"While Jews on their own law rely,

And Greeks of wisdom boast;
I love the Incarnate Mystery,
And there I fix my trust."

"And dwelt among us." This adds to his humiliation-" Will God in very deed dwell with man upon the earth? He might have been incarnate, and have dwelt in heaven, and among angels. But he dwelt among us. And not in the highest style of our being. Some of our race live in palaces; but he had not where to lay his head. They travel in ease and splendour; he travelled on foot, and was "weary with his journey." We only read of his riding once, and then it was on a colt, the foal of an ass. They are attended with officers of state; he was despised and rejected of men. They come to be ministered unto, but he to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Dwelling expresses permanent residence. He had appeared of old, and had visited the children of men, but he soon again disappeared. But now he took up his abode with us for thirty-three years, well satisfied to keep out of heaven, and to remain here as long as there was any thing for him to do or suffer. This shows intercourse. He occasionally retired; but it was to prepare by privacy for publicity. He never refused society. He was present at the marriage in Cana of Galilee. He accepted the invitation of Levi when he made a great feast and bade many. He also received sinners, and did eat with them. There was nothing in him like extravagance, or sinful indulgence; but there was nothing monkish, abstemious, and austere, as we learn from the comparison and reflection: "John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners." This was a slander, but as he went about doing good, so he never by his example taught his followers to shun their fellow-creatures, and exclaim, " Stand by thyself, come not near to me; I am holier than thou." The truth is, we are to be in the world, but not of it. The religion of the Gospel calls us both out of the world and into the world-out of the world as to its maxims and temper-into it as a field of labour and a sphere of usefulness, where we are to be diligent in business, to relieve the distressed, to teach the ignorant, to reclaim the vicious. We are to fill our days; and live as long as we breathe. When Calvin was requested to leave off writing and correcting, What, said he, shall the master come and find me doing nothing? And Philip Henry's remark is well known, who, when desired to spare himself, said, What are candles for but to burn out?

September 7.-"I will fill this house with glory."-Haggai ii. 7.

Two things are certain. First, that "this house" means the temple reared by the Jews after their return from Babylon. Secondly, the "glory" with which it was to be filled was to arise from the coming of the Messiah to dignify it-" For thus saith the Lord of hosts, yet once, it is yet a little while, and I will shake the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come--and I will fill

this house with glory." This was to be more than a substitute for all the distinguished articles that were found wanting in the second temple, compared with the first: and to account for the assurance, "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former."

Accordingly he appeared on earth while this house was standing, and was often found in it. The first time we read of his being there was as an infant, to be presented to the Lord. The offering that accompanied the dedication was "a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons." As this was the sacrifice allowed for the poor, in lieu of any thing more valuable, it shows the lowly condition into which he had entered. Few, therefore, for want of splendour, would notice the event. But this was not the case with all; and another kind of greatness was displayed. "There was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." "And there was one Anna, a prophetess, and she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem." At the age of twelve we find him in the temple, "sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." How was his glory shed abroad when he "went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." And "the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

Here was now found in the temple the body, of which the law was a shadow: the reality of all the types; the accomplishment of all the prophecies; the fulfilment of all the promises; the consolation of Israel. Many eminent characters had entered the former temple: but he was fairer than the children of men: and higher than the kings of the earth. Think of his innocency. The former temple had seen good men, but never a sinless one. But he was harmless, holy, undefiled, separate from sinners: in him was no sin. Think of his devotion. What faith! what trust! what spirituality of mind! what fervour of love! what ardour of zeal! VOL. II.

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Such worship had never been rendered in Solomon's temple-no, nor by Adam in Paradise; nor by the angels in heaven. Think of his preaching there. "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation;" and in him were hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and he spake as never man spake. O to have heard him, when early in the temple he said, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." O to have heard him at the passover, when, on the last, the great day of the feast, he stood and cried, "If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink." Other teachers received a measure of the Spirit; but he was full of grace and truth. Think of his divinity. He could say, "There is one in this place greater than the temple." In him dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. He was the Lord of all—Well might he fill the house with glory.

The temple once thus honoured has long since been consumed. But there are temples sacred to his service now: and the Saviour's presence is the glory of them. And every believer loves the habitation of his house; and repairs to it, not for the stateliness of the edifice, the superbness of the decorations, or the effect of the ceremonies-if there was every thing in it that was Jewish, Pagan, or Popish, it would all be nothing, less than nothing and vanity, unless he could see the beauty of the Lord; but because he has said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them." And they find him faithful to his word. They hear his voice; see his goings in the sanctuary; taste that he is gracious; and are made joyful in his house of prayer: and though it may be a private room, or an upper chamber, when thus blessed and ennobled it is none other than the house of God and the gate of heaven.

