there is no manifestation of it known, or conceivable by us, that can be compared to this. The light of the sun is always the same, but it shines brightest to us at noon; the cross of Christ was the noon-tide of everlasting love; the meridian splendour of eternal mercy; there were many bright manifestations of the same love before; but they were like the light of the morning, that shines more and more unto the perfect day; and that perfect day was when Christ was on the cross, when darkness covered the land.

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.

THE righteousness wherein we must be found, if we will be justified, is not our own, therefore we cannot be justified by any inherent quality. Christ hath merited righteousness for as many as are found in him. In him God findeth us, if we be faithful; for by faith we are incorporated into Christ. Then, although in ourselves we be altogether sinful and unrighteous, yet even the man who is impious in himself, full of iniquity, full of sin-him, being found in Christ through faith, and having his sin remitted through repentance— him God beholdeth with a gracious eye, putteth away his sin by not imputing it; taketh quite away the punishment due thereunto by pardoning it; and accepteth him in Jesus Christ as perfectly righteous, as if he had fulfilled all that was commanded him in the law. Shall I say, more perfectly righteous than if himself had fulfilled the whole law? I must take heed what I say; but the apostle saith, "God hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made

the righteousness of God in him." Such we are in the sight of God the Father, as is the very Son of God himself. Let it be counted folly, or phrensy, or fancy, whatsoever, it is our comfort and our wisdom; we care for no knowledge in the world but this, that man hath sinned, and God hath suffered-that God hath made himself the Son of man, and that men are made the righteousness of God.

RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST ALL-SUFFICIENT.

IF I had the righteousness of a saint, says one, O how happy should I be! If I had the righteousness of an angel, says another, I should fear no evil. But I am bold to say, that the poorest sinner who believes in Christ, has a righteousness infinitely more excellent than that of either saints or angels. If the law asks for sinless perfection, it is to be found in Christ my divine surety. If the law requires obedience that may stand before the burning eye of God, behold it is in Jesus my Mediator. Should the strictest justice arraign me, and the purest holiness make its demands upon me, I remit them both to my dying and obedient Emanuel. With him the Father is always well pleased, and in him the believer stands complete.

CHRIST A PRESENT FRIEND.

WHILE we wander through the wilderness of this world amid so many wants, how desirable must it be to find a friend, able and willing to furnish the needed supplies! Amid so many ene

mies and dangers, how desirable must it be to find a friend able and willing to furnish the necessary protection! Amid so many temptations, to watch over us! Amid so many sorrows, to relieve us; in solitude to be our companion, in difficulties our helper, in despondence our support, in disease our physician, in death our hope, resurrection, and life! In a word, how desirable must it be to find a friend, who, throughout all the strange, discouraging state of the present life, will give us peace, consolation, and joy; and cause all things, even the most untoward and perplexing, to "work together for our good!"

On a dying-bed, especially when "our flesh" and "our hearts" must "fail," of course, our earthly friends yield us little consolation, and no hope, and the world itself retires from our view, how delightful will such a friend be! Then the soul, uncertain, alone, hovering over the form which it has so long inhabited, and stretching its wings for its flight into the unknown vast, will sigh and pant for an arm on which it may lean, and a bosom on which it may safely recline. But there, Christ is present with all his tenderness, and all his power. With one hand he holds the anchor of hope, and with the other he points the way to heaven.

CHRIST AN ALL-POWERFUL FRIEND.

CHRIST is an all-powerful friend. The ability of a friend to serve us, might fall short of his inclination. However cordially attached to our interests, he might be unable to promote them. But the power of Christ is infinite, as his love is

immeasurable. "All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth." The kingdoms of nature, of providence, of grace, are under his control. He is "the mighty God," the Creator and Upholder of all things. With what confidence may not the people of Christ repose on such an allpowerful Friend? Into what difficulties can they be plunged, from which he cannot extricate them? With what enemies can they be called to contend, from which he cannot protect them? Are they afflicted with sickness? He can say to the pestilence, Go, and it goeth. Are they oppressed with want? He can send his ravens and feed them. Are they immured in prisons? He can commission his angels to deliver them. Are they in perils of water? The winds and the waves obey his voice. Are they exposed to ravenous beasts? He can stop the mouths of lions. Are they cast into the burning furnace? He can quench the violence of fire. In spiritual concerns, is he less mighty to save? Hear his own declaration: "I will give unto my sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any pluck them out of my hand." Hear the declaration of his apostle, St. Paul: "I know whom I have believed; and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." What comfortable declarations to the people of Christ! Satan may desire to have them that he may sift them as wheat; but stronger is He who is with them, than he who is against them. In themselves they are weak and ready to fall; but "underneath are the everlasting arms." He who "loved them and gave himself for them, is able to save them to the uttermost." He "will keep them by his power through faith unto salvation."

CHRIST A SEASONABLE FRIEND.

BEHOLD that emaciated form, agonized with pain, sinking under the weight of accumulated disease. By to-morrow's dawn he will be a lifeless corpse. What, in this trying season, is the support which he receives? He has trusted in riches; do riches now sustain him? Do they illumine his cheerless prospect? Do they allay his guilty fears? He has placed his confidence in man-does man now minister to his relief? Where are the gay companions of his mirthful hours? Where is the servile herd of sycophants, who once hung upon his lips? Where are the admiring crowds who sounded forth his praises, and idolized his name? All, all-are fled. In such a trying season, does Christ forsake his people? Does he leave them comfortless and unsupported? Visit the chamber of the dying Christian. Mark his placid brow-his eye glistening with hopehis countenance, from which even the advancing hand of death cannot displace the smile. Whence springs this sweet serenity, this calm, triumphant cheerfulness? Christ is with him-Christ has smoothed the bed of death, and quiets every fear. "Does death alarm? I have removed its sting. Does the thought of separation from earthly friends distress? Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them; and let thy widows trust in me.' Does the apprehension of dissolution terrify? When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;-be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness,'