ungodliness. In this down-hill course we easily proceed from evil to evil. When a person walks out in the morning clean in his apparel, he is cautious how he treads; and the first soil he contracts affects him: but the second offends him less; and the third much less still; till he says, "It matters not now"-and heedlessly dashes on. The youth is not profligate at once: but evil communications corrupt good manners. The first time he complies with a temptation he feels a reluctance, and after the crime is committed, his conscience smites him. But a degree of this is overcome by every subsequent repetition; and the profaner of the Sabbath, and the drunkard, and the sensualist, go boldly on, waxing worse and worse. One sin naturally leads to another; prepares for another; pleads for another; and renders another necessary, either by way of concealment or finish. Thus David, to hide his adultery, commits murder; and then impiously ascribes this to the providence of God-"The sword smiteth all alike”!

Another reason is, because you need not yield. You are not forced. If the Devil compelled you, he would also justify you; for there can be no guilt where there is no liberty. The motives to commit sin can never be so great as the arguments to forbear. What can weigh for a moment against the authority of an Infinite Being on whom we entirely depend? And what is any indulgence or suffering, compared with endless happiness or misery? Would God have enjoined upon us a thing that is impracticable? And is not his grace sufficient for us? And is it not attainable by us? Is not his promise true; Ask, and it shall be given you? And, in the history and experience of his people in all ages, do we not see proof

of this? Have not multitudes in the same condition, exposed to the same perils, feeling the same weaknesses and depravity, been more than conquerors?

Finally, resistance is the way to success, and insures it. Hence, says God, resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Can God be mistaken? Can he deceive? And does not every one know that persons slacken in any course of action, in proportion as they want encouragement? For hope is the mainspring of motion. If a beggar be relieved, however slenderly or seldom, he will in extremity repair to the door again -but not if he be positively and invariably refused.

Resist, therefore, stedfastly; and shew that you are in earnest, and determined. For there is a heartless undecided refusal that invites renewed applicationor at least does not shut the door entirely against importunity. If Satan cannot look into the heart, he is acquainted with the ways in which it shews itself; and is sure to know whether there is a latent wandering after what is professedly renounced-and so will be led to watch his opportunity, and ply his means.

-But the Apostle adds, Resist him stedfastlyin the faith. There is no fighting on a quagmire. Faith furnishes the only solid, the only safe, ground on which we can contend. Faith clothes us with the whole armour of God. Faith connects us with the Captain of our salvation, without whom we can do nothing; but through whose strengthening of us we can do all things

"And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees."

"A Friend and Helper so Divine
Doth my weak courage raise:
He makes the glorious vict'ry mine;
And his shall be the praise."

JUNE 21.-EVENING.

"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ."

1 Cor. x. 4.

How was that Rock Christ? Not really, but typically. How was it a spiritual Rock? Not by substance, but by signification; not by its quality, but by its use. We should not press a metaphor beyond its lawful bounds. But the analogy in the case before us holds

With regard to the Rock itself. A rock is remarkable for its solidity, strength, duration, support, shelter, and shade; and so is a just and striking emblem of Christ, who is so often expressed by the name. It holds also

With regard to the striking. The Rock was smitten and Christ once suffered, the just for the unjust. The Rock was smitten publicly in the sight of the elders and of the people: and Christ suffered at Jerusalem in the presence of a similar multitude. The Rock was smitten by Moses: and the Law, of which he is the representative, inflicted the death of Christ; he redeemed us from the curse of the law, having been made a curse for us. Till the rock was thus smitten, it yielded no supplies: and Christ being made perfect through suffering, became the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. Who could have expected that the smiling of a rock would have furnished a flood of living waters? It was the Lord's doing and is marvellous in our eyes. And Christ crucified was to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks foolishness; but to them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men-Which things the angels desire to look into. It also holds

With regard to the streams. What did these serve to express? The blood of Jesus; which "is drink indeed" The doctrines of the Gospel; whose tidings to the distressed conscience are like cold water to a thirsty soul, and afford a refreshment and satisfaction which no philosophy can furnish-The influences of the Holy Ghost: according to the promise, "I will pour water upon him that is thirsty; and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:" and the invitation, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink-This spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive."

One circumstance must not be overlooked. The streams not only relieved their present wants, but secured them future supplies; for it was in these the rock followed them in their journeys, so that they were constantly refreshed by them. As long as we are in the wilderness, our spiritual wants will return: but the Saviour will never leave us; and as our days, so shall our strength be. Thus our condition is softened; and we can sometimes sing the Lord's song in a strange land. But soon the sun shall not light on us, nor any heat; for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall feed us, and lead us unto living fountains of water.

Let us read the Old Testament under the extensions and applications of the New. It was designed to furnish shadows of good things to come; but the body is Christ.

Let us bless him who was smitten that we might drink of the river of his pleasure. The rock in the wilderness was smitten unconsciously: but Jesus was exceeding sorrowful even unto death: and he knew the expensiveness of his interposition on our behalf; yet he more than consented to the condition-he delighted in the sacrifice.

"Oh," said David, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" And three of his brave followers broke through the garrison of the Philistines, and brought him a supply. But, said he, "it is the price of blood;" and he was too generous to drink what had endangered life in the procuring. Behold how they loved him. But what was their love to their sovereign, compared with the Saviour's love to us! He actually poured out his soul unto death, that we might live through him, and with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation. This is indeed the price of blood, of blood divine! Yet he is charmed to see us partake of the costly privilege!

As from the gushings of the rock there was more than a sufficiency for all the multitude; so in Jesus there is enough for all, and to spare; for it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.

As all were welcome to drink of the abundance, so none are forbidden here. "The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

We have met with a painting of this scene. Some were represented as pressing close to the fissures to