disembodied spirit. And the deeper our views become (as, if we advance in holiness, they will continually become deeper), of the evil of sin and the magnitude of our past and daily offences, the more sensibly shall we feel the extent of that goodness which has provided an atonement so infinite in value. Humiliation and self-abasement will be almost identified with faith and love to an Almighty Saviour; so true is it in the Gospel dispensation, that while we seem to sink we are indeed ascending, and become poor in spirit only that we may be rich in faith. Above all things, let us not receive with coldness this "unspeakable gift." To be a little thankful for the greatest of all blessings, and faintly affected with that exhibition of the Divine beneficence which has filled the highest created intelligences with adoration and wonder, seems, if possible, to be a greater affront to our Heavenly Bene factor than the entire rejection of his bounty. The Christian will endeavour unceasingly, by prayer, by contemplation, by the penitent recollection of past offences, by a watchful observance of daily failings, by the sense of present help, by the hope of future glory, by all the resources of nature and all the means of grace, to rally his spirits and renew his strength, that he may appreciate with an ever-growing sensibility this great manifestation of the loving-kindness of his Maker, the highest evidence of his goodness, and the pledge of his promised mercies. If the pressure of his own distresses, or sympathy for the sufferings of others, should for a moment disturb his more settled convictions, he will fly for consolation to that amazing truth, that He, whose power and wisdom and happiness are ineffable, "spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all." The pomps, the riches, the honours

of this life are for those who desire them. Ours be the language of the Apostle; "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world." For "we know that we were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from our vain conversation; but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot." And "worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. "Bless ing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and

ever."

If there be any thing which can awaken our gratitude: in a measure at all comparable with the riches of the mercy of God in the great mystery of redemption, surely it is the long-suffering and condescension which he has exhibited! in all his dealings towards us. Who are we that we should be regarded by the Most Highest?

Transgressors from the womb,

And hasting to a grave,

We are born in weakness; we are reared with difficulty; we are supported with sustenance day by day like the meanest animal in creation; and every night we must submit to the suspension of our faculties for many hours, that we may enjoy them with any tolerable comfort during those which remain. And yet, in truth, our condition as animals is that of which we have the least reason to be ashamed. It is the perversion and depravation of those powers which were bestowed on us for the noblest purposes, which is the proper subject of abasement. How

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have our hearts been alienated from God, and carried away by the most foolish vanities! How have our understandings been exercised to advance every earthly project, while the highest knowledge and only true wisdom were little regarded! I do not speak of flagrant enormities, they carry with them their own condemnation. But is there one among us, even the best, who will venture to hope, that in the course of a long life, he ever passed a single hour which could be perfectly acceptable to his Maker? Yet amidst all our sins and all our infirmities, who is it that has fed, and clothed, and sustained, and cherished us? Who protected our infancy, and guided our youth, and blessed our maturer years? Who raised us from the bed of sickness, and shielded us from a thousand dangers? We are apt to indulge high fancies of our importance, but let any one impartially consider this simple question: Why was I thus preserved? I had offended against my Maker from my earliest years; and he knew that I should dishonour him by multiplied transgressions, and even in my best days be an unprofitable servant. I had nothing to recommend me to his favour, nor was the continuance of my guilty being of the smallest possible moment for his glory or happiness. "The wages of sin is death;" and my sins have been more than I can number. Why was I thus preserved? But life is the least of the blessings which we owe to the condescension and long-suffering of our God. He pitied us in our wretched and desperate condition, and opened our eyes to see the light of his Gospel. He turned our hearts to obey his will, and made us to taste of the blessedness of his service. He bore with all our provocations, and pardoned our constant ingratitude; and when we had rebelled wilfully against him, he sought

us, and brought us back, and revived again the vital warmth which was almost extinguished in our bosoms. He chastened us for our iniquities, that we might remember, and sin no more; and in the midst of suffering he cheered and comforted our drooping spirits; and in every situation and under every vicissitude he has been with us and blessed us, and taught our trembling steps to move in the right path, and raised our hearts to love his will, and understand his righteousness, and hope for his glory. Is there in the universe an understanding so perverse that it can hear these things and not acknowledge the lovingkindness of the Lord? Is there a heart so insensible that it can consider them and still be unthankful?

There is yet another cause for gratitude, which will ever be cherished with peculiar feeling by all who have the happiness in any measure to experience it. Are we sensible, can we entertain an humble hope, that, through the directing and vital influence of the Spirit of God, we have made some advances in holiness, and are daily more and more "transformed by the renewing of our minds, to prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Undoubtedly the best will always entertain the deepest sense of their own unworthiness, and be slow to be convinced that they have made any considerable progress in the Christian life. But no one who is diligent to watch the motions of his soul, can be wholly ignorant of the changes which are wrought in it, whether for good or evil; and the deep anxiety which is felt by every advanced Christian to be entirely conformed to the image of his Saviour, will make him recognize with the most lively sensibility and thankfulness, every, even the smallest indication of spiritual improvement. It is evident, from the

writings of St. Paul, that the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit on his heart were the subject of his continual rejoicing and gratitude. He knew them; he spoke of them; not in the language of exultation or complacency, but in the deepest self-abasement, recognizing and adoring the unmerited mercies of his God. How should it be otherwise? Can we receive the best gifts of our Heavenly Father without even knowing that he bestows them? Can his power be exerted in its most glorious operations, yet leave no distinctive traces of its energy? But the very supposition excludes the idea of a sinful elation of mind. Humility is the unfailing companion of true sanctification. And consider what it is that sanctification implies. It implies the reduction or discipline of all our appetites; the expulsion of every unkind and resentful passion; the exile of pride and vanity; the mortification of all those affections by which we are powerfully attracted towards the pleasures, the honours, and vain gratifications of this life. It implies the communication of faith and holy fortitude; the diffusion through the soul of every generous, gentle, and affectionate disposition; and such a constant growth in the knowledge and love of God, as shall make us to delight continually more and more in the perform'ance of his will and the contemplation of his perfections; "looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity; and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." The greatest blessings naturally awaken the deepest thankfulness; and what are the blessings which, singly or in union, can be compared with deliverance from the slavery of sin and the communication of a