dignifies; who not only saves from hell, but exalts to heaven. The tree that was ordered to be cut down and cast into the fire brought forth no good fruit: and the servant that was condemned to outer darkness was wicked because unprofitable. A man may not swear, but does he pray? He may not rob the poor, but does he relieve them? We are to be zealous of good works. Therefore,

Secondly, he says" But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." If the law here spoken of be what we call the moral law, it is true that every partaker of Divine grace, with Paul, delights in it. How indeed can it be otherwise? since the essence, the whole of it is to love; to love God supremely, and his neighbours as himself. But it here means the word of God. It is called his law because it is not opinion, counsel, or advice, but the will of God, from which lies no appeal, and the authority of whose decisions the day of judgment will ratify. David could here speak from his own sentiments and feelings. There is nothing in which he seems to have found so much delight as in the Scripture. "I rejoice at thy word," says he," as one that findeth great spoil." Thy testimonies are the rejoicing of my heart." I love them exceedingly." "More to

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be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Yet David had but a small portion of revelation. How much has been added since! No wonder therefore that every believer is distinguished by his attachment to this blessed volume. What renders it so attractive is that it meets him with discoveries, promises, invitations suited to all his wants. As lost, he is here informed of a Saviour, and a great one. As guilty and weak, he here finds righteousness and strength. As having nothing, he is here replenished with all the unsearchable riches of Christ. His experience also, as he advances in the divine life, adds to its preciousness. He has tried it in every condition; it has often relieved his fears, refreshed his weary spirit, revived him in the midst of trouble; and he can say to the praise of its glory, "Unless thy law had been my delight, I should have perish

ed in mine affliction."

Hence, in this "law he meditates day and night." It is the peculiar, yet common subject of his thoughts. He not only sets apart frequent seasons for the more express performance of the duty, but his mind naturally, and readily, and pleasingly returns to the exercise whenever it is disengaged. For the thoughts follow the ailections. Where the treasure is there will the heart be also. If my meditation be sweet it will be frequent; and I shall be able to say, "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee."

AUGUST 21.-"Little children."-1 John ii. 12.

THIS is a mode of address which, if not entirely peculiar to our Apostle, is employed by him with such frequency that it may be of use to inquire what he would imply or express by the appellation.

When you meet with it, therefore, remember that it may intimate four things.

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First, his advanced age. He had now "the hoary head ;" and it was a crown of glory," because it was found in the way of righteousness."

Secondly, the affectionateness of his disposition. He was not only" the beloved," but "the loving" disciple: and seems to have imbibed very largely of the spirit of him on whose bosom he leaned. It would be well if all who are engaged in the sacred office were distinguished by more of" the meekness and gentleness of Jesus Christ." Instead of insulting, scolding, and menacing, it would be better for love's sake to entreat, and endeavour to win. Indeed there is no gaining the heart any other way. It cannot be forcedbut it may be won-and he that winneth souls is wise." This was the original method--" We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the Gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us." Thirdly, the effect of his usefulness. Many of them were his converts. He had begotten them through the Gospel; and he regarded them as his spiritual progeny; the most important and interesting of all offspring. Such children are indeed a heritage of the Lord-Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them: he shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with the enemy in the gate.

Fourthly, the character they were to display. He would have them resemble the qualities of little children. He would have them receive the kingdom of God like little children, who implicitly confide in their Father's declarations. He would have them, like little children, to depend on their father's care to provide for them; and be free from all anxiety and fear. In malice he would have them children retaining no resentments, and if angry easily pacified. He would have them free from pride and disdain; condescending to, men of low estate; not ambitious and worldly minded.

Whatever we may think of these things we know how they are regarded by the Judge of all. "The disciples came unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." From this Divine decision it is first obvious-that these attributes are not natural to us, but the effect of conversio; we become such. And secondly-that the change producing them is indispensably ne cessary to our hope; for except we be converted, and become as little children, we shall not enter the kingdom of heaven-We are without title and without preparation, and as the same authority tells us in another passage, we cannot see the kingdom of God.” The conformity however is not to be universal. You are not to "be children in understanding," but "full grown men." You are to be "no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." Little children are fond of trifles, and will cry and fight for toys-But, says the Apos

tle, it shall not be so among you-" Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

AUGUST 22.-" David served his own generation by the will of God." Acts xiii. 36.

EXAMPLE has a thousand advantages over every other mode tuition. Hence God-for none teacheth like him-has filled h word, not by documents and dissertations, but facts; and spreadin before us the lives and actions of men, commands us not to b slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience in herit the promises.

We have here a noble testimony concerning David. In his early days he was in obscurity, being the son of a plain yeoman, in the village of Bethlehem, and employed in the humble occupation of a shepherd. But he was soon called to expose himself in the field o battle, and obtained for his countrymen an easy victory, by killin the wonder and terror of the age. After this for as he rose b suffered-we find him in exile, under the persecutions of Saul wandering and hiding himself in wildernesses for his safety, and hunted like a partridge upon the mountains. At length, through much tribulation, he entered his kingdom, and was crowned, first over Judah, and then over all Israel. But after distinguishing him self as a warrior, and a ruler, he was compelled by the rebellion of Absalom to leave his palace and his capital, and ascend, weeping and barefooted, the mount of Olives, where his son, and his Lord the Messiah, ages after, agonized and triumphed. Then we find him re-established in more power and authority than ever, and reigning in safety, peace, and honour-and at last we find him anxious to build a temple for the name of the Lord, amassing an abundance of materials, and sparing no expense; so that he could say, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." From this glance at his life, we see that it was very eventful and singularly diversified. But in every period, and in every relation, and in every scene, he displayed principles and dispositions which rendered him not only civilly, but morally and religiously useful. In youth; in manhood; in obscurity; in splendour; in adversity; in prosperity: by his wealth; by his power; by his authority; by his wisdom; by his inspiration as a prophet; by his genius as a poet and a musi cian; in all his resources he constantly served his generation.

