THE PURE IN HEART.

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Yet this is one of the

in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." Oh, what a sight must that be, which in a moment transforms every one that sees it into the image and glory of the great Being seen! things which God hath prepared for them that love him. It shall be an endless sight. How highly honoured are they who stand in the presence of kings, and see them face to face; but to see the face of the King of kings in glory, and dwell for ever in his presence, is an honour reserved for the pure in heart.

ness be mine.

May this honour and this blessed

SEPTEMBER 16.

The Peacemakers.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

-Matt. v. 9.

WHAT is implied-what is required?-and what is enjoyed are the questions that demand consideration.

What is implied?-Before any one can be a peacemaker, he must be in the possession of peace, and a man of peace. The peacemaker has peace with God. The blood of Christ shews him a way to the God of peace, pacifies his conscience, and destroys all his enmity. He has peace of mind. He looks upward, and he sees God to be his friend; he looks backward, and all his sins are forgiven; he looks inward, and his heart swells with love; and he looks forward, and sees glory, honour, and immortality his sure portion. He has peace with all men. He knows how to pass by a transgression, and change an enemy into a friend; and God maketh his enemies to be at peace with him.

What is required?-The Christian is required to be a "peacemaker." He does not rashly interfere in business that does not belong to him; yet he finds proper scenes

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THE PEACEMAKERS.

for exerting his influence, so as to promote peace. He is a peacemaker among neighbours, in families, in the settlement of business, in the church, and in the world. In all his efforts to promote peace, he is actuated by a right spirit; what he says and does being evidently for the good of others, in conformity to the will and example of Christ, and for the glory of God. Besides, the peacemaker qualifies himself for acting in this way, by manifesting a peaceable disposition, peaceable conversation, and peaceable conduct. How happy is that man who succeeds in chaining evil passions, ere they break out into a storm! How useful is that man who pours oil on the troubled waters, and calms the raging sea of strife!

What is enjoyed ?" They shall be called the children of God." They shall resemble God. He is the author of peace, and has sent his Son to be the great peacemaker between heaven and earth, between God and men; and all peacemakers are like him, and worthy of being called God's children. They shall be called and reputed by all men as the children of God. The family of God is a family of peace, and every peacemaker gives evidence that he belongs to it. His whole life and conduct are influenced by him who says, "My peace I give unto you." They shall enjoy the privileges of God's children. Instruction, provision, protection, and discipline, are secured to them by their Father in heaven; and these privileges are improved by them till they reach the full stature of perfection in Christ Jesus.

SEPTEMBER 17.

The Persecuted Blessed.

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."-Matt. v. 10.

THINK of the persecutor-the persecuted-and the reward of the persecuted.

THE PERSECUTED BLESSED.

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The persecutor. He is one who injures or tries to injure others on account of their religion. He employs his tongue to injure the good name and reputation of Christians; or he employs his pen to detract and misrepresent, and ridicule men for their religious opinions; or he plots with others to do violence to the purse, the property, or person of the disciples of Jesus. His sin is great in the sight of God, for it not only violates the royal law, "All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets," but it does violence to the right of private judgment. His danger is great. "He ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors," and all persecutors, like Haman and the persecutors of Daniel, shall sooner or later meet with their deserts.

The persecuted.-They are righteous persons, pardoned, received into the favour of God, and owned by Christ as his followers; nevertheless they may expect to be persecuted. "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you." "Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." This testimony of God's word is corroborated by the sad experience of the saints in every age. When Christians resolve to brave persecution, they should be sure that they suffer in a good cause: "For righteousness' sake." Some are martyrs for politics; but no man should throw away his life, or brave the dangers of bitter persecution, except for "righteousness' sake." "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

The reward of the persecuted." Theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The kingdom of heaven is in them, for they have a good conscience, and the approbation of God; and is not a good conscience a better estate than worldly substance, or the favour of wicked men? They are often

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THE PERSECUTED BLESSED.

honoured with the martyr's crown. Though all the faithful in Christ Jesus shall be saved, yet those who suffer and die for his sake are liker himself than other Christians, and whatever injuries are done to them he considers as done to himself. They are blessed with heaven for their eternal inheritance. No persecutor can touch them there. Reader, look up to heaven. "What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."

SEPTEMBER 18.

Earnest Expostulation.

"What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God."—Jonah, i. 6.

HERE we have the person addressed-the call given to him-and the duty pointed out.

The person addressed.-"What meanest thou, O sleeper?" He was a sinner insensible of his sin. Jonah had received a divine message to go and preach in Nineveh; he thought the enterprise needless and dangerous, and he thought God was like man, and foolishly attempted to flee from him and duty. How many sinners have wrong thoughts of God! They take their own way, and imagine he sees not, he knows not, and will not call them to account. Reader, hast thou wrong thoughts of God, and art thou aware of thy sin? He was insensible of his danger. storm was raging around, the waves were yawning below; all others felt themselves in jeopardy, but Jonah is asleep. So the sinner has the wrath of God above him, and the flames of Tophet beneath him, and yet he sleeps. His insensibility was blameable. The sinner is insensible because he chooses to be so; he suppresses the voice of

The

EARNEST EXPOSTULATION.

conscience, looks at safety rather than of every check, takes his own way. dangerous is this!

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duty, and, in spite How guilty, how

The call given to him." Arise." It is particular. It singles the sinner out, and asks him, "When all others are concerned, why are not you?" Universal calls should be appropriated by sinners, that they may not lose themselves in a crowd. "The master is come, and calleth for thee." It is most urgent. The danger is great; all others are crying and praying, and there is not a moment to be lost. Jesus is ready to save: "Arise, and call." It is authoritative. It has all the force of a command and a reproof, and admits of no excuse for disobedience or delay. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Reader, will you resist the command of Christ, and trifle with your soul? Ere ever you are aware, the miseries of the second death may overwhelm your lost spirit.

The duty pointed out.-"Call upon thy God." Every sinner may claim God as his God in Christ, for God gives himself in the gospel as the portion of the soul. The sinner must believe in him, that he is, and that he is the rewarder of all. The sinner must come to him by prayer. The means are simple, the duty is easy, and God is ready to hear and accept through Christ. Thus the publican prayed, and was heard. Thus the dying thief prayed, and Jesus granted his request. The sinner must renounce his former wicked course. He cannot be saved in his sins. He cannot cry for pardon, without resolving to forsake the foolish, and live.