Read the seven promises to the seven churches in the Revelations-[Rev. ii. 7, 11, 17; 26-28; iii. 5, 12, 21.] What promises are made to those who overcome? Read also the final pro

mise, Rev. xxi. 7.

Have we trials? What are the peculiar benefits of trial? Do we value a thing till we know by proof that it is valuable?

We said that gold is refined by fire ;What effect has the fire during the process? What effect is produced at last?

When we meet with little trials of our faith, our patience, our humility, our disinterestedness, our self-denial, do these graces always stand the proof?

The great use of trial is to shew us what we are. Many benefits are intended us by trial; when we see our own infirmity, we may forbear to judge others—when we find how little reality there is in our graces, we may be led to the throne of mercy for more strength-when we are practically brought to see that our best is nothing, we learn the deep import of the words, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"

Compared with the trials of which we have spoken, compared with those we have reason to expect, what we are now called to endure is light indeed. If we have run with the footmen, and they have wearied us, how can we contend with horsemen? If a small matter discourage us, what shall we do in the swelling of Jordan? -We have ground to believe, that a time of

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trial is fast approaching, which shall try all the inhabitants of the earth. The hour may be near, even at the door."-Let us desire so to receive and use our small, daily, hourly trials, that they may be a means of preparing us for our final trial. Consider Mal. iii. 2,3; 1 Cor. iii. 13.

SABBATH.

I.

Where do we first read of the institution of

the Sabbath

Of what was it to be a remembrance? Gen. ii. 2, 3; with Exod. xxxi. 17.

Read

What portion of our time does the Sabbath comprehend?

Tell me some of the commands given in Scripture with respect to the observance of the Sabbath. [Ex. xx. 8-11; xxxi. 14, 15.]

Some of the promises. [Is. lvi. 2-7; lviii. 13, 14; Jer. xvii. 19-26.]

On what day of the week do we now observe the Sabbath? Why?

What then is a fit subject for meditation on the Sabbath?

What does St. John call the Christian Sabbath? Rev. i. 10.

What does he say of his state on that day? What may we know of being " in the spirit ?"

Reflect on the design of the Sabbath.
What did we say of its institution?

It was to be a peculiarly hallowed day: the original Sabbath was instituted at the creation; there is a sense in which all the time of man was then hallowed, for all was spent in the divine presence.

Why were the people of God, under the ancient dispensation, to observe the Sabbath? And why do we observe it?

In our fallen state, we are commanded, six days to labour, and do all our work-we are to eat bread in the sweat of our brow;—is it not then a tender regulation, that the seventh part of our time should be the season of rest?

And is it not a two-fold mercy, that in this state of exile from our home, our Father's house-we should be invited on the Sabbath, more especially to contemplate our return, to long for it, to pray for it, to prepare for it?

The Sabbath is a foretaste of heaven: what should be our employments on the Sabbath?

[The employments of the Sabbath should be those, which have the greatest tendency to draw us near to God-prayer, praise, meditation, the worship of God in the sanctuary, examining the word of God, instructing others, and seeking to lead them in the way to heaven :-these will be our chosen, our delightful employments on the day of rest. If we love the Lord Jesus Christ, our waking thoughts will often be-" the Lord is risen"-because He lives, we shall live also.

Jesus is "the Resurrection and the Life."Christ is "King of kings, and Lord of lords."

Our first sacrifice of prayer, which we love to offer every day, will be on the Sabbath, doubly fervent, and perfumed with the incense of praise. We shall delight to arise early in the morning, and join in spirit, with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, and all the company of heaven, in saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts. No worldly employment has then a right to disturb us; for one blessed day, no earthly care has a right to intrude.-Or if we find our hearts cleave to earth, still we may assist them by some devout form of words: we may, for instance, make use of the beautiful ascriptions of praise in the communion service; "we praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory :"-" thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father."

The Sabbath is a break in our earthly life— a moment for rallying our spiritual strength— the season for examination into our state before God. Let every one seriously ask himself, Sabbath after Sabbath-have I advanced nearer to heaven since the last, or have I gone backward ?"]

Read Psalm lxxxiv.

What feelings are expressed by the Psalmist?

Are not the tabernacles of God amiable?

Are not "the courts of the Lord" desirable? What do you comprehend of this experience? Read likewise Ps. xlii. 1st and 2d verses. Is such earnestness in longing after God, more than ought to be felt?

Is it any kind of preparation for heaven?

Were we often, on the Sabbath, to be in such a state of desire after God's presence, we might be visited with the abundance of His light, peace and love.

II.

We seek to hallow, not only the early hours, but the whole of the Sabbath; we join with our family in social prayer, and beg a blessing on the day. We go with the multitude to the house of God-if the fire has been kindled on the altar, we endeavour that it may not be deadened by worldly thoughts, or intercourse; if oil has been given us in our vessel, we take care not to lose the unction in trifling conversation we hasten to the closet, again to pour out our hearts before God.* Thus the day may be spent between secret, family, and public prayer, praise, and the instruction of others, according to our circumstances.-If servants

* It is a great secret of advancement in the spiritual life, not carelessly to dissipate the grace which has been given, either in private or public worship. We are often affected by a sermon--we leave the church, and enter upon common topics.--We have enjoyed an hour of secret communion with God, and perhaps we return without necessity, to intercourse which has a tendency to quench the holy fire.