and the keeping up a childlike confidence in him, as our reconciled Father in Christ; and nothing quickeneth faith more than sure promises of answering our prayers. Thus, God will certainly hear and deliver us, since all his ways are only designed to strengthen us in faith, and to save our souls. Why need we, then, to be afraid in times of trouble? Ought we not rather to draw near to God in prayer and thanksgiv ing, and glorify him even beforehand, confidently believing that we shall certainly meet with new deliverances and quickenings of faith?

To what a stubborn frame
Has sin reduced our mind;
What strange ungrateful wretches we;
And God as strangely kind.

Turn, turn us, mighty God,

And mould our souls afresh;

Break, sovereign grace, these hearts of stone,

And give us hearts of flesh.

Let past ingratitude

Provoke our weeping eyes;

And hourly, as new mercies fall,
Let hourly thanks arise.

AUGUST.

1. Say ye to the righteous that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. Isaiah 3:10. [Therefore,] mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37.

MANY are for having that first which is not to be expected till the end; they would be glad of the triumph, but will not fight; the waiting for the Lord seems to them too long; but for the most glorious promises we must often wait the longest. Jacob was obliged to wait longer than Esau, though he had greater promises than he; and how long was it before the promise of Christ, the greatest of all, was accomplished. It ought therefore well to be observed that it is said, that at last "it shall be well with the righteous, and the end of the upright is peace;" when his faith, love, and patience are tried enough in the furnace of afflictions, then the acceptable year shall come, and the blessed days of joy shall appear.

As sparks break out of burning coals,
And still are upward borne;

So grief is rooted in our souls,

And man grows up to mourn.

2. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. Psa. 26:2. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139: 23, 24.

Would David, the man after God's own heart, not trust himself, but present his heart to the Lord to be tried? much less can or ought we to trust our hearts; for "he that trusts in his own heart," says the wise man, "is a fool." Prov. 28:26. We have more reason to be afraid of our own hearts than of all other enemies. It is not necessary for us to know when, or by what means, the Lord searches our hearts; but every one that is really in a state of grace, and walking in the fear of the Lord, will pray to him to search the heart, and to deliver him from every wicked way. The Holy Spirit hath various ways of searching the hearts of his people, and makes use of different means with the same person. We are not to

limit the mode or extent of his operations; but it is our duty to pray that he will in every thing guide us in the way that leadeth to everlasting life. Some may be worked upon very differently from what we have been; but the whole is under the direction of infinite wisdom, and tends to manifest the glory of divine grace in our salvation.

Lord, search my soul, try every thought;
Though my own heart accuse me not
Of walking in a false disguise,

I beg the trial of thine eyes.

3. Lord, all my desire is before thee. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. Psa. 38:9; 86:11.

Encouraged by thy blessed word of promise, O Lord, that before men call thou wilt answer, and while they are yet speaking thou wilt hear, Isa. 65: 24, I now draw nigh to thee, and present my supplication before thee. Teach me, by thy word and Spirit, the things of my everlasting peace; let my soul be cast into the mould of the gospel, and let me be obedient to thy will in all things. Manifest thyself to me, as thou dost not to the world; show me my inward corruptions, and let me see into the depth of iniquity that is in my heart; grant me that

"fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom;" incline my heart unto thy testimonies; lead me into all truth; help me to learn that he that believeth will not make haste; restrain the impetuosity of my natural temper, that I may do all things deliberately, as becometh one that feareth always, that is ever looking unto thee for direction. Lord, preserve me calm in my spirit, gentle in my commands, and watchful that I speak not unadvisedly with my lips; moderate in my purposes, yielding in my temper, where the honor of my God is not immediately concerned; and ever steadfast where needful. Lord, grant me thy protection, and may thy blessing be upon me, that I may not bring an evil report upon that good land I was permitted to spy out; but walk honorably through the wilderness, and pass triumphantly over Jordan into Canaan. Amen. Be with me, Lord, where'er I go;

Teach me what thou wouldst have me do;
Suggest whate'er I think or say;

Direct me in the narrow way.

4. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. Luke 13: 24 Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2: 12; forgetting those things which are behin, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. Phil