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A staff serves to support, help, and direct. It supports the weak, helps the lame, and directs the blind so it serves, in some measure, instead of strength to the weak, aged and infirm ; instead of legs to the lame, and of eyes to the blind: Thy staff doth comfort me, saith the Psalmist. Jacob, in his weakness and old age, worshipped, bearing on the top of his staff.* God promiseth his people length of days in Je- · rusalem, and that very man should be with his staff in his hand for every age.t Now, the spiritual staff will not only answer to the literal, for these purposes, but exceed it, as much as the soul doth the body, and as eternity is more important than time; for it makes the weak strong, the lame to walk uprightly, and the blind to see clearly. It strengthens the weak hands, and confirms the feeble knees. It opens the eyes. of the blind, and brings men from darkness into God's marvellous light. It enables the lame to leap as an hart. Oh! happy the owner of this staff! may you and I find much ben efit by it. Again,

A staff is a riding and a walking instrument: I make use of it both ways, though more in the former; as I ride much, and walk but little. Balaam riding on his ass, had his staff in his hand. As a staff will suit both the horseman and the footman, so religion well becomes the rich and poor, high and low, persons of all ranks. and degrees. It is neither beneath the prince, nor above the peasant; but very commodious, nay, absolutely necessary for both The rich *Heb. xi. 21. † Zech. viii, 4.

man cannot ride safe and bold without his spiritual staff; neither can the poor man walk well without it; therefore, my Job, whether you be a footman or a horseman, venture not without this staff; you will find it exceeding useful; for her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace, both to the master and servant. But,

A staff adds to the weight of the traveller, yet enables him to go faster. It makes him heavier, and yet nimbler; it might seem to hinder, but really helps. It is a burthen, and still an advantage. In this respect, it is like shoes to a person on a journey; though they add to his weight, they enable him to walk better. Wings are an additional weight to the bird, but without them he could not fly. Religion is called a yoke and a burthen. In this light you may suppose it to be a weight and trouble; but the burthen is light, and the yoke easy; a burthen that helps on the bearer, and a yoke that draws him forward. Some think religion to be perfect slavery, but imagine sin to be the most extensive liberty that can be enjoyed: whereas, the persons who have tried both, know by ex-! perience, that such as are under the dominion of sin, are slaves and captives with a witness! but those who are truly religious, enjoy the best liberty, and are free indeed. Christ appeared to destroy the works, or snares of the devil; to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison those that were bound. If the Son make you free, then are you free indeed. 'Therefore, my dear friend, let not the weight of

this staff frighten you. If you make use of it, instead of being a hindrance, you will find it will have a mighty tendency to facilitate and accelerate your journey heavenward. To fear the Lord, and depart from evil, shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. In short, without this staff, you can never enter into glory. I may note further, that,

A staff is both a driving and a drawing instrument, especially such an hooked one as you gave me. It will drive open gates before me when I ride, and draw others to me. God's heavy and grounded staff of judgment scattered the Assyrians.* In Zech. xi. 7. we read of a staff called Bands; and some tell us, that the very term religion (from religio) signifies tying, or binding. Again, religion doth draw the saints to God; to love one another; to love the gospel; to love gospel principles and practice, and at last it will draw them to Heaven itself. It directs one what to shun, and what to embrace; what to reject, and what to choose: it makes one wise unto salvation. Finally,

A staff is used for ornament. A person often takes it in his hand, not so much for its assistance in walking, but because it adorns the traveller. Judah adorned himself with his signet, bracelet and staff. We read of a staff called Beauty. Be it known unto you, my friend, that religion is the greatest ornament in the world, and is, in the sight of God, of great price. Those who are religious indeed, are an ornament and credit to the gospel now; and

*Isaiah xxx. 32. Zech. xi. 10. 1 Pet. iii.4. Tit. ii. 10.

they shall be forever as jewels, in the crown of King JESUS, to adorn even Heaven itself!* That you may be adorned with grace here, and glory hereafter, is the affectionate wish of Your sincere friend,

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1 DID our IMMANUEL die for us, To save such poor rebellious men ? Did he display his pity thus,

That we might come to God again ? 2 All human language wants a name, For such unfathom❜d boundless love; This pure, immortal, fervent flame, Sprang only from the God above. 3. What can we add? our speech is faint; We sink beneath the pond'rous load! This love no eloquence can paint; 'Tis grand; 'tis worthy of a God. 4 O'erwhelm'd with this abyss of love, We stand astonish'd at the grace

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That brought salvation from above,
To die for all the fallen race.

5 Did our IMMANUEL die for us?
What more can be by words exprest?
For sinners Christ was made a curse;
Eternity must tell the rest.

HYMN TO THE MORNING.

DAUGHTER of Heav'n, Aurora, rise,
Thy cheerful course to run.
With lustre crimson o'er the skies,.
And usher in the sun.

Thy balmy breath's refreshing pow'r
Shall soon revive the plain,
Awake the sweets of ev'ry flow'r,
And gladden ev'ry strain.

The virgin yet untaught to sigh,
Shall lightly tread the vale,
And raise, with joy, the tearless eye
To bid thy presence hail.

Come, modest maid, with blushes speak,

In all thy roses drest,
Diffusing health on ev'ry cheek,

And peace to ev'ry breast.

Come,Morning,come, which Heav'n design'd
Its choicest gifts to bear,

And kindly teach the human mind,
To worship and revere !

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