We wrestle, &c....Eph. vi. 12.

Ir is too common for the children of God, when exercised with sharp conflicts of soul, to write bitter things against themselves. But we do well always to remember we are travellers through the territories of an implacable and powerful enemy, whose malicious spirit delights in harassing and distressing us in every part, sou! and spirit, as well as flesh. That herein we are not alone; it is the common lot of all the children more or less. Take, my brethren, the prophets and apostles as an example herein. We shall find them at times, under severe trials and sore conflicts of spirit. But know, satan our adversary is a conquered foe; he can go no farther than our own loving Saviour permits him. Our exercises last not one moment longer than our dear Lord sees needful; none of them shall issue in our destruction but in satan's flight, our soul's deliverance, and our God's glory; and, like every thing else that befalls us, "they work together for our good."

Our enemies are spiritual powers, princes, rulers, who for num» ber may be stiled LEGION. Their nearness to us, and easy access to our spirits, in a way of striving and struggling for the mastery in order to cast us down, is justly styled WRESTLING. Here the combatants are closely joined, and grapple with each other. Our greatest danger is from our feet being tript off the ground; whereby we may be maimed and bruised by a fall. Happy for us, we stand by the power of God through faith. We stand upon this sure foundation, "The Lord knoweth them who are his." Jesus knows that his people will be exposed to onsets of the enemy, but no power, subtilty, or malice shall prevail. Says our dear. preserver, "none shall pluck them out of my hands:" I as man and Mediator, hold them by LOVE. "My Father is greater than I;" he keeps them by his irresistible and almighty power. Yet, alas! it must be owned, that conflicts for the season are grievous. To be attacked by a powerful, invisible foe, whose element where he rules, as well as the time of battle, is always in darkness; therefore most afflicting to the children of light. One blessed end of our trials, is to teach us that we should not trust in ourselves, but cry to the strong for strength. O, what a soul-strengthening, heart-reviving, and spirit-refreshing voice speaks from heaven to us! Hear, O soul, it is the voice of the captain of thy salvation. Wast thou ready to think he had left thee to thy own weakness? No: "Fear thou not, for I am with thee. I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."....Isa. xli. 10.

Jesus the Lord shall guard me safe
From ev'ry ill design,
And to his heav'nly kingdom take
This feeble soul of mine.

God is my everlasting aid,

And hell shall rage in vain;
To him be highest glory paid
And endless praise, Amen.

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice.... Phil. iv. 4.

THE wise man saith, "He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast."....Prov. xv. 15. Every believer in Jesus hath a continual feast; therefore has always reason to be of a merry heart; when he is not, he lives below his privilege, and forgets the command of his loving Lord. Though we daily experience enemies to our spiritual joy, yet none can destroy our ground of rejoicing; that is fixed as a rock, permanent as the mountains, and standeth fast for ever and ever. Paul well knew this by his own experience: "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing," he describes the christian's motto. Though with him thou art daily crying out, "O wretched man that I am,” according to the flesh; yet thou hast the same reason always to thank God and rejoice in Christ Jesus as Paul had: though in thyself cause for mourning and humiliation, yet continual matter of joy and rejoicing in the Lord Jesus.

Here is the wisdom of a christian, to understand aright, and to act suitable to his character; "as having nothing in nature, yet possessing all things by grace." Being united to Jesus, in whom all fulness dwells; and "blessed with all spiritual blessings by God the Father IN him," it is therefore our sweet privilege always to rejoice in Christ Jesus. In experience, we find believing views of Jesus cause rejoicing in him. In the Lord; mind that little word IN. The exercise of thy faith is ever to be on thy Lord. All cause of spiritual joy is IN JESUS: our word is BELIEVE AND BE JOYFULI If we search the scriptures, which testify of Jesus; if we dwell much in meditation on his person, his offices, his blood, his righteousness, his intercession, we shall perceive never-failing springs of joy. Day by day be looking and praying, O soul, that through the Spirit thou mayst see and maintain a comfortable knowledge and settled assurance of thy own interest in Jesus, and salvation by him. 0, this will cause thee to rejoice indeed, with joy unspeakable and full of glory. So that even though the face and appearance of outward things put on a gloomy countenance to nature and sense, yet shall we be like the stedfast prophet: "Though the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flocks shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls." What then? Does he hang down his head like a bulrush? Does joy of heart forsake him? No, says he, "yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."....Habak. iii. 17, 18.

Then let our joys abound,
And ev'ry tear be dry;

We're marching thro' Immanuel's
To fairer worlds on high. [ground,

What doth it profit, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?....James ii. 14.

MANY of God's dear children are often in doubt and perplexity, lest their faith should not be the faith of God's elect; to which salvation is sure. This may arise through the weakness of their understanding in the word of truth; and because, as yet, faith doth not bring forth the fruits of joy and assurance. But sooner or later the Holy Ghost, in believing, will make this matter clear and satisfactory. to their hearts. But the soundness and orthodoxy of our faith is least of all suspected by us while in a state of nature; for we all think, are very confident, have not the least doubt, we all say "we have faith," true faith; but this is a weed which grows wild in nature's field; this is the faith which James here speaks of, which all the world rest in who know not the Son of God. All men have not faith, the faith of God's elect. If we say we have faith, what doth it profit if it brings no glory to God, no good to men; it deceives the soul who has it. "Can faith save him?" O, what disputes and contentions hath this question raised! Some have even set St. James at variance against St. Paul, as though the former contended for salvation by works, against the latter. "Can faith save him?" A question equal to an assertion. It cannot. puts the matter beyond all dispute. No; it is impossible. But dost thou, O christian, think thy faith, though accompanied with good works, can save thee? Verily, no more than thy repentance or thy love; these are alike gifts of grace by Jesus Christ; given not to rival the Saviour in the heart, nor to share with him in the glory of salvation, but to honor him and comfort his members. We are not saved FOR faith, but through faith; yet faith is a precious grace of covenant-love; it endears a precious Saviour to the heart, and "works by love."

