"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matt. vi. 26.

In all times and seasons, and under every circumstance, there is something to be found in the words of Christ well suited to our state. His words are like a well finished portrait, which, whoever looks upon conceives the eyes to be fixed upon him. In order to have your faith simple, and your hope steadily fixed upon God, you are here,

1st. Invited to "Behold," look at, think upon, do see "the fowls"-they have no disquietude about what they shall eat. There are many fowls, and various sorts; some are very ravenous in their nature; notwithstanding, the God of Providence feeds them all, with food convenient for them. Ps. cxlvii. 9. It gives them no concern, in the fall of the year, how they are to be provided for in the coming winter: still they are fed through the depth of winter; as well as the height of summer; Will your heavenly Father, who is so mindful of his fowls,

be unmindful of his children?

Observe, 2d. It is not said the fowls at the barn door; but, the "fowls of the air :"—not the tame fowls which are daily fed by their owner: but the wild fowls, that, without any care of their own; are constantly fed. "They sow not," neither do they trouble themselves to "gather into barns ; nor give themselves any concern about food, till hunger reminds them of their need, then

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they seek and find it. And while your heavenly Father" feeds them, can you doubt of his feeding you? Surely not! And now,

3d. Put the question to your own heart, "Are ye not much better than they?" Not that you have been no more ungrateful than ever the fowls were capable of being; but are ye not of much more value than many fowls? Matt. x. 31. The fowls were made to serve you; you were made to serve God; and how can you serve him without trusting in him? Endeavor to keep your soul alive by faith in the promises of God: and your body shall be kept alive by the providence of God: Prov. x. 3. Some trust God while they have all things; but do you strive to trust him for all things.

"Behold I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Zech. iii. 4.

PLINY informs us of a rod of mirtle, which, while a traveller carries it in his hand, will keep him from growing weary. Truly the word of God is like this myrtle rod, for it braces our nerves, supports our minds, strengthens our faith, resolves our doubts, smooths our rugged path, and beguiles our weary steps through this world to our native home.

Your attention is called to a most gracious declaration and precious promise, "Behold!" This word imports excitement; Isa. vii. 14: attention; John i. 29: joy; Matt. xxi. 5: certainty; Lnke xxiv. 39: and, to behold, is to look on, Gen. xxxi. 51; consider: Sam. i. 12: know; John xix. 5; care for; John xix. 26, 27, “Behold,"

1st. God has forgiven all thy sins, notwithstanding their magnitude and number; and "caused thine iniquity to pass from thee;" never more to appear against thee. Do you ask, is it possible! yea, it is not only possible but certain! for when the Lord forgives, he forgives all: and enables us to put off our filthy rags of corrupt affections and lusts, as we would cast off old clothes for which we have no further use; being washed by faith, in the blood of Christ; Rom. i. 5, 6: And,

2d. "A change of raiment" is also given. By faith we receive, and are clothed with, the righteousness of Christ, which is not only given, but imparted to us. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. xiii. 14.— Clothed with this change of raiment, you can appear in the Court of heaven, as though you had never sinned; and ask and have whatever you need, with a full expectation of obtaining it: John xiv. 13, 14.

Having obtained a change of raiment for the soul, you may confidently expect one for the body. If your heavenly Father has clothed the inner man, you need not think the outer man will have to go naked: Matt. vi. 32. Some people examine their clothes much, and their hearts little and are often crying for better clothes, when they ought to be praying for better hearts: 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Many who wear a fine outside, have a filthy inside: Luke xi. 39.

"If God so clothe the grass of the field, which to-day is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O yc of little faith? Matt. vi. 30.

THE best of men are but grass at best, whatever might be their endowments: and the grave, as an oven, will shortly consume them all: 1 Pet. i. 24.

And that is a grand reason why we should take no distressing thought what we shall wear on the morrow: for to-morrow the shroud, coffin, and grave, may be all that we shall need: Prov. xxvii. 1. The grass cares not for to-morrow, it toils not as we do: and yet it is clothed. Neither do the lillies spin, notwithstanding, Solomon's clothing could not equal theirs. It does not follow, that we are to be idle, and not make use of all lawful means, but the contrary 2 Thes. i. 10. But after having made use of every effort to procure those things we need, we should leave the event with God; trusting in, and relying upon him; resting assured, that he who provides for his inferior creatures, without labor, will not fail to crown our labors with his blessing, and provide for us. There are many who pay all attention to the body, and no attention to the soul; but do you pay attention to both, and to the soul most: Matt. vi 33. Clothing was first made to hide our shame, though many make it all their glory: Ps. xlix. 14. Your clothes may be worn thin, and you may be worn out before your clothes. Let it, therefore, give you no concern where your next suit is to come from: for surely He who clothes the grass will clothe you.

