Not less(22) His presence now, the mystic height
Which veils His majesty from mortal sight:

Nor less in fear should we approach to view

His secret ways, to seek what he would do,
For none His thoughts can fathom, none can find
The depths of His all comprehensive mind :

Too great perfection here for fallen man,

Whose ways are vanity, whose life's a span.
Nay, we would ask, (23) should the frail vessel know
Why it was form'd, or who could make it so?

Why thus in weakness judge of what is right
With one All-wise, Eternal, Infinite,

(22) God is a God that hideth himself: we cannot by searching find out God. "Verily thou art a God that hideth thyself: O God of Israel, the Saviour."-(Isaiah xlv. 15.) "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection? It is as high as heaven, what canst thou do? Deeper than hell, what canst thou know ?”— (Job xi. 7-8.) "If I have told you earthly things, (said Christ to Nicodemus) and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things ?"-John iii. 12.

(23) "Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour and another unto dishonour?"-Romans ix. 20-21.

Who fram'd the world-a God to rule alone,

Earth as his footstool, and the heavens a throne.

It is enough, God hath reveal'd His will;(24)
Be ours the task each mandate to fulfil.
To praise His name for those glad sounds of
Which bade the night of superstition cease;
And if upon the mirror now we see

A doubtful prospect(25) of what is to be,

peace,

(24) The unassisted efforts of human reason cannot avail to man's salvation; and as utter ignorance of God's will to man reigned in the heart until the light of revelation came, so (though it be blessed with much knowledge of the truth) God's more secret dealings with mankind must yet remain beyond their comprehension. "Revelation (says Horne, in his introduction to the Bible) was necessary, from the utter inability of mere human reason to attain any certain knowledge of the law of God, of the true happiness of man, or of a future state, as is evident from the endless differences and inconsistencies which prevailed among the most celebrated philosophers of antiquity, some of whom taught immoral doctrines, while the influence of all was very inconsiderable both in rectifying the notions, and in reforming the lives of mankind."

(25) "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."-1 Cor. xiii. 12.

Can but in part discern our future state,

Or read the pages of the book of fate,

Let hope and faith support and cheer us on,
Until the wish'd-for prize at length is won ;—

Till hope be certainty, till faith has cast

Her anchor forth to hold our vessel fast

Upon some friendly shore, some glad retreat,

Where sin's too fearful waves no more can beat.
For sin, thou art indeed a troubled sea,
On which frail man embarks his destiny;
Toss'd to and fro beneath thy angry strife,
His heart desponding scarcely clings to life,
Were not his spirits buoy'd upon thy wave
By trust in Him who hath the pow'r to save.
His shipwreck'd hope may then be on the brink
Of fearful death, but still it cannot sink;

For in that faith, let every whirlwind sweep,
Christ yet again will bid the ocean sleep :(26)

(26) "And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind, and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and there was a calm."-Luke viii. 24.

Come with a contrite heart,(27) he saith, and live;

Whate'er your sins may be, I will forgive;
Come unto me, for I will yet invite,

And change your scarlet sins to purest white.(28)

I will the naked clothe, and hungry feed,
Nor quench the flax, or break the bruised reed.(29)
I am the Lord, and will uphold and cheer
Thy sinking heart, and wipe away each tear ;(30)
Make the wild waste, where not a flower grows,
A rich and fertile garden for the rose ;(31)

(27) "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."—Psalm li. 17.

(28) "Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."Isaiah i. 18.

(29) “ A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory." -Matthew xii. 20.

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(30) ❝ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”Revelation vii. 17.

(31) "Who turneth the wilderness into a garden, and maketh it bloom and blossom as the rose."-Isaiah.

An heritage for those who love me well,

Where they shall flourish, and for ever dwell.
If pain and care hang heavy on thy breast,
Come unto me, and I will give thee rest ;(34)
And from my humble spirit learn to be

In lowliness and meekness like to me.

Though the rough thorn and thistle may be seen(35)
On man's abode, which fertile might have been.
And he must till with lab'ring hand the field,(36)
Which meagre produce of its fruit should yield,
Though it be cursed for his sake, and care
Awaits his short appointed sojourn there.
There is a city(37) yet, whose sacred wall,

Built by its founder, God, shall never fall;

(34) "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me: for I am meek and lowly in heart."-Matthew xi. 28.

(35) "Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field."-Genesis iii. 18.

(36) "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, until thou return unto the ground." "Cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life."Genesis iii.

(37) "For he looked (says St. Paul, when speaking of Abra

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