tion with me at that time, worthy of being recorded as I felt it to be, I regret that I am compelled to say, has escaped my memory. I will, however, add a few particulars, in the unconnected manner in which they occur to my recollection. 66 Scripture before us, appeal to our Master and future | Judge, as Peter did, and say, Lord, thou knowest all things, thou knowest that I love thee?' If so, then are we the children of God, heirs of God, and jointbeirs with Christ; then are we preparing for heaven; then our God will lead us in a right way to the city of I remember asking her, on the day succeeding the habitation; he will smooth the path of life, or give us death of Mr Huntington, if it required an effort to be strength to surmount every difficulty of the way, ac- submissive. She answered, I am enabled to bless companying every cross with his blessing, and ultimate- God, that I have not had to contend with an unbelievly bring us to the heavenly Jerusalem, the inner temple|ing thought. I would rather have endured the agony of separation, than that my dear husband should have borne it. I can truly say, 'Tis the survivor dies.'' "On another occasion she said to me, The bitterness of my grief can be known only to God and my own soul. But I think I can say, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him,' and can lay hold on the hand that smites, for support. But, oh, the loneliness of widowhood! I am as Peter sinking in deep waters.' of his glory, to the full and endless enjoyment of himself in heaven. Is it so, my beloved sisters? Dust and ashes, pollution and guilt as we are, does the infinite Jehovah allow us to indulge such a hope as this! And can we live in sin? Can we live without panting after grace to glorify Him much, from whom we have received all? Can we go on day after day, and month after month, doing nothing for his glory, for his cause, for his people? Time dies. We are drawing near to eternity." Though the sphere in which Mrs Huntington's character shone in its brightest lustre was the domestic circle, she felt a sincere delight in doing "good to all as she had opportunity." She visited the humble dwellings of the poor, ministered to their wants, sympathized with them in their distresses, and directed their minds to the "balm in Gilead, and the physician there." An interesting case of this kind, she thus narrates:--"I called in, by accident, as we say, to-day, at a miserable-looking house, where I found a poor afflicted woman, of twenty or twenty-three years of age, whose case affected me much. She Las one child three months old, and one eighteen months old; is in miserable health herself; and has an intemperate, unkind husband. She appeared broken-hearted, and almost bereft of reason. She was born in attended Mr M.'s ministry, and was once the subject of serious impressions. But an imprudent marriage has ruined her, at least for this world. She is in a wretched, dirty hovel, with her husband's father and mother, and a flock of miserable children. All of them are addicted to drink; quarrels among parents and children till midnight, are frequent. I saw only the mother-in-law. But the scene I witnessed was an emblem of hell. The poor young woman is in a state little short of despair. She says it is impossible for her to have a moment alone, and that her husband and mother-in-law will not let her read the Bible. She said to me, 'Oh! If I could go up and stay at your house but one night!' It seemed as if God had directed us to the place; I hope for good. I cannot keep this poor young creature out of my mind. If God sent us there to be the instruments of saving this soul from death, what a mercy it will be! Oh that the Redeemer would pluck this helpless one out of the jaws of the lion!" The period was now fast approaching which was destined, more than all the other sorrows with which Mrs Huntington had been visited, to try her faith, and patience, and Christian resignation. Her husband's health, which had for some time been feeble, at length began to yield under the pressure of his ministerial labours. His physicians recommended a cessation from his wonted exertions, and a change of air. He accordingly set out on a journey as far as Montreal, and, for a time, felt himself considerably improved. But, in the inscrutable providence of God, he was never permitted to reach home, but died at Groton, on Saturday, September 11, 1819. Thus was this amiable and pious lady suddenly, and by an unexpected stroke, written widow and desolate. Her submissive and exemplary patience under the painful stroke, is thus noticed by a friend :- "There was, in her whole deportment, the most convincing and pleasing evidence of humble, child-like submission to the divine will. Most of her conversa Yes, "The resignation and calmness she was enabled to feel, she ascribed to the mercy of God, in answer to the prayers of his dear people,' many of whom, she knew, constantly remembered her in their supplications.” Her own feelings are thus recorded in her Journal:"The desolating stroke my soul was dreading, when I last wrote in this journal, has fallen upon me. it has fallen upon me; and I live. What shall I say? The right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly, or I should now have dwelt in silence. Wonderful grace! He that hath loved me bore me through. His everlasting arm was under me. He taught and enabled me to say, Thy will be done. To him be glory. The being I loved better than myself, has left me in this wilderness. He on whom I leaned has gone over Jordan. But another arm, mightier