to note, that He lives truly, independently, universally, and eternally.

First-He liveth truly, that is, essentially and substantially. In Him is life. He is its only Source and Origin: and from Him, as from an inexhaustible fountain, all life proceeds, continually running over and flowing abroad in ten thousand streams, and under an endless variety of forms, replenishing the earth with creatures of every name and character. God is in Himself a divine unbroken Unity. Yet as all numbers are but a unity multiplied, so all the various tribes of creatures about us are to be considered as the sparkling emanations and manifestations of this divine Unity, thus presenting itself to our notice, at sundry times and in divers manners; for of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things to whom be glory for ever! But while we contemplate the incomprehensible Jehovah, as the only and inconceivably prolific source of life; we are constrained with all humility to acknowledge, that we ourselves possess nothing more than a relative,

accidental, and imperfect kind of existence. All forms of life are to us inscrutable. We know not in what life consists. We are a mystery to ourselves; and such a mystery, so perplexing, so profound, as all the sagacity of man can never unravel. And if this be so, how much greater, how much deeper a mystery must be the mode of His existence, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see; and in whom creatures of every denomination live and move and have their being!

Secondly-The great and unspeakable Jehovah liveth independently. He hath no necessary reference to, nor connexion with, creatures of any description, either in earth or in heaven, He lives independently of the universe, which his own hands have formed; as well as of the inhabitants with which he has replenished it. For his pleasure they were at first created, and for his pleasure they still exist: but were they all to sink at once into a state of absolute annihilation, it would effect no manner of change in Him, because the Divine Nature

portance, He has made with us an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure,

Now this covenant is not of a slight and transitory nature: but it is ordered for all times and seasons; for all states and conditions; yea, for time and eternity. It is ordered in all things by infallible wisdom. No counsellor was admitted to give his advice in the formation of so invaluable an instrument: but every jot and tittle of it was deliberately planned and fully digested in the divine mind, before it was legibly drawn out and presented to his helpless creature man—so that all possibility of errors creeping into this memorable covenant, is for ever done away. In consequence of which there are to be found in it no flaws, no defects, no omissions of any kind neither is it capable of any additions. It is regulated with the most comprehensive foresight, down to the minutest particulars; not only ordering and arranging the greater events of our life, but even numbering the very hairs of our head. And, further, it is. a sure covenant. It is confirmed and established by the hand that stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundation of the

earth. It is also signed and sealed with the precious blood of Christ, which on that very account is called the blood of the covenant, being ratified in heaven and earth, and witnessed before angels and men. He who is able to do abundantly above all that we can ask or think, engages, by this gracious and unchangeable covenant, to supply all the wants, and to guide all the steps, of his people he promises them support under every burthen, and comfort in every affliction; most freely holding out to them the sure pardon of sin, the free communications grace, and the secret influences of his

of his

Spirit.

Such is the intent and meaning of the covenant, which God hath been pleased to establish with his faithful people, so far as it respects the present state. But its engagements relate to the eternal as well as to this transitory world. The great and gracious Head of the covenant undertakes to conduct us safely, through the valley of the shadow of death, to that state of light and glory, in which He himself has fixed his everlasting dwelling,' among blessed spirits of innumerable ranks and orders. Yes, he intends

one day to gather in his children from the four corners of the earth, that where He is, there they may be also. We are here in a course of sacred training for greater things; but this preparatory state is hastening to its appointed termination, when our heavenly Father means to fix us in the possession of a divine inheritance, beyond the reach of every evil-where we shall wander no more, but dwell for ever at home-where we shall sin no more, but be made as the angels of God-where we shall weep no more, but rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Such are the provisions of this unalterable covenant; such are the promises of a faithful God; and such the settled purpose of Him, with whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning.-And who, believing these things, can do otherwise than love the Lord our God with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his mind?

Tell me now, thou mourning saint, who art sitting in darkness, encompassed with fears, and abandoning thyself to dismal forebodings-what more canst thou ask; what more canst thou desire or think, than that which is here held out to thee in so