they are backward in speaking of and averse to glory in them. Hence, when these fruits appear, inward or outward, like the bride of the Lamb, on another occasion, she cries out in lowliness of heart, "Who hath begotten me these?" Isa. xlix. 21. But is anything too hard for God? "He maketh the barren soul to be a joyful mother of children," Psalm cxiii. 9. Believers are married to Jesus by faith, that they may "bring forth fruit unto God," Rom. vii. 4. There is no member of his fruitless. Some bring forth more fruit than others, some more eminent for one kind, and some for another. Every one "according to the measure of the gift of Christ," Eph. iv. 7. But all is by the same Spirit, who dwelleth in all. Each esteem others' fruits better than their own. The graces of a christian shine brightest in the sight of his brethren. With the pleasant fruits of his Spirit, which his members bear, Jesus is delighted, and God our Father glorified. This will be their daily prayer, Oh, that I may bring forth more fruit to God! Let thy all-commanding voice pronounce on me, "Be fruitful and multiply." Thus is "the bride, the Lamb's wife, all glorious within." But yet, conscious of what she was, and still is, by opposing nature, which brings forth contrary fruits, she wears a conscious blush, and dares not glory in herself. She knows she is wholly indebted for the root of all grace, -Jesus, as also for the fruits of the Spirit, to unmerited grace and sovereign power. Thus holy Paul says, "I am become a fool in glorying." though compelled to it. John Bradford, that holy, faithful, loving, tender-hearted martyr of Jesus, ever styled himself "the unbelieving, unloving, hard-hearted Bradford." Yet, "against such there is no law." The law cannot condemn those who believe in Jesus; "for the law of the Spirit of life in him, hath made them free from the law of sin and death," Rom. viii. 2. Indeed, the law may trouble and terrify the conscience; but Christ, apprehended by faith, vanquisheth all its terror and threatenings. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every

one who believes," Rom. x. 4. They are as righteous in him, as if they had perfectly fulfilled the law themselves. "Ye shall know them by their fruits," Matt. vii. 16.

AUGUST 21. That no flesh should glory in his presence. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.— 1 Cor. i. 29, 31.

Humble, self-abased souls, who drink deep into selfknowledge, whose eye of faith is to Christ, and to what he is made of God to them, are as jealous of the pride of the flesh, as they are of its sinfulness. This is a safe state. Such have little reason to murmur, because they do not experience those high flights, and ravishing ecstasies, which appear to arise from nature and sense, because they lead to glorying in the righteousness of the flesh. Flesh is proud, and prone to glory, even in the presence of God. But faith in Jesus cuts off all glorying in the flesh, as viewing all salvation out of ourselves in him. This is the very essence of the faith of God's elect. Yet, while in the flesh, we are daily exposed to the workings of pride, which darken the view of Jesus, and tend to self-exalting and self-glorying. What pains doth the loving Spirit take to humble us! he shows us, by line upon line and precept upon precept, by prophets and apostles, that in Jesus all his children are "justified, and shall glory," Isa. xlv. 25.

Am I made wise unto salvation? Glory to Jesus. He is my wisdom. Am I righteous in the sight of God? Glory to Jesus. He is my righteousness; not obtained by my works, but by God's free gift. Am I sanctified? Glory to Jesus. It is through the faith of him, by the Spirit, that I have any drops from the fountain of Jesus' blood, to wash away my guilt and to cleanse my soul. Have I faith in and hope of complete redemption from all misery to all happiness? Glory to Jesus. He is my redemption, he hath bought me, he hath conquered

for me. In whom then should I glory, but in Jesus alone? In him all my wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption centre. "It pleased the Father, that in him all fulness should dwell." It pleases the Spirit to bear witness of and to glorify Jesus only. Shall we glory in the fruits of the Spirit, as the foundation of hope, and the cause of our acceptance with God? That were to deceive ourselves. The Holy Spirit produceth no fruits in us to this end. This is contrary to his office, inverts the economy of the covenant, makes faith void, and turns the eye of the soul to somewhat within us, instead of Christ crucified for us. But by the Spirit, we glory in Christ alone. By faith in precious promises, we pray to be filled with "the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ." To what end? That we should glory in the flesh because of these? No, but "to the glory and praise of God," Phil. i. 11.