than his, sustains me. I can say, I humbly believe with truth,-Nevertheless, I am not alone, for God is with me. And I must again cry, Grace! grace! I am a wonder to myself. the infinite grace of God! A worm is in the furnace, and is not consumed! And must I not love this * strong Deliverer' better than all? Shall I not cheerfully give up my comforts at his command ? " Oh! And some time after we find her giving vent to her feelings, in contemplating her desolate state. "Surely I have reason, if any one has, to feel like a stranger and a pilgrim on the earth. All the ties of near relationship, my children excepted, by which I was bound to this world, have been, one after another, sundered. And now I wish never to have any of these earthly ties renewed. My relationships are in heaven; I feel a peculiar, peaceful, melancholy satisfaction in this consciousness daily. It seems like a still, small voice from the world of spirits, admonishing me to be girding myself to my journey, and setting my face homeward. It is well, Father, it is well. Only help me to cling to thee for ever; only remember me, in life, and in death; and I ask no other portion. Thou knowest best. Do with me as seemeth good unto thee." But the trials of this eminent saint of the Most High, were not yet finished. Some of her last earthly comforts were snatched from her, and she was doomed to feel the bitterest pangs which can rend a parent's heart. On the 1st of September 1821, she thus writes in her journal :— On "The hand of the Lord has again touched me. the twenty-fifth of last month, I was called home to receive the last parting sigh of my dearly beloved Joshua. Thus the fond and cherished babe left me at a inoment's warning. It fell upon me like a thunderbolt.— But my mind is comforted now. My child, my lamb, is in heaven. He has gone to the Saviour, who said, Father, I will that those whom thou hast given me, be with me, where I am.' Amen. Lord, help those that remain to follow!" And again on the 8th of the same month: "I go about from one room to another, but the places and things which once knew him, know him no more. I find not the object I seem to be seeking. My tears flow; my heart is full; I feel almost as if there were no sorrow like my sorrow. My mind does not leave every thing here, and fasten itself on heaven, as it did when my dear husband died. I am not comfortless; but I have not the strong consolation' which I then had. It seems as if Joseph were not, and Benjamin were not. But, oh, let me not undervalue my remaining mercies -my pleasant children, my thousand, my unnumbered blessings !" It was deeply distressing to one of such tender affections as those which characterised Mrs Huntington, to be subjected to trials so numerous and painful. She had lost her dearest earthly friend-the companion, the Lusband of her youth; and now she is bereaved of a darling child, peculiarly endeared to her, as being born in her widowhood, and bearing the name of her de. ceased partner. But even yet the cup of suffering, mingled by an all-wise Father, was not completely full. A few days after the death of Joshua, another child, in whom she felt a very tender interest, as having for a long time been feeble, both in body and mind, was snatched away from her, in the mysterious arrangements of Providence. On this last occasion, she thus writes:— "I live, though death has smitten another of my number. Elizabeth was taken from all her sorrows and her sufferings, eleven days after my sweet babe. I have no doubt that both these little ones are in heaven. They were given to God; and they are not, because he has taken them. As it respects Elizabeth, I can see that the dispensation, which released her from a body of disease and death, which confined and cramped all the efforts of the soul, and set the spirit free, to unfold and expand in the service of God, is a wise and merciful dispensation." Thus was Mrs Huntington, though still young in years, subjected to many severe trials, all tending to promote her advancement in holiness, and preparation for heaven. Her whole life, indeed, was chequered with varied scenes of prosperity and adversity, but she felt that she was thereby called to glorify Him, in every possible situation, "who called her out of darkness into light, and had chosen her as a vessel of mercy to shew forth His praise." Found But we hasten to the closing scene of this devoted woman's life. Her health, as we have already said, had, since her childhood, been delicate, and though supported under her manifold sufferings, by a strength far greater than her own, her feeble frame, at length, sunk under them. Her body, it soon became evident, was wasting under a lingering consumption. Various means were tried, to arrest the disease, but without effect. Her race was nearly run, and she appeared to be hastening to receive the prize. It may be interesting to extract from the notes of her pastor, some account of his last visits to her. Tuesday, October 28, 1823. Called on Mrs Huntington about half-past nine in the morning. that she had failed considerably since my last visit. To an inquiry in relation to the state of her mind since Friday, she replied, I think I have felt more of the presence of Christ than I did when I saw you last. I have not had those strong views and joyful feelings with which I have sometimes been favoured. My mind is weak, and I cannot direct and fix my thoughts as I once could. But I think I have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before me in the precious Gospel; and he who is the foundation of that hope will never forsake me.' Then, with a most interesting expression of countenance, she said, 'I trust we shall meet in hea ven, and spend an eternity in praising our dear Redeemer.' It was replied, We shall, if we give him our hearts, and continue faithful to him unto the end.' 