was the first of these examples before the Law; Elijah under the Law; and Jesus Christ, our great leader, under the Gospel dispensation. God has been pleased to communicate the light, in each of these periods, after such a manner, that it has appeared gradually, till it came to shine out in its utmost splendour. It was a favourable prepossession for the faithful of the first world to see a good man vanish away, and be lodged, after sojourning upon the earth, in some better place than a tomb. It was yet a stronger presumption in favour of those who lived in the second period, to see the heavens opened for the reception of one of the prophets, who was carried up thither in a chariot of fire. But it is a demonstration to Christians, and, as it were, a taking possession of their expected happiness, to see the Author and Finisher of their faith rise triumphant over death and hell, and ascend into those mansions which he had purchased for them a !

Happy they who imitate righteous Enoch, walking with God, as he did; that, after this short life ended, they may follow their triumphant Re

с

2 Kings ii. 11.

d See Dodd's Bible.

deemer, and enjoy those seats of blessedness, which he is gone before to prepare for them!

Reader, copy the example of him of whom thou readest, "Walk with God;" that is, live as if in the presence of God. Make thy short life as useful as thou canst. Wouldest thou provide against the miseries of age, arm thyself with an early piety. Consider how soon death will level thee with the dust. Intended as thou art for another, even an endless, life, shun the delusive allurements of this, and fix thy hopes of happiness there! Thou wilt not, like Enoch, be exempted from death; but thy piety will at the last be crowned with honour. "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!"

It is testified of Enoch, that he walked with God; and that he pleased God', the latter the sure consequence of the former.

What is implied in walking with God? What is included in this figurative description of the intimate communion that subsists between a merciful God and his faithful servants? Walking with God includes an habitual sense of the presence of God.

Gen. v. 24.

Heb. xi. 5.

It is said in Scripture of the unrighteous, that they have not God in all their ways. Their language is, "How doth God know? Is there knowledge in the most High?" On the contrary, they who truly walk with God, have an habitual sense of this solemn truth upon their minds, "The Lord God is about our path, and about our bed, and spieth out all our ways"." In order to their walking with God, this conviction is absolutely necessary. "Thou God seest me," must be the language of the heart.-Reader! the eyes of the Lord are in every place'. They rest upon thee when thou goest forth in the morning to thy labour; they follow thee through the day, and accompany thee when thy daily task is done. They are upon thee, too, in thy moments of recreation, and they note thy behaviour in the house of prayer. Yea, "the darkness is no darkness with God; to Him the darkness and light are both alike." Hast thou a deep and habitual conviction of this truth on thy mind? Rememberest thou that whatever thou thinkest, sayest,

g Ps. lxxiii. 11.

h Ps. cxxxix. 3.

i Prov. xv. 3.

k Ps. cxxxix. 12.

or doest, is naked and open before God? And, in regard to this conviction dost thou regulate thy conduct according to his will?-thy conduct, not occasionally, but habitually? not in part, but in whole? If this be thy constant aim, then thou art walking with God. Alas! that any who call themselves Christians should so speak, and so act, as if He, who made the ear, did not hear,—as if He who formed the eye, did not see. How much of that which fills the earth with mourning, lamentation and woe, would this conviction restrain! How much sin would be prevented, if men seriously reflected that the eye of God is upon them and within them! To remember God is present, belongs to the character of one who walks with God.

Walking with God includes or implies, further, a state of reconciliation to him. "Can two walk together," questions the prophet', "except they be agreed?" But does there exist naturally an agreement, a union, between God and man? No. The Scripture assures us, that man's natural bent and disposition is not to comply with the injunctions of religion, but to walk after the flesh, ac

cording to the course of this world". To gratify self, to indulge in the lusts of the flesh, of the eye, and of the pride of life, is man's natural propensity. Now how is reconciliation to be effected between a God of infinite purity, and man so sensual, and so frail?-The scriptural answer is, reconciliation with God must be obtained through Him (Jesus Christ) who "is the way, the truth, and the life"." And, when a man does come unto God, repenting of his sins, seeking forgiveness and acceptance in the way of God's appointment; resolved to devote himself to his service in the steady pursuit of holiness: then it is plain, that he is reconciled unto God; for he walks with him; he desires to walk in all his commandments and ordinances blameless; and, though he falls short of his desire, yet he habitually walks in repentance, faith, and obedience.

And now, reader, enquire whether thou hast this evidence of thy reconciliation to God! It is the most decisive evidence that can be produced. Examine thy heart and life by the rule of God's commandments.-Dost thou walk with God?

m 1 Cor. ii. 14.

" John xiv. 6.