ance, to bring thee unto a knowledge of thyself, that thou art but earth and ashes, and to bring thee better to know God.-Rev. John Bradford.

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart; and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace! they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.-Isa. lvii. 12.

THEY never die too soon who die ripe and perfect. If some divine souls come into the world enriched with more light and beauty, and with stronger inclinations to virtue than others; and if their short lives are so bright and innocent, that from a particular grace, God has thought fit to exempt them from the miseries of this life; or that, on account of this particular pre-eminence, they need not pass through the trial, the discipline, and probations of it; on either of these suppositions we ought not to commiserate, but to revere their fate.-Lucas.

For this God is our God for ever and ever, he will be our guide even unto death.-Psa. xlviii. 14.

THIS God will be our God unto all eternity, and by the power which he hath already exerted in our protection, will conduct us through life with safety.-Merrick.

My days are like a shadow that declineth, and I am withered like grass. But thou, O Lord, shalt endure for ever, and thy remembrance to all generations.— Psa. cii. 11, 12,

hath

A SHADOW never continueth in one stay, but is still gliding imperceptibly on, lengthening as it goes, and at last vanishes into darkness. The period of its existence is limited to a day at farthest. The rising sun gives it birth, and in that moment when the sun sets it is no more. The " " of the field in like manner, grass a being of the same duration. In the morning clothed with verdure and beauty, it refresheth and delighteth the eye of the beholder; but the evening findeth it cut down, dried up and withered. Such is the life of man, sojourning in the land of his captivity, and doing penance for his

sins. But the eternity of Jehovah, the infallibility of his promises, and the remembrances of his former works and mercies, comfort our hearts, and encourage us to hope, nay, even to rejoice, in the midst of sorrow and tribulation.

Bishop Horne.

Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.- Prov. iv. 23.

Is bread the better for kneading? So is the heart. Knead it then by spiritual exercises, or God must knead it by afflictions.

A guess at truth.

Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.Matt, v. 4.

WHO is it that Jesus thus promises to indemnify for their sorrows by endless consolation? Not those who weep over the loss of their natural ties, or the calumnies to which they may have been subjected, or the unjust treatment they may have received; but those who weep in re

flecting on the sins they have committed. Those are they for whom he has reserved the felicities of heaven, which, most assuredly, they shall not fail to find.-St. Hilary of Poitiers.

Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.-Prov. xxvii. 1.

THERE are two contrary suppositions which ought to engage us in quite different methods of life. One, that it is impossible to abide here for ever; the other, that it is certain we cannot remain here long, and uncertain whether we shall not be removed hence the next hour. The last of these suppositions belong manifestly to our case. Pascal.

Although I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.-Psa. xxiii. 5.

SEEING I have such a guide and defender, there is no difficulty of peril, nor fear of death, that I

will pass of. For what harm can death be to him that hath God the author of all life with him? Or what can the tyranny of man do when God is the defender.-Bishop Hooper.

We spend our years as a tale that is told.-Psa. xc. 9. WE in our thoughts shut up death into a very narrow compass, namely, in the moment of our expiring; but the truth is, as the moralist observes, it goes through all our life; for we are still losing, and spending it as we enjoy it, yea, our very enjoying it, is the spending it; yesterday's life is dead to day, and so shall this day's life be to-morrow. Each word helps a tale towards its end, and while it lasts it is generally vanity, and when it is done, it vanishes as a sound in the air.-Archbishop Leighton.