Responsive F^eTiDino^ 3 iL.'i^t, PRESENTED TO THE LIBRARY OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINHRY BY }Avs. Rle^^andcp Proudfit. BV 199 .R5 V248 1895 Van Dyke, Henry, 1852-1933. Responsive readings RESPONSIVE READINGS Selected from the Bible and Arranged under Subjects For Common Worship HENRY VAN DYKE Boston, U.S.A., and London GINN !k COMPANY, PUBLISHERS 1895 Copyright, 1895, By henry van DYKE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Typography by J. S. Gushing & Co., Norwood. Mass., U.S.A. Presswork by Ginn & Co., Boston, Mass., U..S.A. PREFACE. THIS book was originally prepared, by re- quest, for the Chapel of Harvard Univer- sity, where it is now in use. It has been revised and enlarged, in the hope that it may supply a real need in the religious services of other col- leges and schools, and of churches which desire to make the responsive reading of Scripture a brief, simple, and profitable part of Common Worship. The selections have been made and arranged with the following objects in view : To give a wider range to the service by including appro- priate passages for anti phonal reading from all parts of the Bible ; to omit the imprecatory Psalms ; to make each selection complete in itself, with a central thought, and not to attempt a mosaic of disconnected passages ; to divide the verses only when it helps to make the mean- iv Preface. ing clear and to keep the portion read by the people from being too long ; to vary the length of the selections so that it may be easy to find one to fit a short service when necessary; and to arrange the readings in relation to the great truths of religion, so that they may be instruc- tive and helpful to faith and life. The Lord's Prayer, The Apostles' Creed, and the Ten Commandments have been in- cluded in the book ; a response to be sung after the Commandments, and a doxology for use at the close of the Responsive Readings, have been added for those who may wish to have these forms of worship in a single volume. It is sent forth with the sincere petition that the Holy Spirit of liberty and order may make it of service AD MAJOREM GLORIAM DEI. LIST OF SUBJECTS. PAGE I. Universal Praise. (Selections 1-5.) 1. Praise in Heaven and Earth I 2. A New Song 2 3. The Gladness of Worship 4 4. Sing unto the Lord, All the Earth .... 4 5. Let all the People Praise Thee 6 II. The True God. (Selections 6-10.) 6. The Lord Reigneth 7 7. The Vanity of Idols 8 8. The Creator of the Ends of the Earth 10 9. In God We Live 12 10. Our Lord is above all Gods 14 III. Of God's Glory. (Selections 11-16.) 11. How Manifold are Thy Works 16 12. How Excellent is Thy Name 18 13. The Earth is the Lord's 20 14. Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness 21 15. Sing unto God, ye Kingdoms 22 16. The King of all the Earth 24 IV. Of God's Righteousness. (Selections 17-20.) 17. The Law of the Lord is Perfect 26 1 8. Verity and Judgment are His Works. . 28 V vi List of Subjects. PAGE 19. His Name is Holy . 29 20. Tliy Judgments are Good ..... . 30 V. Of God's Goodness. (Selections 21-28.) 21. For He is Good 32 22. The Loving- kindness of the Lord. ... 34 23. Every Day Will I Bless Thee 35 24. Chastisement and Deliverance 37 25. God's Wonders in the Deep 39 26. Thou Visitest the Earth . . .' 40 27. National Blessings 42 28. O Give Thanks 43 VL Of God's Mercy. (Selections 29-39.) 29. His Mercy Endureth Forever 46 30. Forget Not All His Benefits 47 31. How Excellent is Thy Loving-kind- ness 50 32. The Giver of the Heart's Desire 51 33. The Lord hath Respect unto the Lowly 52 34. Thou Tellest My Wanderings 53 35. Verily God hath Heard Me 54 36. I Love the Lord 56 37. In the Shadow of Thy Wings 58 38. The Great Helper. 59 39. This Poor Man Cried 60 VH. Of God's Faithfulness. (Selections 40-49.) 40. The Covenant 63 41. Remember the Days of Old 64 42. The Lord is Our Defence 66 43. The People of His Pasture 67 44. I will Declare Thy Name 68 45. Blessed is the Nation 70 List of Subjects. vii PAGE 46. We have Waited for Him » 71 47. He hath not Dealt so with Any Nation 73 48. A Morning Prayer 75 49. Serve the Lord with Gladness 76 Vni. Of God's Wisdom. (Selections 50-57.) 50. The Unsearchable God 78 51. The Searcher of Hearts 79 52. Where shall Wisdom be Found ? 81 53. Search for Her as for Hid Treasure . . 82 54. She is More Precious than Rubies ... 83 55. Doth not Wisdom Cry ? 85 56. Good Doctrine 87 57. So Teach Us to Number Our Days. . . 88 IX, Christ and His Kingdom. (Selections 58-81.) 58. Thou art My Son 91 59. The Heir of All Things 92 60. Fairer than the Children of Men 94 61. Men Shall be Blessed in Him 96 62. The Magnificat 99 63. The Benedictus 100 64. The True Oblations loi 65. The Promised Light 102 66. Behold My Servant 104 67. The First-born of All Creation 106 68. Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs 108 69. Perfect through Sufferings no 70. Prepare V'e the Way of the Lord 112 71. The Messenger of Good Tidings 114 72. The Spirit of the Lord shall Rest upon Him 115 73. The Lord hath Anointed Me. 117 viii List of Subjects. PAGE 74. The Covenant of Peace 119' 75. Our Peace 121 76. The Joy of the Whole Earth 123 77. Great Shall be the Peace of Thy Children 1 24 78. They Shall Obtain Joy and Gladness. . 