Lest I should be in error here, where error would be fatal, I would ask thee to search my heart and try my ways, and see if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

VI.

"Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. xxii. 17. I am a traveller in a desert land where no water is. The rains and the genial dew are withheld, and the fountains are dried up. I faint under the heat and thirst for the cooling streams. But what sound is that, which salutes my ear? 66 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!" And where are these waters? And who gives the invitation? The gospel is the fountain, and Christ

the inviter; but does he regard me, one so unworthy, so vile? "Whosoever will" is the language. No matter how criminal, how long ungrateful. The chief of sinners has the chief need, and it is the misery of the object to which the gracious Saviour has respect. I must, however, feel my perishing need, and be willing to accept the proffered aid. And do I not feel that I must famish unless relief is soon afforded; and would I not thankfully acknowledge the hand extended to me at such a time? I have, however, no money to purchase; I am poverty itself. Let not that trouble thee, my soul; the terms are "without money and without price;" thou mayest take the water of life freely. It is not a water of which thou mayest partake, and then thirst again, but a

water of life, which if thou drink, "it shall be in thee a well of water springing up unto everlasting life." I will seek no further, Lord. Thy gift is suited to my wants, and the terms on which it is offered, are suited to my poverty. Refresh me abundantly in this wilderness, and may I be gladdened in the anticipation of that pure river of life, of whose waters I shall drink with endless delights.

VII

"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" Acts ix. 6.

O holy God, I am under thy government, and I am indeed under every conceivable obligation to obey thy law. Do I ask then what thou wouldst have me to do? Thou hast

told me in thy word, and thou art now telling me by thy Spirit. As a sinner estranged from thee,dost thou require me to consider my ways and return unto thee? I would repent of my wanderings, and grieve for my ingratitude; and with shame and confusion of face, supplicate thee to receive the wretched prodigal. Dost thou require me to renounce every false ground of confidence, and to believe in Jesus as my only Saviour? Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief. Art thou now, in view of the strong attachment I have shown for the world, putting to me that searching question, "lovest thou me ?" If I so distrust my deceitful heart, as to fear to give thee a direct answer, can I not at least say, Lord, I would desire to esteem thee my chiefest joy; and I wish to be able truly to say,

"thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee?" Dost thou require an obedient spirit, and a holy life? I would serve no other master than thee; and to all the enticements of the world, the flesh and the devil, I would respond, I am the Lord's, and him only will I serve. Dost thou

call me to suffer, and require me to suffer submissively? I would esteem. it "sweet to lie passive in thy hands," and to endure, as seeing him that is invisible. Speak, Lord, thy servant heareth; but mercifully remember in all thou requirest, that thy grace must be sufficient for me, and thy strength must be made perfect in my weakness.