Therefore are they before the throne of God. Rev. vii. 15.

WHY? They were in great tribulation for Jesus' sake. They endured persecution, temptation, the inward conflict, sickness, sorrow, and a variety of afflictions, looking unto Jesus and seeking to please and glorify him. They were in great tribulation, but they were not overwhelmed by it. They passed through it with courage, being divinely supported. They frequently contracted defilement in this filthy world, but they hated sin and often loathed themselves on account of it, and they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. They knew-they prized-they used-and they enjoyed the open fountain. THEREFORE are they before the throne, They are now safe-accepted-approved--happy. They serve God day and night in his temple. They serve without weakness-weariness-or drowsiness. They serve him cheerfully-perfectly--and uninterruptedly. They are freed from all want and pain. They hunger no more. They thirst no more. God dwells among them. They know nothing of lassitude-opposition--or sorrow. The Lamb feeds them in person, rules them in love, and leads them to the everflowing fountain of life: and God has wiped away every tear from their eyes. They are blessed far beyond their expectations. With wondering joy they recollect Their fears and dangers past;

And bless the wisdom, power, and love,
Which brought them safe at last.

Their heart is far from me.—Matt. xv. 8.

And yet they appeared devout. They passed among men for very religious characters. Their devotions were formal. There was no life in their services. They were without sincerity, fervency, or desire. They were satisfied with the form, without the power. They had a name to live, but they were dead. This is the case with too many now. They pass for saints, but are not sanctified. They are considered worshippers, but their hearts are far from God. Now the man is, as his heart is. God looketh at the heart. Beloved, is your heart near to God to-night. It is when our desires go out after him. When our love is fixed upon him. When the soul bows in reverence before him. When the expectation is from him. When our lively and interested thoughts are employed about him. When all our powers are prostrated before him, or presented to him. God is now looking at your heart. Do you sigh and desire to get near him? Do you mourn and grieve over your distance from him? If so, he looks upon you with pity, and accepts the willing mind. They who live near to God here, will live with God for ever. But they who are satisfied with formal worship and distance, will be kept at a distance throughout eternity.

Why should my foolish passions rove?
Where can such sweetness be

As I have tasted in thy love,

As I have found in thee?

Cleanse thou me from secret faults.-Ps. xix. 12.

No one but a christian will heartily use this prayer. It intimates such an acquaintance with the human heart, and such a desire for true holiness, as none can experience except taught of God. Some never confess known, open, evident faults; nor do they desire to be cleansed from them. But here is one, who supposes that there are faults which he has not detected, follies which have escaped his notice, and he prays to be cleansed from them. He would not only have them pardoned, but the stain of them erased; he desires to be kept from them in future. Our secret faults are numerous, they often spring from inattention, from giving way to our natural inclination, from the unspiritual state of our souls. But the fountain of a Saviour's blood, will cleanse from them all; and the power of the Holy Spirit, can preserve us from a similar course in future. We need be filled with the Spirit, if we are to keep our hearts with all diligence, if we are to preserve a watch over our souls in private as well as in public; let us seek this blessing. Christians once enjoyed it, and we are exhorted to possess it: for the Apostle "Be not drunk with wine wherein is exsays, cess, BUT BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT." Seek it as a gift, and expect it as a favour.

Lord, who can all his wanderings know?
Or watch where guilt begins?

Then let thy grace my heart renew,
And cleanse from secret sins.

God hath dealt graciously with me.
Gen. xxxiii. 11.

Is not this our language to-night? Brought through another year; a year of trials, temptations, and storms; and yet a year crowned with innumerable mercies. Every want supplied. Every promise fulfilled. Ten thousand evils prevented. What sins Unnumbered blessings bestowed.

we have committed! What duties we have neglected! What privileges we have slighted! How faithless we have been, and yet how faithful our God. Not one thing has failed of all that he promised, all is come to pass.

Our obligations are infinite. Our praises should be constant. Our lives should be entirely devoted. Our persons wholly consecrated to God. Yes, he hath dealt graciously with me, in pardoning my sins, in hearing my prayers, in subduing ny foes, in protecting my person, in guiding my feet, and enabling me to hold on in his good ways. O my soul, trust thou in the Lord, he is thy help and thy shield! upon him in every future trouble

Call

Surrender

to him all that is dear and valuable in thy

esteem. Live upon his word.

fulness.

saints.

Act for his glory.

Look to his

Cleave to his

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently

for him, and trust him more heartily than ever

Then in the history of my age,

When men review my days,

They'll read his love in every page,
In every line his praise.

INVITATIONS.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.-Isai. i. 18.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls: for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.-Matt. xi. 28, 30.

Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.-John vii. 37.

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.-Isai. xlv. 22.

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and ye that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk, without money and without price.-Isai. lv. 1.

Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the Lord; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger for ever.―Jer. iii. 12.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come: and let him that heareth say, Come: and let him that is athirst, come: and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.-Rev. xxii. 17. And they would not come.-Matt. xxii. 3.