ward. For to love him and be blessed; to give our whole hearts to God, and to be happy; are but the same inestimable blessing, viewed in two different aspects. Notwithstanding, I do say, that the soul which has tasted of his goodness, and which owns its debt of endless gratitude to a dying Saviour, would, in the contemplation of its own apostasy, turn with abhorrence upon itself; and feel that indignation, that zeal, and that revenge, of which the apostle Paul so emphatically speaks. It is not that the man who feels this generous inspiration, coldly calculates even upon the possibility of his flying in the face of his Almighty benefactor. His detestation of the thing is his felt assurance, that, amidst all his infirmities and sins, in the sin of unfaithfulness, the gates of hell shall not prevail against him. In such a case, no loyal heart would refuse the test of imprecating just judgment on its own delinquency.

Such was the sentiment of the men of Judah, as we find, 2 Chron. xv. 12-15. "And they entered into a covenant, to seek the Lord God of their fathers, with all their heart, and with all their soul; that whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice,

and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with
cornets. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath; for
they had sworn with all their heart, and sought
him with their whole desire." Such was the
kindred feeling of the Psalmist—“If I forget
thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her
cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.”
[Ps. cxxxvii. 5, 6.] Such also was the mind of

the pious Dr. Doddridge:
:-

Do not I love thee, from my soul?

Then let me nothing love;

Dead be my heart to every joy,

When Jesus cannot move.

And here I cannot deny myself the pleasure of recording an instance, in humbler life, of the same uncompromising fidelity of heart-the same in principle, though the mode of its developement was different. A pious woman, wife of a sergeant, whose regiment was quartered in my neighbourhood, was invited to attend the preaching of a Unitarian minister; and, upon her refusal, great solicitation was used. Amongst other arguments, it was said; "Why, no one wants you to be convinced against your will. It is mere prejudice, that would object to hear the fair merits of a case. All that we want of you, is to weigh the proofs which can be adduced from Scripture;

and then to determine, on which side the truth lies." To which she replied, in "words that burn," "Truth!" she said, "I should hate truth, if it could persuade me that my Saviour was not God. Nay, if that were proved, I should not care whether there was a God at all. My only wish would be that I never was born."

But all this may be pronounced by some, bigoted, wild, and frantic. To me, however, it appears in a far different light. I never met, in spite of all her ardour, a more sober-minded Christian, than the one in question; one who better knew her innate depravity; who more thoroughly renounced her own righteousness, as filthy rags; or who trusted with a more simple faith, to the alone merits of a Saviour. But that Saviour's death, and sufferings, and sorrows, had won her heart; and she desired neither life nor heaven, without him.

This is what I would term true loyalty of heart. I do not call it disinterested affection. Strictly speaking, there can be no such thing, in reference to God; for we know that all things work together for good, to them that love him. Neither do I say, that it can be irrespective of our own salvation; for love like this is salvation. The man who bears this jewel in his breast is not a mere expectant-he is saved already. This

of endless day.

our love made

charity never faileth; this love can never die; for it is the seed of immortality, and the dawning "Herein," says the Apostle, "is perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment." He who loves his Saviour, for his own sake, will not fear to meet him face to face, upon that tremendous, that glorious day. It is true, that when he sees his blessed Lord and master, wearing upon that brow which was once pierced with thorns, his many crowns of glory; and bearing in that hand which was once transfixed with nails, the sceptre of universal empire;-all thoughts of selfish interests will be lost, in the shouts and acclamations of saints and angels, to the once despised, but now exalted Saviour. But though he may forget himself, he will not be forgotten by the Judge of quick and dead. His all-seeing eye will search him out, amidst the countless millions which crowd around the bar; and say, in more than words, "It is I, be not afraid; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I am the Saviour, whom, though unseen, you loved-whom you thought upon in your bed, and remembered when you were waking. You confessed me, before a generation that disowned me. You were not ashamed of me, nor of my words, amidst a hostile and contemptuous world. And now I fulfil my promise.

Now I confess you, before my Father, and the holy angels. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

But independently of these considerations, if the solemnities of the day of judgment, were nothing more than splendid metaphor,-if there were no promises nor decrees, to render the salvation of God's elect, as unchangeable as his truth, and as fixed as the pillars of his throne ;the love of God would, by its own inherent energy, reascend to the source from which it flows. That deathless principle would remain unmoved, amidst the storms which will one day shake this earth from her foundations. Amidst the groans of expiring nature, and the ruins of this material fabric, the celestial spark would rise to the life immortal. Love would spread its soft pinions, and soar aloft, through burning elements, and dissolving worlds; till it lighted on the topmost branch of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God; and there commenced its never-ending song of praise, to Him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.

THE END.

LONDON:

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