fined. Happy for us, that, in executing their office, they are generally invisible. The appearance is terrible to man invested with flesh and blood;* but their existence and services are expressly revealed, and the experience of the righteous confirms the consolatory truth.

Though the angels " excel in strength," and are the highest order of created intelligences, they cheerfully marshal themselves under Christ as their head.f At his command Gabriel flies, and Michael executes all his pleasure. The innumerable company execute his orders in every part of his vast dominion, and

* It is a strong proof of the depravity of man, and of his deep consciousness of guilt, that whenever any extraordinary appearance leads him to believe that a messenger is sent to him from the invisible world, he is filled with fear and not with joy, he expects vengeance, and not kindness. This appears not to have been the case before the fall, but it has been so ever since. When our Saviour walked on the sea to go to his disciples, they thought it was a spirit, and " cried out for fear." At the sepulchre of the risen Saviour, the angels had to sooth the apprehensions of the pious women with "fear not ye." A few years since, when Blanchard ascended in his balloon from Philadelphia, he caused great consternation among the ignorant people a few miles from the city, where he descended to the earth. They did not suppose he was a good angel, coming to them on " an errand of mercy." They fully believed that he was the devil come to do them mischief; and it was not till after many assurances to the contrary, vociferated to the astonished beholders at a distance, that the æronaut could prevail on any one to approach, and afford him the assistance which he needed.

† Religious worship is a service due to God alone. Hence angels, who are only the creatures of God, are not the proper objects of worship, and they are represented in scripture, as refusing it in the most peremtory manner, and as being filled with a kind of holy abhorrence at the thought that it should be offered to them. "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And, when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not; for I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." Rev. xxii. 8, 9. In connexion with this, let it be remembered, that the Saviour, more than once, while on earth, received religious worship, and never disapproved nor forbad it; and is, moreover, represented as the object of worship, after his ascension, by the apostles, and by the first martyr Stephen. Nay, let it be remembered, that the angels themselves, and by the express command of God, are bound to worship him; for "when he bringeth his first begotten into the world he saith, and let all the angels of God worship him." Heb. i. 6. Let this be remembered, and then say if the conclusion is not absolutely unavoidable, that Christ is God.

shall attend him, in full assembly, at the great day, to carry into full effect his designs, with respect both to the righteous and to the wicked. Recognise, in this glorious person, Immanuel " God with us." Beware of his displeasure; obey his voice; provoke him not; for he will not pardon his irreclaimable enemies. The unbelieving, and disobedient, if they retain this character, are excluded from hope. They arm against themselves a power, which can raise up evil to torment them in their basket and in their store; in their bodies, and in their minds; in themselves, and in their families; in time, and in eternity. There is, therefore, a pressing necessity to comply with the psalmist's admontion: "Kiss the son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little; blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

Our Lord sends forth his angels to comfort, to direct, and to bless his people. It is not easy to ascertain the precise manner in which they perform their services. If thoughts suddenly arise, which determine our conduct at a critical moment, angels may suggest these thoughts; if unexpected deliverances come, when we had no hope, it may come by their instrumentality. Through their agency many may have been in a sort impelled to actions, whose effects have been universally useful; they have apprehended danger, when all was apparently calm; they have been urged to prepare for death, when external circumstances promised a continuance of life. We are intimately connected with the world of spirits. Had we the discernment of Elisha's servant, these celestials might often be seen hovering around us, observing our conduct, ready to execute the command of the King of heaven, in his designs either of judgment, or of mercy. What feelings ought this thought to inspire! Every opposing difficulty; every existing want; every threatening danger is known and observed. The christian may struggle with difficulty; may be oppressed with want; may be alarmed at the view of danger, but his friends are on his right hand, and on his left, with encouragement, assistance, and support. Alone, your circumstances are desperate; but the angels on your side, and the Saviour for your friend, those who are with you are more and stronger than they who are or can be against you. Acting in the presence of angels as well as of men, how holy and how dignified ought your actions to be! Why should trouble reach your hearts? Why so easily dismayed? Demean not yourselves before attending celestials. Let your worship be reverent, and your conduct heavenly. In patience possess your souls. Wisdom's ways are pleasantness, and her paths peace. Go on your way rejoicing. "There shall no evil befal thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling." God " shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."

Do the most exalted angels minister to the meanest of the human race, performing, for their benefit, many kind offices? Nay, did the Lord of angels himself come into our world, not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many? And can any be so dull as not to observe that doing good to one another is conduct heavenly and magnanimous? Men are never so well employed as when they lay themselves out to be useful, and to promote the welfare of each other. This is the employment of angels. This was the employment of the Lord of angels himself, when on earth. In such employment men are workers together with God. What conduct can give such satisfaction, or what conduct can render any so truly great? This is the character, in some measure, of all who are renewed in the spirit of their minds. They shall certainly reach the heavenly state, for, in disposition and conduct, they resemble celestials. PHILOLOGOS.

