the which we draw nigh unto God." (Heb. vii. 18.) Of these gracious assurances, these glorious hopes, the Scriptures are full. need I fear? Under the law I feel the curse of God's wrath, but I will not abide under the law. Under the Gospel I see the plenitude of God's mercy and reconciliation, and love; and there shall be my hope. When I look to Mount Sinai, I indeed behold thunderings and lightnings, and all the terrible manifestations of an exacting lawgiver; but when I look to Mount Calvary, I behold the suffering, patient, merciful love of an anxious and an affectionate Father. All my fear is then swallowed up in love; my anxiety ceases; my thoughts, undisturbed any longer by the dread alternative of absolute perfection or utter condemnation, shall wing their joyful flight far away from the terrors of religion, to the sweet and consoling refreshments of mercy and peace. While I remember that "the law entered that sin might abound," I know and feel that in my own heart, "where sin abounds, grace does much more abound." (Rom. v. 20.) Yea, I will cry aloud with the Apostle, "If God be for us, who can be against us. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for all; how shall he not with him freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died." (Rom. viii. 31.) A PRAYER. O MOST mighty and eternal Lord God, who art terrible in thy wrath, but yet in the midst of wrath thinkest upon mercy; who art just in thy judgments, and yet wouldest not the death of a sinner, but that all should turn unto thee and live. Have mercy upon thy humble servant who now crieth unto thee. Release me, O Lord God, from the bonds of that law by which thou hast brought the whole world under sin. Take away the terrors of thy presence; remove the strictness of thy justice. I confess, O Lord, that when I am weighed in the balance of thy holiness, I am found miserably wanting. I confess that I deserve nothing at thy hands but death; that I deserve to be cast out from thy presence, to have my portion in that outer darkness where is weeping and gnashing of teeth; that I deserve to be extinct and separate from the communion of saints, and the comforts of religion, and the graces of thy Holy Spirit, and the memory of my blessed Redeemer. But yet I confess these things in the midst of hope, because I know thy mercy. I look to thee in earnest supplication, because thou hast promised to hear. O my God, cast me not utterly away! Take not thy Holy Spirit from me! Let the grace of the Gospel comfort me when I think of the terrors of thy law! Let that High Priest, who alone is perfect and blameless, offer in my place the atonement for my sinfulness. Take me back, O Lord my God, and consider mine infirmity. Redeem me from the curse of the law, and let the Holy Jesus be for me the propitiation of thy wrath. O Lord, I am not worthy to think of thee with my unholy thoughts,-I am not worthy to speak to thee with my unclean lips; my words are so evil; my works are so sinful, that they cannot stand in thy sight! But yet, O Holy Spirit, come with thy healing wings of comfort, and assure me, O Jesu Christ, my Redeemer. Send according to thy promise the Comforter, who shall bring all things to my remembrance. O Saviour and Lord, help thou mine unbelief! Stablish, strengthen, settle me! O Heavenly Father, hear the prayer of thy humble servant, and when thou hearest, forgive for Jesus' sake. Amen. of the trumpet exceed-upon them, and the ing loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord de glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not : for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all |