of holiness, as evidential of its election in Christ, is described in Scripture by the boldest figures.

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"And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins." "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord." Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."" If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, and behold all things are become new.'

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This blessed conversion from sin to holiness is thus declared by the apostle to the Romans; "Ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." To the Thessalonians: "Ye turned from idols to serve the living and true God." To the Corinthians: "Know ye not, that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? and such were some of you; but ye are washed; but ye are sanctified; but ye are justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."

The way and means of the church's salvation were also fore-ordained. Jesus is declared to be the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Faith is the divinely-appointed instrument, by which the sinner is enabled to lay hold on Christ.

The Holy Spirit is promised to all who ask for this unspeakable gift. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters," is the gracious call.

The Gospel is designed to be an universal bless

ing; for the command is, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature." The invitation is general-the command to preach the Gospel is unlimited. None are excluded but such as, through unbelief, exclude themselves; for "God desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live;" "he is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance;" "he will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

Such are the views which infinite wisdom and love have given us in the pages of inspired truth. Eternal misery is there declared to be the fruit of man's wilful apostasy and rebellion; and eternal happiness the free gift of sovereign grace through Jesus Christ.

Thrice happy then are they, who experience the saving grace of God; who hear in faith; who obey the call of mercy; and who follow the Lord fully and perseveringly in filial obedience.

These are the objects of the Saviour's love and care; theirs are the promises; and to them belong the glories which shall shortly be revealed.

O happy people! saved by the Lord.

Blessed Saviour, draw my heart sweetly and powerfully to thyself. O make me thy temple! May thy word reach my heart, and thy love constrain my soul to love and obedience. Like Matthew, may I cheerfully obey thy call, leave all, and follow thee. Subdue every rebellious inclination; and let nothing dwell within me that is contrary to thy will. Root out of my heart all evil affections, and fill me with the fruits of righteousness. May my happy station ever be at the foot of the cross. There wean my heart from earthly things, and bind me to thyself by cords of everlasting love. O let me never, never

wander from thee, but preserve me to thy kingdom and glory for thy infinite mercies' sake!

Dear Shepherd of the chosen flock,
I love to hear thy voice:
When full of kind redeeming love,
Thou bidst my heart rejoice.

O, let me never quit the road,
That leads to thine abode!
O, suffer not my feet to stray
From thee, the living God!

"Tis thy delightful work to save,
Thy pleasure and thy joy;
Then let thy praise each fleeting hour
My grateful thoughts employ.

A stranger, Lord, I will not know,
Through thy preserving grace;
But follow thee with cheerful steps
To Heav'n, thy dwelling-place.

LXXIV. ON SPIRITUAL VISION.

Ir is a pleasant thing for the eye to behold the sun, and all the varied objects which are illuminated by its rays. If the natural eye be such a precious gift of providence, the eye of faith must be an invaluable gift of grace. Through the weakness of the natural eye, distant objects are dimly seen; but by the eye of faith, we can pierce the veil which bounds our sight, and view the unseen glories of the heavenly world.

Lord, impart unto thy servant this spiritual vision, that I may daily contemplate the wonders of

eternity, and the blest abodes of heavenly purity

and joy.

When I look with an eve of faith towards heaven, what do I there behold?"

The glorious habitation of Him who filleth all space with his presence, who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto. I there behold the throne of grace and mercy, in the midst of which appears a Lamb slain, even Jesus, the friend of sinners, the advocate of guilty man.

I there behold myriads of glorified spirits hymning the praises of Him, who was, and is, and is to come. They appear as flames of fire, burning with zeal and love. Their outstretched wings express their readiness to fulfill the mandate of their God.

I there behold rivers of pleasures, mansions of bliss; yea, more than tongue can speak or heart conceive. There dwells the great, the glorious God-Man, Emanuel, God with us. Around him are assembled all his faithful ministers and people; clothed in white, with palms of victory in their hands, singing to their golden harps the praises of redeeming love.

To be ever near this gracious Saviour; to behold his glory; to experience the fulness of his love; to enjoy his smiles; to be filled with his Spirit;-is the heaven, the felicity, the glory of the saints in light.

When from these high abodes, I cast my eyes upon this earth on which I tread, how mean does it appear! The believer may at that very moment be treading upon a scorpion, but he feels not its painful sting; some acute disorder may be striking through every nerve, but his exalted views of heavenly glory benumb the pain, and blunt the edge of suffering. Through the power of his realizing faith, he is even more than conqueror. He can glory in

tribulation, and triumph in death. The world may frown, but it troubles him not. It may smile, but he regards it not. His whole soul is full of heaven, of Christ, and of eternal glory.

O thou ever blessed Spirit of grace and truth, impart this precious faith—this realizing view of Jesus—this sweet foretaste of everlasting bliss. Give me to know and feel my interest in his atoning blood. Make me more active for Christ—more devoted to his cause-more attached to his people-more alive to his honour-more simple in my dependencemore sincere in my professions-more simple in all my aims to glorify my God and Saviour.

When I look into the grave, What do I there behold? The dire effects of sin; the vanity of all created things; the end of pomp and pride.

But when with the eye of faith I look beyond this cold and dreary mansion of the dead, what awful scenes present themselves before me! There I behold the rich man, who, when on earth, fared sumptuously every day, lifting up his eyes in torment, without one cooling drop to quench his flaming tongue. And why does he thus suffer? because he trusted in his riches, and forgat his God.

The grave is the concluding scene of splendour and magnificence. There the now pampered body must become the food of worms. There the body now arrayed in purple and fine linen, must be covered with corruption !

Methinks this humiliating end of human greatness should convince the fondest worldling of the vanity of earthly things. And surely it would impress the mind, and deeply too, if men would but consider. Vain, thoughtless man! ah! when will he be wise?

The opening grave creates a slight alarm, when some beloved object is laid within its cold embrace. But soon the transient tear is wiped away, and every