side, they tell others of the great things he has done for their souls; and at his own table they testify before God, angels, and men, that they are no longer their own, but bought with a price.

He is not ashamed to be so called.-" God is not ashamed to be called their God." He is pleased with their profession, he pardons all their sins, he adopts them into his family, and gives them the privileges of children. He comforts and supports them under all their trials, supplies all their wants, brightens their hopes of heaven, and he will own them at last as his, before the assembled universe. "Whosoever shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." Happy Christian you shall not lose your reward, you shall not want a friend in the hour of need, and you shall stand in your lot at the end of the days.

OCTOBER 5.

The Great City.

"He hath prepared for them a city."-Heb. xi. 16.

HEAVEN is a city-a city prepared by God-and a city prepared only for God's people.

Heaven is a city. It is called a city because of its greatness. Men live in villages, towns, and cities; and a city is the largest dwelling-place of man; so heaven is called a city, and it is a city surrounded with a wall, great and high, built on twelve foundations, having twelve gates of pearls, its streets composed of pure gold, and its population a multitude which no man can number. It is called a city because of its wealth. The greater part of the riches of the world is gathered into cities; so the rich in faith, the wise and good of all ages will be found in heaven. It is called a city because of its security.

Probably cities were first formed, that a multitude of persons might the more readily defend themselves from enemies; so heaven is secure, God is her defence, and no one enters that worketh abomination. Cities are places of business; and in heaven all serve God without weariness, without interruption, and without sin.

Heaven is a city prepared by God. He is its builder. It is a house not made with hands. It is Christ's Father's house. His glory fills it, and lightens it; and the nations of them which are saved, walk in the light of it. It has been prepared at a vast expense. What the blood of bulls and goats could not do-what all the wealth of earth could not do-Jesus has done. Having shed his blood, he hath opened a way to the holiest of all, and is in heaven himself, preparing a home for all his children, and ready to receive their happy spirits whenever their fetters of flesh are struck off. O my soul, hast thou left the city of destruction, and set out for this city of habitation? If so, thou shalt have a home on earth, and a home in heaven, and shalt dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

It is prepared only for God's people.-The unclean could not dwell there; its holy atmosphere would melt them, its radiant glory would consume them, its gorgeous grandeur would overwhelm them. But those who have abandoned the world as a portion, those who live a life of faith on the Son of God, those who are fighting against sin, and striving for victory, and those who are pressing towards the mark for the prize of the high calling, shall shine there as the brightness of the firmament. may set on earth, but it will rise in heaven. may be eclipsed for a moment by the shadow of death, but only that it may shine the brighter in that world where there is no more death, and where sorrow and sighing shall for ever flee away.

Their star Their sun

THE ROCK CHRIST.

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OCTOBER 6.

The Rock Christ.

"They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Christ."-1 Cor. x. 4.

CHRISTIANS are pilgrims-Christ is the source of their supplies and they avail themselves of the supplies furnished.

Christians are pilgrims.-They have felt the galling yoke of sin, as the Israelites felt the bondage of Egypt, and they have resolved to make their escape. Hence they turn their backs on a sinful world, they cease to be the servants of sin, and they commence the journey to the promised land. In journeying, they place themselves under divine guidance. The word of God, and the Spirit of God, are their pillar of cloud and pillar of fire; and the ministers of religion help and encourage them on their journey. They need and obtain daily supplies for their strength and comfort; and looking to the end of their journey, they bear up courageously, and march on joyfully.

Christ is the source of their supplies.-He is that Rock. Strength and stability are in him, and they have these proportioned to their day. A rock is a refuge, and we find comfort there from the burning heat of the sun. A rock is a place of safety in time of danger; and the weak fly from the strong, to a stronger than they. The rock was smitten by command of Jehovah; so Christ suffered in his body and in his soul, that he might procure for us all needed blessings. He was stricken, smitten, and afflicted. He groaned and died that we might escape. When the rock was smitten, water flowed abundantly; so, when Jesus died, the fountain of life was opened, the streams of the gospel flowed plenteously, and the dews of the Spirit descended in abundance. This water followed them till

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THE ROCK CHRIST.

they reached the end of their journey. It ceased not till they saw the waters of the flowing Jordan. In like manner the blessings of divine grace continue with us during our pilgrimage, and enter with us the better world.

They avail themselves of the supplies furnished." They drank." The Christian appropriates Christ, and makes use of him and his gifts, till satisfied; and he cannot be satisfied without drinking the water of life. This water was abundant and accessible to all, and all drank of it. So there is enough in Christ, and free access; and all should make use of him for salvation. This water flowed continuously, and wherever a pilgrim pitched his tent, he found it at hand. So in Christ there are daily supplies for daily use, and continued supplies for the whole of life. "If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink."

OCTOBER 7.

Profession of Faith.

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.”—Heb. x. 23.

HERE we have our faith-our profession of it-and our duty to hold it fast.

Our faith. This is a possession of the first and greatest importance. Faith must have an object, just as a building must have a foundation. Now, the object of faith is Christ, who is revealed in divine truth: Christ a divine person, Christ the Saviour of sinners, and Christ alone. "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus." The nature of faith is belief of the truth. Faith believes all that God reveals, accepts all that God gives, claims all that God promises, and obeys all that he commands. Faith is our act. Jesus does not believe for us. The Holy Spirit does not believe for us, though faith is the fruit of the Spirit; and no one can

PROFESSION OF FAITH.

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believe for us. We must believe individually for ourselves. We must do it because Jesus requires us; and if we are not conscious that we have done it, we should do it now.

Our profession of it.-Profession should be manifest in our conversation. Why should we speak on almost every subject, and never speak about Christ and religion? If religion is in the heart, it should come out of the mouth in holy conversation. We should speak of Christ to others, and do what we can to bring them to him. Profession should be manifest in our observance of divine ordinances. Surely it must be greatly, if not wholly, hid under a bushel, unless it is manifest in regular attendance in the house of God, devout and earnest attention while there, the observance of the sacraments, and conscientious liberality for the support and spread of the gospel. Profession should be manifest in our whole conduct. Obedience is the only sure test of the genuineness of profession; and if our obedience is sincere, cheerful, and universal, it will speak to all with a voice like thunder.

Our duty to hold it fast.-" Hold fast without wavering." There is danger of our falling away from our profession. Worldly objects have a tendency to engage our affections, and draw us away from religion; but we must hold it fast or perish. "If any draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." We hold our profession fast, by daily reading the Scriptures, by improving the means of grace, by personal covenanting, and by earnest prayer. We must hold it fast perseveringly, through opposition, persecution, affliction, and till death. Alas! how many have a profession who have no faith! Of what use is a nut without a kernel, a casket without a jewel, a body without a soul? Let mere professors know, that though they may deceive themselves and others, it is impossible for them to deceive God, who searches the heart.