in his essence: and " of that word not one jot or tittle shall ever fail." " Never will he leave them; never, never will he forsake them." " He is able to keep them from falling;" and, " Of those whom the Father has given him will he lose none."]
Improvement —
Is there amongst you any tempted soul ?
[Methinks some may be in the state of the Psalmist, " eating ashes like bread, and mingling their drink with tears"
But let not any one be so bowed down with afflictions,
as to say, " There is no hope." Whilst your Redeemer lives, you have a sure refuge : and, whatever trials you may have to sustain, " his grace shall be sufficient for you" ]
To those who are maintaining their steadfastness in the Gospel —
[We would say, Remember to whom you are indebted for your stability: " He that hath wrought you to this self-same thing is God." O think, what had been your state times without number, if your Almighty Saviour had not interposed to rescue you from the jaws of that roaring lion that seeketh to devour you and let all your confidence be in him alone ]
Ps. ciii. 1 — 5. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine ini- quities; who healeth all thy diseases: who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who croivneth thee with loving -kindness and tender mercies : who satisfieth thy mouth With good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagles.
IT is a favourite opinion of some divines, that we are bound to love God for his own perfections, with- out having any respect to the benefits which we receive from him. But this appears to us to be an unscriptural refinement. That God deserves all pos- sible love from his creatures on account of his own perfections, can admit of no doubt : and we can easily conceive, that persons may be so occupied with an admiration of his perfections, as not to have in their minds any distinct reference to the benefits they have received from him : but that any creature can place himself in the situation of a being who has no obli-