doctrines and institutions; from these he joins the sceptic; and he prepares him for the scoffer. Guard therefore against the first deviations from the paths of righteousness. Crush the cockatrice in the egg; or it will grow up into a frightful serpent. Cut off the shoots of iniquity, yea nip the very buds; it will otherwise bring forth fruit unto death.

Finally, avoid the occasions of sin. Nothing is more dangerous than idleness, or having nothing to do. Our idle days, says Henry, are the devil's busy ones. And says another, when the mind is full temptation cannot enter, but when it is empty and open, the enemy can throw in what he pleases. Stagnant waters breed thousands of noxious insects; but this is not the case with living water.

A prudent man looketh well to his going, and will think it at any time worth while to go round, in order to avoid a pit. Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house-lest by going nigh, you should be tempted to go in. Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burnt? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt? Can a man wish the weeds in his garden to wither, and daily water them? If a man prayed to be

heavenly minded, would he go and wait in a theatre for the answer?

Sometimes christians are called in places and circumstances, in the

duty, that are very trying.

discharge of their

When this is the

case, the business is the Lord's, and he will take care of the servant employed in it. And therefore, in such instances, we have seen the weakest believers preserved. But it is otherwise when you rush into such dangers, uncalled of God. Is God bound to work miracles as often as you chuse to play the fool, or to act the sinner? Are you justified in bringing yourselves into a situation where the alternative is either a supernatural deliverance, or a shameful fall?

Thus then let us make our prayer to God, and set a watch. Let us impress our minds with a sense of our danger-let us study our natural dispositions let us remark in what manner we have been injured already-let us guard against the beginnings-and shun all the occasions of sin. Thus shall we stand in the evil day, and having done shall stand. Yea, in all these things, we shall be more than conquerors through him that loved.

Nor shall be always in a state of warfare. We shall soon exchange the toil of the soldier,

for the rest that remains for the people of God. Our praying and our watching will soon be needless. We shall put off the helmet, and put on the crown. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout O Israel: be glad and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. The Lord hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy : the King of Israel, even the Lord is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.

DISCOURSE XXV.

THE TREE OF LIFE.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.-Revelations xxii. 2.

-YEA doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. Such was the exclamation of the apostle; such was the judgment he formed of an acquaintance with the Saviour of sinners. He saw an excellency in it that led him to undervalue, and even despise every thing else. And no wonder.

What can be so suitable; so necessary-to creatures in our circumstances, as the knowledge of the Lord Jesus? If we are exposed-he is our refuge. If we are wanderers-he is our

guide. If we are poor-he is rich.-If we are nothing, he is all, and in all.

The christian, feeling his necessities, and enlightened from above to know the source of his supplies, often exclaims, as he reads through this sacred volume, "We have found him of "whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did "write; whom David, Joseph, Isaac, pre-fi"gured; who realizes in his own character, "the temple, the altar, the paschal lamb, the "ark." He holds communion with him as the rock of ages, as the sun of righteousness, as the fountain of living waters, as the tree of life, in the midst of the paradise of God...

-Of this we have a striking representation in the words before us. John saw the new Jerusalem descending from heaven. It was a city four-square. The gates, the walls, the very foundations were of precious stones. The pavement was of gold, and what we adore, they trample upon. Thus far the allusion is taken from the world of art-but nature also lends her combined aid and here is a reference to Eden, the original residence of man. In this residence it is well known man drank pure water, and lived on fruit. Accordingly a fine river watered the garden, and a tree called the tree of life grew in the center. Hence the water