125 79. Arise, Shine, for Thy Light is Come. . . 127 80. The Gospel of Peace 1 29 81. The Invitation 131 X. The Spirit of Life. (Selections 82-86.) 82. The Spirit Beareth Witness 134 83. The Law of the Spirit 136 84. The Ministration of. the Spirit 137 85. The Fruits of the Spirit , . . 139 86. The Unity of the Spirit 141 XL True Religion. (Selections 87-90.) 87. The Fast that God hath Chosen 143 88. God shall Judge His People 145 89. Pure Religion and Undetiled 146 90. Add to Your Faith Virtue 148 XIL The Law of God. (Selections 91-103.) 91. Blessed are the Undefiled 150 92. Thy Testimonies are My Delight 151 ; 93. The Way of Truth 152 94. This is My Comfort 153 95. Teach me Good Judgment 155 96. Thy Word is Settled in Heaven 156 97. A Light unto My Path 157 98. Order my Steps in Thy Word 158 99. Thy Word is Very Pure 159 100. Consider how I Love Thy Precepts . . 160 loi. My Heart Standeth in Awe 162 List of Subjects. ix PAGE 102. Let Thine Hand Help Me 163 103. Return unto the Lord 164 XHI. Penitence and Pardon. (Selections 104- 114.) 104. Cleanse Me from My Sin 166 105. There is Forgiveness with Thee 167 106. A Prayer- for the Penitent 168 107. If We Confess our Sins 1 70 108. Pardon mine Iniquity, for it is Great. 171 109. Deliver me from my Transgressions. , 173 1 10. Enter not into Judgment 174 111. I hope in Thy Word 176 112. Thou hast Covered all their Sin 177 113. The Blessedness of Pardon 178 114. The Righteousness of God which is by Faith 1 80 XIV. The Joy of Religion. (Selections 115- 126.) 115. The Lord is my Shepherd 182 116. Strong Son of God, Immortal Love. . 183 117. Trials and Consolations. 184 118. Be Mindful of His Covenant 186 119. Fear not, O Land 187 120. Therefore My Heart is Glad 188 121. A New Name. . , 190 122. Rejoice in the Lord 191 123. The Righteous shall Flourish 192 124. We Believe and therefore Speak. . . » 193 125. Peace with God . 195 126. Blessed are They that Dwell in Thy House 196 X List of Subjects. PAGE XV. Trust and Confidence. (Selections 127-146.) 127. God Our Refuge 198 128. As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem 199 129. Be Thou My Strong Rock 201 130. A Shield to all that Trust Thee 203 131. Preserve My Soul 204 132. The Lord is on Our Side 206 133. 1 Waited Patiently for the Lord 207 134. I have Trusted in Thy Mercy 209 135. Thou Knewest My Path 210 136. In His Favour is Life 211 137. Thou Makest Me Dwell in Safety 213 138. Under the Shadow of the Almighty. . 214 139. The Rock that is Higher than 1 216 140. I shall not be Moved 217 141. The Lord is Thy Keeper 218 142. Is not God in the Height of Heaven ? 219 143. He Beholdeth all the Sons of Men. . 221 144. A Prayer in Trouble 222 145. My Fortress and My Deliverer 224 146. Happy is that People Whose God is the Lord 226 XVI. Courage and Hope. (Selections 147-160.) 147. The Armour of God 228 148. Be of Good Courage 229 149. Hope in God 231 150. Watch and Be Sober 233 151. Always Confident 234 152. Let us Run with Patience 236 153. Grace to Help in Time of Need 238 154. The New Covenant 239 List of Subjects. xi PAGE 155. I shall yet Praise Him 240 156. Forget not the Lord 242 157. Keep His Commandments 244 158. The Blessings of Obedience 246 159. A Vow of Service 248 160. A Vow Performed and Rewarded. . . 249 XVn. Service and Reward. (Selections 161- 174.) 161. Good Resolutions 251 162. An Upright Character 252 163. Praise of a Good Life 253 164. The Reward of Righteousness 254 165. The Two Paths 256 166. Trust in the Lord and Do Good 257 167. The Happy Man 258 168. The Steps of a Good Man 259 169. The Righteous shall Endure 260 170. Judgment according to Truth 262 171. The Vanity of Riches 263 172. The Fulfilling of the Law 265 173. Acceptable Sacrifice 266 1 74. The Proof of Our Ministry 268 XVHL Love and Brotherhood. (Selections 175-180.) 175. The Peace of Jerusalem 270 176. Unity in Christ 271 177. The Greatest of These is Charity. . . 273 1 78. Love is of God 275 179. The Sons of God. 277 180. Members One of Another 279 xii List of Subjects. PAGE XIX. Counsels of Perfection. (Selections i8i- 191.) 181. The Blessings of Jesus 281 182. The Life of Jesus in Us 282 183. The Mind of Christ 283 184. Follow That Which is Good ... 285 185. Be Not Weary in Well Doing 286 186. Truth, Peace, Purity, Forgiveness .... 287 187. The Children of Light 288 188. Let Us Glory in the Lord 289 189. According to Jesus Christ 291 190. Love and Light 292 191. Consider Christ 293 XX. The Risen Life. (Selections 192-200.) 192. Now is Christ Risen from the Dead. . 296 193. Risen with Christ 297 194. In Newness of Life 300 195. A Lively Hope 301 196. The Victory over Death 302* 197. Our House which is from Heaven. . . 304 198. The Blessedness of the Redeemed. . . 