the friends of God, we must set the Lord always before us, as our high example of devotedness to his Father; we must see him as crucified amongst us, as having put away sin by the sacrifice of himself; we must consider the apostle and high-priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, having entered once into the holy place, there to appear in the presence of God for us. We must consider him as enduring the contradiction of sinners against himself, lest we be wearied and faint in our minds. We must see him ascending up on high, and leading captivity captive, and receiving gifts for men, and enrich ourselves with his splendid gifts, which, like a triumphant conqueror, he so freely scatters among his followers. We must see him ever living to make intercession for us. We must look for, and hasten unto, the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to judgment; who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, when we shall be caught up by angels to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall ever be with the Lord. This spiritual knowledge of

Christ is the key to open the intercourse of heaven, and shut us into the presence of God. As the love of Christ dwells in us, so will our acquaintance be firm and perpetual. The apostle felt no constraining influence equal to this, and therefore bowed his knees daily unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for the Ephesians, that they might "comprehend, with all saints, what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that they might be filled with all the fulness of God." And his prayer for others corresponded with his own practice. He fed his altar with God's fire, and the flame never went out. His thoughts made Christ their centre, and his atonement the comfort which delighted his soul. Christ's death was his life; Christ's cross his crown; Christ's righteousness his glory; Christ's honour his aim. Hear him tell you how the life of acquaintance was perpetuated: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of

the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Would you, beloved, be intimate with God? Make Christ your alpha and omega. Encourage your hearts with repeated recollections that you are chosen in him, blessed in him, justified in him. Let this be your daily motto for perseverance in this heavenly friendship; "Seeing we have a great high priest, which is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession: for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted, like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

The second great truth to he especially remembered is, that

ACQUAINTANCE WITH GOD REQUIRES THE

INFLUENCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Sin breeds a distaste in the mind for the spiritual delights, which spring from the knowledge

of God. A sinner is as averse to acquaintance with God, as God is opposed to him. His ́ ways, pursuits, and thoughts, are all directly contrary to God's, and the language of every action is, "Depart from me, for I desire not a knowledge of thy ways." Else why are not his most reasonable commands delighted in? especially since man's happiness is inseparable from obedience to his precepts. The sinner beholds him as inexorably just, and ready to punish; and therefore can no more delight in his presence, than the guilty prisoner in that of his judge. He is so blinded to all his glorious perfections, that he can see no excellency worth enjoying. All his visits to his throne are mere drudgery, the effect of habit, or education, or slavish fear; and therefore, to this delightful spot, the theatre or card-table, household affairs or city business, the coffee-room or the walk of pleasure, are infinitely preferred. So estranged is the heart from himself, that nothing can bring it back again but his own divine influThe restoring of a lost sheep is the work of the shepherd; he must seek it, find it,

ence.

and place it in the fold, or it will wander still farther from home. Even afflictions, and judgments of the severest class, are insufficient to remedy this evil. The situation of Israel nationally was most afflicting. "Ah! sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the holy one of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward." And yet the prophet was so confident that nothing but the grace of God could accomplish their reformation and renovation, that he exclaims, "Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more.' The cup of bitterness is never the cup of salvation, if the water of life be not the principal ingredient. Volcanoes have poured forth their liquid fire, and devastated whole towns and neighbourhoods; the earth has opened her mouth, and swallowed up thousands; rivers have overflowed their banks, and swept away the property and lives of men; afflictions, bereavements, and troubles, like wave after wave, have visited families where God is not loved,

E