6. If adversity, loss of goods, detriment of fame, sickness, or any other troublous cross happeneth, it is evermore for the best to them that are faithful. Perfectly shall all these be taken away, in the regeneration, when to their glory both heaven and earth shall be blessed, and all that is cursed thrown into the lake of everlasting fire.

7. Consider how lovingly the Father doth use us; not only here do we bear the name of children, but also there shall we be His sons indeed.

8. Of most tender mercy sent He that day-spring from above, to direct their feet in the way of His peace. And after this laborious pilgrimage, in the Sabbath of eternal quiet, shall He enlighten them thoroughly with His most glorious presence; and with Him shall they reign for ever, in full felicity and glory continuing.

9. The proud reign of tyrants is here but for a time; the less is it to be feared. The meek reign of the righteous continueth for ever; therefore the more is it to be sought for and desired.

10. The Bride or Congregation of the Lord, thus taught, stirred, and urged forward of His Spirit, saith in her heart, evermore, with a fervent desire, Oh come, my most delectable spouse and Lord, Jesus Christ, my health, my joy, my sweetness. Accomplish the marriage appointed from the world's beginning. Permit that prepared spouse, with her appointed number, to enter into Thy eternal tabernacle of rest.

II. Come, most merciful Saviour and Redeemer, fulfil the godly promises of this book to the eternal comfort of Make haste to the judgment-seat, for full deliver

man.

ance of the whole chosen number, that Thy servants may be where Thou art, in perfect glory and joy.

12. Oh come, most merciful Redeemer and gracious Lord Jesus Christ, to judge the universal world. Come, come, hie Thee hither apace, to separate the wheat from the chaff, and the lambs from the goats, to bring them to Thy eternal tabernacle. Woe is me that my banishment endureth so long. I dwell in the tabernacle of the sorrowful. My soul hath a thirsty desire for God, the fountain of life. Oh, when shall I come and behold His face! Like are we to these faithful servants, who wait for the return of their Lord from the wedding, very ready to open at His knocking.

MELANCTHON.

BORN 1497-DIED 1560.

1. Humanity was created, and then afterwards redeemed, to be the temple of God, setting forth the glory of God.

2. God is a Being spiritual, intelligent, eternal, true, good, pure, just, merciful, free altogether, of immense power and wisdom. He is the Father eternal, who from eternity begat the Son, His image. The Son is the coeternal image of the Father, and the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son.

3. It is good to notice, in the baptism of Christ, the clear setting forth of the three Persons of the Godhead. The Father utters that voice, 'This is My beloved Son.' The Son is seen standing in the river; and the Holy Spirit comes down in a visible appearance.

4. Let us hold fast the distinction of the human and divine natures in Christ; and yet, at the same time, let this be known, that, because of the personal union, these propositions are true, viz., God suffered, was crucified, died. Think not that the human nature only was that which redeemed; it was the whole Son of God.

5. The Spirit is called Spirit of Grace, because He testifies in us that we are received into favour, and because He moves our heart to believe this.

6. The perfections of Godhead are not distinct things from the essence of Godhead. The power of the Father

is the Father; and the righteousness of the Father is the Father; and the righteousness of the Son is the Son.

7. It is right to pray to the Holy Spirit, as thus: 'Holy Spirit, who wast poured upon the apostles, who wast promised by the Redeemer, the Son of God, to kindle in us true knowledge and worship of God, raise Thou in our hearts true fear of God, true faith and acknowledgment of the mercy promised in the Son by the eternal Father. Be our Paraclete in all undertakings and perils, and stir up our souls to give honour always, by true obedience, to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to His Son, our Redeemer, and to Thee.'

8. The Law of the Ten Commandments reminds usIst, For what end man was made, and what was his dignity and purity originally. For man was meant to be what the Law describes-full of the knowledge of God; always setting forth his honour; always obeying; ever beholding His presence and superintending rule in all His works; observing just order in all His actions, without any vile lust, without any calamity, without death. It reminds us, 2d, Of present misery; for we see our nature fallen from its first dignity; in conflict with the Law; full of darkness and contempt of God; all disorder; full of vile lusts of every kind. It reminds us, 3d, Of the restoration of humanity and of eternal life; for it intimates to how great excellency we are still called. For God repeats His voice of the Law ever since the fall, thereby shewing that He intends that the Law should, some time or other, be realised as Law. Therefore, there shall be a reparation of the human race; there shall be eternal life.

AONIO PALEARIO.

BORN 1500-DIED 1570.

1. It is not to be believed that the sin of Adam, which we have by inheritance from him, should be of more force than the righteousness of Christ, that which also we inherit by faith. It seemeth that man hath great cause to complain that (without any reason why) he is conceived and born in sin, and in the wickedness of his parents, by means of whom death reigneth over all men. But now is all our sorrow taken away; inasmuch as, by a like mean (without any occasion given on our behalf), righteousness and everlasting life are come by Jesus Christ, and by Him death is slain.

2. As Jesus Christ is stronger than Adam was, so is His righteousness more mighty than the sin of Adam. And if the sin of Adam was sufficient enough to make all men sinners and children of wrath, without any misdeed of our own, much more shall Christ's righteousness be of greater force to make us all righteous, and the children of grace, without any of our own good works.

3. Then, my dear brethren, let us embrace the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, and let us make it ours by means of faith: let us assure ourselves that we be righteous, not for our own works, but through the merits of Jesus Christ and let us live merrily, and assured that the righteousness of Jesus Christ hath utterly done away all