faith views with admiration the perfections of Jehovah. Hope rests the fulfilment of her expectations on these perfections. Love delights in them, and gradually assimilates the soul to them. Whilst Patience calmly waits, under every changing dispensation, for that abundant harvest of rich blessings, which the God of truth has promised, and which his faithfulness will perform.

Come, then, O! my soul, and learn from this view of thy privileges, the blessedness of trusting in God. "He changes not, nor knows the shadow of a turn. All his promises are yea and amen. his ways are righteous and true. Cast thy care upon him who careth for thee; and, under every trying event, be still, and know that he is God.

All

It is truly animating to reflect, that, whilst every thing seems given to change, the Almighty has de