two parties in the conjugal union. The Holy One, therefore, became bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, that he might effect that union. For he “ loved the church, and gave himself for it,” which he could not have done in any nature but the human ; " that he might sanctify and

“ cleanse it with the washing of water by the word; that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.”* And could the Lord Jesus accomplish this, unless he were truly and properly divine ?

What may not every member of a church so loved, so redeemed, so blessed what may not I expect from my Saviour, by virtue of this most endearing of all relations? By his own bleeding hand washed, in the blood of his own pierced heart, from all my guilt; renewed in my sinful nature by his Holy Spirit; and destined by his unalterable choice to share with him the glory of his heavenly state, I am permitted (O mysterious joy!) to exult in the knowledge that he takes a complacent delight in me : “ For as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” + I may look for all that is tender in affection, all that is faithful and un

changeable in love, and all that is secure in protection, from my Saviour. I may sit down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit shall be sweet to my taste; for his " banner over me is love,' ," and that love is subject to no variable

ness.

O my Saviour, how may I blush and be confounded at a review of my unfaithfulness and inconstancy towards thee! Where shall I hide my shame-covered face? Where, but in thine own bosom of pitying and forbearing love? There thy kiss of peace assures the repenting soul of thy free pardon. “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."+ Humbled and instructed by the past, may I never desert thee again, or suffer one unfaithful thought to harbor in my breast.

66

Appeared the ransomed church, when, all complete,
Descending from her God, down heaven's bright road,
The Prophet's eye beheld her, full prepared,
Adorned for her husband as a bride.
That robe, wove by the hand that bled and died
Washed white (mysterious process!) in its blood
Awaits her now, ere long to be assumed.
No tear shall ever stain that bridal vest,
Nor sorrow o'er its lustre cast a shade,
Nor death defile it in the grave's dark dust.
A member, though the least, a member still
Of this betrothed church, my soul shall wear
The wedding garment, and with humble joy
Sit at the marriage supper of the Lamb.*

JEHOVAH.

My SAVIOUR is JEHOVAH. Thus runs the directory of faith. “ Trust ye in the Lord forever;

for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."* In the Lord, viewed merely as God, my guilty, timid soul could never trust.

I must shrink from the thought, and from the very touch of his strength, knowing that it would be employed against me, in vindication of his own law. Jehovah incarnate, in the person of the Son, is the allowed, the commanded object of my confidence. As I am to exist through eternity, as the stream on which I am embarked will carry me on forever, and my weakness as a creature will never leave me, my soul needs everlasting strength, on which to repose ; and this it has in the Lord Jesus. From him it will emanate to me, as the sap from the tree to the branches, water

from the spring, and heat and light from the

sun.

My Saviour has all the titles of Jehovah. The great I AM,* who commissioned Moses to humble Pharaoh, and to deliver his people Israel, stood in human form before the Jews, and proclaimed his own divine majesty in those memorable words, "Before Abraham was, I am.”+ By the words of his mouth, and the wonders of his hand, and the mighty works of his own Spirit, he vindicated his claim to the august name of Emanuel,· Deity ever present with his people; their strength, their all in all.