rity? Fourthly, in the non-improvement and mis-spending of our time? Fifthly, in our behaviour under the discipline of the rod ? Sixthly, in our "temper-flaws unsightly?" Seventhly, in the license of our tongues? It would be easy to multiply the counts in the indictment. Surely a little reflection upon each of these will convince us of the guilt here acknowledged.

But in what manner should we utter the confession? For the words are not always used as James and his brethren used them. Some use them as a kind of censure upon others, rather than as a reflection upon themselves: yea, their aim is to screen themselves as culprits in the commonness of the delinquency. Hence, when their conduct is accused, or a monitor reminds them of their misdoings, O, say they, none are exempt from failings; even the best err; in many things we offend all. Others use them without perhaps a bad design; yet they use them vaguely and unimpressively -it is mere lip-service-it, comes from nothing-and leads to nothing. But if we properly feel the sentiment we utter, it will be accompanied with deep repentance and godly sorrow-It will make us sensible of our need of the Saviour, and endear to our souls the cross and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ-It will hide pride from us, and fill us with self-abasement-It will dispose us to receive and invite reproof-It will keep us from murmuring and repining under divine correction-It will make us tender towards the infirmities of others-It will elevate our views to heaven, and send forth our desires after a state in which we shall never, never sin -and-It will awaken us to caution, carefulness, and zeal: for though we cannot attain perfection here, we may much reduce our imperfections; and should be concerned to make all possible progression in the divine life. Here, as all our offence arise from the depravity of our nature, our business must be to seek for more grace to mortify the principle of sin-for how can we that are dead to sin live any longer therein? And as grace uses means, we must inquire where we have most frequently erred, and how we have been most easily overcome; and watch and pray lest we enter into temptation.

FEBRUARY.

FEBRUARY 1.-" At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men for sook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge."-2 Tim. iv. 16.

THIS was a very trying case. He was a prisoner, and had appealed unto Cæsar. He had to appear before the tribunal of Nero, the greatest and the most cruel monarch of the earth, to defend himself against one charge, for which he had suffered as an evil doer even unto bonds. His friends should have rallied around him, encouraging him by their kindness, emboldening him by their presence, exculpating him by their testimony, or softening his judges by their tears and entreaties. It was the custom among the Romans for the connexions of the accused to appear in court in mourning, to show their regard for the prisoner, and to influence the tribunal by their depositions, or their importunity; and sometimes the train that attended them was very large and imposing. But Paul appeared on the day of trial like an outcast, entirely disowned-when he looked around, he saw no one in his favour-the abandonment was extreme

--no man stood by him-but all forsook him! Yet this gives the Apostle an opportunity to display the excellency of his principles and temper-"I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." Hence we may observe,

First-It is no unusual thing for a man to be deserted in the hour of trial. The rich have many friends; but the poor useth entreaties, and often useth them in vain. Some seem to act as if they thought a brother was born for prosperity, instead of adversity. Thus the garden is not forsaken while it abounds with flowers and fruits, but in the dreariness of winter. Are you suffering under such desertion? Remember, your brethren have drunk of this bitter cup before you. In his deep distress, David heard that Ahithophel was among the conspirators with Absalom. And what was the complaint of Job? "My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: what time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place." Is it the Scripture only that is continually saying to us, "Cease from man?" Secondly-See the frailty of good men. For such the persons complained of were, notwithstanding their infirmity on this occasion and therefore Paul distinguishes them from the hardened persecutor and blasphemer of whom, as an Apostle, he speaks in the verse preceding: "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: of whom beware thou also; for he hath greatly withstood our words." Men may be backsliders and not apostates: they may act weakly and not wickedly, or so as to do despite to the Spirit of grace. Thus these persons were friends at heart; their defection was only temporary; and they would soon grieve over it. But the best of men are but men. The agency that makes them holy leaves them human. There is nature in them as well as grace. And what affecting and humiliating changes do they sometimes betray! Who could have thought that Elijah, after telling Ahab to his face of his abominations, and slaying all the false prophets, should flee at the threatening of Jezebel, and pray to be released from life? Who, that had seen Peter in the presence of the Roman soldiers draw his sword and cut off the ear of the High Priest's servant, could have believed that the very same man, a few hours after, would be so overcome with fear, at the question of the damsel in the judgment-hall, as to say, with oaths and curses, I know not the man? So these brethren, when they heard that Paul was coming to make his appeal, went down to meet him as far as Appii-Forum and the three taverns; and when Paul saw them he thanked God, and took courage: yet consulting with flesh and blood, and thinking how many had lately suffered, they yielded to apprehension, and not one of them justified the hope they had excited. Lord, what is man!

Thirdly-How becoming and lovely is a forgiving disposition! However leniently the conduct of these forsakers of Paul may be treated, they were very blameworthy. There was much in their defection to irritate his mind, especially considering what was their duty towards one who was suffering for the cause they professed, and the pretensions of friendship which they had made. Nothing is more felt, more resented, than injury in the hour of want and distress,

contrary to every kind and degree of just expectation-yet the bleeding heart here only says, "I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge." Imbibe the same spirit, and follow his example. In provocations and complaints dwell not upon the enhancing, but upon the extenuating. Be not implacable, but tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake, hath forgiven you. It is the glory of a man to pass by a transgression. It is the noblest of all victories Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. So the suffering Stephen, under a shower of stones, cried, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Thus Jesus, as they were nailing him to the cross, prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."

FEBRUARY 2.-"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully know, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion."-2 Tim. iv. 17.

