only frustrated the fears, but surpassed the hopes of his people? When Moses was in the ark of bulrushes, all his parents could have hoped for would have been his preservation, or falling into the hands of some kind individual, who, affected with his infancy and suffering, would have taken care of him-though they should never have seen him more. But Pharaoh's daughter finds him; and adopts him; and his mother becomes his nurse; and he is educated in all the learning of Egypt; and he appears the deliverer and leader of Israel! David said, I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul: but after a number of hairbreadth escapes, he was saved from all his enemies, and sat down upon the throne, "a wonder unto many.

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How many are there in whose experience this remark has been exemplified, as to temporal things! They once had no inheritance, no not so much as to set their foot on and all they hoped to gain by their humble efforts, was only bread to eat and raiment to put on and lo! he has given them not only subsistence, but competency and affluence. And as to spiritual things-the penitent remembers how, when awakened out of his sleep, and he gazed on the horrors of his state, there seemed nothing left but a certain fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery indignation. How hard did he find it to hope even for deliverance! But the Lord appeared, to his joy; and not only spared and pardoned him, but enriched and ennobled him: and took him not only into his service, but into his house and into his bosom.

But in nothing has this observation been more frequently verified than in the dying experience of believers. They had all their life-time been subject to bondage through fear of death; a thousand comforts had been embittered by the apprehension-but this did not affect their safety then; and when their departure was at hand, they were filled with peace and joy; and had an abundant entrance ministered unto them into the Saviour's everlasting king

dom. Some who had trembled at the shaking of a leaf before, have then displayed a courage amounting to more than heroism; and those who had shrunk back from speaking, especially concerning themselves, have shouted aloud upon their beds, and sung of His righteousness. "Ah!" says Dr. Goodwin, "Is this dying? How have I dreaded as an enemy this smiling friend!" To die is gain.

When the Queen of Sheba, though accustomed to royal magnificence, witnessed the glory of Solomon, she exclaimed, The half was not told me. So the believer, after all the reports of the Scripture; all the earnests and foretastes of heaven; finds it to be a glory yet to be revealed: and when he arrives at the possession, he will acknowledge that eye had not seen, nor ear heard, nor had entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

Let all this scatter our doubts, and lead us to say, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him." Especially let us view, through the force of this truth, all our future duties and difficulties. We are not to limit the Holy One of Israel. What is impossible to us, is easy to him. His thoughts and ways are as far above ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth; and he is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. We have read of an Emperor, who said, he delighted to undertake enterprizes deemed by his counsellors and captains impracticable: and he seldom failed in them. God cannot fail. But he loves to surprise. He, therefore, turneth the shadow of death into the morning. At eventide, says He, it shall be light.

JAN. 19.-" And Noah walked with God." Gen. vi. 9. THE Apostle gives us a fine representation of religion, when, speaking of God, he says, "With whom

we have to do." We have to do with our fellowcreatures in various relations; but morality must be supported by piety, and flow from it. It is with God we have principally to do. Our connections with him, our expectations from him, our obligations to him, are infinitely supreme.

Three expressions are observable as to our walking with regard to God. First, we read of " "walking after the Lord." This supposes him to be our leader and example; and requires us to be followers of him as dear children. They shall walk after the Lord," says Hosea.-Secondly, we read of walking before God. This supposes him to be our observer and witness-we are thus always in his sight. "Walk before me," said God to Abraham. "I will walk before the Lord," says David, "in the land of the living." We also read of "walking with God." So did Noah; so did Enoch; so does every partaker of divine grace. But this seems to hold him forth as our companion and friend. This is surprising; but so it is. There is an intercourse between us-we have fellowship one with another. In order to this, reconciliation is necessary: for "how can two walk together except they be agreed?" And this reconciliation must be mutual. It is not enough that God is reconciled to us through the blood of the Cross-we must be also reconciled to God, and love his presence, aud choose his way.

For walking with God implies a oneness of course; and supposes that we advance together towards the same end. God's aim is his own glory: and we are enjoined, "whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, to do all to the glory of God." As far as we observe this rule, we walk with God; as far as we neglect it, we leave God, and go in another direction.

If we are familiar and conversant with any one, we unavoidably catch something of his spirit and his manners-Hence it is said, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of

fools shall be destroyed." If I walk with God, I shall resemble him; and all will take knowledge of me that I have been with Jesus.

How envied would the man be that was allowed to walk with the king-But I walk with the King of kings, and the Lord of lords-"Such honour have all the saints." What security have I in nearness to Him!" He is at my right hand: I shall not be moved." What can I want if I have Him?" My presence shall go with thee; and I will give thee rest."

"Were I in heaven without my God.
""Twould be no joy to me;

"And while this earth is my abode,
I long for none but Thee."

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JAN. 20.-" And praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him." Luke iii. 22.

We may consider this descent three ways: as an answer to prayer; as a miraculous testimony; and as a significant emblem.

He had just been baptized; and was now going to enter on his public office; and we are told he prayed. Whether he prayed vocally or only mentally, we know not: but he prayed really. And if prayer was necessary for Him, can it be needless for us? And he prayed exemplarily; and has taught us to pray after we have been engaged in any ordinance, and before we enter on any undertaking. He also prayed successfully. Indeed the Father heard him always, because he always prayed according to the will of God. But how prompt was the answer! It reached him in the very act of devotion: "And praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him." It was the

same in the Transfiguration: "As he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering." The prayer of faith is always immediately heard, and if it be not always immediately answered, it is not from a want of disposition in God to bless us, but because he is a God of judgment, and waits to be gracious. But if we consult the Scripture; and appeal to our own experience; and especially observe, not only the benefit we have derived from prayer, but in it; we shall know that he is a God at hand and not afar off: and verify the truth of his own word: "It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."

It is to be viewed also as a miracle; and so it was an authentication of his divine mission. Hence the voice that accompanied it-"Thou art my beloved Son in thee I am well pleased." Hence John was previously informed of this confirmation. For though his relation, yet (to preclude all collusion and management) John had not seen Jesus before this event: but was taught, when they met, to recognize him by it: "And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost." John, therefore, could not but be instantly and perfectly convinced: "And I saw," says he, "and bare record, that this is the Son of God." Nothing, therefore, could have been more unsuspicious and decisive-The sign was foretold-its brilliancy, form, and descent were obvious to sense-it remained on him for a considerable time-and all was in the presence of a multitude of spectators! How different are the miracles of the Gospel from the prodigies of Heathenism and the lying wonders of the Church of Rome.