thinks of the Crucifixion only on Good Friday, or of the Resurrection only on EasterSunday, can neither please God, nor profit himself, by his devotions. You readily admit this to be true. Well, it is equally true, that they have not much of the presence of Christ in public ordinances, and are never sure of enjoyment even at the Sacrament, who try not to walk with God during the week, as, well as to wait on Him upon the Sabbath. Whenever there is heartless prayer in the closet from day to day, there will be no heart-felt praise in the sanctuary; because no such communications of grace, nor any such hold of the Cross, as will tune the heart to the joy of penitential grief, or to the joy of a good hope of Salvation. Only Marys who follow Christ through the week, are sure to meet with Christ on the Sabbath. His salutation, "All Hail," is now awarded most frequently to those who serve him most faithfully. It is also in fine and full harmony with all just views of both Christ and Religion, to reckon that He was much influenced in his treatment of the Marys, by their sacred regard to the Sanctity of the Sabbath, and by their rising so early to visit his sepulchre. During His life, he had set them an example both of keeping "The holy of the Lord honourable," and of early rising. It was "His custom" to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and to go "early in the morning" to the temple. This the Marys knew, and imitated. Not all their sorrow or desolation, arising from His death and burial, was allowed by them to set aside their Sabbatic duties. They returned from His grave, "and rested on the Sabbath day, according to the commandment." That commandment made no provision nor gave any warrant, for finishing the funeral obsequies even of Christ, although he was "the Lord of the Sabbath :" and the Marys did not venture to take a liberty which the law did not allow. This was not Jewish strictness. They only did right. Nothing but works of necessity or of mercy are lawful on the Sab bath day and the completion of the Saviour's : funeral was neither. It was no work of ne cessity for even if His sacred body could have " seen corruption," there was more than enough of embalming spices around it to pre vent all danger. It was not a work of mercy: for that body could no longer suffer, and was exposed to no insult. How this example should influence your Sabbatic habits and spirit! For, if the Marys would not finish the rites of Sepulture on the day of holy rest, even in the case of the Saviour, what likeness to them do those women bear, who can finish a dress, or pay a visit, or take a jaunt of pleasure, on that sacred day? No. VII. PARTIALITIES IN HOLINESS. "I HAVE heard and read a great deal (said one) about the nature and necessity of evangelical holiness, and about the only way of acquiring it; but, except in my Bible, I have met with nothing expressly on 'The Beauty OF HOLINESS.' There, however, almost as much is said about its beauty and loveliness, as upon its necessity. Holiness is as much commended as it is enforced, in the Word of God; and invariably represented, as being equally desirable and essential. Now, although I certainly do not see clearly what could be said on the beauty of holiness, that would help me to follow holiness more fully and willingly, I do both see and feel, that something more than even a deep sense of its necessity, is re 218 quisite in order to this. I find that it is only in as far as I really love or admire true holiness, that I follow it cheerfully. A sense of duty, or an apprehension of danger, leads me, certainly, farther in well-doing, than love would always carry me: but still, I do those things most and best, which I love as well as revere. Alas, I do nothing as it ought to be done! There is, however, a better and a worse in my obedience; and the best parts of it are those duties which commend themselves to my heart by their loveliness, as well as to my conscience by their authority. I want, therefore, to see all duty in this light; that I may choose it for its own sake, as well as submit to it because it cannot be safely neglected." Perhaps, you have thought and felt thus, when observing how much more pleasure you take in some duties than in others. You must have noticed, at times, the very great difference there is between the spirit in which you discharge the duties you really love, and the spirit in which you yield to those you are only |