the ransomed church of Christ; the new creation of God; the citizens of the New Jerusalem. And to this city we are said to be come even now (that is, by faith); and, looking for that new heaven and that new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness, it is fitting that our name should correspond with our state; and in the kingdom of God and of the Lamb, that Holy Name shall be written, not only upon the tablets of the heart-not only upon the inward principles and affections-it shall give forth its radiance, and shine as a coronet of glory, and a diadem of beauty, on the head of the blessed inhabitants of Zion. For behold! "God Himself will be with them, and be their God;" and they shall see, and they shall reflect His glory. Then will the word that He hath spoken be fulfilled-the word of Him that sits upon the throne: "Behold! I make all things new!" The tabernacle of God will be with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people; and God

himself shall be with them, and be their God, &c.; and they shall see His face, and His NAME shall be in their foreheads.". Rev. xxi. 2, 3, 4; and xxii. 4.

Fix on my brow thy sacred seal;
And let my life my Lord proclaim;
And to my inmost soul reveal

The hidden glories of thy Name.

FOURTH DAY.

"GOD IS LOVE; AND HE THAT DWELLETH IN LOVE DWELLETH IN GOD, AND GOD IN HIM."-1 John iv. 16.

"Love is the fulfilling of the law;" and the law is a transcript of the divine perfections. Love worketh no ill-it worketh good it is communicative goodness. GoD is in himself, GOOD; infinite, eternal, unchangeable, unmingled GOOD. But, when it is said, "GOD is LOVE;" an object is supposed, or objects, for whose benefit that good is going

forth. Love is goodness in the act of blessing :-"I will bless thee," said God to Abraham, "and thou shalt be a blessing:"-blessing, and blessed. And this is urged upon believers as a gospel motive for love, and pity, and courtesy (1 Pet. iii. 9). Believers are bid to be perfect, as their Father in heaven is perfect-merciful, as He is merciful—kind, as He is kind—to the unthankful and to the evil; yet, this does not preclude the selection of the judgment; the preference of the heart; the love of complacency in those with whom the feelings are in unison. God himself has those in whom He takes especial delight; and with whom he holds the closest communion. And they who love God, will love with the purest and strongest affection all those who most resemble Him—all good and holy beings; and will delight in them in proportion as they bear His image. Again: This does not set aside, nor weaken, the flow of the natural affections; on the contrary, they are regulated and enforced from higher

and holier motives than those of nature, or those of merely self-gratification. Where there is the love of God, there will be the love of kindred, for the relative ties are formed by God himself: and every one of the different relations of life, does powerfully and significantly serve to shadow forth what He is to His people, and what they are to Him. And with regard to all other creatures, love will take the form of kindness, benevolence, or pity, according to their character, condition, or circumstances; and according to the opportunity afforded, and the power and ability possessed, will become the medium of good; for Love, being an active principle, wherever it may exist, it "worketh good;" "accounting it more blessed to give than to receive."

Though I but darkly in thy word
Discern the glory of my Lord;

may that little bind me still

To learn and do thy Holy Will,

As saints and angels do above,

Led by a principle of love;

Love to that Lord, who first loved me;
gave my soul His love to see.

Then

FIFTH DAY.

"LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. "-Rom. xiii. 10.

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'Love is the fulfilling of the law;" and "sin is the transgression of the law :" consequently, sin is a defect in love. And this may also be inferred from the tenor of our Lord's injunction to his disciples-" If ye love me, keep my commandments." They who love God with all "their heart, and soul, and strength, and mind," cannot wilfully or willingly transgress against Him; and they who love their neighbour as themselves, cannot intentionally or deliberately do him an injury. Love is therefore the sanctifying principle; and properly termed in the Scrip