AT his first answer before Cæsar he had been deserted of all those whose duty it was to have appeared for him. But to the loss of his friends he opposes the grace of the Saviour-"notwithstanding the Lord stood by me." He was not visible to the assembly; nor did Paul himself perceive him by the eye of sense. His presence was real, but spiritual; and he was with his servant not as a mere witness, but as a helper-He "strengthened me." He confirmed his courage, and gave him self-possession, and freedom of thought and expression. This was no more than he had reason to expect, from his own promise: "Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” “Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak. for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak."

See how He differs from others! They forsake us when we are in distress: He is a present help in trouble. When human dependence fails, he is sure to hold forth his own arm, and to say, "Trust, and be not afraid." Thus he was with Joseph when sold into Egypt, with Jeremiah in the dungeon, with the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and with Paul when abandoned of all before Nero !

And what a substitute was he for Paul's friends! They would have been nothing without him; but he was every thing without them. If we walked through the valley of the shadow of death with him, we need fear no evil. He is all in all.

What was the design of this interposition? "That by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear." The preaching intends the Gospel; and the meaning is, that in this trial he had an opportunity to publish it most advantageously and extensively. What he delivered would spread through the palace and the city; and pervade much further. For at this time Rome was the metropolis of the world; so that what his auditors heard would be reported to others, and extended through all the provinces. How true is it, that though his servants may suffer as evildoers even unto bonds, yet the word of God is not bound. It can no more be restrained than the flowing of the sea, or the rising of the sun. Yea, the very efforts designed to injure it, have been over.

ruled to aid its progress. Persecution has always turned out to the furtherance of the Gospel.

What was the issue? "And I was delivered from the mouth of the lion." Does he refer to the enemy of souls? He is called a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour: and he hoped to prevail with Paul to deny the Saviour's name. Or does he refer to Nero ? The Scripture frequently compares wicked men, and especially tyrants, to beasts of prey and it was impossible to disgrace such a monster as now filled the imperial throne-a wretch who killed his preceptor, had his mother ripped up before his eyes, and entertained himself at supper by the burnings of Christians at the corners of his pleasure-grounds. Yet this hardly agrees with Paul's manner of writing, and the respect he considered due officially to his sovereign. The expression therefore is to be considered rather as a phrase significant of a narrow escape from a very pressing jeopardy. Hence David had said, "Save me from the lion's mouth." Paul's case was looked upon not only as dangerous but desperate. He was considered a dead man. Yet the emperor and the senate did nothing against him; but after a hearing, he was sent back simply as a prisoner.

The sufferings of God's servants depend not on the fancies and passions of men, but the providence of God. Their enemies are chained; and wherein they think to deal proudly, he is above them. He restrains or diverts them by his power when he does not govern them by his grace. "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

He often permits his people to fall into the greatest extremities, and then appears for them, to show his power and glory, and to teach them never to despair. Therefore, ye seed of Jacob, hope in him and wait for him. He whom you serve is continually able to deliver you. He can deliver you not only from the lion's paw, but from the lion's mouth.

FEBRUARY 3." And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."-2 Tim. iv. 18.

HERE he expresses his full assurance of hope, after the trial he had experienced from the desertion of his friends, and the succour he had received from the presence of his Saviour. What he expected, however, was not exemption from trials. He looked for suffering. He knew that bonds and afflictions awaited him. But he knew also that the Lord would deliver him from every evil work-and that, far from allowing him to apostatize or backslide, he would enable him to resist temptation, to hold on his way, to finish his course with joy-and preserve him unto his heavenly kingdom.

What a destination! Nothing less than a kingdom, a heavenly kingdom, his heavenly kingdom, procured by him, prepared by him, the same he himself enjoys, and which his followers are to possess with him, according to his promise: "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed unto me."

But what is the prospect of such a glorious estate, if we are de

1

stroyed before we attain it! It is obvious the Apostle believed in his own perseverance and final salvation. The expressions he uses are not the language of a man in doubt, floating between hope and fear; but of a man fully convinced and assured. And it is delightful to find him expressing the same certainty of mind with regard to all the subjects of divine grace: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jes Christ." Yes, Christians; you may equally rejoice in hope of the glory of God. He has provided for all your wants. He will secure you in every danger. Sin shall not have dominion over you. The God of peace will bruise Satan under your feet shortly. You have overcome them, because greater is He that is in you, than they that are in the world. Yea, in all these things you are more than conquerors.

It is obvious the Apostle derived encouragement in his expectation from his former experience: the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, and I was delivered from the mouth of the lion; and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. The proofs we have had of his mercy and grace should animate us in our dependance; for he is always the same; and one blessing is the pledge of another. The victories of an old soldier feed his courage. David was filled with confidence in his dreadful conflict, by such recollections and reasoning.

But his expectation was founded on the Lord Jesus, as his deliverer and his preserver: the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom. He is engaged to do it. He is able to do it. He is able to save unto the uttermost. I can trust him for every period, and with every result. "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day."

What wonder therefore that he should exclaim, "To whom be glory for ever and ever, Amen?" And will you not, Christian, make this Amen your own? It becometh well the just to be thankful. Praise is comely for the upright. It is the most unselfish exercise of your religion; and it will be the most durable. It will be the work, the enjoyment of heaven.

You say, "I hope I am grateful." You hope you are! As if there was any difficulty in determining the thing. Would similar conduct towards an earthly benefactor be deemed grateful? What are the sentiments of your mind? The affections of your heart? The language of your lips? Above all-What is the language of your life? Actions speak louder than words.

Like Paul, he enlarged in your gratitude. Be concerned that his praise may be as lasting as his goodness-that his glory may be for ever. Do what you can to advance it, not only while living, but when dying, and even when dead. I mean, by the institutions you have established or supported-by the examples you leave behind you-by the children you have instructed-by the sinners you have converted from the errors of their ways to be a seed to serve him, and which shall be accounted for a generation, and who shall come and declare his righteousness to a nation that shall be born, that he hath done this.