APPENDIX.

REMARKS BY MR. CECIL, COMMUNICATED TO THE EDITOR BY SOME FRIENDS.

A HIDING-PLACE implies secrecy. He who can say unto God, Thou art my hiding place, may go abroad about his affairs, and may pass through a thousand dangers, and yet at the same time, have such a hiding place, in the favor and protection of God, that, when he seems to be exposed on every side, still he is secured and hidden from every evil.

A GREAT man, however high his office and talents, is dependent on little things. Jonah was exceeding glad of his gourd. However splendid and towering, man is crushed beneath the moth, if God does not uphold him: so that while we are ad. miring the great man as he is called, and however he may be disposed to admire himself and to speak great swelling words of vanity, facts will show that he is a poor, dependent creature, who cannot live a moment without God. If the Holy Spirit opens his eyes, he will perceive that he cannot stand alone; but can only support himself and climb, like the ivy, by clasping one stronger than

himself.

DREAMS are common to sleeping. No man be gins to slumber in religion, but he falls into some golden dream. It is a device of Satan to seduce men into a drowsy state, and then to beguile them with some dream. When the duties of religion become irksome, then he presents some novelty which allures and deceives us: whereas, had we been in life and vigor, we should have detected the deceit.

THERE are no greater objects of pity in the world, than men who are admired by all around for their nice discernment and fine taste in every thing of a worldly nature, but have no taste for the riches that endure for ever-no love for God or his word—no love for Christ or their souls. In such a state, however admired or respected, they cannot see the kingdom of God.

ment poured forth. He has a quick FEELING. And he has a spiritual EAR: My sheep hear my voice. He lives in a world of his own: he is tried by spiritual conflicts, and supported by spiritual comforts. If the things of God do not afford him consolation, he droops, and nothing in this world can lift up his head: he will say to every other object, Miserable comforters are ye all. He is pursuing a spiritual end, and while others boast and are puffed up with their great attainments, he is humbled ir the dust, and gives all glory to God.

means.

THERE are critical circumstances, under which a man who is in general on his guard, is called to redouble his Christian vigilance. If he is about to encounter imminent danger, for instance, he will take care to secure himself by every possible A house may be well guarded and secured, but, if there is any fear and expectation of thieves, every place will be doubly barred and watched. Good care may be taken, in the general habits of a family, to guard against fire; but if it be known that a spark has fallen among any combustibles, every possible search is made to discover it and to prevent its ravages. Thus should every servant of Christ redouble his guard in critical circumstances. He should remember, that, while awful providences seem to be threatening us, and while we are surrounded with dangers on every side, and while the enemy of our souls is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, it ill becomes us to trifle. Let us stir up ourselves, and attend to our Master's admonition, Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord.

IF St. Paul had not been an entire character, he would not have spoken so ingeniously of himself as he does in the 7th to the Romans. He would have acted as many others have done: he would have put the best aspect on things. He would not have opened the chambers of imagery; A SPIRITUAL man is a character that rises far and have showed, while all the church was adabove all worldly wisdom and science. He is de-miring him, what was passing within. Here were scribed by our Lord as born of the Spirit. Spirit- real simplicity and humility-nothing of that ual senses are given to him. He has a spiritual Pharisee which he once was. The Pharisee is TASTE that rejects whatever is injurious, and glad- become a Publican: the reality is coming forly receives whatever is salutary to the spiritual ward; and he seems to say, "Is any man groanlife: he desires the sincere milk of the word, that ing under a body of sin and death?-on searching he may grow thereby. He has a spiritual SIGHT: his heart, does he find that therein dwelleth no he looks not at the things which are seen, but at the good thing?-This is my case also; and if I have things which are not seen. He SMELLS a sweet any thing wherein to glory, it is in Christ and not savor in the things of God His name is as oint-in myself.