305 199. The Holy City 307 200. The River of Water of Life 308 THE LORD'S PRAYER. OUR Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in Earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts. As WE forgive our debtors, And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom. And the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. THE APOSTLES' CREED. I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth : And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord ; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost; born of the Virgin Mary ; suffered under Pontius Pilate ; was crucified, dead, and buried ; He descended into Hell ; the third day He rose again from the dead ; He ascended into Heaven ; and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty ; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic Church ; the Communion of Saints ; the Forgiveness of sins; the Resurrection of the body ; and the Life everlasting. Amen. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. I AM the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. I. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. II. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth be- neath, or that is in the -water under the earth : thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them : for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me ; and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. III. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. IV. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy ; six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work ; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God ; in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy man- xvi The Ten Commandments. servant, nor thy maid -servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates : for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day ; Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. V. Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. VL Thou Shalt not kill. VIL Thou shalt not commit adultery. VIIL Thou shalt not steal. IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour's. Response. xvii 1st time. t± I ^1 Lord, have mer - cy up irt2=^^-=v=N: :t: :^: 3: us, and in ;^:^^ r -t/o,«— J )^vl2: cline our hearts -J J-rt^- EE to keep thy -/90 — law. -0 — '-- f is:: ^ 2(2 tiwe. i^ Lord, ^fe us. §tl2==^ ^=t: have — I*— and ^: write cy up - on * •— , ^: all -J. gi :t these ::g: E£^ Thy — I — ^ — XVlll Response. slow. i ^^- -* — s— s- -^— -— ^--^-s- laws in our hearts, we be - seech Thee. x-=x ■4- Lord, have mer - cy up us, and in ^. -^ 422. A #■ '^ .a- jsc ^ iE^EESiEE^ ■M^--, im r cline our hearts to ^2. (Si'- :p;^j=n keep Thy law. ._(2 ^- tf2_ (5' Response, XIX ^d time. '^^^^^ t=^ Lord, have mer - cy up j2. ' ^- -^ =!== =^"=^ a :ttF= :S^ -(2. -I and write all these -f2. Thy sloiv. 3=i d=:d: 3^ I i laws g| H^-I our hearts, we be - seech Thee. x-=x--- r — r— r i Gloria l^nttu I m -^K ^ I J=:i ;e ^l 1 m jO. :i^S ^^2=f: r.t- T^- -(*- GLORY be to the Father, and | to the | Son, I And I to the | Holy | Ghost ; As it was in the beginning, is now, and | ever | shall be, | World I without I end. A- | men. RESPONSIVE READINGS, I. UNIVERSAL PRAISE. Praise in Heaven and Earth. PRAISE ye the Lord. ^ Praise ye the Lord from the heavens : praise him in the heights. Praise ye him, all his angels : praise ye him, all his hosts. *h Praise ye him, sun and moon : praise him, all ye stars of light. Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. ^ Let them praise the name of the Lord : for he commanded, and they were created. He hath also estabUshed them for ever and ever : he hath made a decree which shall not pass. *h Praise the Lord from the earth, ye dragons and all deeps : 2 Universal Praise. § 2 , Fire, and hail ; snow, and vapours ; stormy wind fulfilling his word : ^ Mountains, and all hills ; fruitful trees, and all cedars : Beasts, and all cattle ; creeping things, and flying fowl : ^ Kings of the earth, and all people ; princes, and all judges of the earth : Both young men, and maidens ; old men, and children : ^ Let them praise the name of the Lord : for his name alone is excellent ; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints ; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. *i^ Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cxlviii. 1-14. g>econD ^election* A Nezv Song. SING unto the Lord a new song : for he hath done marvellous things : his right hand, and his holy arm, hath got- ten him the victory. *h The Lord hath made known his sal- o § 2 Universal Praise. 3 vation : his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel : all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. *h Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth : make a loud noise, and re- joice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp ; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. *h With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness there- of; the world, and they that dwell therein. *h Let the floods clap their hands : let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord ; for he cometh to judge the earth : with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. t Psalm xcviii. 1-9. 