A silver coin or medal is generally stamped with the image of the sovereign; this can be done only when the metal is soft, and it is made soft by the heat of the fire. So, God's people should bear the likeness of Christ, their King, stamped upon them in their conduct; and God sends affliction to soften their hearts, that they may more easily receive that holy impression, and so become more and more like Jesus.

Sanskrit.-A bad man, gold, a drum, a woman, a bad horse, stalks of sugar-cane, sesamum seed, and Sudras, should be beaten to improve their qualities. Atmabodh.-After mortifying the body, the pure spirit is discerned by reason, as rice is separated from the husk by beating it.

Bengal. The crocodile on the water and the tiger on land both strive to break my neck.

Tamul.-Though worn by attrition, the sandal-wood loses not its savour.

China.-Clouds pass, but the rains remain.

Sanskrit.-A crane's meditation-i.e., seem to be meditating, when they are ready to pounce on the fish. Sanskrit. He who is wise is strong; the foolish have no strength.

Sanskrit.-Fools learn by the past-i.e., experience a dear school.

The Church a Garden enclosed.-CANT. 4. 12.

The Church like a garden in seven points :—

Paradise means a beautiful garden, to which Christ refers, Luke 23. 43; Babylon had hanging gardens on the roofs of the houses.

As the waste wilderness is the emblem of the world, so a choice garden is set forth as an image of God's Church, as is also a vineyard, Mat. 20. 1-16. A garden is a place enclosed out of the common waste ground, and set apart for special culture and fruitfulness. Its site is chosen for advantage of soil and shelter; as well as for that abundant supply of water, which is so needful for the health and produce of its plants. Care is ever taken to

screen it from every rude blast, to maintain or improve the natural goodness of the ground, and to make the water flow in such channels as may conduct it most easily to the several plots and borders. In laying out a garden, it is divided and arranged according to some wellordered pattern; and he, who is set "to dress it and to keep it," is ever careful both to remove whatever is common and unsightly, and to fill every nook and angle with the choicest flowers, and the most useful and delicious fruits. The owner of the garden delights to come into it when the tender shoots are first showing themselves above the ground, or when it is in all the pride of summer beauty or autumnal fruitfulness, Rev. I. 13. Its sunny stillness and repose invite to peaceful meditation. Its exact order, its smooth lawns, its many-coloured borders, cool shades, and clear waters are soothing to the eye that is wearied with the glare and confusion of the crowded marts; while the soft breeze that whispers among the fruits and flowers is laden with the most grateful fragrance.

It is thus that God has chosen out of the world a Church, or “peculiar people," to be his own portion and inheritance. He fences and protects it from the enemies that seek its ruin; he is a wall of fire, and sets in it the choicest plants, to bear those fruits and flowers which are of price in his sight. So Abraham gave the flower of faith, Moses of meekness, Peter of boldness, Paul of zeal, Gal. 5. 22. It is the Paradise of his beloved Son, who is the second Adam, and whose care it is to remove from it the weeds of sin and selfishness, and to preserve it in that godly order, and that blessed unity, which makes it the image upon earth, not only of the heavenly peace, but even of the Divine Unity itself. His Holy Spirit is the fountain in the midst of the garden which nourishes and refreshes the plants; and is also the gentle breath which bears the fragrance of its flowers to Him who is pleased to receive graciously what in itself is unworthy of

being offered to Him. cherish the various plants on which He is pleased to set such store, and to see, when He shall come into His garden, that there be nothing there to offend those eyes which are too pure to behold iniquity. Whatever resembles the fruits of the evil world must be rooted out; whatever is useful and lovely must be planted and fostered.

He sets His servants to tend and

Faith more Precious than Gold.-I PET. I. 7.

In Rev. 3. 18, Divine Grace, which stands the fiery trial, is called gold, faith in the text is not mere knowledge. Faith like gold in ten points:

I. Scarce, so the grace of God.

2. Searched after, men go to deep mines for gold, or to California; so search the Scriptures, John 5. 39.

3. Tried in fire, to distinguish it from false metal, sometimes a touchstone used, so God's word like faith is tried by fire, so Abraham three times, Job six times.

