Promised, Saying, 'Yet Once more I Shake not the Earth only, but also Heaven!' And This Word, 'Yet Once more,' Signifieth the Removing of those Things, that are Shaken, as of Things, that are Made; that Those Things, Which cannot be Shaken, may Remain. Wherefore we, receiving A KINGDOM, Which cannot be Moved, let us have Grace, Whereby we may serve GOD Acceptably with reverence and Godly fear! For our GOD is A Consuming Fire. How just, how essential this Advice and Exhortation, and infinitely important is the faithful observance of it by every Human Being, to whom Such DIVINE Council and Warning are Extended, and Extended in Mercy and in Love, that Eternity may be passed in unclouded Joy, and not in unabated Sorrow! The Voice is more than that of an Arch-Angel. It is the Gracious Utterance of The Incarnate SON of GOD; by Whose Life-Shedding and Blood-Scattering Sacrifice we have The Life-Giving Hope, that the Second Death may not overtake us, but that we may rise to a Participation in the Glories of That KINGDOM of Righteousness and True Holiness, Where CHRIST Reigneth, and will Reign for Ever and Ever, the Praise and Delight of His Redeemed Subjects. Come unto Me, that ye may be Saved!' is The SAVIOUR's Present Merciful Invitation to every living Soul. And All, who will come in the becoming spirit of lowliness and thankfulness, will assuredly find Acceptance and Favour. But to hear That Voice of Tenderness and Inestimable Tendency and to heed It not, is to turn aside from The Haven of Peace, and to encounter madly and self-destructively the rocks and quicksands of an ingulphing Sea, and a resurrection to Condemnation in Judgment, and an endless separation from the Favouring Presence of JEHOVAH and the Glory of His Power. When Earth and Sea vanish as a Scroll, and the Fulness of DIVINE Power is Manifested, and there is no Place of Refuge for the Self-convicted Soul, who in the Day of Salvation rejected every Offer Thereof, and persevered in doing despite to The SPIRIT of Grace, and continued to mock the Christian's Hope, how awful is it to contemplate the fate of such a Soul, Banished for Ever to the Realms of impenetrable Darkness and Despair! And yet what alternative is there but the Pure Regions of Heaven, where nothing that defileth can enter, and None can approach even the Borders Thereof, but Such as have been Washed in the Blood of The LAMB of GOD, and Sanctified by The SPIRIT, e'er the last hour of this Life's Probation has closed. To Such as profess a belief in The Gospel of CHRIST it behoves to take heed, that such belief rest not in profession, without working inwardly on the heart, and producing the fruits of a consistent faith. For we are not only Taught by Precept and Example, that the Religion of JESUS is a dedication of the Life and Soul to GOD, and Godly Pursuits; but have the Presence of The HOLY SPIRIT to Aid and Prompt us in the discharge of our various and relative duties to GOD, our Neighbour and ourselves; and which to be true to ourselves and our Everlasting Interests we should fulfil to the utmost of our ability, and in gratitude to GOD, Who has Done So Wondrously and Mercifully for us, both in the Life, that is, and in the Promise of the Inconceivable and Never Exhausted Blessedness of the Life to Come.--From the Prophet Haggai is the Record of The Saying of The LORD of Hosts—‘Yet Once, it is a little while, and I will Shake the Heavens and the Earth, and the Sea and the Dry Land; and I will Shake all Nations: and The DESIRE of all Nations shall come'-ii. 6, 7. And as saith the Prophet Joel, When The Day of The LORD is Near in the Valley of Decision, the Sun and the Moon shall be darkened; and the Stars shall withdraw their shining: The LORD also shall Roar out of Zion, and Utter His Voice from Jerusalem, and the Heavens and the Earth shall shake; but The LORD will be The Hope of His People-Joel iii. 14 to 16. And to them He will not be A Consuming Fire; but both Light and Life, and The Full Manifestation of DIVINE Love. May we therefore take heed unto ourselves, lest we forget The Covenant of our

SAVIOUR-GOD! remembering, that He is A Jealous GOD, and that His Displeasure would alone Cousume us, and Leave us to the endurance of remorse and of woe, as exposed to a fire, that never can be quenched-Deut. iv. 23, 24.

CHAPTER XIII.

