Therefore, we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. ROMANS iii. 28. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. JAMES ii. 24.

BOTH OTH these apostles wrote by inspiration. St. Paul answers this question both affirmatively and negatively: That a man is justified before GOD by faith, without the deeds of the law; and in the 20th verse positively affirms, "That by the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified." St. James asserts, That "by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." St. Paul speaks of a justification before GOD: James of a justification before men. St. Paul speaks of the justification of penitent sinners before God: James, of the justification of saints before men. St. Paul, of the justification of sinners believing in the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ for pardon and life: James, of the works of righteousness after justification by faith in CHRIST. Paul speaks of faith touching its office in the article of justification before GOD: James, of faith in its fruits and effects. Whenever there is a true faith, it must fix on JESUS CHRIST alone for salvation; that is its principal act. This same faith unites to CHRIST; and where there is union there must be love; and where there is love there must be obedience; and where obedience is, there will be a reward of grace; and when the reward is acknowledged to be of grace, and not of merit, GOD will have all the glory in time and eternity.

Let all who hold this faith and hope

In holy deeds abound;

Thus faith approves itself sincere,
By active virtue crown'd.

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? So shall we be separated, I and thy people from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. EXOD. xxxiii. 16. READER, do you adopt the language of Moses, and request with him that, in all your removals, GoD's presence may go with you? That you be not permitted to stir without this distinguishing testimony that you are in the path of duty? Are you waiting upon the LORD, earnest to serve him in sincerity and truth? "not being conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind," and desirous to be numbered with his separate people? Then you may expect the Divine blessing, and your way to be prosperous. It was a distinguished privilege of the Israelites that they were to dwell alone, and not to be reckoned among the nations; and it is the privilege and duty of the spiritual Israel to be separate and distinct from the world; they are a separate people in the love of God; in their election in CHRIST; in the covenant of grace made with them in him; in effectual vocation; in their being seated with him to all eternity. Nor are they reckoned among the nations but as they are called out of them, and generally treated as the refuse and offscouring of all things; they do not reckon themselves to be of the world, but as pilgrims and strangers in it. LORD, let my lot be among thy separate people, the righteous, both here and for evermore!

Among the righteous let me dwell,
And cast my lot with them;
Be dead to pleasure, dead to wealth,
And to the world's esteem.

And thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. MATT. i. 21.

IN is the deadliest foe we have; it cast our

SIN

first parents out of Paradise; it defaced God's image in man; it brought pain, sickness, and death into the world, and a spiritual death into the soul; it causes a distance from GOD, and a dislike to his holy ways; it exposes body and soul to the last judgment of a holy GoD, and will sink every unpardoned offender into everlasting destruction. How is this deadly foe to be conquered? Reader, be careful in this matter, and seek after a remedy that will be lasting and efficacious. Duties, prayers, tears, sacrifices, morality, and partial reformations, avail nothing in this case; all below CHRIST JESUS will prove physicians of no value. JESUS is the only Saviour; his blood is the only atonement for sin; this sprinkled upon the heart by the Spirit, and apprehended by faith, removes the guilt and curse of sin, and speaks pardon and peace; his grace breaks the power of sin and makes us hate it; thus is holiness secured in the heart and walk, as well as peace in the conscience. His people are all that believe in him, and depend upon him for pardon, peace, and everlasting salvation. In that happy number, reader, may thou and I be found! may we be enabled to look to him, to receive him as our LORD JESUS, able and willing to save to the very uttermost! And may we walk as the redeemed of the LORD, in righteousness and true holiness all the days of our life. Amen.

He died to bear the guilt of men,
That sin might be forgiven,
He lives to bless them and defend,
And plead their cause in heaven.

Pour out your heart before God. Ps. lxii. 8.

WHAT

HAT a different view does this lively text give of praying, when opposed to the usual expression of saying our prayers; saying what our books or our parents teach us. To pour out our hearts is like emptying a vessel of all its contents, so that nothing remains; and, oh! what a pleasing, awful, important thing must this be? Whatever is in my heart, my guilt or fears, my sins or sorrows, my cares and crosses, my wants, my dangers, my weaknesses, temptations, darkness, and ignorance, my doubts and anxieties respecting both body and soul, myself and others, the church and the world; every thought that arises, relating either to past, present, or future, I have leave to empty myself of, to pour out by drops or in a copious stream, till not one burden remains; and this before God, who is a prayer-hearing GOD. He can send a Hannah away no longer sad; can say, "Son or daughter, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee.' No wonder then that real prayer is so much unknown, or is such a cordial when it is made before him who is a refuge for us. Away then for ever with the prayer of the formalist; may I learn fervency of devotion from my heavenly Master, who in his agony prayed till drops of blood fell down! To a suffering JESUS I look for pardon and cleansing. Oh, let me be accepted in the Beloved, and purged daily from my defilements, and so become a vessel to honour, sanctified for the Master's use for ever. Amen.

Oh, let my earnest pray'r and cry

Come near before thee, Lord:

Give understanding unto me,

According to thy word.

By the grace of God I am what I am. 1 Cor. xv. 10. Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God. As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. 1 PET. i. 23, and ii. 2.

WHAT made the wonderful difference between

Saul the Pharisee and Paul the Christian? Grace. What made him trample upon his former legal righteousness, and desire to be found in the righteousness of CHRIST? Grace, enlightening grace. Wherein consists the difference between the mere moralist and the real Christian? There may be a moral conduct where there is no grace, no principle of saving divine faith; there may be the fear of the LORD, taught by the precept of men, and not by the Spirit of GOD. One may attend the ordinances of religion; have a regard to outward decency; may have a name to live while dead; be high in profession, and at the same time a stranger to the power of godliness. Have I this principle, called Grace, in my soul? Have I been born of the incorruptible seed? Have I tasted that the LORD is gracious? Then shall I desire the sincere milk of the word; and thence will draw comfort and nourishment for my soul. Redeeming love shall be my delightful subject; it will sweeten everything in the service of JESUS, will constrain to extensive usefulness in my track of life; the grace of GOD in CHRIST JESUS will enlarge my views, keep me humble in heart, and give the praise where alone it is due. Through the sincere milk of the word may I grow daily, and be nourished up to eternal life!

Whate'er I am, I am by grace;
And unto God be all the praise!
Grace turns the water into wine,
And makes the human heart divine.