"God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

I JOHN iv. 16.

HE first three words of this text declare a

truth precious enough to make earth resound

with never-ceasing praise. Alas! that the glorious fact that GOD is LOVE, is so little apprehended and truly believed. When we know and believe the love that God hath to us, we not only trust in Him, but we desire to be something like Him. Partaking of His Spirit, we begin to live in love, to walk in love, to dwell in love. And what a privilege appertains to all who dwell in love! The God of love is their habitation-His heart is their home; and, more wondrous still, their heart is God's dwelling-place— His home. "He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." May I watch and pray against everything contrary to the spirit of love; seek earnestly that grace that suffereth long, and is kind, that is not easily provoked, that beareth all things, believeth all things, that hopeth all things, and endureth all things. Above all may I seek to know more of Him who is Love, as He has manifested Himself in Christ Jesus; may I trace with delight His footsteps of love, as He went about doing good; and constantly seek grace that I may follow Him.

O God of love, no tongue can tell
Thy grace, how rich! how free!

Do Thou for ever in me dwell,
And let me dwell in Thee.

"Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."

2 CORINTHIANS i. 22.

HOSE who have the same mind in them that

was in Christ Jesus, bear the impression of God's seal-they are distinctly marked as belonging to Him. The impression of the seal is deeper on some of the Lord's people than on others; but all who have received the truth in the love of it, and are trusting in Christ alone for salvation, are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Any who are entirely destitute of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, do not belong to Him: "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His." Many, alas! bear the impression of a seal the very opposite of God's seal -by their love of sin, by their unholy tempers and their evil doings, they are plainly marked as belonging to the god of this world. Oh that their eyes may be opened, that they may be turned from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God!

Beloved reader, is sin hateful, and is Christ precious to you? Do you desire to be like Him? If so, then you bear the impression of the Divine seal. You may not clearly see it yourself, but those who know you see it ; and He who hath given you the earnest of the Spirit in your heart, will give the full possession: He who has produced the dawn, will lead on to perfect day. "He who hath begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

Spirit of light and love, dwell ever in my heart,

Seal me an heir of bliss above, and ne'er from me depart.

"God will provide.”—GENESIS xxii. 8.

E has provided in the past, and He will provide in the future. He has provided for

our spiritual need, and He will provide for our temporal necessities. He who in love to our souls has bestowed on us the UNSPEAKABLE GIFT, will not withhold the smaller favours of His providence and grace.

"The saints, what is fitting shall ne'er be denied, So long as 'tis written, The Lord will provide." Sometimes, indeed, the Lord delays to appear for the relief of His people; but only that His delivering mercy may be more conspicuous. It was not till Abraham's hand was stretched out to slay his son, that the Lord interposed, and showed him the ram caught in a thicket by its horns, which he offered up as a burnt-offering in the stead of his son. It was not till the widow of Zarephath had come to her last handful of meal, and to a little oil in a cruse, that Elijah was sent to her, "and the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail," till the day the Lord sent rain upon the earth. We are not to look for miracles now; but God will provide what is needful and good for all who put their trust in Him, and walk in uprightness of heart.

"Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,

Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite;
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,

The Scripture assures us, the Lord will provide."

"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." ISAIAH liii. 5.

WELL, my soul, with wonder and adoration on the grace of thy great Substitute. Perfectly pure and innocent, He took the place of the guilty, He paid the penalty of the broken law: to redeem us from its curse, He was made a curse for us! In the foresight of all He would have to endure as the Substitute of transgressors, He came willingly from the throne of His glory, "took upon Him the form of a servant, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

66

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With what clearness is the great truth of the substitution of Christ stated in the word of God:-"Christ died for the ungodly." He was delivered for our offences." He "gave Himself for our sins." "hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust.” "Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree." The guilt of all who believe in Christ was imputed to Him, and His obedience is imputed to them. God "hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Dwell, my soul, upon the grace of the precious Saviour; drop thy sounding line into this depth of redeeming love; but thou wilt find no bottom. No! not whilst thou livest here, or dwellest in the realms of glory: for the love of Christ passeth knowledge.

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things."-JOHN xiv. 26.

HIS promise, in the sense in which it was

originally made by Christ to His disciples,

was fulfilled shortly after. The Holy Ghost was poured out, in a remarkable manner, on the day of Pentecost; and the apostles were taught all things needful for their own instruction, and for the edification of the Church of Christ. Now the Holy Spirit is given to all who ask for Him, and He dwells in the hearts of the Lord's people. How precious is the name by which He is distinguished in the text,—the COMFORTER ! and how well does that name become Him! He comforts the awakened sinner, not by palliating his offences, nor by lessening his views of his guilt and danger; but by revealing the precious Saviour in His ability to save to the uttermost, and by leading him to rely on the sin-atoning Lamb. He comforts the tried believer, by bringing to his remembrance some of the "exceeding great and precious promises," by drawing him to the throne of grace, and by confirming and strengthening his faith. He comforts the afflicted Christian, by showing him that all his sufferings and sorrows are measured out by a gracious Father's hand; that they are designed for his good; and that the time is not distant when his last pang will have been endured, and the last tear wiped from his eyes. Spirit of love, be Thou my Comforter, and fill my heart with joy and peace in believing!