another law in the members warring against the law in the mind," which constrained him to cry out, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"

It would appear, Georgiana, that the apostle was almost in despair, until the spirit of liberty enabled him to answer rejoicingly, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord," in whose power he felt himself to be more than conqueror. "The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made him free from the law of sin and death," and now the cry of despair is changed into acclamations of joy and gladness: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness." The saints of the Lord are invited to shout for joy, yea to shout aloud, for great is the price at which they are redeemed; and deep is the hole of the pit from whence they have been

digged. They are privileged to rejoice even though exercised by manifold temptations, for which they are

evermore,

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given to see that there is a need be," and that they shall last but for a season. It is a trial of faith much more precious than gold;-much more for the advantage of those who are exercised thereby, than any golden treasure could purchase. Believing in him "whom not having seen they love," they "rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory." Their light affliction was but for a moment, and is succeeded by triumphs of joy; having received the spirit of adoption, whereby they cry Abba, Father; and being sons, God has sent the spirit of his Son into their hearts. No longer slaves under bondage; they are freed-men, sons, and heirs of God; joint heirs with, and through Christ. Here is the true work of faith; the gospel coming, "not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." Which word,

H

though received in outward affliction, is accompanied with inward joy of the Holy Ghost.

The people of God ought indeed to rejoice with joy unfeigned. A repining disposition dishonours and grieves his Holy Spirit. The repeated murmurings of the Israelites drew down heavy judgments upon them.

"Because thou servest not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all; therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all; and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee."

These are awful denunciations. May the Lord avert such from our nation in general, and from ourselves individually. May he make us willing in the day of his power, to do whatsoever we do to his glory: still looking to, and trusting in him who giveth us all things richly to enjoy.

CONVERSATION V.

"He telleth the number of the stars: he calleth them all by their names." Psalm cxlvii. 4.

WHAT is to be the subject of our conversation this morning? said the fond father, as he felt the gentle pressure of his daughter's arm, which he drew within his own at the commencement of their walk.

I ought to ask you that question, dearest papa; there are so many subjects which are deeply interesting, and concerning which my stock of information is still very limited. The science of astronomy, I know, as a female, I can but slightly scan; yet I cannot look upwards and behold the sun, and the moon walking in her brightness, and the shining orbs which stud the

clear canopy of heaven, without exclaiming with David, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man that thou art mindful of him! and the son of man that thou visitest him!"

It is, and ever must be a subject of admiration and praise, as indeed, every Christian experiences, although none can comprehend its vastness.

Has it ever been ascertained, papa, of what materials the great body of the sun is composed?

That is a discovery, Georgiana, which I should think must for ever baffle the powers of the telescope, and every other device which the genius of man can invent. The opinion once received of its being a globe of fire, is discarded, and it is now supposed to be an opaque substance involved in a luminous atmosphere extending far and wide through the surrounding space.

Within which atmosphere, papa, the