"compassed his path and his lying down," and he said, "Whither shall I go from thy Spirit, or whither shall I flee from thy presence?" (Psalm cxxxix.)

Who that feels encompassed by the "iniquity of his heels," who that knows anything of the sore temptations around him, the many enemies and the many difficulties between him and his final salvation, who that has experienced with sorrow the ensnaring force of this world's attractions, and the unhallowing influence of the men and things of this world on his spiritual state, but what is very glad of such a promise that in all places and at all times the angel of God's presence shall be with him to keep him and bring him unto the desired land!

Are we very liable to be deceived by false teaching, and does the spirit of error abound on all sides? the true believer has the promise of the company and guidance of the " Spirit of truth" to lead into truth, and give an "unction" to the understanding, by which he may "know all things." Are we often in doubt as to the way we should go, to the right or left, and which is the path of duty? then have we the voice of this angel to tell us; our "good Shepherd" speaks to us in the Word of God, and the prayer of faith never fails to find guidance. This Word is to the believing reader

as clear a guide as was the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that betokened to the Israelites the angel of God's presence.

God is also present with His people by the in-dwelling of His Holy Spirit. They are 'temples of the Holy Ghost." "I will not leave you comfortless, but will come unto you." How is this promise fulfilled but thus, as is said in the same passage, "I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of Truth." (John xiv. 16-18.)

This is great comfort, leaving no room for doubt in the believer's mind that God will be with him in all troubles, and help him,—in all afflictions and strengthen him to bear under and profit by them,-in all temptations and make a way to escape. He will be "preserved through faith by the power of God unto salvation." This God shall be "our guide even unto death."

But with this comfort there is ground for caution and solemn warning. It is said in one place, "Quench not the Spirit, (1 Thess. v. 19.) meaning, when the Holy Spirit would warm you by the gracious influence of His teaching and comfort, do not as it were throw cold water on that holy flame by neglecting to listen to His voice, or in any way turning from

His guidance; so it is added, "Despise not prophesyings." It is said again, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." (Ephes. iv. 30.) We grieve the Spirit when we give way to those tempers and unholy feelings which are contrary to the Spirit: for so it is added, "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

But some there are who need the caution in another sense. Some in whom the Holy Spirit has never found a welcome, in whose hearts He does not dwell. They close their hearts against His strivings. They desire not the presence of God, they say to the angel of His presence, "Depart from us." Yet with them as with the Israelites, this angel is near them. Not only is it a fact, that "in God they live and move and have their being,” (Acts xvii. 28.) and that God is "about their path," and they "cannot flee from His presence; " but more than this they live in an age when God speaks to man loudly and solemnly by the voice of His Spirit in the inspired Word, and in the ministry of that Word. Well may it be said to them therefore, "Beware of Him, and obey His voice, provoke Him not, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for my name

is in Him." None in these days can live without hearing, we might almost say, seeing, this holy angel of God's presence, this Spirit of Christ, who is with us in our journey here. He speaks in the Bible which every one has, He speaks in the sermons of the divinelytaught minister, He is seen in the powerful workings of grace in the lives of the saints, and the conscience of every man tells him this is true, whether he hears or whether he forbears.

Are we heeding or are we neglecting this great voice? Are we eagerly listening to or are we provoking this mighty Spirit ? Oh!" See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh."

How terrible will be that second shaking to those who have not hearkened to God's voice. If it made men fear and quake when He spoke only to command and give laws, what will they feel when He speaks to pass sentence on those that have not obeyed His commands. Where will the neglecter of God's word and the rejecter of His Spirit be found when the Lord shall utter His voice, "when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth!" (Isa. ii. 21.)

Put yourself under His guidance, and you are not only safe, but doubly blessed. The temporal blessings promised Israel if they obeyed the voice of this angel, and all the

spiritual and eternal blessings promised God's children in Christ are ours if we are "led by the Spirit," and are therefore "sons of God."

Entire destruction of their enemies you will find was one thing made sure to them. “I will cut them off." So to the believer who "through the Spirit" is seeking to "mortify the deeds. of the flesh," it is promised "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Yet observe it was to be a gradual destruction of their enemies, and they were not to be discouraged if they found enemies in the land some time after they had entered it. "By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land." (v. 30.) Be not therefore discouraged if you find enemies you had thought destroyed still waging war in your heart and in your path after Christ. Only "make no covenant with them." Contend still against them. In God's time and in God's strength they shall be cast out. Your's is the promise, "I will be an enemy unto thine enemies."

Again, the promise was and is, "ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." First, our bread and water shall be sure. The angel that is with us shall be like him with the