of God. Thus the government of God, which was kind before, is changed by wondrous love to revive the hopes of perishing sinners. This is the message of mercy; the gospel of salvation sent to a dying world.

3. Besides the words of mercy, we have the deeds of mercy. For God is not only gracious to those who believe, but in his abounding love he has selected, in all ages, multitudes in whose hearts faith is produced by additional and sovereign grace. He makes them believe that sinners may know, through their example, how believing sinners will be treated by a forgiving God. Thus he confirms his promise to mankind. Paul was an example of God's longsuffering to all those who should hereafter believe in Jesus. The same may be said of all the elect their justification and peace prove to all mankind the riches of grace. Every Christian is a living proof, to all the world, how sinners may be blessed in Jesus.

All these motives direct my reader to the attainment of two great objects: first, his personal safety; secondly, his spiritual enjoyment. The former must be secured by the obedience

of faith; and for this, if nothing further be granted, every sinner should be thankful. But the work of the Holy Spirit will lead to spiritual joy, which can only be given by God himself. This thought may be explained by the following case, for the substantial truth of which the best authority has been received.

At a village in Derbyshire, a young man some time since engaged in the Christian ministry there, was asked to visit a person who had neglected religion, but who was then very ill it was the young wife of a stocking-weaver. They had a child, and occupied an apartment in which there was just room for the frames in which they worked, and the small wooden bed on which they slept. The room was entered by a ladder. As the minister ascended through the floor at her feet, she stretched out her hands and blessed him, crying, "What shall I do?" Her anxiety was so great, and had produced so great an impression on the female attendants, that neither she nor they perceived that her clothing had left her person greatly exposed. He with difficulty stifled the emotion which was produced by

the most awful spectacle he ever saw. Sitting down and covering her with a shawl, he entreated her and them to be calm. "How can

I be calm, Sir?" she said, "I am dying, and have no hope." He prayed with and for her, and her anguish a little subsided. He then directed her to Jesus, and said, If I were

dying, as I perceive that you soon must, I would pray for pardon and acceptance through the blood of Jesus, and enter eternity trusting in the promise of mercy through him." With unutterable feeling she replied, "But will he hear me?" The minister read the promise of mercy to her in several places and forms, by which she seemed convinced that none who come to God by Jesus Christ could be rejected. They prayed and parted for that time. The next day they met again, when the woman said, "I thank God for his promise, and will die trusting it; but I long to know if he has heard my prayer. I long to rejoice in his mercy." Her instructer replied, "Bless him for what you have; commit yourself to him, and if he think it good for you, that also will be given. True faith will secure your safety,

but his Spirit must give you the joy of his salvation." She then had peace. But very

early the next morning he was called up to see her again. On entering the room, her countenance beamed with heavenly gladness. "Sir," she said, "I have prayed, and God has heard my prayer. I could not die without calling you to receive my thanks, and share in my blessedness; I shall soon be with the Lord." In a short time she expired, in a most joyful triumph.

Happy soul! when this world's labour has been finished, may he through whom the Saviour spoke the promise to thee, join in thy everlasting praises.

Reader, wilt thou not also seek that everlasting rest?

SELF-CONSECRATION.

CHAPTER VIII.

MOTIVES TO ENTIRE SELF-CONSECRATION.

"Ye cannot serve God and mammon."-MATTHEW vi. 24. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." -ROMANS xii. 1.

ALL Scripture was written for our instruction. Hence, though the occasions for writing the epistles, and especially some parts of them, were melancholy, yet their study is very advantageous; they enable us, as matters of history, to understand the state of the church in its earliest age, and when under its most perfect direction. When gross vices are re