11. His thoughts do not change, vary, and perish like ours; but they remain, and stand fast from one generation to another.

2. They are innumerable: "Many, O Je hovah, my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us ward; they cannot be reckoned-up in order unto thee; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be number. ed" Psalm xl. 5.

Oh, how innumerable are the thoughts of God! their number is infinite. Our thoughts are many who can number the thoughts that pass through the mind of even one man? and, what then shall we say of the number of the thoughts of Him, who gave man power to think?

The thoughts of God must be as numerous as all the creatures he has made, put together; for this plain reason, because they never could have existed, had not the Creator thought upon them: Thus,all the creatures he hath formed are pictures of his thoughts; and Oh, how great is their number! The providential care of God towards all his creatures, without exception, farther multiplies his thoughts. He thinks of them all, from the highest angel in heaven, down to the smallest microscopial object; and constantly provides for them all, both the means of existence and happiness. All their natures, inclinations, &c. and all the principles, motives.. of action, thoughts, words & actions, of rational intelligences, are known to God.

"O Jehovah, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off. Thou compassest my path, and my lying-down, and art acquainted with all my ways for there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether: thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high,I cannot attain unto it :" Psalm cxxxix. 1-—————6.

All things that have been, are, or shall be, are open before God, as also, all possible causes & effects. All the several limbs & various parts of animals, with all their motions and uses, must have existed in the thoughts of God, before ever they could exist in any of his creatures. "My: substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which incontinuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them" Psalm cxxxix, 15, 16.. So that in the thoughts of God, all our limbs, with all their motions, must have existed, and all their uses been designed there, before we were born: not only all the bones in our bodies, (which are 284) but all our veins, (which are: as many as the days in a year) with all our ar teries, muscles, nerves, &c. &c. were in his. mind, before they were in our bodies. God's thoughts, as revealed by his works of creation and providence, are innumerable,

3. The thoughts of God are both infinite in number and very precious: "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;" Psalm cxxxix. 17, 18.

O what a joyful consideration it is, that not even a sparrow is forgotten before God! how much less then, a man who puts his trust in the Lord, and delights in the service of his Creator. If God employs more thoughts in caring for, keeping, and protecting one of his faithful ser vants, than can be numbered by man,and which are said even to exceed the sand on the sea shore; how many thoughts must he employ respecting all his creatures, and all their different circumstances! It is a glorious consideration for each person who loves and fears God, to think that, though God has such infinite number of things and beings to care and provide for -yet he is as much at leisure, to notice every case and circumstance of the poorest suppliant that ever called upon his name, as tho' he had nothing else to attend to! He is present with those that hope in him,by night and by day; he thinks upon them whether they wake or sleep; when they prosper or when they suffer adversity; whether they are well or sick; in trouble or at ease; whether surrounded by friends or foes; let who will forget them, he earnestly remembers them still: he thinks on them while living, and doth not forget them when they die : he knows their sorrows, and how to deliver

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them from trouble, temptations, and afflictions: he remembers all their works of love, and will reward them. O Lord, think upon me member me also, O my God; and spare me, according to the greatness of thy mercy. Remember me, O my God, for good! "Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people: O visit me with thy salvation. That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation that I may glory with thine inheritance:" Plalm cvi. 4, 5.

As the choicest thoughts of men are express+ ed by words, and by writing, so our God has been pleased to express many thousands of his thoughts in that sacred book which we call the Bible. There we may read the precious tho'ts of our kind Creator, beneficent Preserver,bountiful Benefactor, and loving Redeemer, upon a great variety of subjects, which are of the ut most importance to us that can be conceived. There he has revealed his thoughts of love,grace and mercy towards us. He has there told us what he has done in times past,and what he will do in time to come; what he thinks fit for us to do, and what he intends to do with and for us. O how precious are the thoughts of God, which. he hath revealed, and caused to be written for our perusal & instruction! But I can only give brief hints.

4. The thoughts of God are very deep : "O Jehovah, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep ;" Psalm xcii. 5. The heart of man is deep; and how much more so

the thoughts of God! Who can understand the amazing depth of his own inward thoughts?how much less the infinite profundity of the thoughts of God! "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Rom. xi, 33.

We can sooner measure the depth of the sea, or dip out the waters of the ocean, than sound the depth of the thoughts of Jehovah.

5. The thoughts of God are as high as they are deep: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts; neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah: For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts:" Isaiah lv. 8, 9.

How infinitely deep and high are the thoughts of God! We may say of them as the Scripture says of him; "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is, (or, he is) as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell, what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, & broader than the sea :" Job xi. 7, 8, 9.

Some men limit God's wisdom, others limit his power, and many limit his love and goodness; but this limitation proves,

6. That they are ignorant of the thoughts of God. "But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, neither understand they his counsel ;" Micah iv. 12. "For who hath known the mind of the Lord; or who hath been his coun