tender is the compassion of our heavenly Father, may we with a prayerful heart cultivate a simple, implicit, and enlarged confidence in his providential care, which will not only beget and secure tranquillity amidst our heaviest trials, but will greatly tend to advance and improve holiness in our lives, and soften our pillow in a dying hour.

But it is greatly to be feared, that there are very many who profess to believe the Scriptures, who no less than those who deny them are strangers to this holy and consolatory doctrine. No individual who really believes in the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, can possibly, in the face of such an accumulation of the brightest evidence, hesitate for a moment, to receive into his bosom so rich a consolation. And those who fearlessly deny the inspiration of the Sacred Oracles, should look very carefully to their motives. They may perhaps discover when too late, that thoughtlessness or a deceived heart hath betrayed them; that their rejection is the result of a specious infidelity, which pride and prejudice alike have fostered. They will do well to consider what that volume which they reject says concerning those who despise their Saviour, who regard not his works, nor the operation of his hands and how fearful are the judgments denounced against them.

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morn

ing, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.-Isaiah v. 11, 12.

Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.-Ps. xxviii. 5.

Probably the joys of heaven will be increased by the review of providential mercies and deliverances, by remembering "the way in which the Lord hath led us in the wilderness." The greatest happiness the Christian here experiences, next to communion with his Saviour, is, to observe and gratefully acknowledge the loving-kindness of the Lord. How transporting to behold our greatest blessings and advantages wrought out of those very events which seemed to threaten our ruin!

In reviewing the providential mercies of the Lord towards his children, in the different periods of time, we are naturally brought to the consideration of the various providential occurrences in our own eventful history; and if we are members of that family of whom it is said, "what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not," surely, we shall not only acknowledge, but admire, the goodness of the Lord in our various deliverances.

We cannot but have discovered that "as]face answereth to face in a glass," so do our trials and deliverances answer to those experienced by the Lord's family. May we habitually accustom ourselves to examine our providential mercies and deliverances in the light of Divine Truth, and we shall find that in every instance they are essentially the same with those which are recorded; and that the Providence of God as exhibited in his word, is a mirror in which we may clearly behold our mercies, our sorrows, our trials, and our deli

verances.

May an earnest and prayerful heart be given to us, as a nation, that we may unite at the throne of grace for those inestimable providential blessings which the Lord is graciously waiting to bestow, that the time may speedily arrive when "the wilderness shall blossom as the rose," when we shall lift up our eyes and with joy behold the fields of our beloved country white already to the harvest.

In concluding this truly delightful subject, the Compiler is greatly rejoiced at the opportunity that is afforded to him, of acknowledging and recording those gracious Interpositions of Divine Providence, which he has so constantly experienced. When exposed with his family to imminent peril, the Lord's gracious promise was literally fulfilled. "When thou passest through the waters, I will

be with thee; and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." And through a series of years and events he has recognized the unvarying kindness and love of his heavenly Father, in sustaining and delivering him in every season of trial, perplexity, and difficulty. And with a joyful and grateful heart he can raise his Ebenezer, inscribing on it," Hitherto hath the Lord helped

me."

And now, O gracious Lord, as thou hast most kindly permitted this little volume to be completed, which testifies so abundantly of thine especial love and providence, graciously look upon it, own and bless it, by making it a lasting benefit to thy Church and people; and allow it to be presented to thee at the footstool of thy throne of grace, as a memorial of thy providential mercies so signally and so wonderfully vouchsafed to him through every period of his life! May it shed a light of holy joy around the path of many who mourn in Zion, who walk in darkness and have no light! May it cause many for whom thou hast appeared in seasons of great extremity and affliction, but who have not hitherto regarded the operations of thy hand, to acknowledge and admire thy goodness towards them! And, as a crowning blessing, may

it please thee to regard thy dear ancient people for whom thou didst so wonderfully interpose in all their trials and in all their afflictions, that they may remember thy former loving-kindnesses towards them, again be made partakers of thy delivering mercy, and speedily be restored to thy everlasting favour!

MICHAEL'S PLACE, BROMPTON, 24th Dec. 1828.