March 23

favourite, at whose shrine some old connexion is sacrificed. What instability with regard to domestics—what changes of servants! What instability with regard to residence—what changes of abode! What instability with regard to business—what changes of employment! What instability in the management of their affairs—what violations of engagement and punctuality—what confusion, what delays, what excuses—nothing is done decently and in order—"Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel."

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." And "the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

MARCH 23.—"And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth."—Ezekiel 46:10.

THIS refers immediately to the temple worship. Read the verse preceding: "When the people of the land shall come before the Lord in solemn feasts, he that entereth in by the way of the north gate to worship, shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he that entereth by the way of the south gate, shall go forth by the way of the north gate: he shall not return by the way of the gate whereby he came in, but shall go forth over against it." This regulates the attendance of the people. Then follows an order for the prince. He was to appear in the house of God as well as others; and regardless of his civil prerogatives, feel himself in sacred things on a level with his people, observing the same ordinances, entering the sanctuary at the same time, and continuing as long in as they. "And the prince in the midst of them, when they go in, shall go in; and when they go forth, shall go forth."

Various are the gradations of life, and it is not for the benefit of society that they should be abolished. But religion is not as some imagine, for the lower classes, or only a proper and necessary expedient to keep them orderly and obedient. Its institutions and exercises are binding upon the rich as well as the poor; upon the noble as well as the vulgar; upon masters as well as servants; and upon sovereigns as well as subjects. It is very pleasing and becoming in persons of quality to be seen going to the temple of God with their domestics, tenants, and poor neighbours about them. And superiors ought to be constant and devout in their attendance on public worship: yea, they are under peculiar obligations to do it. They are under an obligation arising from gratitude: for duty grows with benefits: and if they are more distinguished and indulged than others, they owe the more to their benefactor, and should be the more concerned to please and serve him; and not resemble vapours exhaled from the earth that only darken and hide the sun that raised them. They are under an obligation arising from influence. They are more seen observed and followed than persons in lower life. If they are irreligious and vicious, they take away shame and fear from others; and by their example they sanction,

VOL. I.

excite and encourage imitation. Morals as well as fashions are sure to work downwards. They are under an obligation arising from self-interest. Did they consider things aright they would be sensible that none need the means of grace more than themselves. Their duty is great: and here they would find instruction, encouragement, consolation, and support, amidst all that is difficult and trying in their stations. And their danger is great. They are set in slippery places, and the prosperity of fools destroys them. They are in jeopardy from self-indulgence, and flattery, and vanity, and pride, and forgetfulness of God and eternity: and here they would be admonished and armed; here they would be reminded amidst their temptations of their original, their dependance, their mortality, their end, and of the account they will have to render at the judgment-seat of Christ—But this page is not likely to reach many of the great—Otherwise we would thunder in their ear: "Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

But some suppose a reference here to another prince, even he who was to be ruler in Israel. The allusion is possible and pleasing. We say possible; for God's aim in his word is so comprehensive as to include all the lawful purposes to which any part of it is applied; and it is lawful to avail ourselves of every thing that will teach and preach Jesus Christ. And we say pleasing as well as possible; for so must the assurance be felt, if significant of him. And there is a conformity between him and his people; and in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren. Yet in all things too he has the pre-eminence: and is anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows. He could say, In the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto thee: but he is more than their fellow-worshipper, more than their companion, more than their example, more than a man—He is lord of all.

—Observe his title—"The Prince." He is the only King in Zion: but he is "Messiah the Prince;" "the Prince of peace;" "the Prince of life;" "the Prince of the kings of the earth;" "a Prince and a Saviour"—

Observe his residence—"In the midst of them." This situation agrees with all the representations we have of him, and the state of his people requires it. He was in the midst of the burning bush; and hence it was not consumed. He was in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. I will, says he, be not only a wall of fire round about them, but the glory in the midst of them. Sometimes kings reign over a country in which they do not reside, and which they seldom or never visit: and no earthly prince can be in the midst of his people so as to be heard and seen and approached at the same time by all. But the Lord Jesus is nigh unto all of them that call upon him; and has said, Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. And

Observe therefore his agency—Wherever they go he attends them graciously, and the angel of his presence saves them. "When they shall go in, he shall go in; and when they shall go forth, he shall go forth." It is so as to their devotions. Do they enter the temple?