'I feel,' she answered, that I have been very, very unfaithful. But he is merciful, his blood cleanseth from all sin, and I trust he has blotted my sins from the book of his remembrance. Oh, what should we do without Christ!' As much debtors,' it was remarked, to free grace at the end of our course as when we begin it' More,' she replied, far more; for we sin against greater light and love, after we are born again. Yes, it is all of free grace. If it were not, what would become of me?' It was answered, You would have perished, justly perished; but now, when you enter heaven, you will stand before the angels, a monument of God's justice, as well as of his free grace, for he is just in justifying those that believe in Jesus.' Yes,' she replied, what a glorious plan! what a precious Saviour! Oh, that I could love him more! Pray that I may love and glorify him for ever.' 'I "After prayer, she said, 'I hope you pray for me at other times, as well as when you are here. Ask for me the continual presence of Christ, and that I may honour his religion to the end.' It was answered, We constantly remember you in our prayers: many of God's people are deeply interested for you, and are continually supplicating the throne of grace in your behalf.' know it,' she replied; and that is the reason why I have been favoured with such a comfortable state of mind; for Satan has desired to have me, and to sift me as wheat. I hope they will continue to pray for me; and may God bless them with the consolations they ask for me.' It was remarked, He who said to Peter, 'I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not,' is, I trust continually interceding for you; and him the Father heareth always.' She said, 'I hope he does intercede for me; and that is one of my greatest consolations; for he will be heard. But, you know, he presents the prayers of the saints; and I want the satisfaction of reflecting, that he is continually presenting many of them in behalf of me and my dear children.' Friday, November 7. To the usual inquiry respecting the state of her mind, she said, Mrs Graham accurately describes my feelings, when she says, Thus far has the Lord brought me through the wilderness; bearing, chastising, forgiving, restoring. I am near to Jordan's flood. May my blessed High Priest, and Ark of the Covenant, lead on my staggering steps the little farther I have to go." I have had no rapturous views of the heaven to which I hope I am going, no longings to depart. But I have generally been enabled to feel a calin submission, and to realize the fulness and the preciousness of the Saviour I desire to feel a perfect resignation to the will of God, because it is his will. how sweet, to be willing to be just where, and just what, God pleases! to rejoice that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth, and worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. This, in its perfection, is, I think, a principal source of the happiness of heaven. Pray that God would enable me to feel thus while suffering from weakness and pain, and entering the dark valley.' "Frequently, during her sickness, she had expressed to her pastor a desire that he would, if possible, be with her in her last moments. On Thursday, December 4th, he was informed, about three o'clock in the afternoon, that she had failed greatly since morning, and would probably survive but a little longer. He immediately repaired to her residence, and found her sleeping, but very restless, and breathing with great difficulty. She continued in this state, except that respiration became constantly more difficult, through the afternoon and evening. About eleven o'clock the difficulty of breathing became so great, as to overcome the disposition to slumber. Intelligence, it was found, still remained. She was asked if she knew she was near her end.' She answered with a sign, in the affirmative. It was said, I hope you feel the presence of the Saviour sustaining and comforting you.' She assented. Your faith and hope in him are unshaken?' Her reply was in the affirmative.-A few minutes after, her sight fail ed; and, at twenty minutes past eleven, her spirit en- |garding his beloved Son, and bids his creatures tered into rest. "Her end was full of peace, Fitting her uniform piety serene. DISCOURSE. BY THE REV. WALTER WEIR, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begot ten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."-JOHN iii. 16. 1. Love may be either that of benevolence or of complacency; the latter presupposes some worthiness in the object beloved, the former is more purely disinterested, and is manifested towards objects unworthy in themselves. It is plain, that in this sense alone, we can understand the love of God, so graphically described in the text. We appeal both to Scripture and experience, if there is not a general apostasy of our race from God; does not the general aspect of society justify the words of the apostle, "the world lieth in wickedness?" Is not the alienation of our race so general, so thorough, that ungodly men are said to "walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Mankind are represented as universally depraved; sin hath polluted their nature and separated their affections from God; so criminal hath our race become, that God could not, without an atonement, shew mercy to his creatures, with honour to himself, and with safety to the interests of holiness; and surely, we need scarcely say, that were a stain cast upon this attribute, his character would be degraded, his government destroyed, and his creatures lost in irremediable ruin. How admirable the scheme of mercy, to save the sinner, yet to expose the guilt and demerit of sin, and to punish it with unmitigated severity! 