"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matt. xxiv. 35.

SUCH is the declaration of the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace: Isa. ix. 6. Never was there a foundation so strong as that on which a disciple of Christ builds his faith; and that is laid in the promises of God. The mountains may be hurled from their seats, and buried in the mighty deep: Ps. xlvi. 1— 3 the pillars of heaven may tremble, bend, and break, but God's word remains the same: Isa. xl. 8. "Heaven

and earth shall pass away; for God has ordained that they should be changed: Ps. cii. 25-27. But the word of the Lord is settled in heaven; as also revealed on earth, and "shall not pass away: "Ps. cxix. 89. Turn which way you will, you meet with the mercy of the Lord, can trace his providence, and still find cause for depending on his truth, for all that he has promised. And that truth having never deceived you, what more can you want? what further evidence can you require ? is not eternal Veracity sufficient? Is He not your Tower, your Rock, your Refuge, your Strength, your Redeemer, and your Portion? Ps. Ixi. 3: Isa. xxxii. 2. It was He who graciously invited you, entwined the cords of his love around your wandering heart, and drew you to himself: Jer. xxxi. 3: John vi. 44. The covenant which he has entered into with you has been sealed by his blood, and can never be broken: Isa. lv. 3. The Redeemer's dying legacy to all his dear children is PEACE; nothing but love dwells in his heart; and nothing but peace is heard from his lips.

Faith in the promises of God will remove all fears, and chase away all sorrow. Was he ever faithful and kind? He is still the same: Heb. xiii. 8. "Ye know in all your hearts, and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed, of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof: " Josh. xxiii. 14: 1 Kin. viii. 56. JESUS, the Logos, the Word, the Maker of all things, who was made flesh, declares, that "his words shall not pass away: " John i. 1-3, 14. Our hope is established and strengthened through patience and comfort of the promises of God: Rom. xv. 4.

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever." Isa. xl. 8.

NATURE and necessity are the Lord's ; and none can limit him. He speaks the word and it comes to pass; and none can resist his omnipotent will: Numb. xxiii. 19. We have here,

1st. A true emblem of man; "the grass withereth :" so man, with all his boasted power, is not to be trusted to; for, in the heighth of all bis enjoyments, he may be suddenly called upon to experience a sad reverse; today, he may be fat and flourishing; to-morrow, faded and lean; to-day, full and fruitful, to-morrow, sapless and dry. "The flower fadeth ; " YOUTH may be blooming with beauty to-day; to-morrow, faded and gone. Though art and nature may combine to make a perfect beauty, there is nothing belonging to man that can be depended upon; for still," the flower fadeth ;" and the Lord alone is the only foundation on which we can build our hopes. Of what has MAN to boast, even in his best

estate? And,

2d. The validity of the word of God; "But the word of our God shall stand forever." He stretehed cut the heavens, and hung their lofty arches with brilliant lamps; and created the earth and sea by the word of his power; and these shall all be changed; but He remains the same: Heb. i. 10-12. "The word of our God," and that grace which is brought with it to us, and wrought by it in us, " shall stand forever:" 1 Pet. i. 23-25. When every creature-comfort withers and fades, a Christian has this best of all consolations left, "The word of God shall stand: " Ps. lxxxix. 34.

In

He

and

all generations the perfections of God are the same. who divided the sea rained bread from heaven broke the flinty rock, for the good of his people, remains ever the same: Deut. vii. 9. His words are clear and distinct, without the least deceit; and such as may well secure the confidence, and satisfy the desires of the weakest of all believers who hang upon them. Neither heaven, earth, nor hell, have ever witnessed the least deviation from truth and justice on the part of God: Isa. liv. 9, "The word of our God" has stood; does stand; and "shall stand forever.

10.

He is faithful that has promised." Heb.x. 23.

WE often break the promises we make with God; but He never fails in any thing he has promised to us. And therefore, his faithfulness to his promises, may well encourage our faith in his promises: Hos. ii. 19, 20. Suffer not the carnal reasonings of the flesh, the contempt of wicked men, or the base insinuations of the devil, to "IT IS WRITTEN, "" put you to a stand. is an argument sufficient to support your soul against every attack of the most wily foe. The world and its children may, yea, will, prove false and fickle; but the foundation of God standeth sure : 2 Tim. ii. 19. That God has hitherto been faithful to his promises, I need only to refer to your own experience; to the dangers seen and unseen He has protected you in, and brought you through; to the intricate paths, through which he has led you; and the many troubles from which he has delivered you. Often has He caused light to break out of obscurity, and turned your midnight into noon-day: Deut. xxxii. 11, 12. He has been your unerring Guide even when you knew not how to ask his counsel: Ps. xxv. 8. He has often confounded your unbelief, by supplying your needs unexpectedly; and though your faith has often failed, his goodness has never failed.

