lumns, the reasons why he ought not to be sorry for leaving this world. One of these columns contained the blessings that death would procure him: the other contained the evils from which death would deliver him. The first column had six heads. First, That he should come to the light. Secondly, That he should see God. Thirdly, That he should contemplate the Son of God. Fourthly, That he should understand those admirable mysteries which he could not comprehend in this life. Fifthly, Why we are created such as we are. Sixthly, What is the union of the two natures in Jesus Christ. The second column had only two articles: First, That he should sin no more. Secondly, That he should be no longer exposed to the vexations and rage of the divines.

Having received letters from Frankfort concerning the persecutions of some godly men in France, he said that his bodily disease was not comparable to the grief of his mind for his godly friends, and for the miseries of the church. Raising himself up in his bed, he cried out in the above language of the text for this day, "If God be for us, who can be against us." After this he prayed to

himself, and being at length asked if he would have any thing, he answered, "Nothing but heaven, therefore trou. ble me no more with speaking to me." He died April 19, 1560, in his 64th year.

February 17.

1 JOHN i. 7. The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

The great and useful missionary SWARTZ died 1798. He gives us the following practical illustration of the above passage. "A certain man on the Malabar coast," says he, had inquired of various devotees and priests, how he might make atonement for his sins, and at last he was directed to drive iron spikes, sufficiently blunted, through his sandals; and on these spikes he was directed to place his naked foot, and to walk 250 coss, that is, about 480 miles. If through loss of blood, or weakness of body, he was obliged to halt, he might wait for healing and strength. He undertook the journey; and while he halted under a large shady tree, where the gospel was sometimes preach

ed; one of the missionaries came and preached in his hearing from the above mentioned passage. While he was preaching the man rose up and threw off his torturing sandals, and cried out aloud, "This is what I want;" and he became a lively witness, that the blood of Jesus Christ does indeed cleanse from all sin.

Mr. Swartz directed his missionary exertions to a place where the inhabitants were collaries or professed thieves; and what was the consequence? Why we are told "that since Mr. Swartz had been among them so often, and had formed congregations in those parts, they had heard nothing of robberies."

February 18.

JER. XXXI. 9.

MATT. vi. 9.

LUTHER died 1546.

I am a father to Israel.
Our Father.

This great man's character and success are so well known that we need say nothing here. The following account will afford us an illustration of the above passages. He was one day catechising some country people in a village in Saxony; when one of the men repeated these words, I believe in God the Father Almighty, Luther asked him what was the signification of Almighty? The countrymen honestly replied, I do not know. Nor do I know, said Luther, nor do all the learned men in the world know; however, you may safely believe that God is your Father, and that he is both able and willing to save and protect yourself and all your neighbours." Leaving, therefore, all disquisitions on the nature of Deity, how delightful is it that we, though sinful creatures, can recognize him as our Father. This appellation has proved a source of comfort to many. When that excellent man, Mr. Murcot, was in great anguish, fearing that God was not his Father, these words were impressed on his mind, If I am not thy Father, why dost thou follow after me. Another time being troubled on the same account, these words came into his mind with power, If I am not thy Father, am I thine enemy? which afforded him some degree of relief. One who was seized with a violent fit of the stone and strangury, could say, “These afflictions proceed from a loving Father. I am a broken

vessel, fit for no work. Lord, I submit, I submit." Another, under the stone and gout, when asked about his health, would say, "I am upon my Father's rack." Thus we find God supports his people in the midst of their greatest difficulties, by giving them a view of his great love, intimate relations, and all-sufficient grace!

February 19.

JAMES V. 12. But above all things, my brethren, Swear not. PRINCE HENRY FREDERIC, son of James VI. of Scot land, and afterwards Prince of Wales, born, 1593. He died in the 19th year of his age; and was one of the most accomplished, learned, and pious princes of the age in which he lived. He had a great aversion to the profanation of the name of God; and was never heard to take it in vain. Being one day asked why he did not swear at play as others did? he answered, that he knew no game worthy of an oath. And on another occasion, he said, "All the pleasure in the world is not worth an oath." He ordered, that when any person in his family was heard to swear, he should be fined, and the money given to the poor; and that boxes should be kept for that purpose at each of his palaces.

