above this enemy. We know it from Scripture.

We know it from observation. And whence comes the victory? Persons may die insensibly; or they may banish the subject from their minds-but, if a man thinks of it, and thinks of it properly, there is only one relief when this Assyrian approaches us. It is to see him that has "abolished death." It is to hear him saying, "He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and he that liveth and believeth in me, shall never die." And this is not all. The enemy is not only disarmed by him, but turned into a friend. The curse is converted into a blessing-To die, is gain—and gain too generally— in the experience, as well as always in the result. Well, therefore, could David say, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

Here behold the Consolation of Israel. Whatever would dismay us, let us look towards him, and say-"This same shall comfort us." Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

DEC. 6.-" Hast not Thou made an hedge about him ?" Job. i. 10.

THIS was the question of Satan. The design of it was crafty and cruel-It was to insinuate, that Job's religion was all mercenary. Therefore, no sooner had God extolled him (who can stand before envy?) than "Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him?" But though the motive he ascribes to Job is false, it is otherwise with the condition he represents him to be in. It was true that God had made a hedge about him.

The same hedge surrounds all believers. Three things may be inferred from it.

First. God's people must be dear and valuable, otherwise he would not make a hedge about them. Men do not incur expence, and take pains to fence in a wilderness, a common, or a dunghill; but only what they set a price upon. "Since," says God, "thou hast been precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee." This love "passeth knowledge." His vineyard, his garden, his jewels, his children, his bride; are not so dear and precious to their owner, as all the subjects of Divine grace are to God-"The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him; in them that hope in his mercy."

Secondly. They must be liable to danger and injury-Why, else, should he make a hedge about them? They are exposed to the same perils with others. But they have many which are peculiar to themselves, because of their new state, and character, and privileges. David admits this-"Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of my enemies." They were all around him, looking on, ready to seize his comfort, and destroy his person. What is the language of every awakened soul? "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many there be that rise up against me." And as they are numerous, so they are malicious, wise, and powerful; and would soon overcome him-but his help cometh from the Name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Thirdly. They must be safe, whatever evils encompass them. For they do not lie opened and unguarded-God has made an hedge about them. We have often heard the remark-and it is as true as it is common-"They are well kept, whom God keeps." What he does for the safety of his people, must be effectual. Therefore the Church says, "Save me, and I shall be saved; for Thou art my praise." His power is almighty; and he saveht by

his right hand them that put their trust in him, from them that rise up against them. He keeps them as the apple of the eye. He that keepeth Israel, never slumbers nor sleeps. Lest any hurt them, says He, I will keep them night and day. But how far does this hedge extend? It reaches to his estate-his business his dwelling-place-his family-his reputation-his body-his soul-"Hast not Thou made an hedge about him? and about his house? and about all that he hath on every side?"

But here it may be asked, How does this subject harmonize with observation and experience? Do not His people sometimes suffer losses and injuries, as well as others? We must distinguish between their spiritual and their temporal condition. With regard to the former, their security is absolute-They are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. But as to the latter, their preservation is conditional. It is never absolutely promised: and the reason is that it is not essential to their welfare. Yea, sometimes the removal of a temporal good, is a greater blessing than the continuance of it; and is even indispensable to some higher advantage. But, with regard to every injury or loss in their tem poral interests, there are two things which should always be remembered; and they ought to be sufficient to set their hearts at rest. The one is that the loss or injury is entirely under the Divine permission. Nothing can touch a hair of their head, without leave from their heavenly Father-Satan could do nothing against Peter, till he had "desired to have him, that he might sift him as wheat." And so here. Satan walked around this hedge; and peeped through; and stood tip-toe to look over, with envy and malice-but could not touch his body, no, nor even one of his servants or sheep, till God, for the trial of Job, allowed him. The other is-that the permission is always and invariably regulated by the wisdom and goodness of his God, who loves them

infinitely better than they love themselves. He that spared not his own Son, will withhold no good thing from them. He does not afflict willingly: but every trial he employs has a purpose to serve, that will evince, in due time, even the kindness of the dispensation, and enable the sufferers to acknowledge, with praise, It is good for me that I have been afflicted.

Let his people, therefore, hearken unto Him, and dwell safely; and be in quiet from the fear of evil.

DEC. 7.-" And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him." Luke ix. 42.

-FEARFUL of losing his prey-hating to have him cured-and wishing to prevent the display of the Saviour's goodness and power. He could not, indeed, hinder the deliverance; but he did what he could.

There is no coming to our Saviour now, as persons came in the days of his flesh. He is no more in the world, as to his bodily presence-Yet we may come to him spiritually, by faith and prayer-And, in the suffering of this patient, we have an emblem of what we may meet with, as we are approaching. We can never seek him in vain: but our case may seem worse before relief arrives-We may be thrown down, and torn in the way. God saw the affliction of Israel, and resolved to save them: but before they left Egypt, their bondage was more sorely felt; and as soon as they had escaped, Pharaoh pursued them, and hemmed them in. As long as people remain regardless of Christ, the Enemy keeps them in peace; but when they begin to enquire in earnest after him-then commences the conflict: and this is the language of many an applicant, as "he is

a coming"-"O my God! my soul is cast down within me."

Some of his difficulties and discouragements may arise from the opposition of friends and relations. Marvel not, said the Saviour, if the world hate you. We have no reason to believe, our religion is the religion of the Bible, if it be palatable to the taste of carnal minds. How often, as soon as a man becomes decided, is he had in derision of all around him, and like one mocked of his neighbour! And is it not trying to proceed in a course that will break up connexions, otherwise agreeable? and draw upon him their sneer, or their laugh? their ridicule, or their menaces?-Yet he must go forth to him without the camp, bearing his reproach. And he ought to rejoice that he is counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name. But every thing cannot be expected at first. The trial is greater when a man's foes are those of his own house-when the persecution comes from those he loves; and ought even to obey-only in the Lord. But the trial is greatest-at least to a grateful and ingenuous mind, when the persecution results, not from violence and threatenings; but from kindness, and entreaties, and tears. Yet, through all this he must press-" He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me-and he that forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be my disciple."

Sometimes the coming soul has difficulties arising from ignorance of the method of salvation. These, indeed, will not remain long, when the heart is brought into a proper state, and the man cries, What must I do to be saved? But some are alarmed before they are enlightened-as a person may be awakened in the dark, and not know which way to flee. Or as a patient may be sensible of the danger of his disease, before he knows the physician or the remedy. Some have not had parents who taught them the truth, as it is in Jesus: and they have no access to evangelical preaching; and they