that they were in the right way, and we may believe had great pleasure in their journey; but when they entered Jerusalem-whereas the star led them not thither, but to Bethlehem and they would be instructed where Christ was born, they were not only ignorant of the place where, but had also lost sight of the star that should guide them thither. Whereby we are taught this useful lesson, that when we are going to learn Christ, and seek Christ, who is above, to beware we lose not the star of God's word, which only is the mark that shows us where Christ is, and which way we may come to him to which may be added, that if with David we make the word of God "a lantern to our feet, and a light to our paths,” we shall not be led aside by every false fire that presents itself to us; but, by keeping close to the word of God, we shall be brought to the knowledge of Christ here, and to the full enjoyment of him hereafter. Reader, this little book is only designed to lead thee to "search the Scriptures," which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Eternal life God's word imparts,
Whereon each fainting spirit lives;
Here sweeter comforts cheer our hearts
Than all the round of nature gives.

29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers; and grieve not the Holy Spirit of God. Let not filthiness be once named among you, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient Fnh 4 99 30·5·3 ..

Idle words are hurtful words; they grieve the Holy Spirit, destroy what power has been obtained by prayer, and cause nothing but levity and distraction of mind. Let this be a caution against talking too much; for if it does not tend to the glory of God, it is nothing but corrupt communication. May all Christians take heed to refrain their tongues, and never speak unadvisedly; but always consider first whether their words can be profitable to others, and acceptable to God in heaven. O Lord, teach me by thy wisdom "to keep my mouth as it were with a bridle," and to weigh all my words like gold. Let my heart and lips be moved and governed by thy Holy Spirit, that both my silence and talking may be according to thy will and direction. Grant that I may always chiefly converse with thee in prayer and thanksgiving for the good of my own soui and others; and whenever I am to open my lips in due time, let my words be so seasoned and blessed as to administer grace to the hearers.

30. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Gen. 28: 12.

This ladder the Lord Jesus Christ applies to himself, John 1:51; and it may be considered as representing the divine Providence, which governs all things. The several steps of the ladder are the motions and actions of Providence; the angels going up and down, show that they are the great ministers of Providence, never idle, but always employed in the preservation of the just: their ascending means their going up to receive the divine orders and commands; and their descending, their coming down upon earth to put them in execution. So that, in this representation, God signified to Jacob, now full of care and uneasy apprehensions, that the man who was under the custody and protection of divine Providence, wanted not company in a wilderness, wanted not security in the midst of dangers, wanted not direction in the most difficult undertakings; since there were so many ministering spirits holding cor

respondence between earth and heaven, and daily and hourly sent forth from God's presence to minister unto them who shall be heirs of salvation.

Thy ministering spirits descend,

To watch while thy saints are asleep;
By day and by night they attend,
The heirs of salvation to keep:
Bright seraphs, despatched from the throne.
Repair to the stations assigned;
And angels elect are sent down
To guard the elect of mankind.

JULY.

1. Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. 19: 6.

GOD is the Lord of hosts, he is the great commander of heaven and earth; he it is that directs all conflicts in war: no field is pitched, no battle fought, but worketh the accomplishment of his glory. But it befalleth us, as it doth them who stand in the same level wherein two great armies are ready to engage, they conceive them to be a disordered multitude; whom, notwithstanding, if they beheld from a high hill, they would discern to be artificially ranged, and every one serving under his own colors. Even so men who behold the state of the world with the eyes of flesh and blood, dim by reason of the corruption of their judgments and weakness of their affections, think all things are out of order: they see servants riding on horses, and princes going on foot; that the worse men are, the better they fare; and they fare the worse, the better they are: but if they would go into God's sanctuary, and judge of these occurrences by heavenly principles, then they would confess that no army on earth can be better marshalled than the great army of all