to raise the affections, form pious resolutions, improve the mind, and converse with God.*"

66

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be as a tree planted by the rivers, which bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doth shall prosper." (Psalm i. 1—3.) In the instance which David has here so beautifully pourtrayed, it is evident that the mind and the heart move in harmony;-in other words, with fixedness of thought, is joined fervency of affection. When the mists and clouds of sense are dispersed, and the clogs and fetters of the world are thrown aside, the soul sedately looks above and soars heavenward. Some of the heathen themselves made vigorous efforts to emerge from the mass of surrounding error, and emancipate themselves from inglorious thraldrom, as may be seen in the works of Plato, the book of Meditations, so well known and generally admired, by Marcus Antoninus, and the writings of Seneca. The last of these philosophers says, "It would not be worth

* Bennet's Christian Oratóry.

while for a man to be born and live, did he not study heavenly things. How contemptible a being is the creature we call man, unless he raise himself above present and corporeal enjoyments!" Many who live amidst the blaze of evangelical light, may blush when they read such language from the pen of a Pagan.

"The constant habit of perusing devout books is so indispensable, that it has been termed, with great propriety, the oil of the lamp of prayer. Too much reading, however, and too little meditation, may produce the effect of a lamp inverted, which is extinguished by the very excess of that aliment, whose property it is to feed it:"

"The knowledge," observes Dr. Dwight, "which barely passes through the mind, resembles that which is gained of a country by a traveller, who is whirled through it in a stage; or of a bird flitting over it in his passage to another. Meditation enables us to feel religious subjects with strength and efficacy. A religious man, particularly, will easily remember, that the truths of the Gospel have at times barely swept the surface of his mind; and at others, have powerfully affected his heart. He will easily remember, that the same things, whether arguments, images, or motives, have affected him in these widely different manners. If he will bestow a little pains on this subject,

he will farther remember, that he has often been astonished at this fact; and has looked back to find what mysterious cause prevented him from realizing at one time, what he so deeply felt at another."

Where there is a humble and holy disposition, joined with a habit of thinking, can subjects for pious contemplation be long wanted? Does not religion open a boundless field, free of access, fair to the enlightened eye, rich in benefits, replete with wonders, which at once engage the understanding, and captivate the heart? We may meditate on the perfections of God in the works of creation. The wisdom, the power, the goodness, and glory of Jehovah, are to be seen every where, in objects the most minute and magnificent; in the hyssop creeping on the wall, and the stately cedar, or spreading oak; in the sprightly insect, and the huge leviathan; in the glow-worm of the night, and the mid-day sun. What grandeur and majesty do the starry heavens display! What diversity of magnitude and motion in the celestial orbs! What suns and systems garnish the boundless firmament! How admirably are the various tribes of creatures fitted to the elements, the climates, and the circumstances in which they are placed! Well might the Psalmist say, "I will meditate also of all thy works, and talk of thy. doings." (Psalm lxxvii. 12.) Is it possible to

view attentively the wonders of nature, without the eye affecting the heart, and calling forth emotions of lively gratitude, and holy transport? Let the serious Christian peruse the 104th Psalm, and follow the track of contemplation there distinctly marked. After glancing at the heavens and their inhabitants, describing the sea confined within its destined bounds; springs and rivers, meadows and forests, wild beasts and cattle, birds singing on the branches, the day and the night succeeding each other with grateful vicissitude, the devout writer exclaims, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Nor need. we be surprised that he should go on :— The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke. I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet. I will be glad in the Lord." We may meditate on the mystery of redemption; the excellencies, the miracles, the offices, and the characters of Christ. Ancient prophets and kings panted to enjoy the privileges which we possess, without having their wishes gratified. Behold the promise accomplished in the Son of God incarnate! 0

66

my soul, follow the Surety and Mediator, and view him magnifying the law, defeating the powers of hell, shedding his blood to make atonement, and purchase the church, destroying the sting of death, and opening the gates of the celestial kingdom! These are truths to which the far-famed sages of Egypt and Greece were total strangers; and which the Jewish patriarchs saw only by shadowy glimpses, and faint reflections! These are truths which, while they instruct, can scarcely fail to astonish and delight! Into these things even the angels desire to look:" how much more interesting and attractive should they be to fallen, guilty mortals, whose recovery and salvation depend upon them!

66

We may meditate on the dispensations of Providence. On every side are seen the eruptions of human depravity, and the effects of infernal malice and rage; "yet verily there is a God that judgeth in the earth." "Even the wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder thereof he will restrain." What tossings and troubles, what gulphs and rocks, what thunders, and hurricanes, and perils, and wrecks, on this restless sea of life! But amidst all the clouds of calamity, and warring winds of passion, we believe that the whole train of infinitely varied events is controlled and conducted by an invisible and omnipotent hand!