AUGUST 22.-Gideon said, Alas, O Lord God! for I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. The Lord said, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die. Judg. vi. 22, 23.

Jesus is "the same Lord over all, rich in mercy to all who call upon him," Rom. x. 12. There is no differ ence between Old Testament saints and New, in regard to the object of salvation, "Jesus the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." Poor Gideon thought a sight of the Lord must surely be present death; for saith the Lord, "There shall no man see me and live," Exod. xxxiii. 20. But the Lord appeared to him, as the Angel of the covenant, the Mediator, the Interposer; not in terrible majesty, and fiery wrath, to strike him dead, but as the Saviour, the merciful One. This sight was attended with life to his soul and death to his fears. So Gideon found it, when he heard that ever-dear and most precious word, Peace. This is ever the word of

the Bridegroom to his church. His birth is ushered in with "Peace on earth." His dying legacy to his children is peace. Nothing but love dwells in his heart. Nought but peace is heard from his lips. This was his affectionate salutation to his beloved, though dejected disciples, when he first appeared to them after his sufferings and death. His tender heart well knew how troubled their poor minds were. Therefore, over

and over, he repeats, "Peace be unto you," John xx.

21. As it was in the beginning, so it is now. Jesus silences guilty fears and perplexing doubts in disciples' hearts. Woe is me! saith the poor sinner, I am undone, I am unclean; mine eyes have seen the Lord of hosts, in the purity and spirituality of his law, as a just God and a holy, a consuming fire; and who will by no means clear the guilty; I shall die. Fear not, saith Jesus, to every such trembling, repenting, believing heart, thou shall not die, but live. Neither shalt thou want my peace. Look unto me and be saved. Inwardly listen to my word. Treasure it up in thine heart. Wait in faith, for the sweet and still voice of my Spirit. I create the fruit of the lips," Peace, peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, and I will heal them." Such shall not only hear Christ's voice, but feel his power. Their fears shall be taken away, and their sorrows removed. So shall their souls be joyful in him. Thus Jesus is precious to them. He delivers "them, who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage," Heb. ii. 15. "Having made peace for us through the blood of his cross," Col. i. 20.

AUGUST 23.-Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.-John iii. 7.

Spiritual doctrines ever appear foolishness to the judgment of carnal reason. Marvel not to find the wisdom of natural men ever crying out, "How can

these things be?" and explaining away their spiritual meaning by corrupt reasonings. We are not to expect a total freedom from our own carnal objections. The old man is yet alive. The kingdom of his residence, the flesh, is at war against that kingdom into which the soul is spiritually born. Many see clearly the nature of the doctrine of a new birth of the soul; and are convinced of the necessity of it, in order to see the kingdom of God; but how are they straitened, pained, and perplexed to know, whether it be accomplished in them or not! And indeed, many have so unscripturally treated of the new birth, as sadly to puzzle and grievously distress simple hearts. Is it not marvellous to find men gravely telling us, how many steps a dead sinner must take, in order to get into this new birth? The time when, many are uncertain of; "for the kingdom of God cometh not with observation." The manner how, none can explain; "for the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God." But the effects are visible and evident. As sense and motion are the properties of natural life, so, when the soul is born again of the Spirit, there is a sight of Jesus, a hearing of his voice, the affections going out after him, believing him to be the way, the truth, and the life. Hence, John lays down this infallible mark, "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ, is born of God," 1 John v. 1. This is a simple, plain truth. Am I born of God? This must be answered, by inquiring, Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the anointed Son of God, to the office of a Saviour, for lost and perishing sinners? Does this truth enter into my heart and mind? Is it received and believed, as a matter which can only and alone bring relief to my guilty conscience, peace to my troubled mind, and hope to my dejected spirit? If so, I do believe in Jesus; he is the object of my faith, and the hope of my heart. I am born again; born of God: born to see, to enter into, and enjoy the kingdom of God. The evidence of this we get more and more strongly and clearly settled in our