if there be first, a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”* Finally. We must ever bear in mind the declaration of our blessed Lord to the rich man, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven : and come and follow me." And, unlike the young man who went away sorrowful, "for he had great possessions," we must cheerfully cast "down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought (yea, every action) to the obedience of Christ."+ Be not willing to justify yourself, as the lawyer when he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbour?" Are we not all one flesh and blood? Hath not one God created us? Who maketh thee to differ from another, and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" alas! we should be coveting riches, let us abandon this thought, and desire the riches of God's grace. "There is that maketh himself rich, yet * 2nd Cor. 8th chap. 9th and 12th verses. If, hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches."* If we have wealth let us lay it out to the glory of the bounteous Giver: and if we thirst for wisdom, let it be the knowledge of our Maker, and we shall be amply rewarded. Please all men in all things, not seeking your own profit, but the profit of many that they may be saved. And, remember, unless you endeavour to cultivate this greatest of all gifts, Charity, how can you presume to think that you are of the chosen number of Christ's, and assure your heart before him? True Charity is not so easy as we may imagine, neither is it so common as it appears to be. What we are often witnessing is only a semblance; frequently, a mere pretence. Thus, while many are considered charitable, and flatter themselves that they are so, according to the principle and opinion of our Lord and his charity, they are as far from it as the most sordid individual in the world, and those who spend all upon themselves, or hoard up their wealth and, therefore, in the last day will be amazed and terrified; for such will not reap precious seed-they have cast their bread, but not the right bread, upon the waters; and therefore will not find it after many days! * 13th chap. Prov. 7th verse. "Awake our zeal, awake our love, To serve the Saviour here below, In works which perfect saints above, And holy angels cannot do. Peace which the world can never know, Our God to him will give, Who thus shall tread the Saviour's steps, And to his glory live." No. 4.] THE CHRISTIAN'S PECULIAR PRIVILEGE. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ?" 3rd chap. 1st Corinthians, 16th verse. are THE position of the Christian with respect to God is of a very high character, and cannot be too often brought to our remembrance. It is a stupendous fact, that we poor, vile, and miserable creatures " the temple of God," redeemed by the precious blood of his dear Son, and sanctified by the Spirit of grace, for "neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase." Let us meditate for a moment on three points arising from these remarks. I. Of what the temple of God consists. :-and II. The blessing we receive : III. The Sin of defiling such temple. I. We may reasonably infer this "temple of God" to be the outward and visible Church militant here on earth, composed of members, worshippers of God, and heirs of immortality. "Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." (2nd Eph. 19, 21, and 22.) That Church which is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone"-that church which is the pillar and ground of the truth, "not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish:"-that Church which Christ loves: "for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones." In one word, a Church composed of true believers, who have taken up the cross of Christ, and hope to follow him from the grave to victory,— from the Church on earth to join the company of saints hereafter; "and to an innumerable company of angels, and to the spirits of just men made perfect." For contemplate the greatness of that sacrifice which God made,-the greatness of that atonement, and by it, the redemption which he wrought for the good of mankind. See him deliver up his own and only-begotten Son into the hands of cruel men to be scourged and put to death! And then again his rising! For on the third day he |