· Because you have set your love upon the Lord, therefore will he deliver you from the noisome pestilence; he shall defend you under his wings; his faithfulness and truth shall be your shield and buckler. Ye shall not be afraid for any terror by night, nor for the sick ness, or earthquake that destroyeth in the noon-day. A thousand shall fall beside you, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come nigh you, to overthrow your souls, or to destroy your peace. Yea, with your eyes shall ye behold and see the reward of the ungodly.'

So long as ye hear your Shepherd's voice, and follow his steps, he numbers you among his sheep, and none shall pluck you out of his hand. Who, or what shall harm you, if you are followers of that which is good? Were those fields, this instant, to reel again to and fro like a drunken man: Did the earth open before your eyes a thousand new mouths as wide as this chasm; and burst all her rocks in ten thousand pieces under your feet: Did impetuous rivers bend their course against you, and roaring seas roll mountainous waves around you; ye would experience the serenity of mind, which (even a poor Heathen being judge) is the privilege of the just. "The wreck of the world would crush your bodies without disturbing your souls." With trembling awe you could in that extremity rejoice in God your Saviour, and say with David, The Lord is our hope and strength, a very present help in trouble; Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea: Though the waters thereof rage and swell, and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same. -The kingdoms are moved, but God hath shewed his voice. The earth itself shall melt away, but we will not fear what roaring storms, bellowing earthquakes, wicked men and raging devils can do unto us: For the Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge.'

6

Si fractus illabatur orbis, 1 01

Yes, O ye righteous, who walk as becomes the gospel of his grace; He is your eternal refuge, and will be your exceeding great reward. The power that yesterday rent these rocks, opened these fields, and raised these mounts, will one day rend your tombs, open your graves, raise your dust, and place your immortal bodies upon Mount Sion that cannot be moved. There shall you shine

as the sun in the innumerable company of angels, and in the assembly of just men made perfect. There brazen-faced scoffers, and rioters, who glory in their shame, will interrupt your devotions no more: And there, with unutterable transports of joy and inexpressible ravishments of love, we shall meet again, to ascribe the glory of our present deliverance, and of an eternal salvation to him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever.'

THE NEW BIRTH:

DISCOURSE,

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH

Ог

THE REV. JOHN FLETCHER.

BY HENRY MOORE.

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: Old things are passed away; behold! all things are become new.

St. Paul.

THE NEW BIRTH:

A

DISCOURSE, &c.

JOHN iii. 3.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

THE corruption of the Christian World, and the almost general lukewarmness of those who have some respect for religion, render it impossible to preach openly and constantly the deep truths of Christianity without giving general offence.

How naturally, having made some efforts towards salvation, do we repose ourselves as if we were at the end of our career! Perhaps we even think ourselves sure of the prize before we have begun the race! And if any one should venture to show us the folly and danger of such conduct, we regard him as a melancholy person, who considers only the dark side of things, and who takes a sorrowful pleasure to make us view them in the same light with himself.

This is one of the reasons why those who are commissioned to shew us the way of salvaiion, are afraid to dwell upon what Jesus Christ has said concerning the difficulties of the way, and the small number of those