are not blessed with such Christian companions as can guide their feet into the path of peace. What wonder, therefore, if such, for awhile, should betake themselves (for something, in such cases, will be done-they cannot sit still) to improper expedients, and self-righteous means of relief? For all legalists are not of the same kind. Some are such from disposition-and these are the bitterest adversaries of the Gospel; and the presentation of the truth, only draws forth their enmity. But others are such, from want of better information only: and when they find the light, they rejoice in it-"Oh! this is what my soul was following hard after-O that I had known it earlier; and, instead of working, had believed on him that justifieth the ungodly—and, instead of attempting to build up a wretched shelter of my own, I had only fled for refuge to the hope set before me!"

Allied to this, is another discouragement the coming sinner feels, springing from doubts and fears, when he does perceive the way, and is informed that there is salvation in no other. Pressed down with such a sense of his unworthiness, and with such views of the number and heinousness of his sins, as he never had before; he is ready to conclude, that such immense blessings cannot be for him; and that his claiming them would be no better than presumption. Let not such a desponding soul refuse to be comforted. Let him ask-What recommendation had Manasseh? Where am I excluded from hope? Does he not say, Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth? If I have nothing with which to purchase, am I not invited to "buy without money, and without price?"

An apprehension, too, of the arduous duties of the Christian life, is frequently very dismaying. The Scripture tells him, that this life is a building and a warfare; a very expensive building, and a very awful warfare: and enjoins him, before he begins, to count the cost of the one, and the resources of the other. He does this-and feels himself perfectly inadequate to both. And so he may feel, and ought to feel for when he is poor, then is he rich; and when he is weak, then is he strong. But fear not, says the Saviour; for I am with thee. My grace is sufficient for thee. As thy days, so shall thy strength bc. "Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings, as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Finally. There are things among the professors of religion, which often perplex and scandalize young converts. Such are the diversities of opinion among them. And their alienation from each other, because of their little distinctions. And the falls of some. And the backslidings of others. Older and wiser Christians know how to account for all this, without shaking their faith and hope-though it is always grievous even to them: but the weak find them stumbling-blocks, over which they often fall. which reason, the Apostle says to the believing Hebrews, "Lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed."

For

Two things must now be fixed in the mind. The one is that whatever would impede our coming to Christ, is from Satan; and should be resisted accordingly. The other is-that, whatever difficulties we may encounter-come to him we must. It is not a matter of indifference-It is the one thing needful— We perish without it-" Ye will not come unto me that ye might have life."

DEC. 8.-" If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities."

2 Cor. xi. 30.

WE may consider these infirmities under two classes.

First; as outward and natural. Thus they include bodily weaknesses and indispositions. Some, by reason of a healthful and firm constitution, know little of these infirmities, and can scarcely sympathize with those who are the subjects of them. But Paul was no stranger to them-I was with you, says he to the Corinthians, in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. They also include all other external afflictions-whatever lowers a man's condition, and weakens him in the opinion of the world, who always judge after outward appearances. If it were necessary to prove this, we might refer to the Apostle's sufferings, as recorded in the preceding verses, and to which he obviously alludes: and also to what he immediately subjoins, as an illustration-in his escape from Damascus, by the wall in a basket; and the thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet him-ending with his noble avowal-"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong."

There is something wonderful in this. For all these things are viewed as disadvantages, and give rise to emotions of grief and shame, rather than of joy and glory. People glory in their beauty-not in their deformity: in their strength-not in their weakness in their dignity-not in their meanness : in their praise-not in their disgrace: in their successes-not in their disappointments. But Paul says, "If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." Let us make a distinction here. Absolutely considered, these things are evils in themselves: and it does not become a Christian to pray for them, or go out of his way

to meet with them. But when he is called to suffer them according to the will of God, he should remember that there are purposes to be answered by them, which render them relatively valuable and excellent. If medicine be regarded only as to its taste, we say it is offensive, and we should decline it: but when the necessity and usefulness of it are perceived, and we think of the health to be restored, and the life to be prolonged by it; we not only consent to take it, but thankfully pay for the otherwise disagreeable remedy. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." So it is here: Paul glories in things which concern his infirmities. What are these? We may consider them as preservatives or preventions-Thus, when Israel was going astray after her lovers, says God, "I will hedge up her way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not be able to find her paths."-And as restorers-Thus David says, "Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word." I was sick; he bled me; and I recovered.-And as probations to evince and display the reality and degree of our religion; the tenderness of God's care; the supports of his grace; and the truth of his Word. Of this quality were Job's sufferings.— And as preparatives-for usefulness here, and heaven hereafter. How these views of faith alter our estimate of the dispensation, and our feelings under it!

But, secondly; we may consider these infirmities as inward and spiritual. Thus they comprise all those weaknesses and deficiencies of grace under which the best now labour; and which lead them to pray, "Strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us." Something is wanting in their faith, hope, courage, patience, and spiritual understanding. Even Paul could say, I have not attained; I am not already perfect. But are not these infir

mities matter of humiliation, rather than of glorying? Yes; the believer blushes and groans over them. Nor will an apprehension of his security reconcile him to his remaining imperfections. Yea, a persua sion of God's constant love towards him will induce him the more to bewail them. Yet there are things which concern these infirmities, for which he feels thankful, and in which he rejoices. Four of these may be mentioned.

First. The means of grace are things which concern our infirmities. They are rendered necessary by them, and are designed to relieve them. In heaven they are laid aside: there they are needless. But the Christian now cries, Send us help from the sanctuary, and strengthen us out of Zion. And by waiting upon the Lord, he renews his strength.

Secondly. The promises are things which concern our infirmities. "To him that hath shall be given." "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." "The righteous shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger." When we read all this, let the weak say, I am strong. But for these assurances we must despond: but now we read, and go on; read, and fight on; read, and suffer on. We rejoice at his word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Thirdly. The influences of the Spirit are things which concern our infirmities. How is a Christian to live, or walk? He lives in the Spirit, and walks in the Spirit. How does he pray? In the Holy Ghost. "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Observe the ground of the Apostle's hope, with regard to himself, in the issue of all his sufferings: "I know

And