foundation, must be obliterated from the memory of Jehovah by some wonderful scheme of grace, and we must read an act of amnesty, such as was sent to Paul, before the ignorance of our conscience can be manifested to ourselves, and its hand-writing against us effaced.

We are driven by the very necessity of reason and experience, to forsake every delineation of excellence which does not originate from an Eternal Spirit. Inherent virtue can only emanate from inherent divinity, therefore the statutes of the world promulgated in laws of honour, or morality dictated by laws of conscience, are both equally forged or damaged copies of the only code which is immutable as its author. God's commandment admits of no deviation, and it is this very unaccommodating spirit which manifests its perfection, and is declarative of the law-giver: "I am the Lord, I change not."-Mal. 3. 6.

Having been led to that standard of holiness, which is the only measurement authorized of heaven, I had to seek for some exemplifiers of its precepts.

With all that rapidity of hope, which while it betrayed my ignorance, proved the zeal of an

understanding awakened to earnest research, I endeavoured to identify the decalogue with living copyists; or, if such were beyond my circumscribed knowledge, to find it illustrated by departed saints. How generally do we hear the tables of the law read over once a week, and repeat the supplicatory response, neither solemnized by the awful exactions of the one, nor humbled in our address for the other!

As the study grew upon my mind, I saw the futile manner in which I had apprehended the holy command, and when it was set up as a beacon within my heart, its radiance was thrown over such a scene of darkness, and tempest, and danger, that like Moses under the same ministration, "I did exceedingly fear and quake.”

In a view of its vast amplitude, David testifies "Thy commandment is exceeding broad," and when we survey the ramifications of every injunction, our soul must be amazed with the extensiveness of that pattern which is a written resemblance and definition of the Almighty.

Such a glance of the interminable demands of holiness, effectually excluded my projected research after any recorded or existing administrators; none of the posterity of Adam have

given in their own persons an actual transcript of the law of God. In contemplating sacred story, we discover that the Jewish ceremonial establishment is a provision whereby delinquent man daily confesses himself an offender before the Lord, so that the institution of sacrifice and priesthood was founded on the cries of the miserable to obtain mercy. The slain lamb, and the High Priest, were similitudes of the guilt of every worshipper; and the propitiatory ransom elevated before his eyes in blood, and in burning, was declared to put away his sin, and in the merits of which sacrifice and sacrificer, he beheld himself accepted.

This metaphorical gospel which the ancient ordinances set forth, forms a most improving study for a mind enlightened so far into the nature of the commandment, as to stand still, "in fear of the Lord;" for the same wisdom which so instructs to profit, has also pronounced that those who wait in watchful confidence for the issue, "shall see the salvation of the Lord."

So far my wandering thoughts had been deviously led, since they commenced a pilgrimage in search of virtue, because virtue was the

only aim which terminated in happiness. I had found that man, neither in his natural or polished state, had promulgated any rule of general observance which would bear the least probe of investigation. Our duties to our Maker and to each other, must not only be inseparably united, but they must be indited by the finger of God, and they must be unequivocally obeyed: not short by one tittle-not broken in one point.

How appositely does the tablet of stone represent that hardened nature, which must first be shattered to pieces before it will retain the holy register! And how beautiful is that spiritual allegory which places the enduring record of the law no more in our own possession, but conveys it beneath the shelter of that tabernacle which shadowed forth the mystery of the incarnation. In this figure we have an emblematic sight of the law, secured for the church within the heart of Christ, where sin cannot efface its pure characters, where it is safe from the least tarnish, not even dimmed by tears of repentance; but where the redeemed can meditate its lustre, and read its enactments; and, as they commit the debt to memory, find that drops of grace have fallen: on the page, and obliterated every transgression.

I could string the chords of this theme to sound a higher note; but I wish to advance progressively in the details of divine lessons, according to the measure with which I was made a partaker of this knowledge.

My first experience was disappointment from the things of time: nothing which it offered met the grasp of my wishes. My ardent desire was to find perfection-my chief resolution was to seek after it; and, in seeking by the instruction of my own reason, I followed a wrong path. I should have pursued this wildering maze till it closed in a labyrinth of darkness, had not light shone upon the objects, and discovered to me that they led further and further from the attainment of my hope.

Life from henceforward was a prize worth no contention; all its occupations were soberized in their pursuit; all its enjoyments appeared touched with decay; every expectancy was imperfect in its principle; the fruition of every wish showed some blemish in its possession. Conviction, which spread its influence over time present and future, produced an excitement of sensibility, which because enthusiasm is mistaken for religion, ought to be strictly scrutinized The voice of faith is an utterance of joy,