a very low conceit of himself-so low as to make him wonder, that he could be allowed to come to God, by prayer; or that God should send His own spirit to make a dwelling-place of his body. (1 Cor. iii. 16; vi. 19; 2 Cor. vi. 16.) This feeling should not make him turn away in despair; but, knowing the extreme importance of obtaining the spiritual blessings he desires, he should humbly take advantage of the merciful kindness of the well-beloved Son of God, who has promised to pray the Father for all those who avail themselves of his friendship. (1John ii. 1; John xiv. 16; vi. 37; Matt. xi. 27, 28; Eph. ii. 18; iii. 12; Heb. iv. 14-16,) QUESTIONS. What state of mind am I generally in, when I kneel down to say my prayers? Does the very thought of coming into God's presence by prayer, produce in me an humble feeling of my own infirmities? Does it make me thankful that in Jesus Christ I have a friend and a brother, through whom I may ask what I need with confidence? and am I careful to make use of this great advantage as I ought to do, not repeating the words "through our Lord Jesus Christ" as a mere matter of course? 3. The centurion made use of the plain matters of fact in which he was constantly engaged, as a means of getting a clearer knowledge of the things of God. This he did when he applied the manner, in which the power and authority of men are used, as a means of understanding the way in which God's power over all things is employed. Many people neglect the instruction which they might obtain, if they would really set their minds to work for the purpose of better understanding heavenly things, by the help of those earthly things with which they are well acquainted. (John iii. 10-12.) Any perons who may be sensible enough to follow the example of this wise centurion, might draw from almost all the things with which they are concerned every day, more useful instruction about God and spiritual matters, than they would gather from the reading of a great many books. QUESTIONS. Am I watchful to make use of my mind for the purpose of gaining spiritual instruction from my worldly concerns? Or, Do I make religion a matter to be considered by itself, and to be laid aside when I am engaged in worldly business? 4. Much comfort may be drawn from the way in which our Lord spoke of this humble and faithful centurion. When He said that he had not found so much faith amongst the Jews, who nevertheless had a great deal more knowledge, he gave us to understand, that our faith will be valued not by our profession, nor by our privileges; but by the power which it has over our hearts; and by the fruit which it produces in our conduct. Our Lord said that there would be many Jews, born to all the privileges promised toAbraham, who would nevertheless be cast out of the presence of God, in eternity; while many poor souls, who had been born as heathens, without privilege or promise. (Eph. ii. 12) would be brought into the kingdom of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. And in like manner, we may be sure that many, who are born in a christian country, and baptized into the great privileges of Christ's church, by neglecting those privileges will lose the blessed advantages which they convey: while many of those whom they are apt to despise, as having been brought up in ignorance and sin, will, by a true turning of the heart to Christ's salvation, be saved in the great day of his coming. QUESTIONS. Do I pride myself upon my christian privileges, without taking into account in what manner I use them? Do I consider those privileges as given to me through Christ's mercy to be used for his glory, in spite of my natural hindrances and great undeservings? VII. HEADS FOR PRAYER. 1 Pray for grace to overcome any prejudices against spiritual religion, which you may feel from early habits: and ask for a spirit of diligence to search for truth, that you may be religious upon sincere conviction. 2. Pray for humility; and especially for a due sense of the great mercy, by which you may be admitted to God in prayer through the mediation of Jesus Christ. 3. Pray that you may have such a constant desire to advance in spiritual knowledge, as may lead you to take advantage of all your worldly concerns for that purpose. 4. Ask to be kept from the danger of resting your religious hopes upon outward forms and privileges: and pray for the true spirit of faith, that its fruit may appear in your conduct. VIII. THE PRAYER. [1] O God, whose property is ever to have mercy, and who wilt not visit with thy wrath those who turn from the evil way in which they have been before led; let me not be left in any error in which I may have been brought up, but make me diligent in searching for thy truth, and open my understanding to perceive it, and my heart to follow it, whatever may have been taught aforetime; so that I may be able to give to every one a reason of the hope that is in me. [2] Make me humble, and lowly in my opinion of myself: specially teach me how unworthy 1 am to enter into thy presence, and make me duly value the blessing of the mediation of thy dear Son, my Saviour; who sitteth continually on thy right hand, to present my petitions at thy throne of grace. [3] May I continually remember that, whether I eat or drink or whatsoever I do, all things should be done to thy glory; and give me grace and wisdom to use all things around me so as to increase my knowledge and love of thee. [4]Leave me not to depend upon the outward forms which I fulfil in worshipping thee, nor upon the privileges which thou hast afforded me as a means of making my calling and election sure; but give me, I pray Thee, the true spirit of faith, by which I may find a living power in these forms and privileges, so that I may use them to thy glory, and my own salvation, through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Saviour. AMEN. Our Father, &c. FIFTY-FIFTH PORTION. I. BEGINNING PRAYER. MAY GOD, for the sake of JESUS CHRIST, give me the HOLY SPIRIT, that I may understand this portion of his Holy Word, and that I may profit by it. Amen. II. THE SCRIPTURE. Read St. Luke's Gospel, chap. vii. ver. 11 to 16. III. THE MEANINGS; or sense in which some words are used in this portion. LUKE vi. verse 14. bier means here the thing on which a corpse 16. glorified. IV. THE EXPLANATION. The day after our Lord had performed the miracle at Capernaum, which was told in the last portion, He took a journey to a town about twentyfive miles off, called Nain. Many of the persons who were regularly attending his teaching went along with him, and a crowd of people followed him. It was the custom amongst the Jews to have their burying places outside of the towns. And it happened that just as Jesus was coming near the |