saith the Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed: but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." Here we find God doing, in a nobler case, what he did after the deluge. Here we find him-with a better, an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. And, to render the allusion similar, and to afford strong consolation to those who are fleeing for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before them, we have his oath, accompanied with a sign or token, that should subdue every apprehension. Where? What is it? "Upon the likeness of the throne," says Ezekiel, "was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it." We know to whom this refers. "I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord."—An emblem of his glory, both as to his person and impor tance. Who can help admiring the rainbow? It is one of the most beautiful appearances in Nature. How various the colours! Yet the celestial tints are united; and, though distinct, melt into each other, to make one astonishing whole. And his Name is Wonderful.

What a combination of excellences is found in him!"He is altogether lovely." All human and divine. beauties meet in him. All the charms of Nature, all the attractions of all creatures in earth and in heaven, are blended in him, and infinitely surpassed!" For how great is his goodness! and how great is his beauty!"

It also reminds us of his importance. It insures us safety-covenant safety. We are justified by his blood, and saved from wrath through him. He is the hopethe consolation of Israel. He that believeth on him cannot perish; but hath everlasting life.

us.

Let us look to him, and be comforted, against every adverse threatening. Afflictions cannot overwhelm us. The Law cannot curse us. Enemies cannot injure "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

JULY 21.-MORNING.

"They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

ACTS iv. 13.

THIS recognition is explained in two ways. Some take it literally, as referring to the persons of the Apostles. These, their arraigners remembered, when they looked at them, for they had seen them before in company with him. And this, it is more than

probable, was the case. For some of this very council attended his examination on the night of his apprehension. Yea, he was examined in the very house of this Caiaphas; and we are assured, that Peter, on the occasion, went into the High Priest's palace to see the end. Jesus, also, had openly taught in the Temple, when, more than once, some of these men were present, disputing with him; and he was always accompanied by his disciples. No wonder, therefore, that Peter and John were recognised by

them.

But others take it, in allusion to their qualities, behaviour, and mode of speaking; connecting it particularly with the former words. And "when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them. that they had been with Jesus: remarking that they were of the same party; or, as we should say, of the same stamp. So the sentence has been commonly understood. And three remarks may be made upon it.

First. Some have been with Jesus. Peter and John had been, as to his bodily presence, with him, for several years, in public, and in private; going out and coming in with him. And who is not ready to envy them such intercourse? But he was received up into glory; and they who had known him after the flesh, knew him so no more. Yet he had promised his people his spiritual presence to the end of the world. And thus, though now invisible, he is yet accessible. Hereafter they will be for ever with the Lord. But this heaven begins on earth. They were naturally without Christ; though not as to

dispensation, yet as to experience. But their religion began with an introduction to him. They were made sensible of their need of him. They sought him they found him. They had much to do with him then; and they have had much to do with him ever since. And they only go on well in religion as they are able to say, "I am continually with thee." They are with him-in his word-in his house-at his table with him in the closet-in the field-they are with him, as pupils are with their teacher-as servants are with their master, waiting upon him all the day as followers with their leader, willing to follow him whithersoever he goeth-as soldiers with their commander; fighting the good fight of faithFor "they that be with him are called, and chosen, and faithful"-And " he that is not with him, is against him."

Secondly. It is expected that they who are with him should resemble him. It is proverbially said, Tell me a man's company, and I will tell you his character. And it is well known, that like not only atttracts, but begets like. Hence the importance we attach to the choice of associates. Hence we say to the unmarried-Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. Hence to the young-He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. If we enter the house of mourning, we instantly catch the sympathy. The heart softens. The countenance contracts. The eye melts. How different are our sensations in the circles of festivity and mirth! It is said that those who live at court have a manner of their own, which others cannot successfully put on.

All association, however limited, produces some

influence. But the conformity will be in proportion -to the degree of the intimacy-and the constancy of the intercourse-and the love we have to the individual-and the veneration we feel for his greatness. Now all these will apply supremely to the Christian's acquaintance with Christ. And therefore the re

semblance must be the greater-especially when we add to all this-that it is the duty, and the main business of his religion to imitate him-For he that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk as he walked. And if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Thirdly. This conformity will not be overlooked. The Christian himself may not be sensible of it; for the more progress he makes in the Divine life, the more humble will he be. Moses was not aware of the brilliancy of his face when he came down from being with God; and was surprised to see the people dazzled at the glory of his countenance. And Paul said, I have not attained, I am not already perfect. But God will take knowledge of it. Angels will take knowledge of it. Ministers will take knowledge of it. His fellow Christians will take knowledge of it. -The world will take knowledge of it—his profiting will appear unto all men. And though the wicked cannot be pleased with it, yet they are aware of what, by their profession, Christians ought to be, and their consistency will enthrone them in their conviction, and put to silence their ignorance; and may constrain them to glorify God in the day of visitation.

If persons are seen firm in principle; fearless in duty; zealous in the cause of God; yet humble and lowly; and gentle and tender; and patient in suffer