4 Universal Praise. § 4 Wi^vc^ ^election* The Gladness of Worship. PRAISE ye the Lord. ^ Praise God in his sanctuary : praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts : praise him according to his excellent greatness. ^ Praise him with the sound of the trum- pet : praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance : praise him with stringed instruments and organs. ►t" Praise him upon the loud cymbals : praise him upon the high-sounding cym- bals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. ^ Praise ye the Lord. p^^^^,^ ,1 ^_^^ ifourtl) g)rlrction» Sing unto the Lord, All the Earth. SING unto the Lord, all the earth ; shew forth from day to day his salvation. *h Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. § 4 Universal Praise. 5 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised : he also is to be feared above all gods. *h For all the gods of the people ai^e idols : but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence ; strength and gladness are in his place. *¥ Give unto the Lord, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Loi^D the glory due unto his name : bring an offering, and come be- fore him : worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. *h Fear before him, all the earth : the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice : and let ineji say among the nations. The Lord reigneth. ^ Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof : let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he Cometh to judge the earth. *h O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good ; for his mercy endtireth for ever. 6 Universal Praise. § 5 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salva- tion, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise. *h Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord. I C/ironicles xvi. 23-36. jfiftf) ^rlrction^ Let all the People Praise Thee. GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us ; anei cause his face to shine upon us. *i^ That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God ; let all the people praise thee. *b O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people right- eously, and govern the nations upon earth. Let the people praise thee, O God ; let all the people praise thee. *i^ Then shall the earth yield her increase ; and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. ^,^^„, i^^jj ^^^ II. THE TRUE GOD. TJie Lord ReignctJi. THE Lord reigneth ; let the earth re- joice ; let the multitude of isles be glad tJicreof. ^ Clouds and darkness arc round about him : righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne. A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about. *I^ His lightnings enlightened the world : the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. "^ The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols : worship him, all j/t' gods. 8 TJie True God. § 7 ^ Zion heard, and was glad ; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O Lord. For thou. Lord, art high above all the, earth : thou art exalted far above all gods. ^ Ye that love the Lord, hate evil. He preserveth the souls of his saints ; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. *b Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous ; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm xcvii. 1-12. g)cl3nTtl) fe)rlcction* TJic Vanity of Idols. OT unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. '^ Wherefore should the heathen say. Where is now their God } But our God is in the heavens : he hath done whatsoever he pleased. N § 7 The True God. 9 ^ Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not :• eyes have they, but they see not : ^ They have ears, but they hear not : noses have they, but they smell not : They have hands, but they handle not : feet have they, but they walk not : neither speak they through their throat. HhThey that make them are like unto them ; so is every one that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the Lord: he is their help and their shield. ^ O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord : he is their help and their shield. Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord : he is their help and their shield. ^ The Lord hath been mindful of us : he will bless 21s ; He will bless the house of Israel ; he will bless the house of Aaron. ^ He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. "^Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. lo TJie Tnie God. § 8 The heaven, eveii the heavens, ai^e the Lord's : but the earth hath he given to the children of men. ^ The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. Psalm cxv. 1-18. TJie Creator of the Ends of the EartJi. O whom then will ye liken God } or T what likeness will ye compare unto him .'' "^ The workman melteth a graven im- age, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree tJiat will not rot ; he seeketh unto him a cunning work- man to prepare a graven image, tJiat shall not be moved. ^ Have ye not known } have ye not heard } hath it not been told you from the § 8 The True God. ii beginning ? