mankind. The gratification of self, the securing of ease, pleasure and prosperity, this is what most people seek after, without any consideration of their being bound to study what will be most to the honor of Christ. Even among God's people, there is a sad forgetfulness of this principle, which ought to influence every action, and be the ruling motive on all occasions. How much more are the customs of the world considered, than the glory of Christ! The service which God requires, is the dedication to Him of our whole selves. Body, soul, and spirit, are all His; and a reckoning will one day be made, how we have turned them to His account.

At present, He who bought us, and made us His own, at the price of His blood, does not assert His right; and it seems as though some people thought He never would. But this is a great mistake. Whatever men may think upon this subject, we are told very plainly what God thinks of it. For the present we may, if we choose, be the slaves of custom, or the slaves of sin, or the servants of self. But let it not be forgotten, that a day is coming when the books will be opened, (Rev. xx. 12.) in which our lives are recorded; and at the same time another book will be opened, which is the Book of life, the Bible, and according to that standard we shall be judged. Then we must expect the Judge to remind us of this passage of Scripture; we may imagine Him, saying, 'Ye were not your own, ye were bought with a price. How has it appeared in your conduct that you acknowledged my right over you? Where is the proof that you felt yourself bound to serve me with your body, and with your spirit?' Reader, weigh this

thought well in your mind, and ask yourself now, Where is the proof of my having given myself up to serve the Lord?' If any opportunity offers of proving before the world, whose you are, and whom you serve, do you gladly embrace it? or do you shrink back? and fear to be accused of setting yourself up for something better than your neighbours? though you must know very well, that unless you be more devoted to God, than the generality of men, you are but going with the many down the broad road to destruction. Do you ask yourself on every subject of debate, how does the matter stand with regard to the honor of God? or is it more common for you to consider, what is the opinion of men? If we feel that we are the entire property of the Lord Jesus Christ, by right of redemption, as well as creation, what folly it must be to consult any other will than His! What people may say or think now, will signify nothing in the great judgment-day. Oh, then let us beware of yielding that obedience to the opinion and customs of the world, which is due only to Him, who claims us for His own, with no other intention, (if we acknowledge that claim) than to crown us with glory and immortality.

PRAYER.

Gracious and merciful God, fill my mind with deep thoughts concerning the glorious destiny of the saints. Suffer me not to forget that it may be mine. Oh ! make me diligent to seek a portion with them, who shall judge the world. Occupy my mind with the

prospects thus opened before me, and let me not be anxious or careful about the small matters, which pertain to this life. Grant that by the teaching of Christ, I may learn patiently to endure grief, suffering wrongfully. Make me willing to take wrong, and suffer myself to be defrauded, sooner than

seek revenge. doing wrong myself, or defrauding my brother in any matter. Keep back Thy servant from all unrighteousness, and from falling into those sins, which would prevent me from inheriting Thy heavenly kingdom.

Oh! preserve me, Lord, from ever

O Lord, convince them of their folly, who are deceiving themselves with vain hopes that they may both sin, and be saved. O Lord, I condemn myself; my sins have gone nigh to ruin me; but oh! spare me for Jesus' sake. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my guilt. Sanctify me wholly by the power of the Holy Spirit, and give me justifying faith through the name of our Lord Jesus. Grant, Lord, that I may not be brought under the power of any of my lawful appetites, and teach me to shrink with horror from the thought of indulging those which are unholy. Teach me to regard my body as the temple of the Holy Ghost, and to keep it pure, and dedicated to Thy service. Grant that I may continually live under the impression, that I am not my own, that I must not follow my own inclinations, or be guided by the opinions of the world, but that I am Thy property, bought at the price of the precious blood of Jesus, to be wholly given up to glorifying Thee in my body and my spirit, which are Thine. To Thee be honor, and praise, and dominion, for ever and ever.

CHAPTER VII.

EXPLANATION.

Verse 1 to 9. Hitherto the observations contained in this epistle, arose out of what St. Paul had heard by report concerning the conduct of the Corinthians. Now he proceeds to answer questions, which some of them had put to him by letter. We may imagine by the answers, what the subjects were, upon which they had doubts. And first, it appears that they had consulted him respecting the lawfulness, and the expediency, of marriage. As to the expediency, he says, (1) It is on many accounts good to abstain from marrying; in reference, no doubt, to the circumstances of difficulty and danger, in which the Christians were then placed. (2) On the other hand, it is perfectly lawful to marry; and in order to avoid temptation to sin, it is well that every man, who wishes it, should have his own wife, and every woman her own husband. (3) Then being married, it is the duty of each to consult the other's happiness. (4) In that state you are each bound to consider yourselves the property of the other, (5) and not to separate, excepting it be for a time, with mutual consent, to give yourselves up to fasting and prayer, and afterwards come together again, that Satan may not find an occasion of tempting you to sin. (6) But you must understand, that though I allow marriage to be lawful, and

therefore give you permission to follow your inclinations in this respect, I am very far from making it a duty to marry. (7) So far from it, I should be glad that every one were single like myself. But God has given to men different dispositions and tempers of mind, which makes that desirable for one, which is not desirable for another. (8) I say therefore, that according to my own opinion, it is good for those who are single, or widowed, to remain as I am. (9) But if they cannot with propriety follow this advice, then let them marry; for it is better to marry, than to be the prey of restless passions.

APPLICATION.

Marriage not to be determined on without prayer for God's guidance.

Upon all subjects, but most particularly in respect to marriage, the first question for each individual to ask, is this: in what condition, and under what cir cumstances, do I feel it likely that I could best serve my Lord and Master, Jesus Christ?

If we are looking to Him for salvation, to Him we are bound by the holiest and strongest ties, and must not therefore form any others, but as they are consistent with our devotion to Him. In the seventh chapter of his Epistle to the Romans, St. Paul expressly says, if we are delivered from the condemnation of that law, which all have broken, we are then married to Him, who was raised from the dead. And the object of this union with Christ, is, as he further states, that we may bring forth fruit unto God. How can any