in his increasing efforts to guard them against temptation in the garden of Gethsemane, the same unutterable love, in the look given to Peter in the hall of the palace, which pierced to his very soul, and at once extricated him from the grasp of the prince of darkness. And oh! how do we see again the same exquisite tenderness appear, in the especial message sent to the sorrowing Peter, after the resurrection; our Lord knowing that the abased and self-accusing apostle would not venture to include himself in the joyful greeting sent to the other disciples. How we recognize the God of David here: but, it is vain to attempt to follow all the footsteps of our Lord's mercy and love, they may be traced in every line of the sacred record of his earthly life: in the selection of each narrated miracles, and in every incident of his history, all calculated to convey some important instruction, and rich consolation, in the most impressive and interesting

manner. And why was all this written? To inspire our confidence, and to brighten and strengthen our hope.

And may we not also derive encouragement from the Lord's dealings with ourselves?-Have we not seen numbers cut down on the right hand and on the left, and called away to give in their great account, while we are still continued in the land of forgiveness, and with all the means of grace? But, has the Lord only permitted us to live? has he given no light to the soul? has he communicated no life to the spirit? has he brought home no instruction to the heart? Have we never felt his most gracious Spirit striving with us? When we have heard of the love of Jesus, have we never felt a desire, that that love might penetrate and melt our hearts? and has no prayer been suggested, for the out-pouring of the divine Spirit to effect this in us? When we have seen the grace of God

shining in the life and conversation of a consistent Christian, have we never felt the power and beauty of holiness, and has not the earnest wish filled the heart, and left the lips in prayer, that we might also thus adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour? Have we never felt willing to give up the world, and take our portion and lot with the people of God? and have we never been convinced, that the peace which the Saviour gives, is of more value, than all the riches of this world; and that to feel his love, and to love him in return, would be perfect happiness? And when we have not acted up to the light of conscience, have we not felt grieved, and sad? and have we not found that under such circumstances it was our greatest relief to pour out our hearts before our forgotten God, and own to him all our offences with their aggravations? Have we never been led to exert ourselves for the sake of his people? and after ministering to their wants, have

we never felt pained, and sorrowful, that it had not been done from a pure, warm love to the Saviour; but that sin, in some manner or other, had marred the offering, and tarnished the service? Can we fix our eyes intently on the worst season of our past history, recall the entire alienation of the heart, the blindness of the mind, the worldliness of the thoughts, the unchecked, perfectly uncontrolled reign of selfishness in the soul, the unholy state of the affections; and comparing this period with the present, after duly inspecting our views, our feelings, our whole condition, can we truly say, that God has done nothing in us, or for us? Oh! my friend, I think not. I think we must be constrained to confess, that he has never, never left us, that he has been teaching, been striving with, and daily warning us. May I not add, been helping us? For, have we never resisted any temptation? Have we never overcome one besetting sin? Have we never gained the

victory over one evil temper? Have we never been able in any degree to bring our wills into subjection to the will of God? Have we never been able patiently to bear any trial, or to give praise for any mercy? Surely, the Lord hath helped us, and would ere this, have richly comforted us, had we not obstructed our own comfort: we may then well account the long-suffering of our God salvation.' We may well take the consolation of that blessed text 'God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us.'

And now, dearest, with all this great encouragement, what is it which so discourages us? Is it the remembrance of the past, of our sad transgressions? This may well humble, but should not discourage us; on the contrary, it should give us a greater idea of the Lord's wonderful love in bearing so long with those so unworthy. I think the review we have taken of the