though he hath no where promised to keep His people from tribulation, or persecution, or the strife and slander of tongues, from sickness, or sorrow, and the like; yet he hath promised, that no weapon formed against them shall prosper; no temptation shall take them, from which he will not make a way for them to escape. He will bruise Satan under their feet shortly." Oh! the blessed privilege of those who have the Lord for their Keeper!

Market Day.

FROM the very great noise which I heard in the street, as I arose from my bed, occasioned by the passing of horses and the tumult of the people, I concluded that somewhat more than usual occupied the public attention. In looking for the cause from the window of my chamber, which opened into the street, I discovered that it was market-day. Though the hour was so carly, and the sun had not far advanced in climbing the heavens; yet the world was risen, and every one eagerly engaged in preparation for the sale of their different commodities.

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Ah! thought I, how just is that aphorism of our blessed Lord, The Children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.' If, in the market-days for the soul, (I mean the public festivals and sabbaths of the church,) they whose office it is to bring forth out of God's treasure, things new and old' to the people, were truly as anxious as those men of the world, what gracious effects might we not hope would follow under the Spirit's blessing!

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The Apostle to the Gentiles desired the church of Corinth to consider him and his faithful companions under this character. 'Let a man,' saith he, so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.' A steward is an upper servant in a family; one whose office, (according to our Lord's own explanation of the Jewish householder,) is to provide for the family, &c. whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household to give them their portion of meat in due season.' were that also properly considered, which the Apostle adds, that it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful!' the solicitude of the earthly market-man would

And

fall infinitely short of that, which he feels who ministers in heavenly things; in proportion as the object and the end of the latter transcend in importance those of the former. How early would the stewards of Christ's mysteries arise, in order to prepare the feast of fat things, of wine on the lees, and of fat things full of marrow, for the mountain of the Lord's house! How extremely anxious would they be, that no hungry nor thirsty soul of God's household should be overlooked or neglected! And conscious, after all their best and most earnest preparations, that there can be no actual enjoyment, no real participation on the people's part, but from the predisposing grace of the Lord; how ought every steward to bring forth what he has prepared with prayer and supplication, that the Lord himself would direct every heart and influence every mind!

Imagination can hardly form a character more truly valuable, than the man who ministers in holy things; who spends his time, his talents, his gifts-in short, his all, to this one purpose; who becomes indeed the faithful and wise steward,' to feed the babes of Christ's household with the 'sin

cere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby; and them that are of 'full age, with strong meat, when by reason of use their spiritual senses are exercised to discern both good and evil; and who to both, can humbly recommend, like the Apostle, the goodness of the food, as being what 'he himself hath seen, and looked upon, and tasted of the word of life.' It must be a refreshing consolation, I can well conceive, in the close of life, to every faithful steward, after that the day's fatigue of the market for spiritual food is over, to be able to take up the same language as the Apostle Paul ; ‘I have kept back nothing that was profitable; I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God; I have fed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood; and now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace!'

When I came down from my chamber, I found my friend waiting breakfast for me; for the hour was by this time past eight: and, as his custom was, he proposed, inviting as many of the family as felt disposed, to attend our morning prayers. The mistress of the house, with one servant only, accepted the offer. And after my compan

ion had read a portion of God's word, he followed it up with prayer.

When the mistress and the servant had withdrawn, we sat down to breakfast; my friend having first implored the usual blessing on our food.

BOUNTIFUL Father of mercies, who art supplying the daily wants of the millions which are looking up to thee from all parts of the universe; we desire grace to praise thee for this seasonable and suitable portion of food, which thou hast spread before us for the support of our perishing bodies. And we entreat thee for grace from thy. Holy Spirit in the use of it, that we may receive this and every other blessing, as coming from our reconciled Father and God in Christ Jesus. Vouchsafe, dearest Saviour, to sit at the table which thou hast furnished; and may we be among those, which shall sit at thy table in thy kingdom and while, as thy children going home to thine house, thou art refreshing us thus by the