stake of God's unchanging nature." Latimer writes in his quaint way to Ridley, "When I live in a settled and steadfast assurance about the state of my soul, methinks I am as bold as a lion. I can laugh at all trouble; no affliction daunts me. But when I am eclipsed in my comforts, I am of so fearful a spirit, that I could run into a very mouse hole." "As exercise begets health, and by health we are made fit for exercise, so assurance, grounded upon the promises, enableth, enlargeth, and increaseth sanctification, and sanctification increaseth assurance" (Clarke). Thomas Watson says "It is the manna in the golden pot, the white stone, the wine of paradise that cheers the heart. It is God's smile upon His children. The sun rising out from its cloudy bed. It is like the mariner's lantern on the deck which gives light in the darkness of the night." In his private thoughts Thomas Adams writes, "I am as sure, on the word and promise of God, that my sins are done away in Christ, as if an angel were to bring me a release in writing, or I were now in heaven out of all danger." Such are the testimonies of men who trusted, not changing feelings, however bright they may be for a time, but the word of an unchanging God.

I have written thus fully on this subject, because it is one of great import. A multitude of the

Lord's people are waiting in porches around this doctrine, longing to step in, and yet fancying that they must feel something more in themselves ere they venture to do so. May the Lord trouble the waters this day, not for the healing of the first who steps in, but to the emptying of every porch!

Consider now, in conclusion, two thoughts in connexion with the subject.

(1.) What comfort it brings in affliction.

The prophet Habakkuk writes, "Although the figtree 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: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." The patriarch Job says, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." Amidst the wonders of the Book of Psalms, there was one to which Luther, the man who lived so much in storms, used to point, calling it his own. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of

God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High" (Ps. xlvi.) Last, but not least, hearken to the experience of the apostle Paul. "We glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience experience; and experience hope" (Rom. v. 3, 4). In these passages the writers have referred to lowering clouds and dark days. Still, during such seasons what calm and majestic confidence they display.

That confidence is another word for assurance. They believed, and therefore have they spoken. If God "be for us who can be against us?" However many and dark your trials may be, O beloved yet afflicted child of God, go and seek power to do likewise. Though He slay thee, trust thou in Him!

(2.) The doctrine of assurance gives us boldness in the day of His appearing.

This glorious event was kept very prominently in view by the early Church. John writes, "And now, little children, abide in Him; that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming." Abiding in Him, in the power of His resurrection life, gives confidence for His appearing. Again, “We have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have

ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.'

boldness in the day of judgment: because, as he is, so What a word is this! "Boldness in the day of judgment!" What gives it?

The record of God.

When He speaks so plainly, shall I, dare I doubt? Is it humility, or presumption, to do so? Verily not the former, for that says, "It is the Lord; let Him do what seemeth Him good." Consequently it is presumption to doubt. "God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good ?" (Numb. xxiii. 19). Standing on the immutable word of Jehovah, you may now exclaim, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is He that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again" (Rom. viii. 33, 34). Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift!" Living, dying, or being caught up to meet the Lord in the air, I will fear no evil; for, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved mine."

VI.

"Fair as the moon."-CANT. vi. 10.

HESE expressive words form part of a description of the Church. The devout mind

delights in tracing the analogy which subsists between nature and grace. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge." How frequently such object lessons are brought under our notice in Holy Writ! They are connecting links, binding earth and heaven together. May our minds be taught rightly to divine some of the truths contained in these beautiful words, "Fair as the moon.'

(1.) Consider-The moon, having no light of her own, reflects the rays of the sun.

On a cloudless night, when the queen of our solar system arises in all her magnificence, it is difficult to convince the child at our side that an object so brilliant is really a dark body. Still, such is the case, and were