But this passage makes it plain that conversions are the same all around the globe. "Howbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."

It is loving-kindness in God, our Saviour, that He works by a plan in redemption, doing the self same things for all from age to age; from Paul to each heir of grace in our day. Let every one, therefore, looking to Christ for converting mercy be assured of this, that "the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him." There is great encouragement in this to every one who may now and hereafter be a suppliant for his grace. Perhaps, some of us may be tempted to think, "there never was such a sinner as I; no one ever trespassed against such longsuffering, abused such forbearance." Let him who is tempted thus to test the willingness of Christ to make him a subject of his grace, remember, that the man who said that "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief," sets himself forever as a pattern of the Saviour's long-suffering to them who from that time forth should believe on him to life everlasting.

You may prove that He is able and willing to save you, by believing on Him, "to-day."

IV.

GOD OUR DWELLING, AND IN OUR

DWELLING.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91: 1.

HERE is the secret place of the Most

WHERE
W High? There is such a place, a habita-

ble place, for the text speaks of dwelling there.

We can find it by two spiritual lines of measurement, as by latitude and longitude at sea. Longitude is not sufficient of itself, nor latitude, but bring the two together, and a child who has used a map knows how we determine places.

These two measures, both of which being used, determine the question suggested by the text. As there can be no other place like this in which a man can abide, it is an inconceivable privilege to have directions by which we can find it. This we can do with more certainty than we can find latitude and longitude. We will call it the rule of spiritual latitude and longitude. The longi

tude, we will say, is the omnipresence of God. All do not practically believe that God is everywhere. He that cometh to God must believe that he is," we may say without assumption. But this is not enough. Many will acknowledge this in words, while they have no realizing sense of it, as it is called, which makes it of practical value.

To know the longitude at sea would be of little use without another element in the calculation, the latitude; as to know the latitude without the longitude leaves the mariner bewildered. Frequently, a passing ship will set her signals to inquire of another ship, What is your longitude? though the latitude may have been determined by the sun at noon. Hence the other element of measure to find the secret place of the Most High, though we know him to be everywhere, is, A praying heart.

As there is not a place on land or at sea whose location cannot be determined by the two measures already given, so every place in this world of faith, which serves for sight, can be determined whether it be the secret place of the Most High. For as one does not know at sea where he is, without reckoning, so no one knows any place in the secret place of the Most High, unless he brings these two things in conjunction. 1st, God is here. 2d, I desire to draw near to Him in

prayer. By these two elements you may infallibly ascertain that your heart is the secret place of the Most High.

It is interesting to know that the place here mentioned is not confined to one spot. A man may always live under the same tent; the place where he eats and sleeps will always be a secret place to him; yet the tent may be moveable, sometimes in a valley, then on the side of a hill; then upon the hill top. So the secret place of the Most High is moveable. At the risk of dwelling too long on the figure, I will venture to say, that as there is no latitude at the poles, no longitude at Greenwich, because longitude is the distance east or west from Greenwich and latitude is the distance from either pole, this represents that which heaven will be to us, where there are no seeming distances from God; for we shall no more walk by faith but by continual sight. But on earth in all our journeyings toward heaven, we have constant need to find the secret place of the Most High, that is, a place of communion with God.

The promise in the text is to such as make praying their breath; who hold continued communion with God, referring all things to him as their fixed habit; breathing out love, adoration, confession, supplication, more intimately than they commune with the dearest friend. The

promise is, that they shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. This may signify several things, as 1st, Nearness. A child walking with you abides under your shadow; you are never far from him, you keep him in sight, within reach. 2d, Protection; you shade him against sun-stroke. So "the sun shall not smite them by day."

As though encouraged by the declaration in this verse, this good man resolves to make experiment of it. "I will say of the Lord he is my refuge, and my fortress." Such is the life of one who is godly. He applies the principles of earthly friendship to intercourse with God. Not a day passes when we do not need a refuge from apprehension. This good man says, "Be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort."

There are assaults of conscience, temptation affliction, calamity, pain. "I will say of the Lord, He is my God." Every thing seems to be summed up in these two words. They are the best which we can use; they were the best which the Saviour could employ in the hour of his greatest need. "My God, my God!" He who can affectionately adopt them has all things. He never need fear. "In him will I

trust."

He may say,

Some one here seems to speak in reply: "Surely