February 20.

PHILIP. i. 23. Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ. Mrs. Rowe died 1737. "The righteous," says Solomon, "hath hope in his death." The sublime conceptions he has formed of the glories of a future state, and his firm dependence on Him who has purchased and secured them for his possession, pluck the sting from death, and triumph over the fears of humanity. In this world he has tribulation, but in the next he realises uninterrupted happiness. Here his best services are clogged with imperfection, and the clearest visions of his faith are obscure; in heaven he expects a perfect freedom in his praise and a beatific sight of his God face to face. It is said of Mrs. Rowe, that when her acquaintance expressed to her the joy they felt at seeing her look so well, and pos

sessed of so much health as promised many years to come; she was wont to reply, "that it was the same as telling a slave, his fetters were like to be lasting, or complimenting him on the strength of the walls of his dungeon." Dr. Maclaine was fifty years minister of the English Church at the Hague; but by the revolution in Holland in 1796, he took refuge in this country, where he died in peace and comfort. When informed that his disorder must be fatal, he replied, "You remember Socrates, the wisest and best of heathens, in this state could only express a hope mingled with anxiety and doubt; but blessed be God, though a grievous sinner, in retiring to that bed from which I shall rise no more, I know in whom I have believed. Death cannot separate me from the love of Christ, and in him to die is gain.'

If a heathen philosopher rejoiced that he should die because he believed he should see Homer, Hesiod, and other eminent persons, how much more do I rejoice, said a pious old minister, who am sure to see Christ my Saviour, besides so many wise, holy, and renowned patriarchs, prophets, and apostles.

February 21.

1 JOHN v. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

The celebrated Dr. Allix died 1717, aged 75. He was first minister of the Reformed Church at Rouen in France, and afterwards at Charentes, then the principal church of the Reformed, about a league from Paris. At the revocation of the Edict of Nantz, he took refuge in this country. He was particularly celebrated for his book in defence of the Trinity. His piece on the judgment of the ancient Jewish church against the Unitarians, in this controversy, and on the Divinity of Christ, made a considerable impression on the public mind. And however some may cavil at the doctrine; the proof from Scripture is not so difficult as many imagine.

Two gentlemen were once disputing on the divinity of Christ. One of them who argued against it, said, "If it

were true, it certainly would have been expressed in more clear and unequivocal terms." "Well," said the other, "admitting that you believed it, were you authorized to teach it, and allowed to use your own language, how would you express the doctrines to make it indubitable ?” " I would say," replied he, "that Jesus Christ is the true God." "You are very happy," rejoined the other, "in the choice of your words; for you have happened to hit upon the very words of inspiration. St. John, speaking of the Son, says, "This is the true God and eternal life.

1 was once arguing with a person on the same subject, and to prove ny position that Christ was God, I quoted this very scripture; which so confounded him that he said he did not think there was any such passage in John, as it was unlike his language. He said, however, that when he got home he certainly would examine that chapter and see for himself.

February 22.

GENESIS xlvii. 8. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou?

It is well sometimes seriously to reflect on our age and condition in life. Our days are but few, and they are rapidly hasting away. But should we be spared to extreme old age; to what purpose shall we live, if we live not to the glory of Him who is our kind Benefactor and best Friend? Our real life should be reckoned from the time of our devotedness to him, rather than from the time of our natural birth; for it may be truly said, if we live not to him, we are dead while we live. So thought the subject of the following relation. The son of a wealthy grazier in Rutlandshire (says a clergyman) was led by Providence to my church many years ago, and graciously drawn to the love of God our Saviour. From thence he became a frequent attendant, though living at a distance of twenty miles. The old man, his father, just then forescore, perceived the change that had taken place in his son, and on inquiry the son told him all the circumstances and signal blessings which had attended my preaching." Son," said the old man, "I wish I could hear the man myself; Do you think I can ride so far ?" Father," said he, "if you will go to cousin W. overnight on Saturday, I think you