72

CHARITY should teach us to exercise hope and creature-supports, they had not been so broken! love toward all men-hope toward those who are Still they are crying, O Absalom, my son, my son! without, and love toward those who are within, Why is it that we are shocked to see the world the walls of the city of God. Of those without, falling to pieces around us, when we shall leave we are apt to despair too soon, and to say, There it ourselves to-morrow-perhaps to-day? We foris no hope; when we should labor to allure them get that it is the design of God to dash every into the church of God, and to impress them with thing to pieces. It is by these trials that we bea sense of its glory and its privileges. Toward gin to learn we have been walking by sense rather those within the walls, we sometimes fail in than by faith-and looking at our children and the exercise of love: we are too much influenced our possessions as though we were never to lose in our feelings toward them by a difference of them. education, taste, or disposition; while the great question ought to be, "Are they really fellowcitizens with the saints and of the household of God?"—and, if so, whatever their defects may be, we ought to honor and love them as the temples of the Holy Ghost.

IT is by FAITH that we are relieved under the difficulties of SENSE. Sense revolts, when it views our great High-Priest on the cross-Faith glories in this object! Sense talks like the Jews: He saved others: himself he cannot save: if he be now the King of Israel, let him come down from WHEN Christians are delivered from trouble, the cross, and we will believe him. Faith lays hold they are apt soon to forget it: and to lose sight on him as the Saviour of the world, and cries, of the holy resolutions formed while under afflic-Lord! remember me when thou comest into thy tion the strong impressions soon decay. Where-kingdom! Sense envies the prosperous worldling, as if we were enabled to glory in tribulations—if and calls him happy-Faith goes into the sanctuour conscience were made tender-if more reality ary, to see what his end will be. When the were put into our prayers-we should take heed waves run high, Sense clamors-Faith says, how we give way to an evil heart of unbelief: Speak but the word, and the wind and waves we should remember, too, how our troubles were shall obey thee." When we feel our earthly brought on us, and the benefits which we received house of this tabernacle taking down, Sense sinks while they continued: we should watch that we-but Faith says, We know, that, if our earthly might not estimate them falsely and at all times, house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a we should bear it in our mind, that it is not suffer-building of God, a house not made with hands, ing which hurts us, but sin. eternal in the heavens.

WISDOM prepares for the worst: but folly leaves the worst for that day when it comes.

ABRAHAM teaches us the right way of convers

SOME men will follow Christ on certain conditions-if he will not lead them through rough roads-if he will not enjoin them any painful tasks —if the sun and wind do not annoy them-if he will remit a part of his plan and order. But the true Christian, who has the spirit of Jesus, willing with God:-And Abraham fell on his face, and say, as Ruth said to Naomi," Whither thou goest, I will go!" whatever difficulties and dangers may be in the way.

It is our happiness, as Christians, that, however we may change our place, we shall never change our object. Whatever we lose, we shall not lose that which we esteem better than life. God has made to us this gracious promise-I will dwell in them, and walk in them. And though we may endure much affliction, and pass through many deep waters, yet this is our honor and comfort, THE LORD IS WITH US! and then-what is difficulty?what is tribulation?-what is death? -Death to a Christian is but an entrance into the city of God! it is but joining a more blessed company, and singing in a more exalted strain, than he can do in this world.

God talked with him! When we plead with him our faces should be in the dust: we shall not then speak lightly of him, nor complain; nor will there be any more boasting. We shall abase ourselves and exalt God!

THE Christian's secret intercourse with God will make itself manifest to the world. We may not see the husbandman cast the seed into the ground, yet when the corn grows and ripens we know that it was sown. The mere professor, who may be found every where but in his secret chamber, may think that with care he shall pass for a good Christian: but he mistakes, for the spirit WILL discover itself, of what sort it is. He, who would walk safely and honorably, must walk closely with God in secret.

A VARIETY of circumstances render the sinTHE way of every man is declarative of the ner's first approaches to Christ difficult. They END of that man.

How difficult it is to show those who are in the house of mourning, that God is teaching them, that, if they had not leaned so much on their

who find an EASY access, will find an easy departure when troubles arise.