2. He who was given for the salvation of the world is the only begotten Son of God. At the threshold of this subject we pause, feeling the propriety of the divine command given upon another occasion, "Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground." Men have thought much on this subject, and thus have presumed to write more, although the modesty becoming creatures ought to have taught them the hardihood of attempting to comprehend what is beyond the grasp of created intellect. We know something of the perfections of God from his works, but what he is essentially, we can only learn from Revelation; and to go one step beyond the clear and explicit declarations of the Bible, is to tread on forbidden ground;-to advance one thought which is not guided, strengthened, and upheld by the dictates of Revelation, is drawing nigh to gaze, when God hath wrapt in the recesses of light inaccessible, the profound mysteries re beware lest, in their daring impiety, the anger of the Lord break forth upon them. All we know on the subject, is, that the Son of God, although he be uncreated, underived, and unchangeably blessed, yet in his person, as the Son, he is distinct from the Father. What this is, we know not, neither need we seek to know; shall the worm speculate on the nature of the man who is about to tread it under foot? but the worm hath an affinity of nature to him, although man hath none to the infinite God; therefore, the sublimity of this subject for ever forbids the approach of the loftiest intellect. God gave his best, his greatest gift: Think of the dignity of the donor,-it is he whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain. Had he deputed angels to be mediators betwixt himself and rebel man, how rich would have been his mercy, how great their condescension! And yet we see not how they could possibly have accomplished the design; but this gift is one with himself, in dignity equal, in power and glory the same, for Jesus himself assures us, "I and my Father are one." When angels sinned, God passed by them, although occupying a higher rank in the scale of creation, and encircled with the omnipotent arm of mercy the fallen race of men, that the degradation and inferiority of the object might enhance the gift bestowed. Had the Son of God come to our world attended by millions of holy angels (for these all wait upon him,) how dignified his person, how august his appearance, how gracious his design! but he came meek and having salvation, his face was marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men. "God spared not his own Son, but freely gave him up to the death for us all.” Oh, there is indeed a mystery here beyond the conception of creatures; there issues from the cross of Christ a glory which sheds a radiance through time, which fills with joy the souls of the redeemed, and pours new lustre around the throne of God himself. Other gifts bespeak the kindness of our God, this displays the exceeding riches of his grace. God causes his sun to rise upon the evil and the good, but such is the glory of this gift, that the natural sun is lost in the effulgence of the Sun of Righteousness. God hath, in his providence, often raised up saviours to rescue their fellow-men from oppression, but in contrast with Jesus Christ, and the greatness of his work, their glory sinks into insignificancy. The Lord is kind even to the unthankful, he loads even his enemies with goodness; but this gift is beyond them all, in dignity without a parallel, in value beyond price. 3. Behold the cause of this gift. It is a fatal error to conceive of the God of love, as having been constrained to love his creatures for the sake of the mediation of his Son, for "the Father himself loved us;" the mediation of the Son of God is not the cause of his love, but his love is the cause of that mediation. Mercy springs not from the atonement of the Son of God; the river of mercy hath its origin beneath the throne of the Most ficient for you,"-if there is any thing animating High; his own beloved Son is the channel through in the assurance, that grace shall ere long be conwhich it ever flows. It is not because Christ summated in glory,-if there is any meaning in died that God loves us, but it is because God the declaration, "Eye hath not seen, ear hath not loved us that his Son died; and now God can heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of shew his love in a manner which reflects glory man to conceive, what God hath prepared for them upon his character, for Jesus " magnified the law that love him,"-then may we join the ransomed and made it honourable, finished transgression, even here, in saying, "Unto Him that loved us, and trade an end of sin, and brought in an everlast- washed us from our sins in his own blood, to Him ing righteousness." Mark the particular mode of be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." expression; "God so loved the world," implies 5. In this passage there is a condition required doubtless, that we might search into its meaning, from us. When we speak of a condition on our part and thus have our