"O ye of little faith," give your fears to the wind; let it suffice that your heavenly Father knoweth you have need of these things. Let not carnal reason exalt itself against the grace and truth of God. Unbelief is an enemy to your Lord's love and truth. Live no longer in yourself, but in Christ; be happy in him, and comfortable in following him: Gal. ii. 20. "Shall he not? Can he not? Will he not? Yes He will; "much more clothe you," than the grass, which either grows unnoticed, is food for beasts, or fuel for the oven. How can you be poor, while in the possession of so many precious jewels, as you have in Christ? Fine clothes may hide the shame of the body, but can never cover the shame of the soul. When you need raiment, ask God: Gen. xxvii. 20.

"Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, cometh in his season." Job. v. 26.

like a shock of corn

It is appointed unto men once to die; Heb. ix. 27: but when, where, and how, is known only to God, in whom we live; Acts xvii. 28: and though we cannot lengthen our days, we may greatly shorten them; Ps. lv. 23: notwithstanding the number of them is set, so that beyond that bound we cannot pass; Job. xiv. i4. However, that should give us but little concern, seeing we are assured by Him who gives us breath, that every believer shall die seasonably be no longer in bondage. through fear of death; for thou mayest depend,

1st. Upon not being driven away, as is the case with the wicked; Prov. xiv. 32: but "thou shalt come to thy grave," as one who is, not only willing, but waiting, his Master's call, fearing no evil; Ps. xxiii. 4. Bear in mind.

2d. Though you may not live to old age, the promise is, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age." You shall live till your work is done; and then, being willing to die, you will be conducted to your grave in peace, and pass safely through it. That you will die seasonably, and not prematurely, admits of no doubt; for you will go to your grave "like a shock of corn." You know the corn is not cut and housed before it is fully ripe; neither shall death cut you down, nor your body be housed in the grave, until you are ripe for death and glory; as the corn, when cut, is ripe for the sickle, and barn. Our times are in the hand of God, who is the great husbandman, and who is continually watching our growth in grace, and will not cut us down till he sees we are ready; but will not suffer us to remain longer.

You will live long enough to finish your work that God has for you to do; and then, like happy Paul, you will want to be off to your reward: 2 Tim. iv. 6 - 8. While you do live, live to good purpose; strive to live holy, and unto the world die daily; and, while you have life, love Christ more than life. Look unto the Lord, and wait continually upon the God of your salvation : believe him, honor him, obey him, and "thou shalt come to thy grave in full age."

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your father." Matt. x. 29.

WHO can describe the wild emotion of conscience, and the distress of a soul, under a feeling sense of sin and death? None can, but the heart which knows its own bitterness. Neither can any tongue express the sweet peace, and calm repose, of that soul who rests in Jesus; for a stranger intermeddles not with its joys.

We are told of some, who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage: Heb. ii. 15. But a believer in Christ ought ever to remember, that JESUS, who has the keys of death, commands him not to fear Rev. i. 17, 18. Neither can he fear while he has his eye of faith upon the promises of God: Ps. xxiii. 4. Observe,

:

1st. The vast difference between the value of a spar row and a believer. The former were sold "two for a farthing;" (less than a cent a piece) and the latter was bought with the precious blood of Christ: 1 Pet. i. 18, 19.

2d. The notice that is taken of sparrows: "One of them shall not fall on the ground, neither to take up its food, nor by death, "without your Father." If then, Father is so mindful of his birds, can you suppose your him less mindful of his children?

Your enemies, like fowlers, may endeavor to ensnare you, or shoot their envenomed darts at you, but " your Father" will preserve you, while he sees it will be for your good and his glory; therefore, be not afraid of death, nor covet life, since both are yours: 1 Cor. iii. 22, A long life is good, but a good life is better; and yout have the promise of every good thing: Ps. lxxxiv. 11. Live every day as though it were your dying day; and you will have no cause to complain of the want of days: Deut. v. 33. While you have life prepare for death. Improve all the time you have, and when you come to die you will find you have lived long enough: Phil. iii. 21. While you are on the earth, lay up treasure in heaven: Matt. vi. 19. - 21. Labor to be in your life what you would wish to be in death. While your Father cares for you, what can harm you? 1 Pet. iii. 13.