Say, have you not hitherto found him a kind, faithful, never-failing fountain of mercy, goodness, and truth? Has he not frequently hushed your troubled breast, and in the sweetest accents spoken peace to your distressed soul? Jer. xxxi. 3. Recall to your mind the many times when he has literally fulfilled his word, by sending immediate answers to your prayers; and proved himself your helper, when every other help has failed you; and you will then be constrained to acknowledge, that " He is faithful that has promised." You still have his faithful word; his precious promises; his solemn oath, all pledged for your security and salvation. "He is faithful: ever plead his faithfulness; and let a remembrance of the past encourage you to trust him for the future; for "He is faithful." Be not fickle but faithful. Let FAITH carry you through all the ways of God, while you rely on the PROMISES of God; for " He is faithful that has promised."

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Rev. xxii. 21.

CHRISTIAN READER: After having laid before you so many of those "exceeding great and precious FROMISES," secured unto you by last will and testament of the adorable Redeemer, permit me now to assure you, that I desire nothing more, than that "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be with you" in this life, to prepare you to be with him in the next. The apostle, John, could wish the church nothing more; and I can wish you nothing less. And that you might see the NATURE of this the Apostles, and my wish, Observe,

GRACE is put for, (1) The free eternal love of God, the spring and source of every other good: 2 Tim. i. 9. (2) The free imputation of Christ's righteousness, by which we become righteous in the sight of God: Rom. v. 20. (3) The work of the Holy Spirit, renewing the soul after the image of God and assisting us in the discharge of all those duties required of us : 2 Cor. xii. 9. (4) That state of friendship and reconciliation with God which He graciously bestows: Rom. v. 2. (5) The free love, favor, and bounty of Jesus Christ: 2 Cor. viii. 9. (6) The pure doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, proceeding from grace : 1 Pet. v. 12. (7) A liberal and charitable disposition, wrought in the heart by the grace of God: 2 Cor. viii. 7. (8) Spiritual instruction and edification Eph. iv. 29. (9) The office of apostleship, together with ability for the work of the ministry: Eph. iii. 8. (10) A lively sense of the free undeserved favor of God in the soul: Rom. i. 7. (11) The love of God dwelling in the heart; or the assistance of divine grace : 2 Cor. i. 12. (12) Faith, patience, and other graces, that enable us to bear and support us ünder afflictions: Phil. i. 7. (13) Eternal life, or final salvation, which God will graciously bestow, when Jesus Christ shall be revealed 1 Pet. i. 13. (14) It is also put for something beautiful and graceful: Prov. iv. 9. And (15) For favor and friendship with man: Gen. xxxix. 4.

:

Such, beloved, is the nature of the Apostle's wish, and of my most fervent prayer; and to which, I have no doubt, you will add, with me, your most hearty "Amen ;" So be it-LORD, as thy servant has desired, So let it be.

AN APPENDIX:

CONTAINING A COMPENDIUM OF THE BIBLE:

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, &c. &c.

BIBLE.

THE word, "BIBLE," signifies Book; and is so called on account of its being a Book of Books; sixty-six in all. The whole Bible, consisting of the Old and New Testaments, is commonly called the "SCRIPTURES; and which signifies, writings. They were written by different persons, at different times, and in different places; and since the canon of Scripture has been filled up, as also before, the whole is called, "The book of the LORD:" Isa. xxxiv. 16. They were inspired by the LORD; and abound with the most sublime descriptions of him: 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. The Bible describes, not only the nature of God and what He is in himself, but also, the relations în which He stands to us as his creatures: Isa. lxiii. 16: Mal. ii. 10. And scarcely could there be a question asked, by any serious mind, concerning the Divine being, but may be answered by the Scriptures. They are sanctioned by the Lord; and he has affixed his seal to the truth of them. See Isa. lv. 10, 11: Rom. i. 16: 1 Thes. ii. 13. They find us far from God, and mark out the path by which we are brought back to our Father's house Isa. liii. 6 : John iii. 16—18. If you would gain instruction, attentively read the Bible; for that is a book of knowledge, with every page replete with sacred information : 2 Tim. iii. 15. If you want examples, you will find the Bible a Book of models; for the precepts there contained, not only describe what men ought to be, but, in living characters, show what they really were: Heb. xi. To gain excitements you have only to read the Bible, and you have a Book of motives the most powerful; addressed, not only to the understanding, but, to the conscience and heart. If you need encouragements, all you have to do is to read your Bible; for there you have a book of " precious promises" and "strong consolations;" suited to every case, and well calculated to meet every emergency. Ps. xix. 7-11.