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth ? // is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof a7'e as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in : ^ That bringeth the princes to nothing ; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted ; yea, they shall not be sown : yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth : and he shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. *^ To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal 1 saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number : he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power ; not one faileth. "^ Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speak- est, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God.? 12 The True God. § 9 Hast thou not known ? hast thou not heard, tJiat the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, faint- eth not, neither is weary ? there is no searching of his understanding. Hh He giveth power to the faint ; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall : *h But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; They shall run, and not be weary ; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah xl. 18-31. Jimtl; ^election* /;/ God We Live. GOD that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands ; *h Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, see- ing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things ; § 9 The True God. 13 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times be- fore appointed, and the bounds of their habitation ; ►I* That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us : For in him we live, and move, and have our being ; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. "^ P'orasmuch then as we are the off- spring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at ; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent : *b Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by tJiat man whom he hath ordained ; Whereof he hath given assurance unto all vieji, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Acts xvii. 24-31. 14 TJie True God. § lO S^entt) ^election* Oiir Lord is above all Gods. PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord ; praise ///;;/, O ye servants of the Lord. ^ Ye that stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God, Praise the Lord ; for the Lord is good ; sing praises unto his name ; for it is pleas- ant. "^ For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treas- ure. For I know that the Lord is great, and tJiat our Lord is above all gods. ^ The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not ; eyes have they, but they see not ; "^ They have ears, but they hear not ; neither is there any breath in their mouths. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. § lo The True God. 15 *b Bless the Lord, O house of Israel : bless the Lord, O house of Aaron : Bless the Lord, O house of Levi : ye that fear the Lord, bless the Lord. ^ Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cxxxv. 1-5, 15-21. III. OF GOD'S GLORY. Hozv Manifold are TJiy Works. BLESS the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great ; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. "^ Who coverest tJiyscIf with light as ivitJi a garment : who strctchest out the heavens like a curtain : Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters : who maketh the clouds his chariot : who walketh upon the wings of the wind : •^ Who maketh his angels spirits ; his ministers a flaming fire : WJio laid the foundations of the earth, tJiat it should not be removed for ever. Hh Thou coveredst it with the deep as witJi a garment : the waters stood above the mountains. §11 Of God's Glory. 17 At thy rebuke they fled ; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away. *h They go up by the mountain ; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over ; that they turn not again to cover the earth. ^ He sendeth the springs into the val- leys, which run among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field : the wild asses quench their thirst. ^ By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, zvJiich sing among the branches. He watereth the hills from his cham- bers : the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works. *b He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man : That he may bring forth food out of the earth ; and wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread ivJiich strengtheneth man's heart. ^ The trees of the Lord are full of sap : the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted ; 1 8 Of God's Glory. § 12 Where the birds make their nests : as for the stork, the fir-trees are her house. *h The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats ; and the rocks for the conies. He appointeth the moon for seasons : the sun knoweth his going down. "^ Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. *b The sun ariseth, they gather them- selves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth to his work and to his labour until the evening. *h O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom hast thou made them all : the earth is full of thy riches. Psalm civ. 1-24. O 2:torlftl) g)flcftion» Hoiv Excellent is Thy Name. LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth I §12 Of God's Glory. 