creatures are his people's servants. Though they are innumerable, and have among them thrones and dominions, principalities and powers, and the "least of them could wield these elements," "are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" What monarch is attended in his journies like the poorest, meanest child of God? "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

What right have Christians to despond? Is not he whom they serve continually able to deliver? Whatever be their straits and difficulties, he can find or make a way for their escape. That, at what time they are afraid, they may trust in him he has not only given them exceeding great and precious promises, but he has taught and encouraged them by examples. They can remember the years of the right hand of the Most High: and they know that ne is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

OCTOBER 15.-" And his rest shall be glorious."-Isaiah xi. 10.

We need not ask whose rest is here spoken of: for there can be no uncertainty respecting the appropriation. The whole chapter is a prophecy or promise of the incarnation and kingdom of the Messiah; and the verse from which these words are taken is expressly applied to him by Paul, in his Epistle to the Romans, and there is no other that could verify and fulfil it but himself: "In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek and his rest shall be glorious." But we may ask what is this rest of his, to which is ascribed such an attribute, or such an abstraction; for the n argin is, His rest shall be "glory,"

His rest includes that blessed state into which he entered after his mediatorial work on earth. Never was there such an enterprise as he had to accomplish: the execution of it would have been infinitely above the power of men and angels. But he could say to the Father, "I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." And what was the result?" He that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his:" the one reposing after the redemption of the world, as the other did after the creation; and each thereby giving rise, as the Apostle remarks, to a Sabbath-the one to the seventh and the other to the first day of the week. Who can imagine, so to speak, the refreshment and satisfaction of the Maker of all things, when he looked and "saw every thing that he had made, and behold it was very good." So Jesus having obtained eternal redemption for us, for ever sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. There he dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him. There he possesses the joy that was set before him, for which he endured the cross. There he sees his seed, and prolongs his days, and the pleasure of the Lord prospers in his hand. There he sees of the travail of his soul and is satisfied. There, for the suffering of death, he is crowned with glory and honour; angels, principalities, and powers being made subject unto him; and every name that is named, not

only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and his rest is glorious

His rest means his church. "This is my rest for ever, here will I dwell, for I have desired it." And whatever the world may think, "In Judah is God known: his name is great in Israel. In Salem also is his tabernacle, and his dwelling place in Zion. There brake he the arrows of the bow, the shield, and the sword, and the battle. Thou art more glorious and excellent than the mountains of prey." The glory of the Church does not arise from multitude without character, from riches and pomp, from splendid buildings and magnificent ceremonies. What glory would there be in a community dignified with all that is pagan, and all that is popish, yet destitute of the truth as it is in Jesus, of spiritual worshippers, of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? We read of " the Spirit of glory and of God" resting upon Christians. And the one explains the other. It is the Divine presence that ennobles as well as defends it: "I will be a wall of fire round about her, and the glory in the midst of her." With him is the fountain of life, and in his light we see light. But if the Church of Christ be glorious now, how much more glorious will it be found in a period which we are persuaded is already begun, when its numbers, and graces, and usefulness, shall be increased with "all the increase of God;" and the assu rances upon which our longing hopes repose shall be fulfilled: "The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation:" "Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound." "For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron." "I will make thee an eternal excellency, the joy of many generations"-His rest shall be glorious.

His rest also intends that repose into which he brings his follow

ers.

This rest indeed, as to its fulness and perfection, remains for the people of God in another life. And how glorious this will be exceeds the power of language to describe. Yet turn only to the representation of the angel to John. "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." But we which have believed do enter into rest and how glorious are the earnests, the foretastes, the beginnings of it, even here; when the understanding is freed from the perplexities of error and doubt; and the conscience is pacified from the horrors of guilt and the torments of fear; and the heart is delivered from unattainable and vexatious desires; and the will no longer resists the pleasure of the Almighty with regard to duty or events; and the mind is kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God. The wicked are like the troubled sea, whose waves cast up mire and dirt; and what anxie

ties and disquietudes must men of the world feel, who have their portion in this life exposed to a thousand accidents and changes, and who have no confidence in God as presiding over all their concerns, so as to promote their welfare. But the believer's treasure is in heaven, beyond the reach of harm; and he knows also that all the ways of the Lord towards him are mercy and truth. He has cast all his care upon one who careth for him, and whose care is accompanied with infinite wisdom, power, and love. He therefore is careful for nothing, but feels a peace that passeth all understanding. His soul dwells at ease. He is satisfied with favour, and

filled with the blessing of the Lord.

Such is the Saviour we preach! This is the rest wherewith he causes the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing! His followers may have tribulation in the world, but in him they have peace. He will more than make them amends for all their services and sufferings in his cause-Yea, he has done it already. What they have been required to give up they have willingly resigned, for he has blessed them with advantages and pleasures infinitely richer and sweeter. They have meat which others know not of; they have joy which strangers intermeddle not with. He is not only their physician, but their friend; not only their refuge, but their consolation.

