or as

wild vine," "whose fruit was "death; "the vine of Sodom," + which produced only bitter and useless grapes, - wine as bad, as deadly, as the poison of a serpent,-grapes which, though rich in appearance, were bitter as gall. Similar is every object of human dependence on earth. Jesus only is "the TRUE VINE."

His human nature resembled the plain, rough, and almost unsightly external appearance of the vine-stem; but, in his divine nature, he was higher than the heavens, and extended the influence of his refreshing shade over heaven and earth. This true Vine is "he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." It shall "fill the land,” — every land. "The hills shall be covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof shall be like goodly cedars," in the eyes of all nations, who shall repose in its cool shadow, and be nourished by its fruit. Of this vine only can the words of Jotham's fable be correct; for its wine alone "cheereth God and man;"§ Jesus being the supreme delight of his Father, and of his redeemed people. Here, indeed, is Judah's

Vine, in whose "blood" the garments of the

Lord's ransomed are washed,the life" of perishing souls. my blood hath eternal life;" drink indeed." +

whose "blood is "Whoso drinketh

"for my blood is

Our

In Christ, every believer dwelleth safely, under his own vine, none daring to make him afraid, while faith is in due exercise." Lord says to his people, "Ye are the branches." If nominal Christians evince not a vital union with him, the pruning-knife will cut them off.

66

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away." It is not every graft that takes; and where a graft fails of a living connection with the stock, sooner or later it falls and perishes. The branch that beareth fruit, owes its rtility to the tree. Thence it draws all the richness of its fruit-all its strength-all its beauty. So all the graces of the Christian character owe their origin and excellence to my Saviour, from whom the energy of the Holy Spirit flows into the soul, as sap from the stem into the branches. || Nor is the bearing branch left to itself; for it would soon luxuriate, till it

produced nothing but leaves. It "is purged." The "true Vine" himself was made perfect through sufferings; and his branches are trained for corresponding fruitfulness and perfection, by a similar process. Let me, therefore, be anxious and watchful to maintain a close union and communion with my Saviour, whose charge is, "Abide in me," and who gives this great encouragement, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Am I one of even the smallest and lowest branches of the true Vine? Then shall I partake of "the glory that is to be revealed," when, planted on the everlasting hills, it shall overshadow the whole world, and my adoring soul shall exclaim, "Now heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory!

Weary pilgrim, lift thine eye:
Downward through the yielding sky,
Lo! the Vine of Canaan bends,
Near the hand that faith extends;
Branches laden with such fruit

As thy parching thirst will suit:
Fainting with the summer's heat,
Thou art welcome, take and eat.

Nay, why dost thou trembling stand? Why withhold thy timid hand?

"Tis no dream - this Vine is TRUE! Taste, the vintage is for you. Merit! 'tis an idle dream;

FIFTIETH MEDITATION.

WAY.

My SAVIOUR tells me that he is “ the Way.” * By following the crooked paths of the great deceiver, “all flesh hath corrupted his way upon the earth,” and departed far from the way of holiness and bliss. The miserable effect of this departure is felt through the whole course and circumstances of human existence; and particularly in an incessant craving after lost happiness, without a knowledge either of its nature or its means of attainment. To know, to serve, and to enjoy the favor of its God, is the creature's felicity. By restoring a perception of this truth, and by opening up a path to the recovery of this lost happiness, God has invested himself with the brightest of his robes of glory. This he promised, when,“ at sundry times, and in divers ways, he spake in time past unto the fathers, byth