How are we amazed when we view ourselves in this state! "As the soul that sinneth it shall die," says the prophet; when we compare the righteousness, holiness, and purity of that Being whom "no man shall see without holiness; (e) knowing also that whatsoever the law says, it says to them who are under the law; "that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world become guilty before God." But ah! we must not begin to despair, because our sins have so long separated between us and our God. Look upon him who is spreading out his arms to receive us. He who is gracious and full of compassion; "who hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, but that we should repent and live!" (f) He came to receive sinners; yea, "to seek and to save that which was lost;" to bring home straying souls to the Father; to be the great peace-maker be

(e) Heb. 12. 16.

(ƒ) Ezek. 18, 32.

tween God and man. Let us resolve to flee to him for life and salvation.

Behold he is standing and knocking at the door of our hearts, if we will but hear and open unto him; that he may indeed come in and sup with us, and we with him. Let us be willing to obey this secret voice in the soul, that we may come to know this hidden mystery, Christ in our hearts the hope of glory; and feel an assurance that all old things are done away, and that all things are become new. That he may become our father, and that we may be his children. If we must not sit at his table, let us be willing to gather up the crumbs from it. Surely there is bread enough and to spare. Christ the true bread of life is enough for all. "For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world." (g) Let us earnestly crave this bread from heaven; for "he that

(g) John, 6. 33.

cometh to me shall never hunger," says our Holy Redeemer," and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” If we feel ourselves weary and heavy laden with sin, he hath promised, if we come unto him, he will give us rest. If we are willing to have our ways directed by his statutes, we shall find his ways to be ways of pleasantness, and all his paths peace; and “that his yoke is easy and his burden light."

Let us come to this Mediator between God and our own souls, who said, "if I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin, but now they have no cloke for their sin." Has he not waited. long, that he might discover himself to us, when we knew it not, or did not regard it? It is he who " pities us in our sorrows; and delights in us when we delight in him." Can and ought we not to delight in him? Only look around, for wherever we are we may think on him. Cast our eyes which way we will, we can scarcely look on any

thing but our Saviour has taken the name

of that very thing upon himself.

Is it day? He is called

and do we behold the sun? the Sun of Righteousness. Or is it night? and do we behold the stars? He is called a star; "There shall come a Star out of Jacob." Or is it morning? and do we behold the morning star? He is called "the bright Morning Star." Or is it noon? and do we behold clear light all the world over? He is "that Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world." If we look on the earth, and take a view of the creatures about us: do we see the sheep? "As a sheep before her shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth." Or do we see a lamb? "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the World."

Do we see a shepherd watching Sver his flock? "I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine." Or, do we see a fountain, rivers, wa* rs? He is called a fountain.

"In

Do

that day there shall be a Fountain opened to the house of David." Or do we see a tree good for food, or pleasant to the eye? He is called "the Tree of Life;" and "as the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my Beloved among the sons.” we see a rose, a lily? He is called a rose, a lily; "I am the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of the Vallies.” Are we adorning ourselves, and taking a view of our garments? He is a garment; "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." Are we eating meat, and taking a view of our table? "He is the true bread from heaven, the bread of life." Thus, wherever we look, we should ever think of him who should be our all in all. In him alone is comprised every comfort here below: all other things work our delight but as they look towards him. As a sick man does not feel the joy of a sound man's health, so neither does a stranger to Christ feel the joy of a believer in Christ. What are all the things in this transitory