much on, the finished work of Jesus. Their poor, legal hearts are ever, now and then, looking to the law, and leaning to something of their own. But the Spirit will not leave such to abide in a feeble, infantile state. Ministers labour and travail for their growth in grace, by the knowledge of Jesus. The gracious Spirit, by the word, forms Christ more perfectly in them. He increases more perfect knowledge of his finished salvation; in the full atonement of his blood, the perfection of his righteousness, and the prevalence of his intercession, for their justification and acceptance with God. And also, in their sanctification, he more perfectly forms the image of Christ in them, as to the disposition of their hearts and the conformity of their lives. We are changed into his image by the Spirit of the Lord, 2 Cor. iii. 18.

SEPT. 19. Jesus said unto Peter, Wherefore didst thou doubt?-Matt. xiv. 31.

The best of men are but men at the best. The most eminent saints of God have experienced doubting, fearful frames, as well as believing, joyful ones. We have many instances of this in the bold and courageous Peter. Now, at the command of his Master, we behold him walking safely on the surface of the great deep. Here he honoured his Master's word, was very safe and comfortable, while he believed his power. To see Peter walking upon the liquid ocean, is not more beyond the power of reason to comprehend and account for, than to see a poor sinner comfortably living and walking by faith on the Son of God, in spite of all the raging waves of unbelief, lusts, and corruptions.

But as it was with Peter, so is it often with the believer. The workings of Peter's natural senses, the suggestions of his carnal reason, opposed the actings of his faith: he heard the roaring winds, he saw the boisterous waves, he considered the bulk and weight

of his body, and the up reason, down faith. Reason assures him fluid water cannot support him. Hence he doubts, he fears, he sinks. So the poor sinner, who hath heard the inviting voice of Jesus and obeyed the word of his grace, to believe on him, walks sweetly and comfortably for a season. But anon, corruptions, like the surging billows, lift up their threatening heads; temptations, like the stormy wind, blow violently upon him; the thunderings of a fiery law are heard; he thinks incensed justice pursues him, and that the face of Majesty looks stern upon him. Hence, he reasons upon what he is, what he has done, and what he may expect; and all in nature, sense, and feelings is against him. Oh, then, he doubts in his mind and sinks in his spirits! But when he reflects, Jesus is above all, he is mighty to save; then, seeing all hope in him, and none beside him, he cries, "Lord, save, or I perish." This is right. Our Saviour loves to hear his poor disciples cry to him. He is near them, and, as Peter was, they are always within the reach of his arm. He loves their persons, approves their crying; but reproves their doubting. Wherefore didst thou doubt? Though thy sins have reached to heaven, yet my blood is before the throne. Who shall lay any thing to thy charge? It is God that justifieth; who shall condemn thee? I have died; what shall destroy thee, seeing I am ablę to save to the very uttermost? Verily, O Jesus, to the poor and needy in their distress, thou art a refuge from the storm, Isa. xxv. 4.

SEPT. 20.-If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.-John xiii. 17.

Jesus is a Prophet to teach, a Priest to atone, and a King to reign, by love, in the hearts of all his subjects. So every christian receives him. Faith in him begets an ear of love to his doctrine, and a heart of obedience to his commands. Let no one call evangelical obedience,

legal bondage. For every precept that dropped from the mouth of Jesus, flows from love to us. When he saith, "Do this;" it is for thy happiness, O soul. "Avoid that;" love is careful of thee, "Do thyself no harm." This is pleasant to the renewed soul to hear, his happiness to obey. Faith in Jesus makes all things easy. แ His commandments are not grievous." To know them is our privilege; to do them our delight. Knowledge without practice is vain.

Say, O christian, is not this thy experience? Art thou not happy in doing the will of Jesus, who died for our sins? Art thou not delighted in obeying him, who hath made peace between God and thy soul? Art thou not joyful in glorifying thy Father, by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ? Verily, in keeping thy commandments, O Lord, there is great reward of grace, in peace and happiness of soul now; and hereafter such shall hear that joyful sentence from our loving Saviour, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world," Matt. xxv. 34. Then shall the works of the righteous be proclaimed by the Judge. They are called to inherit the kingdom. Why? Because blessed of God the Father with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. Hence the kingdom was prepared for them before the foundation of the world. But it constitutes no part of the believer's happiness, to do any work whatsoever, thereby to entitle himself to the favour of God, or to make the work of salvation more effectual than the blood and righteousness of the Son of God hath. No, this is to be rejected as the vilest slavery, the worst of drudgery; contrary to faith, inconsistent with christian love, and derogatory to the salvation of Jesus. Luther was wont to say, "If picking up a straw would save me, I would not do it. It would be an act of unbelief of my dear Lord's salvation. But being already saved by Jesus, through his grace, I would go through fire and water to obey his commands." Where Jesus is the life of the

soul, this will be manifest in obedience to his commands. "Blessed is the man who delighteth greatly in his commandments," Psal. cxii. 1.

SEPT. 21.-Many there be who say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.—Psalm iii. 2.

Had David's foes said of him, He deserves no help from God, he would readily have owned this, as a great truth. As God's children are comforted by the truth, so the enemy advances lies to distress them. When he attacks their faith and comfort, he boldly impeaches the love and faithfulness of their God. "No help for me in God!" O my soul, wilt thou listen to this suggestion? Canst thou indulge such a thought one moment? Art thou beset with distress of soul, and surrounded with troubles and difficulties? art thou singing a melancholy note? Selah, saith David: pause, consider this; lift up thy mind to attend, how dishonourable to thy God, how destructive to thy faith, peace, love, and holiness is this! Know the voice of thy enemy. Hear the voice of thy Saviour. His word is adapted to thy circumstances, however distressing or desperate. "Thou hast destroyed thyself!" What is added? Perish in thine own undoings, take it for thy pains? No; for almighty love proclaims its own triumph: "but in me is thine help," Hos. xiii. 9.

"Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." When born again, he finds more enemies and troubles than ever. A sinful nature burdens him; carnal lusts perplex him; Satan tempts and accuses him; unbelief besets and dejects him; but, most joyful truth! God is his dear Father, Jesus his precious Saviour, the Holy Spirit his loving Comforter. Where should the poor sinner look? To whom should the exercised, afflicted soul go? Happy for him, when, with David, he goes with child-like simplicity, and tells his sorrowful complaints to his dear Saviour: "Lord, how are they in

creased that trouble me! Many rise up against me." They say of my soul, "There is no help for him in God." The Saviour loves to hear his members' complaints. He delights to redress them. Thus, when driven from all hope and help, from within and without, then they honour him in faith and prayer. As when a little child is affrighted with lying stories, it flies to the arms of its father for safety, tells him of its fears, and thus its little heart gets ease. So David found it. His experienced heart cries out, "Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord; thy blessing is upon thy people." Thus though a mournful complaint ushers in this Psalm, yet it concludes in the joy and triumph of faith. Though weeping may endure for a night, yet joy cometh in the morning," Psal. xxx. 5.

SEPT. 22.-I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.-Rom. xii. 1.

Just before our dear Saviour left his apostles, he gave them this commission, "Preach the gospel:" glad tidings of the everlasting love and mercy of God, in Christ, to poor sinners. By this truth, through the power of the Spirit, souls are brought to repentance, faith and salvation. And by the sweet force and constraining influence of the same truth, believers are to be exhorted, animated, and stirred up to glorify God in their souls and bodies which are his. This was the apostles' practice. With what affection and love do they address the members of Jesus! The sound of wrath and terror, the thunderings of hell and damnation, are not used to soldiers in the camp of Jesus. No; they are exhorted by love and mercy. So we delight