haughtiness of man is made low, and the Lord alone is exalted.

Observe, O my soul, what an honour God has put upon this grace. "Before honour is humility." Whom God honours he humbles first. He giveth grace to the humble: because the humble give him all his glory. The highest throne which he has upon earth is in the humblest heart. To it he vouchsafes his constant presence, and makes the greatest communications of his love: "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." O what an honour is here promised to the humble! The greatest they can have on this side of heaven. God will dwell with them; and what a blessing! and his temple shall be in the humble heart. The high and holy One passes by what is in highest esteem among men. He stains the pride of human greatness and goodness. He does not vouchsafe to set up his throne with

the princes, nor to give his honour to the learned, of the world. But he puts honour upon the contrite and humble. He condescends to visit them; yea, he delights to dwell with them, and in them-the highest above all heavens in the lowest hearts. There he communicates his choicest love and richest favours. O my God! bestow upon me this grace, which in thy sight is so precious. Humble me, that I may be revived with thy presence, and refreshed daily with thy love. Give me more humility, and fit me for nearer fellowship with thee. Bring down every high thought, and let me find it true, that God resisteth the proud, but giveth inore grace unto the humble.

Thus the true poverty of spirit is needful, not only to bring the sinner to Christ, but also to preserve the believer in communion with him for so long as he walks by faith, every thing will tend to promote this communion. In the daily sense of his wants, he will go to his bountiful Saviour for a supply. In the feeling of his misery, he will depend on his loving Saviour for relief: whereby he

will be led to more intercourse with him. What he finds wrong in himself, will bring him to live more by faith, and as faith increases, so will his delight in God. He will grow more sensible of his weakness, and that will make him stronger in the Lord. He will know more of his own heart, which will humble him, and keep him dependant on the grace of Jesus. of Jesus. He will see reason not to lean to his own understanding, but ever to pray, Lord, guide me by thy good Spirit. Viewing spots and blemishes in his best doings, his triumph will be, "I will make mention of thy righteousness, Lord Jesus, even of thine ONLY." Thus every thing will humble him, and lead him to live more by faith; by which means he will get faster hold of Jesus, live in nearer fellowship, and be receiving out of his fulness grace for gracetwo graces at once-the blessing neededand thankfulness for it. Hereby a sweet intercourse will be kept open. To the humble God delights to give grace, and they delight to return him his glory. The more he gives, the more glory would they gladly return.

And he does give more, and he receives it back again in thanks and praise. Blessed

grace! by which this holy fellowship is maintained. Happy humility! by which the heart, being emptied of self, is made capable of receiving the fulness which is of God. Then is the promise fulfilled-" Blessed are the poor in spirit, for their's is the kingdom of heaven"—it is their's now-not only in title, but also in possession: for the kingdom of God is within them; and they are partakers at present of its blessings and glories, as truly, though not so perfectly, as they will be in heaven. Meditate, O my soul! upon this divine grace. Thou seest the necessity of it;

pray earnestly for it, and for more of it. The great idol SELF must be dethroned, where God reigns. Thou canst not walk with him, unless thou art humble in heart. And if thou hast been walking with him, thou wilt be taught to stop, whenever thou beginnest to look at self with admiration. O beg of the Lord then to give thee the true gospel poverty of spirit. It is to be in constant practice, and used for every thing:

for thou seest how it keeps up fellowship with God, who makes the greatest communications of himself to the humblest. And the reason is plain: because they return him all his glory. If, therefore, thou wouldst have much grace in exercise, pray for much humility. O my God! whatever thou givest, give humility with it, that I may not seek self in it, but thine honour; nor lay it out upon myself, but to thy glory. Meek and lowly Jesus! make me like thyself: keep me learning of thee, till I am perfectly like thee. I would come always poor to thee, to receive of thy riches, and to receive with them an humble heart to praise thee for them. O let thy glory be mine end and aim. Let me and mine be thine--I humbled-thou exalted. Let thy graces and gifts bring thee in a constant revenue of praise. And may thine increasing goodness be joined with a constant increase of humility, that my heart and all within me may bless and praise thy holy name, to-day and for ever. Amen. And

Let this appear in my whole behaviour to others. This is another blessed fruit of hu