But he also served his own gencration. Not indeed exclusively; for he has served every generation since. He is now serving the present. Christians now living bless God for his writings. Whe has not found in them a treasury of experience? a flame at whic he has often lighted his torch? a harp that has often driven awa his evil spirit? There are some who not only serve their own age but levy a tax of admiration and gratitude upon every future one Such were the reformers. Such were Luther, and Calvin, and Knox, and others. And nothing can be more unjust than to cen sure these men who did so much, because they did no more; or di minish their fame by reproaching them with a few faults, whick were rather the errors of the times than of the men. Such wer those patriots who resisted unto blood striving against sin, and pre

cured for us the invaluable blessings of civil and religious freedom. Such were the translators who gave us the original Scriptures in English. Such have been the writers who have defended the truth of the Gospel, and furnished materials for private and domestic devotion. How useful is Watts, even now, by his Psalms and Hymns, in which millions bless God; and by his songs for children which, out of the mouths of babes and sucklings perfect praise. No man indeed knows how any good he does may be perpetuated and enlarged.

But if we cannot serve other generations let us serve our own. Some strain too much after distant objects, and overlook what is immediately before them. Some leave large sums when they diethey had better be their own executors, and see and enjoy the application of their own liberality. They had better convince the world that they act from choice; for at death they can retain nothing, but must part with all they possess. The endowments bequeathed by many of our good forefathers have operated rather injuriously than otherwise; retaining the support of error in some places of worship, and relaxing the zeal and generosity of congregations in others; for people have an amazing keenness in perceiving when their assistance is not wanting. The cause of the poor and the cause of God will be hereafter committed to others; they are now entrusted to us: let nothing draw us off from present duty.

He also served his own generation by the will of God. Nothing) comes by chance in our affairs. The Lord determines the bounds of our habitations, appoints us our stations and offices, and assigns us our talents and opportunities. How obviously was it his pleasure that David should be what and where he was. It was all without his design or thought. And therefore when Saul's courtiers reproached him that he was a restless ambitious youth, who, dissatisfied with a private condition, sought to work himself into notice and eminence; he could appeal and say, “ Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mines eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother; my soul is even as a weaned child." Others too, without any purpose on the part of their friends or their own, have been laid hold of by the hand of Providence, and conducted forward so as to exemplify the promise "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;\ I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight."

But it was not only by his providential will that David served his own generation, but also by his revealed will. This he made the rule of his conduct. "Lead me," said he, " in thy truth, and guide me, for thou art the God of my salvation, on thee do I wait all the day"-like a servant, to receive and obey the orders of his master. We must not follow our own fancies, or do that which is most agreeable to our feelings; but what God requires of us. For this purpose we must repair to his holy oracles, and ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" A woman is not to usurp authority and to teach in the church. A man is not to assume the office of the magistrate under a notion that he could discharge it better. If

a village preacher on the Sabbath leaves his own family without control and without instruction, he may be serving his own generation, but not according to the will of God. God enjoins us to abide in our own callings. If we step aside from them we may be useful; but the effect is often equivocal, the good is more than counterbalanced by the evil arising from the violation of order, and God asks who hath required this at your hand?

Let this example induce our imitation. We all have it in our power to be useful; and let us see to it, that we decline not doing what we can, because we cannot do what we would. Let us immediately and earnestly call into action whatever influence we possess to serve our own generation by the will of God. Our generation serves us. None of us liveth to himself. All the endowments conferred upon us look beyond ourselves; and as good stewards, we are to minister the manifold grace of God. It is as much our privilege as our duty. It enthrones us in the esteem of our fellow creatures, and with such sacrifices God is well pleased. When a Christian comes to die, he must be humble in looking back upon his imperfections; but he will have reason to be thankful, if by the grace of God he hopes that he has not wholly lived in vain.' I, said the learned Dr. Donne to his friends when dying, I repent of all my life, but the part of it I have spent in communion with God, and doing good to men.

AUGUST 23.-" And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob."-Exod. iii. 5, 6.

THIS address of God to Moses contains an admonition to restrain and regulate him; and an assurance to establish and encourage him. The admonition may be understood and improved as a check to vain curiosity. Here was much to excite the notice and surprise of Moses. The bush was burning, but he saw no fire near it, or lightning from heaven to kindle it. He also saw what was more unaccountable still, that though it kept flaming, not a spray or a leaf was consumed. It does not therefore appear wonderful that he should have been tempted to turn aside to see this great sight. Yet it would seem he was not free from blame. He should have been satisfied with the prodigy, and have waited in adoration the deve lopment of the design: but he was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and wanted perhaps philosophically and speculatively to explore "Why it was not hurned." And therefore the voice cries to him, "Draw not nigh hither." This curious desire of knowing things that do not concern us is too natural to all. But we should endeavour to repress it rather than increase it by indulgence. In the common affairs of life, and the concerns of our fellow-creatures, it is an impertinent, troublesome, offensive disposition, and is sure to fix upon a person in time the odious character" of a tattler and a busy body in other men's matters."

But it is yet more to be guarded against in religious affairs. Nothing can be more inconsistent with, and injurious to, that spirit of child-like submission which a Christian is to cherish