May our repentance be deep and sincere. May our faith in the merits of Jesus be unwavering. May it work by love and purify our hearts. O for inward purity! O for the "clean heart," and the "right spirit."

MEDITATION XXIII.

POVERTY OF SPIRIT.

Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5: 3.

Poverty is almost always associated in our thoughts with misery. Yet are the poor often happier than the rich. If they possess fewer comforts, they have also fewer cares and fewer causes of vexation. But poverty of spirit is attended always with happiness. It may be possessed by the rich or the poor. It implies that the soul is meek and lowly. It indicates the absence of vain glory. It says, 66 however pure in the eyes of others, in my own I am the vilest of the vile." No boasting of what it has done or felt, no high-sounding pretensions, rare experiences, or censorious judgment of others, characterize it. It is in a good measure emptied of self. It has no store-house of good works. It lives daily, hourly, on the grace of God. With implicit trust it follows Jesus. When hungry it asks him for food; or when naked, asks him for clothing. It resists not when attacked; revenges not when injured; when abused, reviles not. It prays for its enemies. It is more anxious to approve itself to God, than to be approved of men. Its devotions are in retirement. It loves more the closet than the conspicuous assembly. Its holiest works

are esteemed unworthy to appear before God. Its very tears, it desires to have washed in the blood of Jesus. Grace, grace is its only hope; and the cross its only boast. For such a spirit, is the kingdom of heaven provided. Yes, in yonder bright regions-whatever may be its condition in this world-there are fitted up for it, mansions of rest, where it will enjoy God forever, and sing without interruption the sweet songs of redemption; ascribing all glory and honor to him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb forever.

Prayer.

O God, if in these hearts of ours, thy searching eyes discover the workings of pride, or the existence of selfrighteousness, do thou in mercy eradicate them, and give us the meek and lowly heart. We are sensible that we cannot stand the test of thy scrutiny. Our depravity is constantly manifesting itself even to our own eyes. In no form does it more frequently appear than in that of pride. And O how wretched is the heart of pride! But when, through grace, we can lie low in our own esteem; when we are enabled to keep down self and exalt thee, the Lord our God; then are we indeed happy. Then does spiritual joy abound; and we are permitted to have a foretaste of the kingdom of heaven. O give us then such discoveries of thy character and of our own-let us see thy glory in such a light, that like Job, we shall "abhor ourselves, and repent in dust and ashes." It is poverty of spirit that we need. We would be "clothed with humility." O that we might in this respect be likened to our adorable Savior! Sweet was the spirit which our Lord exhibited, when he washed his disciples' feet. May we be willing to wash the feet of the meanest of our brethren. Esteeming others better than ourselves," and looking upon ourselves as most vile, may we "condescend to men of low degree," and always rather serve than be served. Thus, not only shall we have sweet peace within; but we shall give evidence of possessing the spirit of him who

66 came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." And this we ask for Jesus' sake. Amen.

MEDITATION XXIV.

FIXED DESTINY.

He that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Rev. 22: 11.

How solemn is the thought, that at death, not only will the soul meet its doom, but that doom will be irreversible. Then must we appear before our Judge without disguise. No time will then be allowed to dress the soul for the solemn scene. He that has "sowed to the flesh" will then reap his dread reward, in the condemnation to which the carnal mind is doomed. He that hath "sown to the Spirit," will then "reap life everlasting." The holy will exult in the approach of their Judge-the wicked, trembling with horror, will "call upon the rocks and the mountains to fall upon them." Yes, the true believer will rejoice that “his redemption" from sin" is drawing nigh." Weak as may have been the principle of holiness within him, he is sure that when his Savior comes, it will be both increased and perpetuated. All will then be purity. No clouds will come betwixt him and his adorable Redeemer. What child of God can look at the happiness and purity of heaven, and not long to experience them ? What but sin embitters his life, and makes his pilgrimage a weary way? Should he not then rejoice when this hateful and polluting thing shall be gone forever? Not only will he be "holy still;'

but his holiness shall be augmenting in measure through the ceaseless ages of eternity. But whilst the good man has reason to rejoice, the wicked may well be dismayed. O, what is his prospect?-Filthy, and still more filthy, through eternity. His eternity must be not only wretched, but increasingly wretched. He will go on sinning and suffering forever. In hell there will be no change but from bad to worse, and from suffering to still deeper anguish.

Prayer.

Thanks be unto thy name, O God, that thou hast provided a heaven for the righteous. Not only hast thou prepared glorious mansions for their repose and happiness; but thou wilt make their souls meet to take possession of them. Thy Holy Spirit dwells in thy people, to purify them; nor will he leave his work incomplete; but will carry it on to perfection. Grant, O most merciful Father, that we may possess those principles and feelings which shall fit us to enjoy "the rest which remaineth." May we be habitually in readiness for the coming of the Son of Man. Since that event will only make the holy more holy, and the sinful more corrupt and hopeless; grant that we may be daily rising in purity, and becoming more and more assimilated to the likeness of God. "When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, may we also appear with him in glory." Let not the world, nor any thing that appertains to it, so engage our hearts or hands, as to make us reluctant to rise and follow our Lord, whenever his voice shall call us hence. O, may we be so weaned from earth-so enraptured with the prospect of heaven—so burdened with a sense of the sin that remaineth-so desirous of perfect holiness, that we may desire and even long to depart and be with Christ."

MEDITATION XXV.

LIKENESS TO JESUS.

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2: 16.

66

This was affirming a great deal. And yet when we consider who said it, and on what grounds, we cannot consider it as pharisaical or presumptuous. Lived there ever a mortal who, in character and conduct, approached nearer the Lord Jesus Christ than the apostle Paul? Though the last, he was the chiefest of the apostles. His humilityhis zeal his self-sacrificing spirit-his untiring laborshis unceasing prayers-his purity, all show, that "he had been with Jesus and learned of him." O that we could follow this apostle as he followed Christ! Why is it that we cannot say in the same confident tone, we have the mind of Christ ?" Is it because, in these days, there has been a falling off from that primitive purity and self-denial which characterized the first disciples? Let each believer inquire in what respects he differs from the great exemplar? Let him ask himself the question, "Do I possess the mind of Christ? Do I breathe his spirit; do I bear his image? Do I prosecute the same unwearied exertions for the good of souls? The mind of Christ, recollect, was all benevolence. It was for the salvation of men that he lived and died. Whilst" about his Father's business," he was above the tempting influence of worldly honors and pleaUnder sufferings, he was all patience and submis. sion. In the prosecution of his great work, he neither feared the frowns nor coveted the praises of men. Much of his time was spent in solitude and prayer. His Father's

sures.