VERSES 1 to 3.-Let Brotherly love continue! Be not forgetful to entertain Strangers: for thereby Some have entertained Angels unawares! Remember them, that are in bonds; as bound with them and them, which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

The Kindred Affections it is becoming in every Candidate for Heavenly Union to cultivate, as a preparatory quality to harmonize with the Spirits in the Region of Perfect and Everlasting Love of the Purest and most Exalting Nature. If we love not our Brother, whom we have seen, how can we rightly love GOD, Whom we have not seen? And Christian love is of a character to diffuse the most beneficial influence both over ourselves, and over those, who experience our exercise of it on their behalf. In our homes, and in our neighbourhoods, it should primarily and perseveringly be manifested; and yet as the Christian Family extends to every Quarter of the Globe, thither, as we have means and opportunity, should our labours of love extend in furtherance of the great Work, Which our Blessed SAVIOUR, in His Latest Utterance upon Earth, Injoined should be done; that of aiding towards spreading both the Tidings of His Gospel, and connectedly exemplifying Its Precepts and Its Hold upon our Souls in our Lives and conversation, and communication, throughout the whole World, so as to win over, if it may be, in a measure and degree, the Heathen to His worship. Love, persevering love, may subdue the hardest heart; and then the Unfailing Love of CHRIST is Appreciated, and thus is it twice Blest. Hospitality is another Christian grace, when regulated by Christian Prudence; and, when seasoned by Christian converse, it is an antepast of Heaven. And what must be the joyous intercourse of Angelic Communion, where wisdom and knowledge, guided and directed by perfect love, will abound! And What the Immeasurably Higher Gratification from imbibing The Spirit of The SON of GOD, The FOUNTAIN of Wisdom, and The SOURCE of All Blessedness.--Compassion towards the sufferings and wants of Others, especially of Such as are of the Household of Faith, and who are persecuted for a practical adherence to that faith, and an observance of Gospel Doctrine and Discipline, is one exemplification of the beautiful connection in the comprehensive Family of CHRIST's Children, whether bond or free. In Prison visitations, CHRIST is there to Welcome them; and in supplication for Christian bosomcomfort, under persecution and severe trial, His Ear is Open and His SPIRIT Willing to Give a Merciful Answer. In witnessing the pains and privations of Others we should first give vent to a grateful spirit, that we have been Spared from the like measure of severe trial; and then should consider how we can aid towards alleviating, if not removing, the pangs of Others' distresses, whether of mind or of body. -If we have indeed purified our Souls in obeying the Truth, as It is in JESUS, through the Gifted Grace of The HOLY SPIRIT, unto unfeigned love of the Brethren in the faith, we should see, that we love Others, though not of the faith, in the hope of drawing them to the love of CHRIST, and so win them to work out, by penitence and a lively faith, their own Salvation through Him; being Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of Incorruptible, by The Word of GOD, Which Liveth and Abideth for Ever-1 Pet. i. 22, 23. And St. John exhorts, Let us love One Another; for love is of GOD; and every One, that loveth, is born of GOD; and knoweth GOD: he, that loveth not, knoweth not GOD; for GOD is Love. In This was Manifested the Love of

GOD towards us, because, that GOD Sent His Only Begotten SON into the World, that we might live through Him: Herein is Love; not that we loved GOD; but that He Loved us, and Sent His SON to be The Propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if GOD so Loved us, we ought also to love One Another. No Man hath seen GOD at any time: if we love One Another, GOD Dwelleth in us, and His Love is Perfected in us. Hereby know we, that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He hath Given us of His SPIRIT. If a Man say, 'I love GOD,' and hateth his Brother; he is Liar: for he, that loveth not his Brother, whom he hath seen; how can he love GOD, Whom he hath not seen? And This Commandment have we from Him, That he, who loveth GOD, love his Brother also. Whosoever believeth, that JESUS is The CHRIST, is Born of GOD; and every One, that loveth Him, That Begat, loveth Him also, That is Begotten of Him. By this we know, that we love the Children of GOD, when we love GOD and keep His Commandments-1 John iv. 7 to 13, 20, 21; v. 1, 2. Such is the beautiful Illustration of Christian love.— -Of Abraham and of Lot it is recorded, that on Strangers, doubtless of a holy aspect, advancing towards them, they evinced their hospitable spirit; and eventually discovered, that they had entertained Angels-Gen. xviii. and xix.- When The SON of Man shall Come in His Glory, and all the holy Angels with Him, then shall He Sit upon the Throne of His Glory: and before Him shall be gathered all Nations and He shall Separate them One from Another, as a Shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: and He shall Set the Sheep on His Right-Hand; but the Goats on the Left. Then shall The KING Say unto them on His RightHand, Come, ye Blessed of My FATHER, inherit The KINGDOM, Prepared for you from the Foundation of the World! For I was an Hungered; and ye gave Me meat: I was Thirsty; and ye gave Me drink: I was a Stranger; and ye took Me in: Naked; and ye clothed Me: I was Sick; and ye visited Me: I was in Prison; and ye came unto Me.' Then shall the Righteous answer Him, saying, 'LORD, when saw we Thee an Hungered; and fed Thee? or Thirsty; and gave Thee Drink? when saw we Thee a Stranger; and took Thee in? or Naked; and clothed Thee? or when saw we Thee Sick, or in Prison; and came unto Thee?' And The KING shall Answer, and Say unto them, 'Verily I Say unto you,' Inasmuch as ye have done it unto One of the Least of These, My Brethren, ye have done it unto Me'-Matt. xxv. 31 to 40.

