SEPTEMBER 1.-MORNING.

"The word of life." PHIL. ii. 16.

THIS is a representation of the Gospel; and it well deserves our notice. All life is valuable; but there are several kinds of it, rising above each other. There is vegetable life. This is superior to mere matter; as a tree is more excellent than a stone. There is animal life. This is superior to vegetable; as a bird excels a tree. There is rational life. This is superior to animal; as a man excels a bird: for man was made a little lower only than the angels. There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding. Yet there is a life superior to rational. It is called the life of God; a life from which we are naturally alienated; but to which all the subjects of divine grace are restored by the Saviour, who came, not only that we might have life, but have it more abundantly. It will be completed in heaven; but it is begun here. The case is this. Man, by transgression, is dead in state; for cursed is every one that continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them. He is also dead in nature-or, as the Apostle expresses it, dead in trespasses and sins. But the Christian is passed from death unto life- He is no longer exposed to condemnation; for he is justified by faith, and has peace with God. And he is no longer under the power of moral death; for he is quickened, and made to walk in newness of life. "I compare," says he, "my present with my former experience. I was once dead to divine things; for they no more im.

pressed me than sensible things affect a dead corpse. But now, for the very same reason, I hope I am alive; for these very things do affect me; do interest me; do excite in me hope and fear. I am susceptible of spiritual joy and sorrow. I live, for I breathe the breath of prayer. I feel the pulse of sacred passions; I love and I hate. I have appetite; for I hunger and thirst after righteousness. I walk, and I work; and, though all my efforts betray weakness, they evince life."

But what will this life be, when there shall be no more death-when the body shall partake of the im mortality of the soul-when both shall be glorified together in a perpetual duration of knowledge, purity, friendship, riches, and glory?-This is life eternal!

Now the Gospel is called the word of this life; and it has four relations to it. A relation of discovery -for it reveals the reality and excellency of this life; the way in which it is obtained; the source from which it flows; and every particle of information we have concerning it. A relation of conveyance-for it communicates and produces this life. A relation of support for it is the means not only of begetting this life, but of maintaining and increasing it. Therefore it is considered as its food; adapted to all stages of its being milk, if we are babes; strong meat, if we are men. A relation of order-it is the rule by which this life is governed as to doctrine, worship, experience, exertion. To this rule all our religion must be brought: and as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

SEPTEMBER 1-EVENING.

"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read." LUKE iv. 16.

To a man of reflection, feeling, and piety, it will always be interesting and impressive to come to the place where he had been brought up. How many events will revive, and rush over his mind! It will be well if he be not afflicted with instances of early depravity, and be made to possess the iniquities of his youth. He must be grateful-" Here I was sustained in infancy, and preserved in childhood." Here "the length of my days" made the outgoings of my mornings and evenings to rejoice. The scenery remains the same-the river, the hills and the vale, the wood and the lawn-but how changed am I, in my connexions, prospects, opinions, and feelings! and how many who once knew me, know me no more for

ever!

No being ever returned to such a place, and with such sentiments, as He who was fairer than the children of men.

What was Nazareth? A small country town among the Zebulunites in Galilee, seventy-two miles north of Jerusalem, and west of Mount Tabor. It was so reputeless for achievement and excellency, that when Philip said to Nathanael, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph;" Nathanael incredulously exclaimed, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?"

But how came he to be brought up in this place?

Here indeed he had been conceived of the Holy Ghost: for Mary lived at Nazareth when the angel Gabriel came unto her and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Yet he was born in Bethlehem Judah, according to the prophecy of Micah. "But the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa, in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."

And how was he here brought up? The Scripture is little adapted to gratify our curiosity. A veil is thrown over the private life of Jesus which it is impossible to draw aside. Nothing can be more idle and absurd than the Popish legends concerning his infant manners and miracles. "And when he was

twelve years old he was found in the temple, in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions; and all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers"-"And he said unto Joseph and Mary, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them." "But his mother kept all these sayings in her heart." "And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man"-This is all the Holy Ghost has seen fit to communicate concerning the first thirty years of his life. He had no public education; and therefore it was asked by those who could not be ignorant of the fact, "How knoweth this man letters, never having learned?" And as Joseph and Mary were poor, it is not likely that he lived in indolence: nothing is so inconsistent with a Christian life as doing nothing and having nothing to do. His reputed father was a carpenter, and once the name is applied to himself. We are sometimes amazed, considering the brevity of his life, that he should not have entered on his ministry till his thirtieth year. But it was the same with his forerunner, John, whose life was yet shorter. God's thoughts are not our thoughts: and we are unable to assign, without presumption, full and precise reasons for any of his dispensations. But surely we may learn that importance and usefulness are not confined to publicity— that we must be willing to be hid as well as displayed -that a great work requires much preparation-and that before we teach we must learn-"not a novice, lest, being lifted up with pride, we fall into the condemnation of the devil."