4. Precious in its nature, hence faith called lively, effectual, 1 Thess. I. 3; faith precious as bought with Christ's blood, wrought by God's Spirit, object of is Christ; unites to God, eye of the soul; unfeigned working by love, Gal. 5.6; holy, procured by Christ's blood, Col. 2. 12; its fruits, Heb. II; faith made a river go back, caused a man to give half of his goods to the poor, Luke 19. 8; and people to burn bad books, Acts 19. 19.

5. The Chief Metal. Babylon called the golden city, Is. 14. 4; the skull called the golden bowl, Ecc. 12.6. 6. Much in little, compared with brass, so with faith. 7. Weighty and firm, so faith in adversity, Heb. II. 8. Splendid, used in crowns; Babylon had a golden cup, Rev. 17.4.

9. Forms fine vessels, as the vessels in Solomon's temple; so saints are golden candlesticks, Rev. 1. 20.

10. Durable, wastes not in fire, so the three Hebrew children, Dan. 3.

Chinese.-True gold fears not the fire.

The Righteous Groan in their Bodily Tabernacle. 2 COR. 5. 4.

The righteous groan from six causes :—

Creation itself groans, being under a curse for sin, Rom. 8. 22. The soul dwells in the body as in a tent which is easily taken down, being made of frail materials that flood or fire soon destroys; the body soon returns to dust.

The soul's dark cottage battered and decayed

Lets in new light through chinks which time has made. Few care to ornament a tent, as they are but a short time in it; it is crazy and leaky in bad weather, so disease makes the body.

It is better to groan for a while in this tabernacle than for ever under God's vengeance; the tears from groaning God puts in his bottle, Ps. 56. 8. This groaning arises from the burthen of the body, which hinders the soul rising on eagle's wings; from Satan's temptations, I Pet. 1.6; bad company, 2 Pet. 2. 7; afflictions, Ps. 42. 7 ; indwelling sin, Rom. 7. 24.

Naladiyar.—The soul carries the skin bag—the body.

The Right Hand of God dashes in Pieces his Enemies. Ex. 15. 6.

His right hand in the text imports a signal display of his Almighty power, his love, mercy, or wrath in relation to the exalted station of Christ. It imports the highest power, authority, glory, and dignity. Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by God's hand, Acts 13. 11. Hand denotes strength, thus Ishmael's hand as an Arab

robber was against every man, Gen. 16. 12. Christ sits at the Father's right hand-i.e., the seat of power, Mark 14.62. The hollow of his hand denotes his easy comprehension, protection, and support of all things. God's arms, hands, fingers, denote Almighty power manifested in acts of sovereignty, justice, and grace. God is called

God's

the head of Christ, to him, as man and mediator, he is the undoubted superior, and it is his to support, rule, and direct him, as such. His countenance and face, when represented as set against any, denote the manifestation of his indignation and wrath; in other circumstances, they signify the discovery of his glory and grace. eyes import his knowledge, his care, and regard; but sometimes the display of his wrath. His ears denote his perfect knowledge, his exact observation and favourable regard. His nostrils and nose signify his anger, his approbation, and his exact judgment. His mouth and lips denote his will, authority, and wrath. His back imports his anger and disregard. His bowels are his most ardent love, his tender mercy, and unbounded compassion. His bosom imports secrecy, safety, eminent nearness, amazing intimacy, and endeared love. His feet are the less glorious manifestations of his presence; the exercise of his power and providence, for the relief of his people and overthrow of his enemies.

Pilate washed his hands in Christ's case to denote that his power was used innocently, Mat. 27. 24. Persons were consecrated by the imposition of hands to denote. spiritual power imparted, Gen. 48. 14.

Russian.-God is an old worker of miracles.

Svetasvatare Upanished.-Without hands or feet, God grasps and moves; without eyes he sees; without ears he hears; he knows whatever is knowable, but no one knows him.