VERSE 4.-Marriage is honourable in All, and the bed undefiled; but Whoremongers and Adulterers GOD will Judge.

The truest bliss on Earth is wedded love in its appropriate selection; to be the Husband of one Wife, and to be alike faithful to GOD and to each Other; to have one feeling, one object, one interest, and one paramount desire to be alike the Objects of DIVINE Care and Favour, through an equal belief in The Truth, as It is in JESUS, and in a dependance on the Efficacy of His Intercession, as The BRIDEGROOM of His Bride, the Church, which is the Communion of the the Faithful in all Generations. Solomon says, 'My Son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding, that thou mayest regard discretion! Rejoice with the Wife of thy youth! -Prov. v. 1, 2, 18. And there the Royal Writer spreads his caution against yielding to the fascinations of the Strange Woman, whose lips drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: but her end is bitter as wormwood: sharp as a two-edged sword; her feet go down to death: her steps take hold on Hell-v. 3 to 5. Know ye not, that the Unrighteous shall not inherit The KINGDOM of GOD; neither Fornicators, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, unless by sincere repentance and a lively faith they are Washed in the Blood of CHRIST, Whereby they become Justified and Sanc

tified in the Name, and through the Efficacy of the Atonement and Merits of The REDEEMER of Souls, and by the Grace of The HOLY SPIRIT— 1 Cor. vi. 9, 11. Blessed are they, that do The LORD's Commandments, and cherish the love of The SAVIOUR in their hearts; for they will be Called to the Marriage of The LAMB, and will feed on the Fruits of the Tree of Life, and will have the Privilege of an Entrance through the Angel-Guarded Gates, that Open to the City of The Heavenly Jerusalem. From which Whoremongers and Murderers and Idolaters and Liars will for ever be shut out-Rev. xxii. 14, 15.

VEREFS 5, 6.-Let your conversation be without covetousness! And be content with such things as ye have! For He hath Said, (Gen. xxviii. 15; Deut. xxxi. 6, 8; 1 Chron. xxviii. 20.) 'I will never Leave thee, nor Forsake thee!' So that we may boldly say, 'THE LORD is my HELPER; and I will not fear what Man shall do unto me.'

A grasping avaricious spirit is so opposed to every Dealing of GOD towards Mankind, that it cannot but incur His Displeasure; for in effect it is that character of idolatry, which loveth the creature more than The CREATOR, and the things Given more than The Gratuitous GIVER. And not only should the habit be that of liberality and of charity, but the tenor of conversation should lead to and encourage its adoption and exercise in Others. Contentment should be inseparable from vital faith in the Christian hope. The Riches and the Glory and the Happiness of the Life to Come, in the Sure Fulfilment of The DIVINE Promises, should render every State, as in advance to It, not only supportable but quite reconcilable to a continuance in it. And the Example Set by The SAVIOUR Himself, in Bearing and Foregoing for the Sake of the Salvation of our Souls, should confirm us in that Spirit, and influence us to a hearty resignation to the Dispensations and Appointments of our Heavenly FATHER. The Assurance of the Omniscience, and Omnipotence of JEHOVAH, from Whom we have Life, and Light, and All Things necessary to Salvation and Sanctification, should leave no desire unfulfilled, but a continuance of His Merciful Regard, and a prayer for perseverance in an observance of and obedience to His Will, in the hopeful looking for That Consummation of Peace and Joy in Eventual Heavenly Communion. A confidence in The ALMIGHTY's Countenance and Protection of our Souls, if we rest on Him in meekness and sincerity, will fortify us against every opposition or temptation or trial from every Enemy of our Soul's peace, whether from our Fellow-Creatures, or from the Spirits of Evil, even the Arch-Fiend Satan himself; we need not therefore harbour fear of what may be attempted to overreach the Wisdom and the Might of The LORD of Hosts, if He, in the Abundance of His Goodness and Compassion for CHRIST's Sake, be on our side. Take no thought, Said our SAVIOUR, for your life; what ye shall eat; or what ye shall drink: nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on! Is not the life more than meat; and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not; neither do they reap; nor gather into barns: yet your Heavenly FATHER Feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow! they toil not; neither do they spin: and yet I Say unto you, 'That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these!' Wherefore, if GOD so Clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and to-morrow is cast into the oven; shall He not much more Clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'Wherewithal shall we be clothed?' For your Heavenly FATHER Knoweth, that ye have need of all these things; but seek ye first The KINGDOM of GOD, and His Righteousness! And all these things shall be Added unto you! Take therefore no thought for the morrow! for the morrow shall take thought for the things of

