come, when that which is in part fhallbe done away, and all fhall be perfection of knowlege and of glory..

FAME, in its variety of rumours, too frequently exaggerates. The wife princess will not trust to this precarious informer,, whofe narratives are often either doubtful, or fabulous, and (like winds or ftreams) increase in their progrefs. If great things had not been spoken of Solomon, report had wronged him—if the facts were but juftly related, they ftill must fill the minds of the hearers with aftonishment. The queen of Sheba comes in perfon to examine into the truth of these wonders. She knew that wisdom was more precious than rubiesthat its merchandize was better than the merchandize of filver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Alas, how dangerous is it, in the most important of all concerns, to truft implicitly to the opinions of others! Thofe rational facul

ties are mifapplied, which are not devoted by their poffeffors to the interests of religion, and the benefit of their ownfouls.

SHOULD WE Come to a rich treasure, we should need no injunction to avail ourselves, as much as poffible, of the benefit. The royal profelyte, who had been deterred by no difficulties in the pursuit of knowlege,. when at last she is. arrived at Jerufalem, will not forego her own advantage. She ftates all her doubts to this great mafter of wisdom, and reeeives inftruction while he refolves them. O let us not neglect the opportunities afforded us of furnishing our fouls with profitable, with faving knowlege! Of what ufe is it, that He who taught Solomon condefcends to be our teacher, if, fitting at the feet of CHRIST, we leave our hearts either in ignorance or per-. plexity?

THE

THE queen of Sheba came with a magnificent train, with camels laden with gold, and jewels, and rich odours. Though fhe fought the presence of a rich and mighty king, she will not be fparing of her oblations. She came in fearch of an invaluable treasure, and fhe will not withhold the juft tokens of her gratitude. Wisdom crieth aloud, "Draw near unto me, ye unlearned, and dwell in the houfe of learning. Wherefore are ye flow to put your neck under the yoke, that your foul may receive inftruction? Get learning with a great fum of money, and ye fhall obtain a good poffeffion. Then fhall your fouls rejoice in the mercy of GOD, and ye fhall ever fhew forth his praise."

EXPECTATION is a kind enemy to merit-if we look beyond an object, it escapes our accurate view. Many would have been admired, if they had not been too loudly proclaimed by the voice

of

of fame-many, upon enquiry, fall as much below their real ftandard of excellence, as our imaginations had raised them above it. This difadvantage had Solomon with his royal gueft. Rumour bade her look for incredible excellenceyet fo wonderful were the perfections of Solomon, that they overcame the higheft expectation, and the moft liberal belief. When the beheld his royal buildings, the magnificence of his kingdom, the folemnities of his religion, his stately afcent into the house of the LORD, fhe confeffed her own incredulity, and the inadequacy of those very reports, which fhe had condemned as fabulous. "I be"lieved not the words, till I came, and "mine eyes had feen it-and lo, the "half was not told me !" How fhould our fouls be filled with wonder at thee, O thou Son of David, who didst not receive the Spirit by measure? who hast framed this glorious temple of the universe,

verse, and the still greater splendours of thy celeftial palace? whose infinite providence ordereth all things in heaven and earth? who, when thou didst afcend up on high, didft lead captivity captive, and gaveft fuch gifts unto men?

THE wife princefs can now form a just estimate of the mercy of GoD, in beftowing fuch a monarch on his favoured people. She pronounces them bleffed, on whom that light fhineth, which was fent from Heaven to benefit mankind.

Happy are thy servants who stand con"tinually before thee, and hear thy wif "dom." She held this privilege more valuable, than any gift which the world had to offer-more precious than earthly thrones and fceptres. How fhould we, who hear the words of GOD, and live under the found of the glorious gofpel, how fhould we look on ourselves as the happiest of mankind!-How should every worldly advantage and delight be

efteemed