The supply of one word here
Can SUCH a faith save him?

But ever know, faith doth not procure God's love, obtain his favor, make atonement for sins, work out a righteousness to justify, nor merit the power of the Spirit to sanctify; all this is enjoyed in believing, but not procured by faith. Faith, like the Baptist's voice, cries in the soul, "Behold the Lamb of God." It claims no share in fulfilling terms of peace, or obeying conditions of salvation. By faith we honor God's word, look to his everlasting love, rely on Jesus, mourn over sin, abhor ourselves, and repent as in dust and ashes. Peace, love, joy, and all inward fruits, as well as outward obedience; a holy walk, fruitfulness in every good word and work, are produced by the Holy Spirit, from the life and vigour of faith. How doth it concern us daily to pray, "Lord, increase our faith!".. Luke xvii. 5.

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole....Matt. ix. 21.

THE case of this poor woman was quite desperate. Many painful operations she had undergone in hopes of a cure; her money all spent in procuring remedies; her disorder grew worse and worse; all human hope and help failed; grim death seemed to approach her with great speed. But, strange thought! "If I may but touch the garment" of that MAN, surrounded by yonder crowd, I shall certainly be healed. Surprising, to think of a cure from a touch! A touch, not of his person, but his garment! How can nature and reason account for this? Had she consulted flesh and blood, sure she would have concluded, this suggestion is mere fancy, and will end in delusion. Had she consulted eminent physicians or learned doctors in the church about her thoughts, doubtless they, would have pronounced JESUS a quack, and advised proper remedies to her, as a lunatic. But the holy Spirit had inwardly made known Jesus to her. She saw somewhat of his glory; her mind was disposed towards him; she believed in her heart his power to heal her; she speaks within herself her thoughts concerning him; she came with trembling feet, she touched him with a fearful heart, but she departed with triumph.

How secret are the operations of the Spirit, in working faith in the hearts of sinners! "No man can come unto me," saith Jesus, "except the Father draw him."....John vi. 44. A sight of Christ is of special grace. The first thought of help and hope in Jesus for sinners, is from the word of truth, and by the power of the Spirit. The soul soon evidences itself to have "the faith of God's elect;" for under a sight and sense of its desperate state and ruined condition, it speaks within itself of going to Jesus and him ONLY for pardon and salvation. Yet the poor heart is often exercised with an IF; IF I did but believe in him, IF I could but touch him, IF I did but feel in myself I was healed of my sin and plague, O how I should rejoice! Well, though the soul is opposed by a crowd of difficulties, yet will it not be satisfied till it breaks through all carnal opposition and finds peace in Jesus; till it hears the voice of its beloved speaking pardon and comfort by his word. When, like Isaiah, the soul cries, "Woe is me, I am undone!" it cannot rest, till with him also, a live coal from the altar of Jesus' love is laid upon his mouth, and his language is changed to 'I am saved by Jesus.' For "lo, this hath touched thy lips, and thy sin is purged."....Isa. vi. 7.

The Lord! how glorious is his face!
How kind his smiles appear!
And oh! what melting words he says
To ev'ry humble ear!

For you, the children of my love,
It was for you I dy'd:
Behold my hands, behold my feet,
And look unto my side.

As he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation....1 Pet. i. 15.

LEGAL hearts turn evangelical exhortations into legal commands. So children of faith are brought back again from the land of promise to the house of bondage. Not more absurd to exhort a dead corpse to exert itself to perform actions of life in order to get life, than to suppose a believer destitute of the life of holiness, and excite him to holy actions in order to procure it. Zeal for holiness, without knowledge of the true nature of it, is unscriptural ignorance. Every believer in Jesus is holy. As being a member of the first Adam, he partakes of the life of sin and the spirit of unholiness; but being united to Jesus, Christ is his life. He partakes of the life of holiness and the spirit of holiness. This is evidenced by the out ward holiness of his life.

Therefore exhortations to excite such to a holy conversation, are as necessary as they are frequent. Art thou a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus? What inestimable honor is this! It should be thy daily care and constant concern to walk worthy of this high and honorable vocation. It degrades thy birth to stoop to gratify base lusts; it demeans thy character to take up in the least with the slavery of sin and drudgery of satan. It was good advice a heathen gave a prince, lest he should learn evil from bad company, “Always remember thou art a king's son." So ever remember, O christian, thou art a son of the KING OF KINGS. Thy Father is holy; study to be like him; aim to resemble him in thy daily walk. This day thou wilt be exposed to the snares of sin and temptations to evil; they ever beset thee. Remember thy calling, it is to holiness of life; think of the end of it, happiness in glory. It sounds as harsh in one's ears to hear of a wicked christian as to hear of a dark sun. But beware of making an idol of thy own holiness. We read of Pygmalion, who had got an image so lively that he took it for a real person, and fell in love with it. This seems to be the case with some; they are more taken up with, talk more about, and seem more in love with an image they have made of their own holiness and perfection, than of the glorious righteousness of Jesus. Yea, they so esteem their own holiness, that they think it is to effect for them more than Christ's righteousness hath, even secure and make effectual their own salvation. Thus the imputed righteousness of Christ is cashiered out of their faith and affection, to make way for their pretended holiness. This is the very essence of a Pharisee. But "being made free from sin (the power of pride within, as well as of sin without) ye become servants of God, ye have your FRUIT unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."....Rom. vi. 22.