19 ^ Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and suck- lings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, ^ That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained ; •^ What is man, that thou art mindful of him } and the son of man, that thou visitest him } For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. '^ Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands ; Thou hast put all tilings under his feet : ^ All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field ; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and ivJiatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. ^ O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth ! Psalm viii. 1-9. 20 Of Gocfs Glory. § 13 2:i)irteentl) ^election* The Earth is the Loi'cTs. THE earth is the Lord's, and the ful- ness thereof ; the world, and they that dwell therein. ^ For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord } and who shall stand in his holy place } ^ He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart ; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. *b This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors ; and the King of glory shall come in. *b Who is this King of glory t The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. "^ Lift up your heads, O ye gates ; even §14 Of God's Glory. 21 lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory ? ^ The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Psalm xxiv. i-io. ifourtccutl) fe)clrction* Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness. OSING unto the Lord a new song : sing unto the Lord, all the earth. *b Sing unto the Lord, bless his name ; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. *h For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised : he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations aj^e idols : but the Lord made the heavens. *b Honour and majesty are before him : strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength. *h Give unto the Lord the glory due auto 22 Of God's Glory, § 15 his name : bring an offering, and come into his courts. O worship the Lord in the beauty of hohness : fear before him, all the earth. Hh Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth : The world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. ^ Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad ; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof. Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein : then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord : for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth : •i* He shall judge the world with right- eousness, and the people with his truth. Psalm xcvi. 1-13. ififtmttl) g)clcctiott* Sing unto God yc Kingdoms. ET God arise, let his enemies be scattered : let them also that hate him flee before him. •^ As smoke is driven away, so drive L § 15 Of God's Glory. 23 them away : as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the pres- ence of God. But let the righteous be glad ; let them rejoice before God : yea, let them exceed- ingly rejoice. •^ Sing unto God, sing praises to his name : Extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. "^ A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habita- tion. God setteth the solitary in families : he bringeth out those which are bound with chains : but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. ^ O God, when thou wentest forth be- fore thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness ; The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God : even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel. ^ Sing unto God, ye kingdoms of the earth ; O sing praises unto the Lord ; To him that rideth upon the heavens of 24 Of God's Glory. § i6 heavens, which zvei'e of old ; lo, he doth send out his voice, and that a mighty voice. *b Ascribe ye strength unto God : his ex- cellency is over Israel, and his strength is in the clouds. O God, tho?c art terrible out of thy holy places : the God of Israel is he that giveth strength and power unto Ids people. Blessed be God. Psalm Ixviii. i-8, 32-35. O ^ivtccntl) ^election* TJie King of all the EartJi. CLAP your hands, all ye people, shout unto God with the voice of triumph. ^ For the Lord Most High is terrible ; Jie is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. ^ He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. ^ Sing praises to God, sing praises : sing praises unto our King, sing praises. § i6 Of God's Glory. 25 For God is the King of all the earth : sing ye praises with understanding. ^ God reigneth over the heathen : God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham : for the shields of the earth belong unto God : he is greatly exalted. Psalm xlvii. 