[To be continued.]

EXTRACT OF A LETTER.

THE sentiments contained in the following short extract, will afford consolation to the soul which labours under a sense of its unworthiness, and is truly desirous of turning unto God, through Christ, for relief and pardon. The letter is from a clergyman in the interior of the country to his friend in this city.

"YOUR complaints of the state of your mind, your doubts and apprehensions of an interest in Christ, are by no means uncommon to God's people, and they should not, therefore, discourage you, as though a new thing had happened under the Sun. A sense of our unworthiness will always sink us in the dust, and it would into absolute despair, were not our hopes kept alive by the incomprehensible love of our Redeemer; for he is faithful, who hath called us, and who will also confirm us unto the end. The timidity of Christ's sheep is, perhaps, a characteristic of the whole flock, whilst the tenderness of the divine shepherd, who carries his lambs in his bosom, is sweetly exhibited by bidding them not to fear, for it is the father's good pleasure to give them the kingdom.

"Our safety, my dear sir, does not depend on our frames, but on the faithfulness of God in Jesus Christ. This is our great mercy; for a believer, in the feelings of his heart, is one of the most variable creatures in the world; to-day joy brightens in his countenance, to-morrow he bursts into tears. Yet, however variable he may be, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, or rather this inscription, the Lord knoweth them that are his. Be thankful, therefore, if there be found in you any good thing toward the Lord God of Israel, for he will never desert you. He will graciously fan the spark, if it be no more, nor quit the merciful employment, until that spark, bursting into a flame, shall mingle with the fires of the seraphim."

*

MISCELLANEOUS THOUGHTS ON SAVING FAIΤΗ.

To possess clear, scriptural, consistent views of saving faith, is of the utmost importance. Our Saviour says, "this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." The consequences resulting to those who have this faith, as well as to those who shall remain without it, will be eternal, " He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not, shall he damned." "What must I do to be saved?" is an interesting question. The answer given to it, by unerring wisdom, is, that we " believe in the Lord Jesus Christ;" and then the encouragement to a compliance with this direction immediately follows, which is a divine promise, that we "shall be saved."

Faith is a transaction of the mind and heart with God, about our eternal salvation. It is the exertion and desire of the soul, in coming to Christ. Thereby we cordially accept of Jesus, as our own Saviour, and give ourselves to him, to be his servants forever. For our imitation, and to their honour, it is recorded, 2 Cor. viii. 5, that the members of the churches of Macedonia " gave their ownselves to the Lord." A great diversity of metaphors is used, in the sacred writings, to illustrate the nature of this grace; such as, looking, coming, flying, &c.

I select three phrases, used in the scriptures, for the illustration of saving faith.

1. It is represented as the act of a soul, when receiving Christ. John i. 12. " As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." Wherever the gospel is preached, there Jesus Christ and his salvation are freely offered to all, without exception, who hear it. Never was human benevolence so freely and sincerely exerted, to procure relief to indigence and distress, as is displayed by God in the plan of redemption. The great Jehovah has offered up his own Son as a sacrifice for sin, that through him, his rebel enemies may obtain pardon, peace, and glory! Having made this offering, and having pointed out the way to eternal happiness, it only remains for sinners to determine if they will accept of it; for it is only by receiving Christ, as he is offered to us in the gospel, that we can make him our own. By faith we live upon him, are nourished by him, and make use of him, for "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."

2. Faith is represented, John vi. 53, as the act of " eating the flesh, and drinking the blood of the Son of man." Happy they, who hunger and thirst after righteousness; happy they, who feed upon the true bread which came down from heaven! However, as it is not the act of taking, or eating food, which nourisheth, but the food when taken; so it is not any intrinsic excellence in faith, viewed simply as our act, which saves us, but the merits and grace of Christ, applied, used, and digested by faith. By it, we plead the righteousness of Christ for our justification; and live upon his grace and fulness, for our sanctification. It opens a communication between heaven and earth. It conducts its possessor directly to the mediatorial treasures of him in whom it hath pleased the Father, that "all fulness should dwell;" of him " in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." The conversation of the good man, is in heaven; to that country he trades. The road, between Christ's inexhaustible fulness and his own penury and emptiness, he travels with delight. He views Jesus Christ as the divinely appointed trustee of the covenant of grace; and, he comes to him, firmly believing that he possesses a boundless store of spiritual blessings, and that he possesses them for the express purpose of bestowing them upon every one who shall faithfully apply for them.

3. Faith, being the credit given to the divine testimony, is denominated " BELIEVING." Mat. xxi. 22. " Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

The Lord means as he speaks, and will do as he hath said. He is not a man that he should lie; for "righteousness is the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins." We have an example in the third chapter of Jonah, which illustrates the nature of that credit which we are to give to God's declarations.