31. I have finished the work which thou Igavest me to do. John xvii. 4.

1. The execution of a very important work was intrusted to the Saviour.-2. For that work he was every way qualified.-3. He perfectly finished that work.-4. What an indignity is put upon him when we attempt to add to his work!

No blood of goats nor heifers slain

For sin could e'er atone;

The blood of Christ shall still remain
Sufficient and alone.

FEBRUARY.

1. The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Prov. iv. 18.

1. The path of the Christian is a path of light.— 2. It is a path of increasing light.-3. It terminates in perfect day.

Just such is the Christian; his course he begins,
Like the sun in a mist, while he mourns for his sins,
And melts into tears; then he breaks out and shines,
And travels his heavenly way:

But when he comes nearer to finish his race,
Like a fine setting sun, he looks richer in grace,
And gives a sure hope, at the end of his days,
Of rising in brighter array.

2. He will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Ps. lxxxv. 8.

1. How encouraging the assurance.-2. How reasonable the caution.

We wait to hear what God will say;
He'll speak, and give his people peace;
But let them go no more astray,

Lest his returning wrath increase.

3. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. iv. 15.

1. We have a glorious High Priest.-2. His deep experience.-3. His absolute innocence.-4. His ability to sympathize.

Touched with a sympathy within,
He knows our feeble frame;

He knows what sore temptations mean,
For he has felt the same.

4. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb. iv. 16.

1. When we are tempted, we especially need help.-2. All the help we need is obtainable at the throne of grace.-3. As we have such an High Priest, we may with confidence apply for all needed assistance.

Come boldly to the throne of grace,
And all our trials name;

In every point our Lord will trace
That he endured the same.

5. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Cor. ix. 15.

1. The Donor.-2. The Donation.-3. The receivers.-4. Such a Gift, from such a source, to such persons, calls for the purest and warmest gratitude.

Jesus, thou glorious gift of God,

To sinners weary and distress'd;
The first of all his gifts bestow'd,

And certain pledge of all the rest.

6. And it came to pass, that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. Luke xxiv. 15.

1. Those who love the Saviour delight to converse respecting him.-2. The way to have him for our companion is to make him our theme.

We'll talk of all he did and said,
And suffer'd for us here below;
The path he mark'd for us to tread,
And what he's doing for us now.

7. And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation. Gen. vii. 1.

1. An instance of extraordinary piety.-2. Such piety attracts the Divine observation.-3. It secures for its possessor peculiar privileges.

Fear Him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;

Make you his service your delight,
He'll make your wants his care.

8. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. Isa. xlviii. 10.

1. Man is impure in nature.-2. That he may be saved, it is necessary that he should be purified.3. The design of God's gracious choice of his people is to make them pure.-4. To this end he subjects them to affliction.

In the furnace God may prove thee,

Thence to bring thee forth more bright,
But can never cease to love thee:
Thou art precious in his sight.

9. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. Ps. xvii. 5.

1. The paths in which the believer prefers to walk.-2. The danger that he apprehends and deprecates.-3. His sense of dependence.-4. His prayer for support.

Their steadfast feet shall never fall,
Whom he designs to keep;

His ear attends their humble call,
His eyes can never sleep.

10. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. 1 Sam. i. 28.

1. Religious engagements are sometimes made without a due apprehension of what their fulfilment will cost us.-2. The consistent believer will nevertheless regard them as binding, and will promptly and cheerfully fulfil them.-3. Such fideity will not lose its reward.

Yet if I might make some reserve,
And duty did not call,

I love my God with zeal so great,
That I should give him all.

11. Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God.

Heb. xii. 15.

1. The grace of God is a most desirable good.-2. It is a good that may be secured.-3. There is great danger that we may fail of it.-4. The exigency requires diligent precaution.

O gracious God, in whom I live,

My feeble efforts aid;

Help me to watch, and pray, and strive,
Though trembling and afraid.

12. Buy the truth, and sell it not.

Prov xxiii. 23.

1. Buy it at any price, for it is indispensable.-2. Sell it at no price, for it has no equivalent.

This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown;
That merchant is divinely wise

Who makes this pearl his own.

13. Thine arrows are sharp in the hearts of the King's enemies, whereby the people fall under thee. Ps. xlv. 5.

1. The King of the universe has enemies.-2. He requires of them submission.-3. For the purpose of reducing them to submission, he has sent forth his Son as a Conqueror.-4. In executing his commission, the Son employs effective weapons.-5. These weapons are directed to the heart.-6. The happy result.

How deep the wounds thine arrows give!
They pierce the hardest heart;

Thy smiles of grace the slain revive,
And joys succeeds to smart.