June 16

but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of souls"—You are returned unto One who loved you from eternity, and always bore you in his heart—You are returned to one who saved you from a thousand dangers, and preserved you by his Providence till he called you by his grace—You are returned to one whose power is Almighty, whose heart is made of tenderness, who never leaves you, never slumbers nor sleeps—You are returned to one who, lest any hurt you, keeps you night and day, and has said, My sheep shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand—You are returned to one who will feed his flock like a shepherd; who will gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young—who will make you to lie down in green pastures, and feed you beside the still waters, and restore your souls, and lead you in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake. Yea, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you need fear no evil, for he will be with you, his rod and his staff will comfort you. And not only so, but he will bring you into Immanuel's land, and the heavenly places, where the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed you, and lead you to living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from your eyes.

JUNE 16.—"I was wounded in the house of my friends."—Zechariah 13:6.

THIS seems literally the complaint of a false prophet, who had been punished and removed from his office. We cannot easily perceive the relation between the treatment of such a man and the suffering of the Saviour. And yet the words both immediately preceding and following, can scarcely leave a doubt of a reference to him. And of him the complaint is true in every respect. True with regard to the treatment he met with from the Jews. He came to his own, and his own received him not; but vilified and scourged him; crowned him with thorns, and nailed him to the tree. True with regard to his treatment from his own Apostles. One of them betrayed him with a kiss; another denied him with oaths and cursing; and all forsook him and fled—He looked for some to take pity, and there was none, and for comforter, but he found none. True with regard to the professors of his religion in all ages. The world is the house of his enemies. There his day is profaned, his laws transgressed, his name blasphemed, his truth denied, and his followers contemned—There we look for nothing else; and though we censure and condemn, we feel no surprise. But the Church is the house of his friends: so he calls them; and it is their honour and privilege to be such—yet here, even here, where he only reckons upon behaviour becoming the relation, he is often dishonoured and injured—"This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation."

But what is the conduct by which he is aggrieved? It is negligent conduct—when they disregard the means of grace, and the institutions of religion. These he has established. He has commanded us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. He has promised to come unto us and bless us in all places where his name is recorded. What then can be more trying than to show how little we regard his authority, or value his presence? and to

suffer trifles to keep us from our engagements with him, that would not detain us from an appointment with any of our fellow-creatures? It is selfish conduct—when we cannot deny ourselves, or make any sacrifices for the relief of his members, and the support and spread of his cause; though we are often praying that his kingdom may come; and that his word may have free course and be glorified. It is distrustful conduct—nothing hurts us more than a want of confidence, especially after long intimacy and tried fidelity. He is truth itself, and loves to see us taking him at his word, and depending upon his promises, as firmer than heaven and earth. Nothing in a friend atones for distance and concealment, and our learning things, not by communication, but by event. The Lord loves to be consulted: and when we venture to act without taking counsel of him, and bring ourselves into difficulties and embarrassments, he may well chide us—"You should have committed your way unto me." Hast thou not procured this unto thyself? It is timid conduct—when, instead of going forth to him without the camp, we are ashamed of him and of his words; when, instead of being bold as a lion, we shrink back or turn aside in the path of duty, at every intimation of danger. The fear of man bringeth a snare. But perfect love casteth out fear. It is gloomy conduct—when we walk mournfully before the Lord, and hang down our heads like a bulrush, and sink in the day of adversity. We then depreciate and misrepresent his religion, and lead people to think it is a course of cheerlessness and melancholy. Whereas, by learning in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content; and in every thing giving thanks; and rejoicing evermore; we speak well of his name, we recommend his service, we invite others to seek him with us. It is unholy conduct—when instead of putting to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour, and constraining others to glorify God by our good works, which they behold: we cause, by our miscarriages and falls, the way of truth to be evil spoken of, and the adversaries of the Lord to blaspheme. Wo to the world because of offences. They harden the wicked; scandalize the weak; distress the strong; weaken the hands of his servants; and vex and grieve his Holy Spirit. And though he will not cast away his people whom he foreknew, their backslidings shall reprove them, and he will make them know that it is not only an evil but a bitter thing to forsake him. This is the law of the house: "If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my loving-kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips." Thus, because Moses and Aaron did not sanctify him at the rock, he would not suffer them to go over Jordan. And though he put away David's sin in the guilt of it, yet the effects of it attended him through life. And if we turn from his history to his experience, in the fifty-first Psalm, we shall see, that in addition to distressing events without, he had anguish enough within to induce him ever after to pray, Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.

But while fear makes us prayerful, let ingenuousness make us

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