admiration of his love enhanc- when transacting with God, we must be most caued; it is so when we think of the greatness of tious, lest we conceive of the Most High, as if he rehim who loved us,-that one so high, should have quired conditions of merit from us: this were bestooped to those who are so low, that one so neath his dignity, for in all his dealings with us excellent, should have deigned to think of those he acts as a Sovereign; this were unworthy of who are so unworthy, that one so illustrious for his compassion, for is he not intimately acquainted purity should have set his love upon rebels so with our weakness, our total inability to do any inconceivably mean, yea, so desperate in wicked- thing deserving of his favour? It is therefore ness, that the heart hath been yielded to other ob- manifest, that although the Saviour "trode the jects, turned alien from God, and done all which wine-press alone," and though his obedience, sufits feeble nature could accomplish to drive Godferings, and death, paid our ransom, satisfied divine from the affections, and to live without him in the world. The love of God is enhanced, when we consider the wretchedness of the objects. Sin is the most desperate, the most fatal of diseases, it hath separated the mind from God, and produced such inveteracy of evil there, that the sinner is loathsome in the sight of the God of holiness. Yet to love the sinner notwithstanding the sin, to shew affection for the unworthy notwithstanding the unworthiness, is a stretch of benevolence which passeth knowledge. 4. What was the design of God, when he so loved the world? Surely the means betoken an end stupendously vast. Can we think of that love which hath such a height, and depth, and breadth, and length;-can we think of the effects of that love -the sacrifice of the only begotten Son of God, without having a vivid impression of the value of the soul, together with the wretchedness to which sin hath degraded it, and which required so great an atonement? 66 We cannot describe the ruin of the soul. A dark veil conceals the abyss of misery; but Oh, if there is any thing fearful in being strangers and foreigners to God,"-if there is any thing alarming in being the victims of a fatal disease, the end of which is eternal death,—if there is any thing appalling in the prospects of a judgment seat, if there is any thing tremendous in "the worm that never dieth and the fire that never shall be quenched," and solemnly affecting in the cry of despair; then is there a meaning in the text which strikingly augments the riches of grace, "God so loved the world that we should not perish." My friends, as we cannot describe the ruin of the soul, neither can we tell you what is the blessedness of everlasting life; but if there is any thing pleasing in being reconciled to God, and again assimilated to his image,-if there is any thing cheering in the promise, "my grace is suf justice," made an end of sin, and brought in an everlasting righteousness;" yet, there is a condition required from us,-not a condition of merit, as before stated, for what need is there to add to that which is already infinite ?—not a condition of purchase, for God purchased the Church with his own blood, but a condition of connection; just as in the case of rebels pardoned by a sovereign's clemency, it is necessary that they credit the assurance of pardon, submit to his mercy, and return to their allegiance; or, as in the munificence of the philanthropist, it is necessary, that the prisoner believe in the bounty of his deliverer, who hath paid his ransom, and is ready to strike off the galling chain of his captivity. So it is necessary that we, who are by nature rebels against the majesty of heaven, credit the assurance of our sovereign's mercy, submit to his terms, and throw ourselves upon his a boundless debt; the wages of sin is death,grace. We are charged with spiritual death here, and everlasting destruction hereafter; it is requisite that we receive as faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation," the gracious declaration, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, that he paid their debt, that he destroyed death, and him that had the power of death, and that whosoever shall take refuge in him shall be saved. a Men believe divine truth, and, in all the coldness of indifference, speculate upon its nature: this cannot be faith; such faith even devils possess, for they believe, and, moved with fear, they tremble. True faith is a divine principle wrought in the heart by the Holy Spirit, and works invariably by love. "The truth as it is in Jesus" is believed, its power is felt, the understanding is not only enlightened, but the heart is warmed, it is moved by love. To believe with the heart, is to be persuaded that there is salvation in no other than in Jesus; to hail him as a Saviour altogether such as we need, such as we wish. There prevails a fatal delusion on this subject; men | content themselves with a simple assent to the truths of Christianity; be assured this cannot be faith; faith has an assimilating influence; "beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, the believer is changed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord." Do you thus believe? is love to the Redeemer the moving impulse of your obedience? is affection for his pure and holy law the characteristic of your lives? then see to it, that your faith increase; it will do so by exercise; we cannot exercise confidence without an increase of godliness. Oh let the affecting