and offer thy gift." "The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Though Elisha was animated by religious zeal, yet as there was some passionateness of his own mixed with it, when he said to Jehoram, "As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee;" the spirit of prophecy could not descend upon him, till he had called for a minstrel to compose and soften him. What can we do without the help of the Holy Spirit? But that Spirit is a spirit of love, and is held forth by the emblem of a dove. Therefore says our Apostle, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

The Fourth is, confidence. This is also negatively expressed: without "doubting." This requires us to pray in faith. "Let him ask in faith nothing wavering." "Let us draw near, in full assurance of faith." This is very distinguishable from a personal persuasion of our actual interest; but it is an encouragement against despair. We are to believe that he is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; that we are as welcome as we are unworthy; that he waits to be gracious, and never said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. It also takes in a belief of the lawfulness of what we implore. I could not pray in faith, if I prayed for assis tance and success in any enterprize which his word forbids; or in asking to be saved without being sanctified: for "this is the will of God, even our sanctification." "This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us."

We talk of being humbled for our sins--What think we of our duties? Can we reflect even upon our holy things, even upon our prayers themselves, and not cry, "Enter not into judgment with thy servants, O Lord, for in thy sight shall no flesh living be justified."

DECEMBER 22" And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see, And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."-2 Kings vi. 15-17.

THE king of Syria had resolved to punish Elisha, because as a prophet he divulged to the king of Israel all his warlike plans and designs, and thereby prevented the accomplishment of them. How sin infatuates!-otherwise a moment's reflection might have convinced him that the same God who had given Elisha supernatural knowledge could afford him supernatural protection. Yet, finding upon inquiry that the prophet was now in Dothan, "he sent thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about."

Elisha's servant first discovers the danger. But who was this

servant? We have no reason to believe that it was now Gehazi, whose avarice, fraud, and lying, his master had lately so awfully punished: "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow." Even exclusive of his distemper, Elisha would not have had such a servant any longer about him; but have said with David before him, "Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." Of the name of his new servant we are not informed, but it is here said, he "rose up early in the morning." New servants often behave best at first, especially in the article of early rising. Perhaps, however, it was a continued thing with him. This will be the case with a wise and good servant. By means of this he will do his work with ease and order. What confusion and hurry are often produced by beginning the concerns of the day an hour or two later, for the precious privilege of a little more insensibility!

What happened? When the servant had gone forth and saw the horses and chariots he ran back breathless, and exclaimed, "Alas, my master! what shall we do? We are in the hands of our enemies, and there is no way of escape."

Yet if the servant be terrified, the master is calm, and fears no evil. But a Godly man wishes others to be satisfied as well as himself; and he is no better than a brute, and wholly unworthy of his service, who feels no concern for the accommodation and comfort of his servant. To tranquillize him therefore, Elisha said, "Fear not for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." This only filled him with astonishment, for he saw no defenders of any kind near him. But "Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." What a number of reflections here offer themselves to our minds!

What were these horses and chariots of fire? The angels of God. "And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire." These were the convoy of Elijah. These were the body guard of Elisha. When Jacob went on his way the angels of God met him; and when he saw them he said, 'This is God's host." "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

We behold here an instance of the dominion and agency of God, in the opening of this man's eyes. He can suspend the use of any of our powers, or he can increase the use of them. He that endued us with the five inlets of perception, called the senses, could, as far as we know to the contrary, have given us fifty, as distinguishable from each other in their operations and objects as hearing and seeing. And who can tell, as Baxter (not the Divine) intimates, but that there is a faculty in the human system as adapted to an intercourse with the invisible world as our known senses are suited to the material existences around us, but which power is dormant unless when for some important end it is called into exercise? We are very im

perfectly acquainted with the mechanism of our physical constitu tion, and especially with the boundaries and contents of body and mind; for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. One conclusion is obvious-That it is irrational to deny the reality of every thing our present senses do not recognize. This valley was filled in the same way before the man could see it: his sight did not bring thither the celestial array, but only discerned it. Every sound, even thunder itself, is a nonentity to the deaf; fragrance has no existence as to the perception of those who are incapable of smelling; the colours of the rainbow might be denied by the blind: because they cannot hear or feel them. It has therefore been fairly argued from analogy that there may be numberless objects, real and near us too, but which, only for want of a suitable medium, we do not apprehend. As for those who believe the Scriptures, as well as the power of God, they must acknowledge that there is another world, and that there are agents whose influence is seldom or ever perceived by us, who yet have alliances with us, and are concerned in our affairs. May the Father of our spirits prepare us for a world of spirits!

We also here see the disadvantage of ignorance. In darkness we easily mistake every thing, and are sure to magnify whatever we suspect to be injurious. What therefore we deem some sprite or monster, upon the increase of light subsides into a stone, or root of a tree, or a harmless animal. This man's perturbation arose from his ignorance; as soon as he knew the truth of things, as soon as he saw things as they really were, he was tranquillized-and is not this the way to tranquillize Christians? Do not their alarms origina in their want of clearer views in religion? "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee; because thou, Lord, hast not for saken them that seek thee." They that "know" whom they have believed will be "persuaded that he is able to keep that which they have committed to him against that day."

