always the language of mildness and affection. It praises, but never inflames; and even when harshness is necessary, it softens the reproof by gentle expressions. In the common intercourse of conversation, it never talks at random: and treats such subjects only as are pleasing to others. Every syllable it utters, except when it indulges acknowledged jocularity, is truth. If it express friendship, it feels it. If it offer to serve you, you may assure yourself the offer is sincere. In short, a bridled tongue is generally connected with a good heart.

XLIX.

Psalm cxix. Part iv. 1.

My soul cleaveth to the dust: O quicken me according to thy word.

IN the Jewish prophets, we often find a mode of sentiment and expression purely evangelical. In David this is particularly conspicuous. We have here as strong a picture of a state of nature and of grace, as an apostle could have given.

My soul cleaveth to the dust. vanities, and pleasures of life,

The cares, the draw me to the

world. I am not only drawn - I cleave to it. This world and I are become, as it were, one substance. I am dead to all other concerns.

Nothing but the grace of God can assist me. O quicken me according to thy word. Thou hast promised to assist those who desire thy aid. O my God, let my sincere endeavours claim that gracious promise. Quicken me, quicken me according to thy word.

L.

Heb. xii. 21.

Come to mount Sion to the heavenly Jerusalem -to an innumerable company of angels - to the spirits of just men made perfect.

WE are here invited to meet a very illustrious assembly the wise and good, who have lived in all ages of the world. These holy persons, having deposited all those imperfections to which, as human beings, they once had been subject, are now in a state of angelic happiness; and receive with joy, all those who have passed religiously through their state of trial upon earth.* The inhabitants of all countries unite. Their modes of

VOL. III.

* Luke, xix. 7.

FF

com.

communication, no doubt, supersede the use of human language. The language of heaven is universal. What infinite gratification will it be to meet, on equal terms, all the great characters which have been admired in the world, in ancient and modern times!

But as only the good can mix in this glorious assembly, it may be one, among our many incentives to holiness, to consider how far we may be qualified to unite with them. Both reason and Scripture assure us, that we shall carry with us the same frame of mind, with which we leave this world, into the next. Learning and abilities are not the leading parts of a heavenly character. Our worldly knowledge, we have it on record, shall vanish away. A holy life alone, through the mercy of God in Christ, is what we have to depend on. This only will procure us admittance to this illustrious assembly, where all those distinctions will be lost, which render human societies formal and unpleasant; and all those topics advanced, which are most interesting and delightful. Different degrees of superiority, it is probable from analogy, a heavenly state will exhibit, yet still all those repelling circumstances, we may believe, will be removed,

which on earth make so great a chasm between high and low.

If we may descend to particulars, we all have some virtuous friends, whom we value. How joyous will it be to meet them again in full felicity after all their toilsome trials on earth! On the other hand, how dreadful the thought of being secluded for ever from those whom once we so tenderly loved!