truth, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life," impress your hearts; believing, you will grow in affection; delighting in your Saviour, your love will increase; loving him, you will keep all his commandments. upon us to credit his message of mercy, to in dulge the hope of acceptance, to say of his be loved Son, "He is all my salvation and all my desire." We again present our inestimable Re deemer, and we ask for Him your hearts; on Him the Father centres his delight; on Him do you centre your hopes, wishes, and prospects; meeting God in his Son, all shall be peace. Behold: God is reconciled in him, he waits to be gracious; it is our part to fix the imploring eye of faith upon the Saviour of men; faith brings in its very exercise the elements of salvation; faith directed to Jesus, "purifies the heart;" and now, if with the confidence of the heart we believe in Him, "we shall not perish, but have everlasting life." SCRIPTURAL RESEARCHES. No. III. THE EXTENT AND THE LIMITATION OF BY THE REV. JAMES ESDAILE, Minister of the East Church, Perth. the shattered relics of vast power, we are unhappy and WHEN we happen to fall in with extensive ruins, and discontented if we cannot discover the cause of the and literature of the fallen nations. The wrecks of We notice the freeness of this salvation. The Lord Jesus Christ is pre-eminently a gift; there is no exception to the validity of any one's title; all are warranted, encouraged, besought to embrace this great salvation. It is great, for it is offered by Almighty God; it is great, for its value exceeds human conception-it was purchased terrible catastrophe which prostrated so much splendour by the blood of God incarnate; it is great, for in the dust; we imagine that we have lost some mateits chief design embraces deliverance from eterrial link in the world's improvement. These regrets nal wrath. Great as it is, it is given with perare vain; and neither reason nor philosophy will warfect freeness; nay, it is pressed upon rant us to conclude that the world has sustained any the acceptance of every creature who hears its joyful sound. great injury by the loss of the history, arts, science, By what means shall we urge you to accept empires form the most valuable annals of their history, this inestimable gift? Shall we reiterate the love for they proclaim this important truth, that the power of God, and tell you that this is heightened by of man is but as stubble when exerted in opposition to every attendant circumstance? If we think of the will and appointments of heaven. That this was the character of all the ancient nations, is evident from Him who so loved us, was ever excellence like the nature of the works which constituted their glory, his? if we think of the gift, it is his only beand which, even in their mutilated state, excite the adgotten Son; if we think of the manner of bemiration of modern times: for the most splendid restowing this gift, it was a gift of richest, freest mains of their architecture consist of the temples and grace; rich, because the Son of God possesses shrines of idol worship; their most exquisite statuary in himself all the riches of the godhead; free, is employed in the representation of some impure deibecause the donor is so transcendantly great, and the gift so ineffably precious, that if bestowed upon man, it must be free. A deadly lethargy hath seized upon the minds of men, otherwise they would bound towards so incomparable a Saviour. We put it to every man's conscience, are not the specimens of true and practical godliness rare? We put it to every man's conscience, if his character bears a resemblance in principle and conduct to the Son of God. The eye of God penetrates the heart, his knowledge extends to its secret emotions. If a man is destitute of faith he must perish; and would he perish while free grace is tendered to him in all the munificence of the God of all grace? Then do we say, that the condemned rebel loves his chains, spurns the offers of his sovereign's clemency, and chuses to die with the rebellion rankling in his heart. Our God is a mighty sovereign, his compassion is as boundless as his greatness," He so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son for us." He calls ty, or in the embodied personification of some of the foulest conceptions of a polluted mind. Shall we say that these remains had better have perished with the nations which produced them? No, they read this lesson to all succeeding generations, that they shall be confounded who trust in graven images ; that vice and effeminacy undermine a nation's strength; and that "for these things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience." This is all that it is necessary for us to know. What a mercy it is that their literature is lost! that we have not to wade through such sinks of pollution, and sloughs of depravity as we must have encountered, had the literary remains of the Assyrians, Babylonians, Egyptians, Canaanites, &c. come down to our times. We could well spare a great deal of the elegant literature of Greece and Rome; and I am rather inclined to think that the world is under essential obligations to the bigotted Mussulman who burnt the celebrated library of Alexandria; if some knowledge was lost, a world of filth and rubbish was swept away along with it. If we had the annals of every nation complete, the benefit derived from reading them would not repay the loss of time spent in the perusal; and, so far as profitable knowledge is concerned, we would only learn, that which is duly inculcated by the Word, and by the dis |