itself-Matt. vi. 25, 26, 28 to 34.

-David said, 'THE LORD is my Light and my Salvation! Whom shall I fear? THE LORD is The Strength of my Life! Of whom shall I be afraid? When the Wicked, even mine Enemies and my Foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an Host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me; in this will I be confident. For in the time of trouble The LORD shall Hide me in His Pavilion: in the Secret of His Tabernacle shall He Hide me. When my Father and my Mother forsake me; then The LORD will Take me up!' And then the Psalmist adds from his own experience this admonition, Wait on The LORD! Be of good courage! And He shall Strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on The LORD!'-Psl. xxvii. 1 to 3, 5, 10, 14.

VERSES 7, 8.-Remember Them, which have the Rule over you; who have spoken unto you the Word of GOD! Whose faith follow; considering the End of their conversation, JESUS CHRIST! The Same yesterday and to-day, and for Ever!

The true Ministers of The Gospel of JESUS CHRIST Appointed to the high Office, both by GOD and Man, to be the Shepherds and Guides of their Flocks, should have not only attention, but reverence and service paid them for they hold forth the Gracious Promise of Eternal Life, through the faith they both profess and exemplify, and set forth justly and impressively, (it should be,) CHRIST as The Way, and The Only Way Thereto. To tread in their steps, to treasure their counsel, and to pursue the Precepts which they illustratingly draw from The Holy Scriptures, That Exhaustless Mine of Spiritual Knowledge and Wisdom, is the duty and the interest, and should be the faithful observance of our minds, and sought after as the delight of our hearts. To the Apostles, their LORD and MASTER, JESUS CHRIST, was the Be-All and the End-All; The Everlasting SOURCE of their confidence and their Consolation. And What He was to them, He is both Able and Willing to Become to us: For He is The SAVIOUR of All, in all Generations and at all times, who, in the spirit of penitence and gratitude and reverential love, come unto Him for in Him there is no Variableness nor Shadow of Turning from all the Graciousness of His Merciful Intercession; and His Sacrificial Office, though but Once on the Cross, is for Ever Available to every Soul, that trusteth in It. It is through the faith and patience, which such Guides exhibit, that, being Followers thereof, we may hope to inherit,with them, the Exceeding Precious Promises of Life and Peace, and Joy Eternal-Heb. vi. 12. The Beloved Apostle John, in announcing the Great and Extensive Revelations Made to him, and Recorded for our Invaluable Instruction, invoked Grace and Peace from HIM, Which is, and Which was, and Which is to Come--Rev. i. 4. THE ALMIGHTY-8; The GOD,That Changeth not; Eternal!

VERSES 9 to 15.-Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing, that the heart be established with Grace; not with meats, which have not profited them, that have been occupied therein. We have an Altar, Whereof they have no right to eat, which serve the Tabernacle: for the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the Sanctuary by the High-Priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore JESUS also, that He might Sanctify the People with His Own Blood, Suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His Reproach! For here have we no continuing City; but we seek One to Come. By Him therefore let us offer the Sacrifice of Praise to GOD continually, that is, the fruit of our lips; giving thanks to His Name!

To be fixt firm in the faith as it is in JESUS, as Developed in the Whole Word of GOD, and Insisted upon and peculiarly Illustrated in The Gospel and the Epistles, should be the prevailing and paramount study of every One, and a prayerful spirit should ever accompany that system of studious research, to be