Christians themselves are a building fitly framed together, and growing unto a holy temple in the Lord. Know ye not, says the Apostle, that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? And he is all in all as to his church: "For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her."

There is yet another temple; and this too is filled with the same glory-" Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

SEPTEMBER 8.-"For the Lord will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob."-Isaiah xiv. 1.

THE Jews were carried away captive to Babylon. But they were not to be destroyed there, or to remain. "After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place. For I

know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." With regard to this restoration two things are mentioned in the words before us.

The one is the source of it-mercy, free and undeserved mercy : "I will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land." And this is the principle which always, as far as good is concerned, whether in possession or hope, leads him to deal with us.

The other is the consequence. Many, leaving their own country and their idols, would return along with them; others would unite with them after their return: "And the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob." And here we see a little of the design of God in their captivity. It was indeed to punish them for their sin; but his punishments are corrections; and he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. He would humble them, and prove them, and reclaim them; and not only do them good, but render them useful to others. And who can tell how many have had reason to bless God for the dispensation. For when they were conquered and enslaved they carried the elements of their religion along with them, diffusing their inspired writings, and spreading the knowledge of the true God. Many pious characters rose to distinguished eminence and influence during their stay in Babylon. Several very glorious and publicly witnessed miracles were performed on their behalf. Thus God pleaded the cause of his people, and showed that though he chastised them, they were the seed which the Lord had blessed. And their deliverance was so wonderful, and attended with such unparalleled circumstances, that it not only at first seemed to themselves, more like a pleasing dream than a reality, but induced the very heathen to say among themselves, "The Lord hath done great things for them." Hence many became proselytes, and professed the God of Israel.

Thus the Lord can change the darkest skies, and turn the shadow of death into the morning; yea, and by our sufferings not only bless us, but make us a blessing. The little girl that waited on Naaman's wife had been torn from her parents, and carried away captive, but she was the means of honouring the God of Israel. The persecution which scattered the brethren from Jerusalem spread the Gospel in all the directions in which they fled. The blood of the martyrs was the seed of the churches. The dreary imprisonment of Bunyan for twelve years occasioned his writing the Pilgrim's Progress and the Holy War. The works of many other authors, whose praise is in all the Churches, were the produce of their pri vations and hardships. Who can tell in how many ways we may be able to say, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted."

But we here see that religious conviction produces attachment to the people of God. Man is by nature a social being. When sin falls in with this disposition, it is corrupted, and becomes a most powerful auxiliary of iniquity; but when grace meets with it, the bias is sanctified, and operates after a godly sort. The new creature feels the want of new associations; and here, as in every thing else, like attracts like. Hence Ruth, though a Moabitess, said to her

Israelitish mother-in-law: "Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee, for whither thou goest, I will go ; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me." And as soon as Saul of Tarsus came to Jerusalem, he "assayed to join himself to the disciples." So it is with all true converts; they easily abandon the sons and daughters of vanity and vice to "take hold of the skirt of. him that is a Jew, saying, I will go with you, for I have heard that God is with you." They can now say, "I am a companion of all In them "is all my delight." They will be joined with them, and cleave to them in their assemblies as fellowworshippers; in their communion as Church members; and in their practice and experience as joint workmen in God's building, labourers in his husbandry, soldiers in his army, and followers in his ways.

them that fear thee."

Here is a good test by which you may judge yourselves. What would make you most happy in your retirement? Would it be this confidence of faith?" Thou hast given me the heritage of them that fear thy name." What is your principal desire when you consider your own condition and that of others? Is it this? "Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto them that love thy name?"

Happy they who can pray, "Deliver me from men of the world, who have their portion in this life." I ask not to be numbered with the rich, the mighty, and the noble. Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon. Í long for their Shepherd, their pasture, their repose

"O may I see thy tribes rejoice,

And aid their triumphs with my voice;
This is my glory, Lord, to be

Joined to thy saints, and near to thee."

And if the subjects of divine grace may be the mediums of it too, how much depends on our character and conduct. He that winneth souls is wise. Let us therefore walk in wisdom towards them that are without. Let us do every thing in our power to remove their prejudices. Let every thing in our religion be, not repulsive, but alluring, not only impressive, but amiable. Let us so hold forth the word of life as to be perpetually saying, "We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel." And if we are the means of bringing one individual from the world into the church of the living God, we have done more than any conqueror who has delivered a whole nation from civil bondage. "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

SEPTEMBER 9.-"To the law and to the testimony."-Isaiah viii. 20.

THE "law" and "the testimony" are a fine representation of the Scripture. Both these names are often applied to it especially in