tan may have succeeded in infusing, has no effect in hindering the progress of resuscitation. It must go on; and just in proportion to the frequency of the applications to the Bread of Life, and the eagerness with which it is longed for and devoured, will be the rapidity of that resuscitation, and the stability of that principle of life which is thus implanted in the soul. And it is only by virtue of this that the Christian is enabled to maintain a uniform advancement in the divine life, rising into the "fulness of the stature of the perfect man," growing into the image of Christ from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

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In the bread which man uses for the support of his earthly tabernacle, there is always more or less of what is either injurious or of no use. He that partakes of the Bread of Life, incorporates with his soul (if I may use the expression) nothing but what is purely and intensely nutritious. Whatever view may be taken of Christ's character, as represented in Holy Writ,-whether he be considered in the capacity of a Prophet, of a Priest, or of a King,—whether he be regarded as setting his people an example that they may follow his steps,- -as praying for them,—as pouring forth his blood in their behalf, or as holding out the offer of a free and unconditional pardon to all mankind,—nothing but the most unmingled benefit is to be derived from the contemplation. Should it appear to be otherwise in any case,-should the soul that thus views Christ, fail of being elevated, ennobled, spiritualized, we may be sure that the fault lies not in the food, but in him that partakes of it.

Under the similitude of the bread of life, when considered as distinct from the sincere milk of the word, of which I have already spoken, Christ is evidently to be regarded in the more extended discoveries of Himself, which by his Spirit he makes to the believing soul. Bread is strong food compared with milk, and more suited to the condition of the human frame, after it has attained to a certain age. In like manner, the deeper,

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less obvious, and more enlarged views of the truth as it is in Christ, are better adapted to the condition of the soul, after it has attained to a certain degree of advancement in the divine life. The lively Christian does not rest satisfied with slight and transient views of the Saviour whom he loves,-he longs with the avidity which hunger implies, for a more profound and intimate acquaintance with all that pertains to Him and the Gospel; and in order that he may be satisfied, in so far as the Divine will allows (for there are deep things" which belong exclusively to the Lord), he is directed to the Bread of Life, and to the Bread of Life alone,—he is taught to contemplate Christ in all his offices,-in all his excellency, in all the self-denying love which he has shown to the human race,-in all the fullness of his finished work. And the more lively the faith with which he dwells on these subjects, the more extensive are his attainments in the divine life, the more enlarged, confirmed, and decided do his spiritual views become.

But not only does the Bread of Life nourish and refresh the soul, he that partakes of it in a right spirit, experiences, in the act of doing so, emotions far more exalted, delightful, and refined than any that are ever known by the unregenerate man. The Almighty has, in his great goodness, connected certain pleasurable feelings, with the act of satisfying the natural appetite for the food that perisheth. But in these there is little that is not enjoyed in common with us, by the very lowest of the brute creation. The pleasures inseparable from a right participation in the Bread of Life, are essentially heavenly and divine; nor do any emotions more pure and holy swell the bosoms of the loftiest angels that surround the throne of the Eternal; and what language can express the calm, yet exquisite joy with which the real disciple of the Cross dwells on the character and work of "Christ crucified, the hope of glory." He feels that he has died for him, and therefore that he has a peculiar interest in the merits of his me

diation and intercession. All the blessings of the new covenant he appropriates to himself,-his doubts and fears yield before the convictions of his judgment and his heart, the peace which passeth all understanding reigns within him,-Christ is, in his eyes, "the chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely," he is "all his salvation and all his desire."

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Let every one, then, that has any regard for the salvation and comfort of his soul, come without delay to Christ. He that applies to Him for bread, is in no danger of being sent away empty, or being offered a serpent. How painful to behold such multitudes of our starving fellow-creatures, spending their money for that which is not bread," and greedily feasting on worldly and sensual objects,-those "husks which the swine do eat!" In them there is no nourishment,-but O! there is enough of poison in any one of them utterly and for ever to destroy the soul. It is in Christ alone, that true strength and refreshment are to be found,-and blessed are all they that feed on Him with an earnest and enlightened faith. We may hunger for the bread that perisheth, and never have the craving of our appetite allayed, but he that hungers for the bread that hath come down from Heaven, and takes it as it is offered to him in the Gospel, has all his wants supplied,—the longings of his soul are satisfied,—his eye brightens with an expression of lively hope in the Divine promises, nor does he ever know what it is to hunger again without having abundance within his reach.

FIFTH WEEK-MONDAY.

HUMAN FOOD.-DRINK.

Ir is interesting to remark the difference in the mode adopted by the Creator, between the provision for satisfying the cravings of thirst and of hunger. Both are necessary instincts, the one bearing reference to the supply of solid, and the other of liquid nourishment, to the animal frame: Both might have been afforded by similar means; but, if meat had been rendered as abundant as drink, one of the greatest incentives to exertion would have been wanting; and if, on the contrary, the supply of liquid had been only equal to that of solid food, the necessity which would thus have been imposed, of making a double provision for subsistence, would have probably been so overpowering, as materially to impede the propagation of mankind, and even to endanger the extinction of our race. While our meat, therefore, was wisely restricted, the supply of drink was rendered as abundant to human beings, as to the other orders of living creatures. Water was made a common beverage to man and beast, and thus as constant and accessible a gift of liquid food is afforded to him, as there is also of solid food to the cattle, in the grass which is so liberally spread over the face of the earth. The provision which has been made for the supply of this necessary, has already been adverted to,* and is very remarkable. All organized existences, vegetables, as well as animals, must drink. Vegetables are fixed to the soil, and therefore their drink must be carried to them. This is done in the very striking arrangements by which rain is caused to fall in gentle showers, and in due proportion. For this purpose, the immense reservoir of the mighty ocean is made to distil its waters into vapour, which floats in

See" Spring." Papers on Mountains, Rain, Springs and Rivers, &c.

louds, and is dispersed by every breeze, till, by another system of contrivances, it is condensed into drops, and falls softly on the expecting earth. For animals another provision is made. The moisture which falls on the surface of the earth, and especially on the mountains, is superabundant for the purposes of vegetation. Being intended also for the use of the living world, it is collected in reservoirs in the bosom of the elevated grounds, whence it gradually issues in springs; which, flowing in rivulets in all directions, is collected into rivers, and` furnishes, in most regions, a copious supply of drink to which there is ready access; while the remainder returns to mingle with the vast expanse of waters from whence it had been evaporated, till it again becomes subjected to a similar process.

Such is the wise and beneficent arrangement in vast regions of the earth, and more particularly in those genial climates first inhabited by man; but there are countries, and indeed extensive districts, where great irregularities in this respect take place. In Egypt, for example, and in a large stripe of the globe under the same parallel of latitude, rain seldom falls at all, while, under the tropics, the supplies are partial and fitful. But there are, in these instances, compensations which very strikingly prove Intelligence and Beneficent Design. In Egypt, and various other countries, periodical inundations supply the place of rain. In other quarters, where the free soil absorbs the moisture, strata of rock or of earth, at a certain depth, prevent it from being carried beyond the reach of human industry; and, in many cases, when man employs his skill in the search, he is rewarded by copious springs rising to the surface, and flowing far for the refreshment of the inhabitants. In all these instances a providential discipline is employed, similar to that which we have seen so extensively established with reference to solid food. The natural supply is denied, that human ingenuity may be called forth, exercised, and crowned with success. What is remark