THE most likely method we can take to hasten the removal of what we love, is, to value it too

much-to think on it with endless anxiety-to | talks of a speedy recovery! A death will come LIVE on its favor with solicitude. It shall soon either become a thorn in our side, or be taken away,

on the spirit, which will be perceived and felt by all around: yet when the most affectionate friends of such a man attempt to expostulate, they often find him not only insensible, but obstinate and stout-hearted. He who, like Samson, the cham

tion, will rarely rise again as he lay down: he may say, I will go out, as at other times before, and shake myself: but he wists not that the Lord is departed from him!-Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not!

BE ye not unequally yoked. If a believer mar-pion of Israel, lays his head in the lap of temptarics an unbeliever, the miseries which ensue are endless. Were they determined, in kindness, to grant all they could to each other; yet they live as in two separate worlds. There is a great gulf between them, which cannot be passed without the grace of God; on which, while all should hope and pray for it, none should presume. They cannot taste the same pleasures, nor share the same sorrows, nor pursue the same objects, nor walk in the same path. What hope, then, can there be of comfort? Every Christian finds the corruptions of his own heart, the snares of the world, and the devices of Satan, together with innumerable secret anxieties, quite enough to struggle with in his journey to heaven, without adding another to his difficulties.

IN studying the word of God, digest it under these two heads; either as removing obstructions, which keep God and thee asunder; or as supplying some uniting power to bring God and thee together.

PERHAPS it is a greater energy of Divine Power, which keeps the Christian from day to day, from year to year-praying, hoping, running, believing against all hinderances-which maintains him as a LIVING martyr-than that which bears him up for an hour in sacrificing himself at the stake.

THE whole life of Christ was one continued expression of the same desire.-"Let me lay aside my glory-let me expire on the cross-so that thy kingdom may come!" And the blood of every martyr, who ever suffered in the cause of God, cried, "Let thy kingdom come!"

GROWTH in grace manifests itself by a simplicity-that is, a greater naturalness of character. There will be inore usefulness, and less noise; more tenderness of conscience, and less scrupulosity: there will be more peace, more humility: when the full corn is in the ear, it bends down because it is full.

THE history of all the great characters of the Bible is summed up in this one sentence:-they acquainted themselves with God, and accuiesced in his will in all things.

for an increase of patience, experience, hope, and GOD's way of answering the Christian's prayer love-usually is to put him into the furnace of tribulation. St. James therefore says, Count it all By the course of his providence God will assert joy when ye fall into divers temptations. People of the liberty of his council.

LET me ask, every day, what reference it has to the day of judgment; and cultivate a disposition to be reminded of that day.

INDULGE not a gloomy contempt of any thing which is in itself good: only let it keep its place.

GOD has called us to meet his best gift to man -his only-begotten Son-not in a splendid court, but in a manger!-in the wilderness!-in Gethsemane !-before the high-priest, when they spat in his face and buffeted him, and smote him!-at the cross-and at the sepulchre! Thus it is that he corrects the pride and ambition of the human heart!

the world count it all joy when they are in ease and affluence; but a Christian is taught to count it all joy when he is tried as gold in the fire.

IN Christ we see the most perfect exhibition of every grace, to which we, as his followers, are called. Let there be but in us that poverty of spirit-that disposition to bear with provocations, and to forgive injuries-that obedience to God and acquiescence in his will-that perseverance in doing good-that love which overcometh all difficulties-that meekness, humility, patience, compassion, and gentleness which were found in Christ; and if any man should be so ignorant and debased as to imagine that this is not TRUE DIGNITY OF CHARACTER, let it be remembered, that this was the mind which was also in Christ Jesus.

LOOKING back is more than we can sustain without going back!

THERE is in sin, not only an infinite mischief done to the man, but it is accompanied by an infatuation that surpasses all description. When WHEN the multitudes followed our Lord on a the heart declines from God, and loses communion particular occasion, although he wished for retirewith Christ, the man resembles one in a consump-ment, and had gone purposely to seek it, yet he tion, who is on the brink of the grave and yet gave up his design and attended to them. Mark

the condescension and tenderness of such conduct, cellent, which produces such experience and wisin opposition to a sour, monastic. morose temper. We are too fond of our own will. We want to be doing what we fancy mighty things; but the great point is, to do small things, when called to them, in a right spirit.

