that we should obey his voice?-Despised by perversion. We turn them into instruments of rebellion; and make them the very means of increasing our impenitency. If we thought God would destroy us the next sin we committed, it would not be committed: but since he is too kind to do this, we are induced to offend him. We are evil, because he is good.

How unreasonable is this contempt! How vile! how shameful! If an individual was to behave towards a fellow-creature as men are continually acting towards the blessed God, no one could notice him. but with astonishment and contempt. Yet we talk of the dignity of human nature! or contend that it is but slightly injured by the Fall!

-And how dangerous, how ruinous, is this contempt! It is true God is merciful and gracious. But he will by no means spare the guilty. Nothing equals the penalty of the Gospel-it is the savour of death unto death.

SEPTEMBER 8.-EVENING.

"For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob." ISAIAH xiv. 1.

THE Jews were carried away captive to Babylon. But they were not to be destroyed there, or to remain there-" After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." With regard to this

restoration two things are mentioned in the words before us.

The one is the source of it-mercy, free and undeserved mercy: "I will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own. land." And this is the principle which always, as far as good is concerned, whether in possession or hope, leads him to deal with us.

The other is the consequence. Many, leaving their own country and their idols, would return along with them; others would unite with them after their return: "And the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob."

And here we see a little of the design of God in their captivity. It was indeed to punish them for their sin but his punishments are corrections; and he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. He would humble them, and prove them, and reclaim them; and not only do them good, but render them useful to others. And who can tell how many have had reason to bless God for the dispensation? For when they were conquered and enslaved they carried the elements of their religion along with them, diffusing their inspired writings, and spreading the knowledge of the true God. Many pious characters rose to distinguished eminence and influence during their stay in Babylon. Several very glorious and publicly witnessed miracles were performed on their behalf. Thus God pleaded the cause of his people, and shewed that, though he chastised them, they were the seed which the Lord had blessed. And their deliverance was so wonder

ful, and attended with such unparalleled circumstances, that it not only at first seemed to themselves more like a pleasing dream than a reality, but induced the very heathen to say among themselves, "The Lord hath done great things for them." Hence many became proselytes, and professed the God of Israel.

Thus the Lord can change the darkest skies, and turn the shadow of death into the morning. By our suffering He can not only bless us, but make us a blessing. The little girl that waited on Naaman's wife had been torn from her parents, and carried away captive; but she was the means of honouring the God of Israel. The persecution which scattered the brethren from Jerusalem spread the Gospel in all the directions in which they fled. The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the churches. The dreary imprisonment of Bunyan for twelve years occasioned his writing the Pilgrim's Progress and the Holy War. The works of many other authors, whose praise is in all the churches, were the produce of their privations and hardships. Who can tell in how many ways we may be able to say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted?"

But we here see that religious conviction produces attachment to the people of God. Man is by nature a social being. When sin falls in with his disposition, it is corrupted, and becomes a most powerful auxiliary of iniquity; but when grace meets with it, the bias is sanctified, and operates after a godly sort. The new creature feels the want of new associations; and here, as in every thing else, like attracts like. Hence Ruth, though a Moabitess, said to her Israelitish

mother-in-law; "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." And as soon as Saul of Tarsus came to Jerusalem, he "assayed to join himself to the disciples." So it is with all true converts: they easily abandon the sons and daughters of vanity and vice, to "take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, I will go with you, for I have heard that God is with you." They can now say, "I am a companion of all them that fear thee." In them "is all my delight." They will be joined with them, and cleave to them in their assemblies, as fellow-worshippers; in their communion, as church members; and in their practice and experience, as joint workmen in God's building, labourers in his husbandry, soldiers in his army, and followers in his ways.

Here is a good test by which you may judge yourselves. What would make you most happy in your retirement? Would it be this confidence of faith; "Thou hast given me the heritage of them that fear thy Name?" What is your principal desire when you consider your own condition and that of others? Is it this; "Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto them that love thy Name?"

Happy they who can pray, "Deliver me from men of the world, who have their portion in this life." I ask not to be numbered with the rich, the mighty, and the noble. Tell me, O thou whom my

soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon. I long for their Shepherd, their pasture, their repose

"O may I see thy tribes rejoice,

And aid their triumphs with my voice;
This is my glory, Lord, to be

Join'd to thy saints, and near to thee.'

And if the subjects of Divine grace may be the mediums of it too, how much depends on our character and conduct! He that winneth souls is wise. Let us therefore walk in wisdom towards them that are without. Let us do every thing in our power to remove their prejudices. Let every thing in our religion be, not repulsive, but alluring; not only impressive, but amiable. Let us so hold forth the word of life as to be perpetually saying, "We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." And if we are the means of bringing one individual from the world into the Church of the living God, we have done more than any conqueror who has delivered a whole nation from civil bondage. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

SEPTEMBER 9.-MORNING.

"They joy before Thee according to the joy in harvest."

ISA. ix. 3.

THREE circumstances are here mentioned. They joy. They joy before Thee. They joy before Thee