day I preached from Rev. vii. 13-15.

"What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple." On the preceding Sabbath I had not preached-a valued friend supplied my place and I now endeavoured to improve the afflictive dispensations in our family to a sympathizing and deeply affected congregation.

On the 25th she was interred, being laid on Matilda's left hand, the coffins touching each other, both being mantled by the same turf!

But our trial was not yet past. The Lord still sat as a refiner, and the furnace had not hitherto been heated as it was His sovereign and gracious will it should be. We had already lost our youngest as well as our oldest, and again we were about to be called upon to part with a youngest, also in the tender years of infancy.

Christian parents have consolations of a peculiar kind, in the death of their infant offspring. They are in the covenant with themselves, and have been, in secret, and before men, solemnly

dedicated to their Father in heaven. Christ is thus their Head and Saviour. "Of such," he declared, "is the kingdom of heaven." Commenting on this passage, Mr Scott remarks, "The expression may also intimate, that the kingdom of heavenly glory is greatly constituted of such as die in their infancy. Infants are as capable of regeneration as grown persons; and there is ground to conclude, that all those who have not lived to commit actual transgressions, though they have shared in the effects of the first Adam's offence, will also share in the blessings of the second Adam's gracious covenant-without their personal faith and obedience, but not without the regenerating influence of the Spirit of Christ. Whilst we teach our children, as they become capable of learning, how ready the condescending Son of God is to answer their lisping petitions, and to accept of them as his disciples; we may be well satisfied that he has taken to his heavenly kingdom such of them as have died in infancy; for, doubtless, the covenant is made with the believer for the good of this part of his offspring in an especial manner. If, then, Christian parents have their beloved branches cropt in the bud, they cannot, surely, have cause to complain, or to think much of their pain, care, or trouble,

when they are made the instruments of God in raising up children to him, who may inherit his everlasting kingdom."

The ordinance of baptism, of which such children have been partakers, speaks comfort Previous to its administration, indeed, they are included, by virtue of the parents' faith, in the visible Church of Christ, as being in covenant with him; but baptism, which publicly declares that they are so, and which is then the sign of promised blessings, is, in the hour of death, contemplated as the seal, or assurance on God's part, that he will accomplish, in their experience, all that he has promised. Their safety is not left as a doubtful thing. The great covenant is, in this solemn ordinance, unfolded; it is opened up more fully than many kings and wise men saw it, for the reception of a Christian's child. That child, though an infant of days, is baptized with the same solemn formula as an apostle; and the Triune God of salvation reveals himself in his glory to build the walls of Zion-to inset the little stones as well as the great; a solemn attestation to the value of the child, and an assurance that its safety is fully provided for.

May not Christian parents come short in privilege, by failing to plead with sufficient earnest

ness the benefits of this ordinance in behalf of their children, whilst they are spared to them; and may they not come short in duty, by failing to appeal to it when they address them on spiritual and eternal things? What an appeal had those parents who brought their tender little ones to Christ, to that event, in after years, in dealing with them! How forcibly might they relate to them the solemn circumstances of that affecting occasion; their rejection by the disciples, and Christ's displeasure on this account; his condescension and tender kindness; his taking them up in his arms, putting his hands upon them, and blessing them! How might they speak of the assurance thus afforded that He would redeem the pledge of favour given them-of the encouragement to pray to him, to rely on his grace, to trust his providence, to wait his coming! If He regarded them with such tenderness on earth, must not His intercessions on their behalf be sure in heaven-in health, under the pressure of affliction, and amidst the agonies of death! And how irresistible the claim on those favoured children, to fear the name, to love the law, and to seek the glory of that gracious and divine Saviour that holy, that good man, who had bestowed so precious a benediction when they knew it not! If

they had been distinguished by such a privilege —if they had been in His arms who now was "made higher than the heavens," being the object of adoration to the glorious hosts which surround the throne, did not this constitute an obli gation not to be resisted, constraining them to be distinguished by every holy qualification, and every heavenly grace! But have not Christian parents, now, a similar appeal to baptism, in dealing with their offspring, who, in that solemn ordinance, have been surrendered to the same gracious Redeemer, whose Word still testifies to all his people, “The promise is unto you, and unto your children." Let this sacrament, then, be duly exalted; not only as a source of comfort when disease wastes and death snatches their jewels away from them, but as a means of exhortation, instruction, and encouragement, while they are left under their charge. They were brought to Christ to be blessed, in the way ordained by himself; and have they not been blessed? The thrice holy name of God has been named on them-the sign of his grace administered by his ordained servant; why, then, should they be aliens or enemies; why serve any strange god, or why seek joy elsewhere than in the wells of salvation?