WE cannot build too confidently on the merits of Christ, as our only hope; nor can we think too Imuch of the mind that was in Christ, as our great example.

A CHRISTIAN will find his parenthesis for pray- glories in tribulation as an appointed MEANS and er, even through his busiest hours.

crying to God out of the dungeon, Ebed-melech was interceding for him with the king, and they were preparing the means of his deliverance. See Jer. xxxviii.

A CHRISTIAN must stand in a posture to receive every message which God shall send. He must be so prepared, as to be like one who is called to set off on a sudden journey, and has nothing to do but to set out at a moment's notice or like a merchant who has goods to send abroad, and has

LET the restless, comfortless state of a back- them all packed up and in readiness, for the first slider, distinguish him from an apostate.

If you have set out in the ways of God, do not stumble at present difficulties. Go forward. Look not behind.

SOMETHING must be left as a test of the loyalty of the heart-in Paradise, the Tree: in Israel, a Canaanite in us, Temptation.

RELIGIOUS joy, is a holy, a delicate deposit. It is a pledge of something greater, and must not be thought lightly of: for let it be withdrawn only for a little, and, notwithstanding the experience we may have had of it, we shall find no living creature can restore it to us, and we can only, with David, cry, Restore unto me, O Lord, the joy of thy sal

vation.

way

sail.

How many people go out of their sphere under good pretences!

A PERSON Who objects to tell a friend of his faults, because he has faults of his own, acts as a surgeon would who should refuse to dress another person's wound because he had a dangerous one himself.

WHEN the most insignificant person tells us we are wrong, we ought to listen. Let us believe it possible we may be wrong, when any one supposes we are; and enter into the true littleness which consists in receiving correction like a child.

No man rejects a minister of God who faithfully performs his office, till he has rejected God.

A CHRISTIAN should beware of that temptation, Why should I wait for the Lord any longer? He should remember, if it is a time of extremity, that THE plainest declarations of God's favor and is the very reason why he should wait. If his the strongest encouragements, are generally maWho could is so hedged up that he cannot go forward, henifested in the darkest night of trial. should say, "Now is the time for me to stand still, be more destitute than Jacob, when he lay down and wait till God opens my way." When my spi- also Acts xxvii. 20-24. 2 Cor. i. 3, 4, 5. in the desert with a stone for his pillow? See rit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.

HUMAN nature is always putting forth its fears and unbelief, in anxious questions concerning to morrow, or some threatening calamity: but Christ says to every Christian, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid: I go to prepare a place for you; and I will protect and guide you throughout the journey thither."

God with us is the traveller's security. Jacob was destitute: he had a long and dreary journey; but God said, Behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.

GOD calls not for thousands of rams nor ten thousands of rivers of oil: he calls not his creatures to live in sackcloth and ashes, nor sets them to perform long pilgrimages, nor to inflict pains on their bodies. No! the rigors of superstition are from MAN. The voice of God is, "Be happy, here and for ever! Fiy that which will make you miserable every where! Come unto me all that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

THE Voice of Christ is, My Son, give me thy heart! and to him, who obeys, he will say, "Go in peace! go into the grave! go to judgment! go into eternity! go in peace!"

THE pride of Israel testifieth to his face; and they do not return to the Lord their God. This is the worst symptom in a sinner-when he is too proud to go to God. Whatever be our condition, if there is contrition of spirit under it, there is hope whatever lengths a man may have gone in sin, of that man. There is no room for despair, to if he can smite on his breast, and say, "O Lord! though my sins testify against me, yet thou art a God of compassion. Do thou it, for thy name's sake."

A CHRISTIAN should never attempt to try his state while under a temptation: he might as well attempt to examine the face of the moon while she is under an eclipse. But, when he finds corrupt nature setting in with a temptation-and who has not felt this:-let him remember his Great Physician. This is the glory of the Son of God, that no case, either of the body or of the soul, was ever found too hard for him! Blessed be God, that we have in him a hiding place-a covert from the storm-a refuge from all our enemies!

THE great care of the man who is content with the form of godliness without the power, is, that every thing should be right without; while the true Christian is most careful that every thing