escaped! From how many assaults of the enemy have we been guarded! And how many of his designs have been defeated by an invisible and undeserved goodness. O how great ought our joy to be in thy love, and in thy salvation. To thee, O Lord, ought we to resign ourselves with the greatest willingness of heart, to hope and trust in thee at all times, and to study to glorify thee more and more, with our bodies and souls, which are thine. We desire no greater honour in this world, than to live to the praise and glory of thy grace in Christ Jesus; walking worthy of him who hath called us to thy kingdom and glory. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from everlasting to everlasting; and O may every heart before thee join in these songs of praise. Thus would we bless thee while we live, we would praise thee while we have any being! let the young praise thee, for thou art the guide of their youth-let the old praise thee, for thou art the length of their days-let all praise thee, for thy mercy endureth for ever and ever! Amen.

Meditation for Friday Morning.

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS.

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

"But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

"And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now; for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

"And Jesus when he was baptized, went up straitway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting upon him. And, lo, a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matt. iii. 13-17.

Thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness:-thus it becomes the penitent sinner to put off the old man and to put on the to die unto sin, and to rise unto newness of new, life!-Thus it becomes us to wash the body, in token of the purity of heart, without which none shall see God.-Thus it became him who is their leader, their pattern, and their guide, to leave them an example; to shew them the purity and holiness required in the gospel kingdom.

Blessed Jesus! thou art our example; not only of the outward and visible sign, but

of the inward and spiritual grace. While looking up and praying, he was preparing for his glorious offices;-preparing for that heavenly kingdom which was now to be founded; preparing to be king of Sion! king of saints!-He was preparing that great sacrifice that was to atone for the sins of the world;-preparing to perfect himself through suffering, that he might bring many sons to glory! While thus looking up and offering himself up for this great work, behold the heavens were opened unto him, and the Father shed abroad the light of his countenance; shed down the divine Spirit without measure upon him, as a spirit of might, and of power, the Spirit of adoption-Abba Father! what was the reply? Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

As such, blessed Jesus, may our souls receive thee, full of grace and truth; and we earnestly pray, that something of that holy unction may, from Christ our head, descend upon our souls; may this enlivening Spirit kindle its sacred flame there, with such vigour, that many waters may not be able to quench it; nor floods of temptation overwhelm us.

HYMN.

My dear Redeemer and my Lord,
I read my duty in thy word,
But in thy life the law appears
Drawn out in living characters.

Such was thy truth, and such thy zeal,
Such deference to thy Father's will,
Such love, and meekness so divine,
I would transcribe and make them mine.

Cold mountains, and the midnight air,
Witness'd the fervour of thy prayer;
The desert thy temptation knew,
Thy conflict and thy vict'ry too.

Be thou my pattern; make me bear
More of thy gracious image here,
Then God the judge shall own my name
Amongst the followers of the Lamb.

PRAYER

For Friday Morning.

Blessed Lord! thine we are, and thee we ought to serve. The obligations of thy law, and the endearments of thy love, render it our indispensable duty to be faithful in the work of the Lord. We thank thee that thy dear Son has gone before us in the work of righteousness, as our example, and it becomes us to follow at his call: may we walk as be

comes those upon whom thy name is called. May we be followers of Christ as dear children, and adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. May thy Almighty Spirit so write the law of holiness upon our minds, that it may be our meat and drink to do thy will, our pleasure and delight to go about doing good. In the callings to which thou hast directed us, may we abide with thee; not being slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Teach us the value of time, and enable us to improve it to the best advantage, in such duties as thou hast assigned us, how low or painful soever they may be. To thy glory, O Lord, may the labour of life be pursued; and to thy glory may the refreshments of it be sought and enjoyed: whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, may that end be still kept to thy glory. May our eyes be ever watchful to observe the descent of mercies from thee, and may a grateful sense of thy hand, and thy love in them, add a savour and relish to all. While in this world of trial, may we accustom ourselves to expect afflictions, and when they come, may we be reconciled to them, by remembering that they come from thee, and by firmly believing that the same love which gives us our daily bread appoints our daily crosses: may we learn to