works. This blessing he has in his bible. The more he can mix faith with it, the more precious it becomes. His bible is his library. The study therein makes him wise for eternity: which is the superlative excellency of bible knowledge, of which Jesus thus speaks, "Blessed is the man that heareth me, watcheth daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors: for whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord."

Thus in the use of means he is kept humble and dependent, exercising the true gospel poverty of spirit in self-abasement, and so far from being stopped that he rather glories and triumphs in his infirmities. The opposition which they give helps him forward, they are always driving him out of self to Christ, teaching him the necessity of the supplies of the Spirit, making him more diligent, and keeping him more humble in the use of the means. And thus he learns to live more by faith upon Christ, and to seek more close communion with him, and

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his fulness, especially at his table. He does not absent himself from it, because he has not the fellowship there, so close, intimate, and abiding, as he could wish, or because the last time he was there he was not so lively as he used to be, or because he was unworthy, and full of complaints. He has tasted that the Lord is gracious: and this taste has increased his hunger and thirst, the food which he wants, he does not carry with him, but he goes to receive it. When he hears his Lord's command-Take, eat this bread-drink this cup-do ye this in remembrance of me-he obeys, believing the promise: this is my body given for you : this is my blood shed for you. The more faith in the promise, there will be the more appetite, and the more nourishment received from the spiritual food; for then the Holy Spirit puts his influence into the elements, and the communicant eats the flesh of Christ indeed, and drinks his blood indeed, having by faith communion with him in the bread and wine. At this table the believer is fed, nourished, and feasted with the bread that

cometh down from heaven, even angels' food: for he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. According to the Lord's own promise, "Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." The believer has this in his eye, both in what the banquet is now, and in what it is the pledge and earnest of, when it shall be realized. Faith gives a substance to the things promised and hoped for. It has the earnest and the pledge of them. As certainly as we have the one, so certainly shall we have the other. A faithful God gives us this security-whoso is one by faith with Jesus shall sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb: whoso eateth and drinketh at his table here in faith, shall infallibly eat and drink with him at his table in his kingdom of glory. The sure and certain hope of this makes our present feast at the Lord's supper an happy foretaste of that eternal banquet, when he will vouchsafe to admit us to the honours of his table, and of his kingdom. O blessed, most blessed time! The prospect is animating, it brightens the darkest day of affliction, refreshes the spirits under the heaviest trials, and is a rich cordial under the deepest feeling of indwelling sin. Where Christ is, all is blessed. Union with him is heaven begun, and this the believer is called to enjoy: even to enjoy communion with him in all he is and has. Christ is one with him. Christ will not leave him nor forsake him: nothing is able to separate the members from the head. He who has begun the good work has given the fullest security that he will not leave it unfinished. He will carry it on unto the end: for he is faithful who hath promised. And the apostle applies the words spoken to Joshua, and says that they were spoken also to us, that we might trust and not be afraid: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein. For then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong

and of a good courage. Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest." And he went out strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. He fought the Lord's battles, and prospered, until the whole land was subdued before him. There failed not aught of any good thing, which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass. Even so shall it be to the whole Israel of God. Every good soldier of Christ Jesus shall be kept safe by his almighty power, and under his banner shall fight the good fight of faith, until he obtains the promised inheritance, which is incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them. He has taken possession of it in their name, as their surety, and not one of them can perish: for he keeps the inheritance for them, and them for it: yea, the day is hastening on, when he will present all his redeemed unto the Father. " Of those whom thou hast given me have I lost none; behold I, and the children

whom thou hast given me."

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