A contented man, without afflictions, is ready to place his trust, and seek his comfort, in temporal things. Earthly desires crowd upon him, filling his soul with vanity; he cannot well taste the sweet comforts of God's word, but under the burden of the cross. Here we often enjoy more solid rest than if we were without a cross, and that word is fulfilled which Christ says: "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matt. 11:30. Thus our hearts are set against the world, reconciled to heavenly things, and easily separated from many idols which we could not resist or forsake before. Well then may we bear these salutary burdens, which, when sanctified, will produce present comfort, and soon issue in eternal rest and glory. And since the Lord has promised to give strength sufficient for the day, that we may not be tempted above measure, there is abundant reason to say that his burden is light indeed.

'Tis good for me to wear the yoke,
For pride is apt to rise and swell;
'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke,
That I might learn his statutes well.
Father, I bless thy gentle hand;
How kind is thy chastising rod,
That forced my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wandering soul to God.

JUNE.

1. I am determined not to know any th .g among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Cor. 2: 2. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Psalm 111:10. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Cor. 8:1.

CHRIST crucified, and he alone, is the power and wisdom of God; him all Christians, and especially divines, should make it their particular practice to study well. Were our faith built on human wisdom, then surely carnal philosophers would be the greatest believers; whereas they are sometimes the worst infidels, or at best the most silly and faithless people in times of distress. And besides, the'r being puffed up is another evidence that they have not the true wisdom; for the wisdom from above is only with the lowly and babes, who pray for it earnestly. Prov. 11:2; Matt. 11:25. What would all knowledge avail us, then, without the knowledge of Christ? One spark of pure love yields more power than all the stores of empty human learning. May the Lord Jesus shed his love abroad in my heart; him only

have I determined to know; his love to the cross I account for my greatest wisdom and glory.

They that would grow divinely wise,
Must with His fear begin;

Our fairest proof of knowledge lies
In hating every sin.

2. I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Gen. 32:26. Forsake me not, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me. Psalm 38:21. DIVINE ANSWER. Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Gen. 28: 15. I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Exodus 33: 12. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Heb. 13:5.

God will have me to be faithful; and should not he be so himself? Am I bid to trust in his word? then, surely, he will not forsake me, but be as good as his word. Heaven and earth must pass away, but his word will not; he is ever faithful. If I do not believe this, I think blasphemously of God, and can have no help or comfort from his word: but if I truly believe him to be faithful, I believe enough. This is what he desires; and if I really do, my faith will not be moved even in the hottest trials; the word will hold me up, though I receive it

in weakness.

But my faith must be attended

with continual prayer.

Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme,
And speak some boundless thing;
The mighty works, or mightier name,
Of our eternal King.

Tell of his wondrous faithfulness,
And sound his power abroad;
Sing the sweet promise of his grace,
And the performing God.

Proclaim salvation from the Lord
For wretched dying men;

His hand has writ the sacred word
With an immortal pen.

Engraved as in eternal brass,

The mighty promise shines;

Nor can the powers of darkness rase

Those everlasting lines.

3. I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judg ment. Matt. 12:36; see also Eph. 4: 29, and 5: 4.

Here all corrupt communications, jesting, foolish talking, or whatever is not convenient and good to the use of edifying, is plainly forbidden. But who truly believes the report and the truth of these awful words? Surely the world does not believe them at all; this is quite plain, from that very common and shocking practice of judging, lying, swearing, jest

ing, and talking all manner of filthiness; yea, even religious people very often do not believe and consider them enough. How many heedless, slanderous, idle, and unprofitable words are sometimes spoken by these. Be careful, O my reader, to weigh every word, and to make light of none; for such will increase thine account. Whenever you are going to speak, let the question be first, Is it needful to speak does it tend to the glory of God; will it profit me or others? O Lord, grant that never an idle word may drop from my lips. Whenever I am to converse with others, give me grace first to converse with thee by secret prayer. In all companies let thy presence be before mine eyes, always looking upon thee as the chief person in the place, and receiving direction. when and what I am to speak. May thy good Spirit always teach me, and sanctify all my thoughts and words.

And must I give a strict account

Of every idle word?

Then set a watch upon my lips,

And guard my tongue, O Lord.

4. Let every man abide in the same calling whereir he was called. 1 Cor. 7: 20.

Most of the employments of life are in the