We believe and are sure, that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God," John vi. 68, 69.

JULY 18.-All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.-2 Tim. iii. 16, 17.

The poor sinner who writes this, being in a dangerous illness, was in a very dark and comfortless frame of mind, for two days. The third day, light, peace, and joy overspread his soul, by these words being brought to his mind: "After two days he will revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." On this, he called for a Bible. Oh, how was his inexpressible joy increased, when he read these words! Hosea vi. 2. On being asked, if he had done with the Bible? he answered, with a flood of joyful tears, "No: never, never shall I have done with that most blessed book, till I change time for eternity." The Spirit of inspiration ever honours his own word of truth. All peace, comfort, and joy are derived from it, through faith. We shall suffer no loss, if we suspend judgment on comforts, till we have tried them by this touchstone of truth. Be on your guard against the flatteries of false peace and the delusions of unscriptural joys.

Scripture truths are inspired of God; they are the objects of faith. By the knowledge of them, the Spirit consoles the soul, lovingly reproves for and corrects what is amiss, profitably instructs in the fundamental truths of Jesus' righteousness, unto justification of life, and the believer's obedience unto righteousness. No one doctrine of God's word should be slightly regarded. In this sense, he that rejects one point of truth is guilty of all. This is to impeach the wisdom of the Spirit, as if he had made known any one needless or insig

nificant doctrine. This, instead of being doers of the word, is to judge and condemn the word. Jesus is the sum and substance of the scriptures. All the promises are in him. All the doctrines of grace lead to and centre in him. These are the furniture of faith, while Jesus is the chief object of the soul. So disciples go on to perfection in knowledge, love, and holiness; therefore we should prize the scripture as our companion, consult it as our familiar friend, and pray over it as our constant guide. To these ends all scripture is given of God. When thus received by us, we shall also, like disciples of old, be "edified, and walk in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost," Acts ix. 31. Look then for all comfort from belief of the scriptures, and in Christ testified of in them. For the Holy Ghost gives comfort in no other way. He fills us "with all joy and peace in believing,” Rom. xv. 13.

JULY 19.-We have not an High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Heb. iv. 15.

"Without sin!" Oh, that this were my happy state! cries the sanctified soul. Verily, as sure as the word of God is true, thou shalt soon enjoy this perfect freedom from thy worst enemy. But thou must be content to wait God's time, and live in his way, that is, by faith upon thy best Friend, Jesus. Thy present blessedness is to understand and rejoice in this great mystery, that Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us. Therefore, by faith we glory, knowing that God looketh on us, blesseth us as righteous in Christ, and doth not impute sin unto us. As the Head is without sin, so are all the members, as viewed by God. And this is the evidence that we are born of the Spirit, and have the mind of Christ, that we hate all sin, long for entire de

liverance from it, and aspire after full conformity to the image of God. But this we cannot enjoy in the body. We must first sleep in Jesus, ere we awake up after his perfect likeness. Press toward the mark.

In the mean time, we have a loving, sympathizing High Priest before the throne of God. This is our comfort. That very human nature, on which our sins were laid, and in which they were all expiated on earth, is now crowned with glory in heaven. This is most refreshing. Christ can as soon forget his own glory, as any one of his suffering members. He feels for them. He is touched with the most tender concern and affection towards them. "He knows what sore temptations mean, for he has felt the same." Tempta. tions, even though most violent, cannot harm us. Nay, they do not defile us, unless we enter into them. Therefore, they should not deject us. And need we ever be overcome by them? Doth not Jesus live? Have we not free and familiar access to him, as the glorified man, our Mediator? Is not all power in heaven and earth given unto him? Believest thou this, O soul? Think on his love at Calvary. Remember his ascension at Bethany. Call to mind his tender love to and affectionate care for his sheep, when worried by Saul. He called, "Why persecutest thou me?" Thou canst not hurt them, but I feel it. He ever lives at the right hand of glory, to intercede for and save us poor sinners. And, let thy distress be what it may, his loving advice suits it. "Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me," Psalm 1. 15.

JULY 20.-Holding the mystery of the faith in pure conscience.-1 Tim. iii. 9.

From a seeming zeal for and regard to the ark of God, when it shook, and as he thought was in danger of falling, Uzzah put forth his hand to save it. It seems

a very rational act, but it argued distrust of God's power to preserve what was for his own glory and honour; therefore the Lord highly resented it, 1 Chron. xiii. 9, 10.

Was the displeasure of Jehovah thus displayed, in regard to the type of the covenant? How jealous is the Lord of hosts of his own glory, contained in the truths of the everlasting covenant, laid up in the sacred ark of Jesus, for all his people! If a trembling ark touched by an officious hand, was death, how should we fear and tremble, to attack the revealed truths of God's everlasting love to his people, power to preserve them, and grace to enable them to persevere in the faith unto eternal glory? Human efforts often spring from unbelieving hearts. The hand of nature is often stretched forth to assist, when it only counteracts divine purposes. Carnal reason ever opposes the mystery of the gospel; but faith is supported by God's truths. The conscience can only be purified by Jesus' blood. This mystery of faith is known only to enlightened minds. To hold by it, and hold it fast in the conscience, is the life and joy of our souls. So the Holy Spirit maintains vital, living union between Jesus and his members. So love is excited to him; a life of dependence maintained on him. A throne of grace is delightful to such. Sin becomes more and more hateful in their sight; and the fruits of righteousness are increased to God's glory. This is the amazing mystery of our faith! That we, who are guilty sinners in ourselves, are yet in Christ pure, and free from all sin; unrighteous in ourselves, yet in him perfectly righteous; filthy and polluted by nature and practice, but, in Jesus, all fair, without spot, beautiful and comely in God's sight. In ourselves we have no right to God's love, no title to his inheritance; but, in Jesus, our right is clear, our title legal, our enjoyment of it infallibly certain. Hold fast this mystery of faith. All thy peace and comfort depends on it. Thus, dis ciple, fix thy steady eye on Jesus, daily view the pro. mises in him, look constantly for the Spirit's power

through him. So shalt thou have "the answer of a good conscience towards God, by the resurrection of Jesus," 1 Pet. iii. 21. "Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually," Psalm cxix. 117. "Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh," 1 Tim. iii. 16.

JULY 21.-Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.-2 Thess. ii. 16, 17.

We know "the remembrance of sin is grievous, and the burden intolerable." A sight and sense of sin affects our conscience with sorrow and distress. Our hearts daily need to be comforted, and established in every good word and work. But from whence shall we derive this? from striving to forget, palliate, or excuse our past sins? by promising to be more steadfast in God's truths, and obedience to his will? Alas! he who truly knows his sinful nature, who is really acquainted with his own weakness and insufficiency to any good, and his proneness to all evil, will not, cannot thus deceive his own soul; but will ingenuously confess his sins to God his Saviour, with all their aggravating circumstances, mourn over them with a godly sorrow, own his just deserts for them, and in faith, look "to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world."

Here is our everlasting spring of consolation, which God hath given us, "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Here is our good hope, we are completely righteous, and perfectly accepted in God's beloved Son. Faith and hope are inseparable. We believe the truth, as in Jesus: we hope daily for more and more of the consolations of it. In this grace, dis