merry and glad in those troublesome days, the which be sent of God to declare our faith, and to bring us to the end and fruition of that which we hope for. If we would enter into the Lord's sanctuary, and behold what is prepared for us, we could not but desire the Lord to hasten the day of our death, in the which we might set forth by true confession his glory. Neither should we be afraid to meet our adversaries, which so earnestly seek our spoil and death, as Christ did Judas and that wicked rout which came to apprehend him, saying, "I am hc whom ye seek." It is commanded us by the Gospel, not to fear them that can kill the body, but to fear God, who can cast both body and soul into hell fire. So much we are bound to observe this commandment as any other which God hath given us. The Lord increase our faith, that we fear God more than man. The Lord give us such love towards him and his truth, that we may be content to forsake all and follow him. Now will it appear what we love best; for to that we love we will stick.

There is none worthy to be counted a Christian except he can find in his heart for Christ's sake, if the confession of his truth doth require it, to renounce all which he hath and follow him; and in so doing he gaineth an hundred fold more in this life (as our Saviour said to Peter,) and hereafter is assured of eternal life. Behold, I pray you, what he loseth, which in this life receiveth an hundred for one, with assurance of eternal life. O happy change! perchance your outward man will say, If I were sure of this great recompence here I would be glad to forsake all. But where is this hundred fold in this life to

be found? Yes truly, for instead of worldly riches which thou dost forsake, which be but temporal, thou hast found the everlasting riches of heaven which be glory, honour, and praise before God, angels, and men; and for an earthly habitation hast an eternal mansion with Christ in heaven; for even now thou art of the city and household of the saints with God, as it is verified in the fourth to the Philippians. For worldly peace, which can last but awhile, thou dost possess the peace of God which passeth all understanding; for the loss of a few friends thou art made a fellow of the innumerable company of heaven, and perpetual friend of all those that died in the Lord from the beginning of the world. Is not this more than an hundred fold? Is not the peace of God which we in this world have through faithful imitation of Christ (which the world cannot take from us,) ten thousand fold more than those things that most highly be esteemed in this world without the peace of God? All the peace of the world is no peace, but a mere anguish and a gnawing fury of hell: as of late God hath set example before our eyes, to teach us how terrible an evil it is to forsake the peace of Christ's truth, which breedeth a worm in conscience that never shall rest.

O that we would weigh this with indifferent balances ! Then should we not be dismayed at this troublesome time, neither sorrow after worldly manner for the loss which we are now like to sustain, as the weak faithless persons do which love their goods more than God, and the things visible above those which be invisible; but rather would heartily rejoice and be thankful that it pleased God to call us to be

soldiers in his cause against the works of hypocrisy, and to make us like unto our Saviour Christ in suffering, whereby we may assure ourselves of his eternal glory for "Blessed are they," saith Christ, "that suffer persecution for righteousness' sake." And as St. Paul witnesseth to Timothy, "If we die with Christ, we shall live with Christ; and if we deny him, he will deny us.

O that we would enter into the veil of God's promises! Then should we, with St. Paul to the Philippians, reject all, and count all things but for dross, so that we may gain Christ. God, which is the lightener of darkness, and putter away of all blindness, anoint our eyes with the true eye-salve, that we might behold his glory, and our eternal felicity which is hidden with Christ, and prepared for us that do abide in his testament: for blessed is that servant, whom the Master when he cometh (as Christ said) doth find faithful. Let us therefore watch and pray one for another, that we yield not in any point of our religion to the antichristian synagogue, and that we be not overthrown by these temptations. (To be Continued.)

THE world dares say no more for its Device than While I live I hope;' but the Christian can say, Whilst I die I hope.'

GOD is not only the most bountiful but the most frugal of all Beings, nothing being wasted, nothing lost in his hands. The leaf that falls in Autumn is preserved to minister to the fruitfulness of the coming year-Howels.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls; who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it."-Matth. xiii. 45, 46.

IN the chapter whence we have selected the subject of our present meditation, a variety of striking parables are made use of by our adorable Redeemer to illustrate the nature and importance of the Gospel kingdom which he was come to establish in the world, and set up in the hearts of men. The method of conveying spiritual instruction by parable was frequently adopted by our blessed Lord in the days of his flesh, because it was a method well calculated to interest the attention and engage the heart. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man

seeking goodly pearls." Here is the character of mankind in general: they are seeking goodly pearls ; each one separately engaged in the pursuit of something that he believes when attained will make him happy. Some are toiling in the pursuit of riches, others are aiming at earthly honour and distinction, others again are engaged in the laborious pursuit of learning and science; and a fourth class in the eager restless chase of pleasure and carnal gratification. These are the "goodly pearls" which unrenewed and unconverted men invariably prize, and assiduously seek after. But all these objects of general pursuit, nay every mere earthly object whatever, all are found by sad experience insufficient to yield in possession the happiness and satisfaction which they promised in anticipation. There is however one goodly pearl deservering of the name, it is Jesus Christ, "the pearl of great price :" it is found in the gospel treasury. Jesus Christ is there revealed in all his fulness, beauty, and suitableness: he is felt to be inestimably precious by those who experimentally and savingly know him. In Christ are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge:" he is of God by divine appointment and designation made unto his believing people" wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." In Christ there is every thing to supply the wants and necessities of humble and penitent sinners: there is pardon for the guilty, righteousness for the polluted, grace and strength for the weak, consolation for the afflicted, and eternal glory the promised inheritance of heaven. If such be the Redeemer's value, how justly may he be called The pearl of great price," incalculably precious