And how safe are the Lord's people even in the midst of danger. He is a wall of fire round about them. He is the shield of their help, and the sword of their excellency, and their enemies shall be found liars unto them. Let us ascertain that we belong to him; and realizing our privilege, exclaim, "Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." "If God be for us, who can be against, us? THEY THAT BE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THEY THAT BE WITH THEM.

DECEMBER 23.-"Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord."-Jeremiah xxx. 21.

THIS is spoken, if not immediately, yet ultimately and supremely, of him to whom gave all the prophets witness.

Observe his work-It was to "approach" unto God. This he did as a man. How often do we read of his praying, which, with him, was never any thing less than a drawing near to God. But he is here spoken of as the mediator, and in the character of the High Priest of our profession. This was precisely the priest's business of old; it was to approach God mediatorially. Hence says God, "I will be sanctified in all that come nigh me." So when the persons

of the priests are spoken of, it is said to Aaron, "Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach." I dwell not here on the grounds of this exclusion, some of which were physical, some moral, some typical; but remark their work, to "offer," to "approach." And how? If the high priest had gone into the holy of holies, where God resided between the cherubim, without a sacrifice, he would have rushed upon a drawn sword. Therefore he first slew the victim, and then took the blood in a bason, and went in and sprinkled the mercy-seat, and burnt incense; upon which he came forth and blessed the people. Thus Jesus entered into the holy place, there to appear in the presence of God for us; not without blood; and not with the blood of bulls, and of goats, but with his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. There he entered, after making reconciliation for the sins of the people, to intercede for us, on the foundation of his atonement, and from thence to command the blessing, even life for evermore, on the Israel of God. But there was this difference between the type and the reality. The high priest of old offered for his own sins, as well as for those of the congregation. But Jesus had no personal guilt. He was harmless, holy, undefiled; and therefore he only bore our iniquity. The high priest offered oftentimes the same sacrifices, because they could not make the comers thereunto perfect: but Jesus, by the one offering up of himself, hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

For the accomplishment of this work, he "engaged his heart." Here we see willingness. His undertaking would not have been accepted, unless it had been voluntary. But he was not constrained; he said, Lo! I come to do thy will, O God. I delight to do thy will; yea, thy law is within my heart. The engaging of his heart expresses the strength of his affection and the firmness of his determination. The latter of these sprang from the former, and served to display it. Consider what he had to endure for thirty-three years as a man of sorrows; what he had to suffer in delivering us from the wrath to come, being made a curse for us. Yet though he knew all, he turned not away his back: yea, as his tremendous agony drew near, he said, "I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" The reason was, that perfect love casteth out fear. Love produces courage, even in the fearful bird and the timid sheep. They will attack their foe to defend their young. But how the mother ventures and hangs regardless of danger over the infected body of her child. Love is strong as death; many waters cannot quench love; neither can the floods drown it. But no love will bear a comparison with his—“ the love of Christ passeth knowledge."

And is he not worthy of attention? "Who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord"—Who indeed? "He is a wonder to all, both below and above." Many were astonished at him. Many treated him with scorn. He was to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness. Numbers do not feel their need of him though he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is still despised and rejected of men. But he was seen of angels, and all the angels of God worship him. They find no

thing in the annals of eternity and in the records of the universe that will bear a comparison with his sufferings and glory. Therefore they desire to look into these things: and every fresh gaze excites them to exclaim with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing.". And to them that believe he is precious. They inquire with joy and praise, "Who is this?" And they can return an answer to themselves-He is fairer than the children of men. He is the chief of ten thousand. He is altogether lovely. He is the consolation of Israel. He is the friend of sinners. He is the benefactor whose heart is made of tenderness, whose bowels melt with love. He is the King of glory. He is Lord of all. But who can declare his generation. No one knoweth the Son but the Father-He views him with infinite complacency. "Behold," says he, "my servant whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth." "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." "He hath put all things under his feet.” The question may be asked subordinately with regard to the Christian as well as with regard to Christ. There is a connexion and a resemblance between them; and they also are for signs and for wonders. They do not indeed approach God in a way of atonement. The work is done. The propitiation has been made, and we have only to plead it: the righteousness has been brought in, and we have only to submit to it. He opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers, and they have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. And this is their duty, their privilege, their character-they draw near to God; and they value ordinances as the means of communion with him.

For each of them has engaged his heart to do this. And it is this that yields him pleasure in the exercise and carries him through all difficulties and discouragements-" When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart answered, Thy face Lord will I seek." "O God, my heart is fixed, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise." But "who is this that has engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord." A creature once far off, but now made nigh by the blood of Christ: once regardless of the things that belonged to his peace, now seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. The subject of an internal welfare; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. The bearer of many afflictions. The scorn of the world. The most excellent and important creature upon earth. The heir of glory. The dignitary of eternity. "What! know ye not that the saints shall -judge angels ?"

DECEMBER 24.-"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us."-Ephes. v. 2.

THE admonition supposes a relative character. Various are the beings towards whom our love is to be exercised. God takes care for oxen, and hears the young ravens that cry: and a merciful man regardeth the life of his beast, and feels a tenderness even towards all the orders of creatures below his own nature. But we are ex