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till at last we form such familiarity with these things, as makes it irksome to fix our minds on a better employment. To correct this, it is requisite that we "acquaint ourselves with God;" that we frequently disengage our hearts from earthly objects, and raise them to heavenly things; that we apply ourselves to study the perfections of God, and to cherish lively impressions of his perpetual presence; that contemplate, reverently, the works of nature and grace, by which He manifests himself to us; the inscrutable ways of his providence, and all the wonderful methods of his dealing with the sons of men ;-more especially, his redemption of them by Jesus Christ: that we accustom ourselves to such thoughts, till by divine grace they inspire our souls with that filial awe and love of him,—that humble and implicit dependance upon him, which is the root and principle of all religion ;-till we have made our duty in this respect, our pleasure, and can address ourselves to him, on all occasions, with readiness and delight; imparting all our wants, expressing all our fears and all our griefs to him, with that holy confidence, to which the true servants of God are entitled, having "received the spirit of adoption, whereby they cry Abba, Father !" In this exalted sense ought we to “acquaint ourselves with God," to "set him always before us," to draw near to him," and to "take delight in approaching him." It may moreover be

useful to mention some particulars, wherein such sanctifying acquaintance consists.

In order to cultivate human friendships, the things principally requisite are-knowledge of character, access, similitude of manners, an entire confidence and love: and by these also the divine friendship, of which we are treating, must be cemented and upheld.

The first requisite towards an acquaintance with God, is a due knowledge of him: I mean not a speculative knowledge, built on abstract reasonings about his nature and essence; but a practical knowledge of those attributes, which invite us to approach him, and closely to unite ourselves to him; a thorough conviction and vital experience of his paternal care over us, and concern for us; of his unspotted holiness, his inflexible justice, his unerring wisdom, and his diffusive goodness; a representation of him to ourselves under those affecting characters of Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier, Lawgiver, and Judge; which are most suited to raise our affections towards him, and either to awe or incline us to a stricter performance of our duty. These moral and relative perfections of God, are most necessary, and most easy to be understood by us. The acquaintance, thus begun, cannot continue, without frequent access to him, in prayer, in his Word, and in his ordinances; in the private devotions of the closet, in the public service of the sanctuary, and at the altar. By

these means, and in these duties, is He to be approached and found, through Jesus Christ, the only way to him; and, thus humbly approached, notwithstanding our great unworthiness, He will draw near to us as a "God "God" that "is at hand," and "not afar off."

But in vain shall we approach him, unless we endeavour to be like him: a similitude of nature and of excellence, (in such a degree as through grace we are capable of attaining) must be the holy tie of friendship between the creature and his beneficent Creator. Whomsoever we desire to please, we endeavour to resemble. Would we then be admitted into an acquaintance with God, we must study to be like him. We must be partakers of the divine holiness, in order to enjoy this high privilege and alliance. "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" Another essential in all true friendships is, a firm reliance on him who is our friend and can we doubt the friendship of GOD, who gave his only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to save us from eternal ruin? After such a proof, since we cannot doubt His friendship, do we resign ourselves and our affairs entirely to his disposal, and believe everything to be best and fittest for us, which He sees best should befall us? Are we under his chastising hand without a murmur-without despondency of mind-and without charging him foolishly?

Do we impart all our wants to him, and neither endeavour nor desire to hide any thing that passes in the depth of our hearts from him? Do we resort to him for counsel and assistance in every emergency, and hearken to what our Lord God shall say to us, either by the inward monitions of our conscience, by the outward ministry of his Word, or the awakening calls of his providence? and do we give heed diligently to fulfil all the intimations of his will, that are in any way made known to us? Then have we advanced far in that holy acquaintance which the text recommends; especially if we possess the next essential to be considered,-reverential love; that love which is the fulfilling of the law of friendship, the surest test, and most exalted improvement of it.

Let us consider, therefore, whether we do indeed "love the Lord our God, with all our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our mind, and with all our strength;"-whether our approaches to him are always voluntary and refreshing ;—whether we are impatient under any long discontinuance of our communion with him; whether our hearts burn within us at the perusal of his Holy Word;--and whether the effect of it upon our minds be such that, in comparison of it, all the finest human compositions seem insipid and unsatisfactory to us?— Whether we have an uniform and temperate zeal for his honour and service, and are always

happy in doing somewhat to promote his glory, without any regard to our own?-whether we shrink not from our duty in his cause, nor hesitate to make our boast in his praise, even among those who fear him not, and love him not?nay, whether our love of life and our dread of death be not, in some measure, vanquished by the love we bear him, whilst contemplating the joys of another state; so that we can even almost "desire to depart, and to be with Christ ?" When we can perceive ourselves to be, after this manner, "rooted and grounded in love," and to abound in these genuine and blessed fruits of it; then are we indeed the friends of God ;then is our spirit advanced to the nearest degree of "acquaintance" with "the Father of spirits," of which it is capable on this side heaven;— then, and then only, may we with truth be said to "be at peace."

And this brings me to the last important point for our present consideration.

O! what sweet contentment-what tranquillity-what profound peace of mind-does that person enjoy who is a friend of God, and to whom, therefore, God is a friend; who lives as always in his sight, looks up to him in every undertaking, imitates him to the best of his power, believes him without doubt, and obeys him without reserve; desires to do nothing but what is agreeable to his will; and fears nothing comparatively with his displeasure: in a word,