strong emotions, which may be the effect only of a lively sensibility; but in that settled temper of mind which disposes us with our whole hearts to do and to be whatever is most acceptable to our Benefactor. The faithfulness of our service proves the reality of our feelings; the delight with which it is rendered is the measure of their depth and ardour. And it is only an evil heart that can find no pleasure in receiving obligations. To a mind renewed by the Spirit of God, and touched with a true sense of his bounty, it is the highest gratification to behold in every blessing the expression of his parental kindness, and to cherish them as the pledges of his unfailing and everlasting mercy. In such a temper the service of our Maker is felt to be what it is undoubtedly" perfect freedom." Obedience is no longer a condition; it is a privilege; not the means of happiness, but happiness itself. And thus the proof of our thankfulness becomes also its reward: God, in his great wisdom and goodness, having so provided that the very acknowledgment of his mercies should be the occasion of increasing them, and the circle of his goodness and of our enjoyment be for ever enlarging.

soever an habitual contemplation of the mercies and bounty of God, there is ONE alone, who, in this as in every other branch of the Divine life, worketh in us to will and to do of his good pleasure." He is the great agent; nor are his operations the less certain or direct, because they are generally concurrent with the constitution of nature, and move in perfect harmony with the laws of his own creation. To him, then, let us “bow our knees," with the Apostle, in fervent and continual prayer, "that he would give us according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth and length, and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fulness of God?”

Let us also constantly recollect, that if we are really filled with thankfulness to our Heavenly Father, it will be expressed in the manner which he has prescribed as the proper evidence of our feelings: "We shall shew forth his praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to his service, and by walking before him in holiness and righteousness all our days." "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them,” said our Redeemer, "he it is that loveth me." This is the only sure pledge of gratitude; every other is equivocal, and may deceive us. For gra titude, like affection, does not chiefly consist in

strong emotions, which may be the effect only of a lively sensibility; but in that settled temper of mind. which disposes us with our whole hearts to do and to be whatever is most acceptable to our Benefactor. The faithfulness of our service proves the reality of our feelings; the delight with which it is rendered is the measure of their depth and ardour. And it is only an evil heart that can find no pleasure in receiving obligations. To a mind renewed by the Spirit of God, and touched with a true sense of his bounty, it is the highest gratification to behold in every blessing the expression of his parental kindness, and to cherish them as the pledges of his unfailing and everlasting mercy. In such a temper the service of our Maker is felt to be what it is undoubtedly" perfect freedom." Obedience is no longer a condition; it is a privilege; not the means of happiness, but happiness itself. And thus the proof of our thankfulness becomes also its reward: God, in his great wisdom and goodness, having so provided that the very acknowledgment of his mercies should be the occasion of increasing them, and the circle of his goodness and of our enjoyment be for ever enlarging.

sations are supplied to awaken and instruct us; the word of truth is published; ordinances are instituted; and the means of grace appointed. But above all, the privilege and duty of Prayer are revealed to every repenting sinner; and the faithfulness of God is pledged, that He will "give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him!"

Easier terms surely never were proposed for the attainment of any blessing. Should an illustrious prince, or an affectionate father, or a generous and faithful friend, invite us to come to him that he might impart some special bounty, should we chur lishly refuse? Should we not anticipate with joy the approaching hour, and count the moments till it arrived? And shall we turn away from the Father of all mercies when he calls us into his presence; and refuse, by the highest of all previleges, to purchase the greatest of all blessings?

Prayer is undoubtedly the first of all the means of grace; and it has this peculiar dignity and blessing, that it brings us before the Throne of God himself; into the presence of Him, whom to see and love is the highest happiness of the hishest created beings. It was once the happiness of man. But sin too soon separated him from his Maker, and spreading like a noxious vapour, blotted out the very sun from heaven. From that fatal hour the whole human race wandered about in blindness and error, "fettered with the bonds of a long night, and exiled from the eternal providence." The right or the duty of Prayer,

though it may be probably inferred from the visible dispensations of God, is by no means a certain truth of natural religion. To the children of Israel it was communicated by revelation; to us it has been proclaimed and enjoined by the Son of God himself. And blessed for ever and ever be his holy Name, who brought down the message of reconciliation and peace!

For though we fled him angry, yet recalled
'To life prolonged and promised grace we now
Gladly behold though but the distant skirts
Of glory, and far off his steps adore *.

The approach to God, and introduction to spiritual perceptions, which are effected by Prayer, seem, as it were, the connecting link between earth and Heaven; between that state of distance and separation from the Creator, to which as sinners we must still submit, and those blessed privileges which we shall hereafter share in the kingdom of our Heavenly Father. In the blessed exercises of a spiritual devotion, the soul is borne away for a time from all the perishable objects of sense, to appear in the very sanctuary of God; there to learn what the voice of man can never teach, to feel what the profane and thoughtless never can appreciate. "The Christian loves to lie low before the footstool of his Creatort" and from that blessed presence he returns with a heart so humbled yet so refreshed, that