The Lord will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. Ps. cii. 17. They looked unto him and were lightened; their faces were not ashamed. Ps. xxxiv. 5. See also instance of the Woman of Canaan, MATT. XV. 21-28; what Christ says, LUKE xi. 5-13; xviii. 1-8; likewise of a tossed vessel, MATT. viii. 24-27.

THE
HE load of outward and inward affliction is
not always prayed away with a few words,
or in a few days. Sometimes it is necessary
even to wrestle with GOD, and be very instant
too; how else could faith and patience be exer-
cised? If, therefore, the trials be sharp and last-
ing, it is not to weaken our faith, but to stir us
up to be more instantly zealous in prayer, and the
right use of the word of God; and by this means
to be so much more gloriously delivered and
strengthened in faith; for whatever GOD sends
upon us, it is not for the lessening, but for the
increase of our faith. "Blessed is the man that
endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, which the LORD hath
promised to them that love him." James i. 12.

GOD is our refuge and our strength,
In straits a present aid;

Therefore, although the earth remove,
We will not be afraid.

Though hills amidst the seas be cast;
Though waters roaring make,
And troubled be; yea, though the hills
By swelling seas do shake.

A river is, whose streams do glad
The city of our God;

The holy place, wherein the LORD

Most high hath his abode.

GOD in the midst of her doth dwell;

Nothing shall her remove;

The LORD to her an helper will,
And that right early, prove.

I dwell in the high and holy place, with Him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. Isa. lvii. 15, 16.

HOW sweet are all God's promises, and what a cheering hope do they impart. "I dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit." O how consoling are these words to the broken heart and to the wounded spirit; to the spirit wounded on account of sin! How unbounded the joy of the true believer! GOD doth dwell with him. Yet to insist too much upon the sensible joy of faith, might make weak souls weaker still. Many a sincere Christian's heart is like a bottle of a very narrow passage, which can receive the dew of a heavenly comfort only by little drops. But dost thou feel thyself quite naked, and void of all good? CHRIST will surely cover thee with the robe of righteousness. Go entirely out of thyself, looking only to him for everything; and whatever gifts of joy, peace and holiness, may be given thee, be very thankful for them, yet trust not in them, but in CHRIST alone. This will make thee sure, and keep thy heart at rest.

The man who walks with GOD in truth,
And ev'ry guile disdains,

Who hates to lift oppression's rod,

And scorns its shameful gains;

His dwelling, 'midst the strength of rocks,
Shall ever stand secure;

His Father will provide his bread,

His water shall be sure.

Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong; thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. Ps. xxx. 7. See also civ. 29-31.

SEE, my soul, in this verse, a picture of thine own experience; how much art thou and David alike! When I look up to heaven, how often do I see the sun both shine and set! When I look down into myself, how often do I see my comforts rise and fall! One while I am upon Mount Tabor, and have a glance of heaven; another while I lie in the valley of Bochim weeping, because I have lost sight of my heavenly country. Joshua's long day is many times turned into Paul's sad night. When GOD would quicken my affections, he gives me a glance of heaven, that so I may be in love with what I see. When I begin to bless myself, and rest in my happy privileges, he draws a veil over the bright vision, that I may rest in nothing but himself, nor loathe what I so greatly love. He suffers my happiness here to be imperfect, that so I may be pressing on to that place where I shall be perfectly happy forever. LORD, when thou showest thyself, let me love thee; when my mountain stands strong, let me praise thee; when thou withdrawest thyself, let me follow thee; when thy countenance is hid, let me still believe that thou lovest me: under all my changes here, let my soul be always breathing, panting, longing, and reaching after thee, till I shall so perfectly enjoy thee, that I may never lose thee more. But bound up in the bundle of life, when life closes, my soul may wing its way to dwell with thee for ever. Amen.

LORD, guide me in this Christian race,

And keep my mind intent on thee;

Rejoicing when I see thy face,

And trusting when I cannot see.

Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not. LUKE xxii. 31, 32. Yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth. AMOS ix. 9. For I will keep thee from the hour of temptation. REV. iii. 10.

OMETIMES we may imagine ourselves to be divinely convinced of the will of GOD, both by. seeming outward providences, and inward persuasions of faith; and yet it is possible that the siftings of Satan are at the bottom; however, the LORD will overrule him at last, and order all things to the best for his people. May the LORD make us watchful against our own spirit, and against the evil one, especially when he is transformed into an angel of light, that it may not be in his power to sift us so as to gain an advantage over us, by our listening to his inward suggestions, or yielding to his subtle temptations! And O, my soul, what a precious truth is this for thee, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Remember who he is that prays for thee. It is CHRIST. Thou hast still the same intercessor, who is now at GOD's right hand. He has the same merits to plead now that he had when upon earth. Wilt thou despise his prayer? Pause, my soul; hast thou ever asked for this prayer? Thou hast need of it. Turn even now to CHRIST and plead for it. Plead in earnest and thou shalt get it.

In vain the baffled prince of hell
His cursed project tries;

We that were doomed his endless slaves,
Are raised above the skies.

O may my JESUS guard me safe

From ev'ry ill design!

And to his heav'nly kingdom keep
This feeble soul of mine!

Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, &c.; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God, of great price. 1 PET. iii. 3, 4. In rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your

rest. Isa. xxx. 15.

A

66

CHRISTIAN'S best accoutrements and festival clothes, in which he daily celebrates his sabbath, is called, Col. iii. 10, 12, 14, "The new man, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, and, above. all, charity." These are our true ornaments, and we should seek to be dressed in them.-READER, what dost thou adorn most? thy body or thy soul? "O thou meek and quiet lamb of GOD, justly I blush before thee, when I consider my impatience, though I am never innocent like thee! I humbly beseech thee to forgive me these transgressions, since thou hast made sufficient atonement for all by thy meritorious silence: but deliver me from this choleric, hot, and peevish temper also; and give me grace, in all inward and outward troubles, to have the long-forbearing mind which was in thee! Make me daily more and more like a lamb, that on all occasions, grievous or joyful, I may be duly composed, and show that excellent heavenly ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, not in many words, but in reality and power. Amen."

Giver of concord, Prince of Peace,

Meek, lamb-like Son of God,

Bid our unruly passions cease,

And quench them with thy blood!