But what shall we say to those who neglect so great salvation? Can creatures content the cravings of immortality? Can any earthly successes or indulgences give you heart-felt repose? Could the whole world sustain and solace you when trouble comes? when your gourds wither? when your pulse intermits? and upon your eyelid sits the shadow of death? Such a moment will come; and then to whom will you flee for help, and where will you leave your glory? But he cries, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden." Venture upon his gracious invitation; and he will give you rest-rest unto your souls-AND HIS rest shall be glori

OCTOBER 16.-"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."-Matt. xxv. 34.

WHAT a delightful announcement! And how perfectly opposed to the tremendous sentence addressed by the King to them on his left hand: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." There, "ye cursed;" here,

ye blessed of my Father." There, "Depart from me;" here, "Come." There," Depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels;" here," Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Observe the character: "Ye blessed of my Father." Some bless themselves, and some are blessed by their fellow-creatures; but the great thing is to be blessed of God. How vain would be, in all our most important exigencies, the friendship of mortals, however kind or powerful they may be. But in his favour is life. Their blessing is wishes and words: his blessing is deeds and realities. In his blessing there is an actual communication: "He commandeth

the blessing, even life for evermore :" and they whom he blesses are blessed, and none can reverse it And how vain would the censure of the world be under the smiles of God! Let them curse, but bless thou!

But in what are they the blessed of his Father? It must be something peculiar and distinguishing. Temporal mercies they have in common with others. Even here indeed there is great difference as to efficiency and enjoyment. They have the good will of him that dwelt in the bush in their comforts: and because he "blesses the labour of their hand," and "blesses their bread and their water," therefore "a little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked:" for "the blessing of the Lord it maketh rich" without abundance, and “he addeth no sorrow with it." But what says the glowing thanksgiving of the Apostle? "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." He has redeemed them from the curse of the law; justified them from all things; called them by his grace. He feeds them with the bread of life; adorns them with the garments of salvation; and gives them the earnests and foretastes of immortality.

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Observe the invitation: "Come, ye blessed of my Father." Men, if judged by their dispositions and actions, often say unto him, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways." But what is now their desire will hereafter be their misery. Now they have diversions, but then they will be abandoned to thought, and feel themselves in a condition in which nothing could avail them but his friendship. O the dreadfulness in that day of being renounced for ever by him!-But what a heaven will there be in the sound," Come!" The invited were once without him, and far from him and hence their degradation and wretchedness. He pitied them even then, and was concerned to bring them to himself. He therefore said, Come, ye poor, and I will relieve you; come, ye sick, and I will heal you; come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Come to my cross; come to my throne; come to my house; come to my table; and I will in no wise cast you out. And thus their intercourse with him began-and how is it carried on?-and how will it be completed? In the same way" Come." Here they were made to feel their absolute need of him; here they sought him; here they often asked others, "Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?" Here they also found him and enjoyed him-But all their desires and their hopes were not perfectly accomplished. Now they have reached the end of their faith, and are satisfied. "Come," says he, "come" to my immediate presence, "come" to my bosom, come," and be for ever with the Lord-" Come, ye blessed of my Father."

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Observe the induction: "Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Every word is significant. The possession. Not a mansion, an estate, a city, a province; but a portion more extensive and dignified, and suited to the highest ambition of the soul, a 66 kingdom." The qualification: "Prepared for you." It was not a natural endowment, or an easy acquisition. How many things were to be removed, and how much was to be done and suffered by an agency and passiveness the most illus

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trious. "I go," said he, " to prepare a place for you :" and his ascension was necessary, and his death was necessary, and his obedience was necessary, and his incarnation was necessary, and all the dispensations of his grace and providence were necessary to the full salvation of a soul. The earliness of the provision: Before the foundation of the world." How impossible was it that we should be saved by works of righteousness that we had done! All was purposed, planned, promised, secured, not only without our desert, but without our desire, and ages and ages before our existence-The grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

Observe the season of enjoyment: "Then." Here they walk by faith, not by sight. If they build tabernacles here they are soon taken down; and a voice is heard, "Arise, and depart hence, for this is not your rest." Every thing leads them forward. Now they sow in tears; then they will reap in joy. Now they run; then they obtain the prize. Now they fight the good fight of faith; then they will lay hold of eternal life. Now are they the sons of God, but it doth not yet appear what they shall be. They are princes, but the world knoweth them not. Like David they are anointed, but not crowned-But "then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

And having these promises let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Let us walk worthy of him who hath called us unto his kingdom and glory. Especially let the prospect animate us in all our religious course. It was this language that influenced so powerfully the first Christians. They thought they always heard and their faith, their conscience always did hear-" Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." And this enlivened them in duty. This raised them above worldly losses. This sustained them in every trouble, emboldened them in every conflict, and made them in all these things more than conquerors through him that loved them. Ah! said they, "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."

OCTOBER 17.-"There salute thee Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus; Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen."-Philemon 23, 24, 25.

THUS closes this short and very interesting Epistle, and which does so much honour to the humility, and kindness, and wisdom, and godliness of the Apostle. It ends with a salutation from his connexions, and a benediction from Paul himself.

The salutation regards Philemon, and comes from five persons mentioned by name.

The first is "Epaphras." He had been a faithful minister in the Colossian church, and did not forget them when he was absent