1-9. IV. OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS. ^t\}mtttnt\) ^election* T/ie Lata of tJic Lord is Perfect. THE heavens declare the glory of God ; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. ^ Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, ivhere their voice is not heard. "^ Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. Hh His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it : and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. § 1/ .Of God's RighteoiLsness. 27 The law of the Lord is perfect, convert- ing the soul : the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. ^ The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. ^ More to be desired are tJiey than gold, yea, than much fine gold : sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned : and in keeping of them there is great re- ward. ^ Who can understand his errors } cleanse thou me from secret /^7;///i-. Keep back thy servant also from pre- sumptuous sins ; let them not have domin- ion over me : then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great trans- gression. ^ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm xix. 1-14. 28 Of God's Righteousness. § i8 Cl;igl)tentt^ g^dcction* Verity and Judgment are His Works. PRAISE ye the Lord. ^ I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the up- right, and /;/ the congregation. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. ^ His work is honourable and glorious : and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered : the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. ►I^ He hath given meat unto them that fear him : he will ever be mindful of his covenant. He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. »I^ The works of his hands are verity and. judgment ; all his commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever, aiid are done in truth and uprightness. ►I^ He sent redemption unto his people: § 19 Of God' s RigJiteo2is7iess. 29 he hath commanded his covenant for ever : holy and reverend is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom : a good understanding have all they that do Ids conwiandvients : his praise endureth for ever._ Psalm cxi. i-io. T jl^inetenul) g)rlcction* His Name is Holy. HE Lord reigneth; let the people tremble : *h He sitteth betivccii the cherubim ; let the earth be moved. The Lord is great in Zion ; and he is high above all the people. ^ Let them praise thy great and terrible name ; for it is holy. The king's strength also loveth judg- ment; thou dost establish equity, thou ex- ecutest judgment and righteousness in Jacob. "^ Exalt ye the Lord our God, and wor- ship at his footstool ; for he is holy. Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon 30 Of God's RigJiteousncss^. § 20 his name ; they called upon the Lord, and he answered them. ^ He spake unto them in the cloudy pillar : they kept his testimonies, and the ordinance tJiat he gave them. Thou answeredst them, O Lord our God : thou wast a God that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions. ►I* Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill ; for the Lord our God is holy. Psalm xcix. 1-9. W^twiitiX) §)clcction* Thy Judgments are Good. TEACH me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes ; and I shall keep it unto the end. ^ Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy com- mandments ; for therein do I delight. "^ Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousncss. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity ; and quicken thou me in thy way. § 20 Of God's Righteousness. 31 *i^ Establish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear : for thy judgments are good. ^ Behold, I have longed after thy pre- cepts : quicken me in thy righteousness. Let thy mercies come also unto me, Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word. ^ So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me : for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth ; for I have hoped in thy judgments. ^ So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty : for I seek thy precepts. »^ I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy com- mandments, which I have loved. ►I^ My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved ; and 1 will meditate in thy statutes. Psalm cxix. 33-48. V. OF GOD'S GOODNESS. For He is Good. OGIVE thanks unto the Lord, iox he is good : for his mercy endiiretJi for ever. '^ Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy ; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. ^ They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way ; they found no city to dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Hh Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. § 21 Of Gocfs Goodness. 33 ►!< Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. *h Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron ; Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the Most High : ^Therefore he brought down their heart with labour ; they fell down, and there zvas none to help. Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. ►I* He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ! Psalm cvii. 1-15. 34 Of God's Goodness. § 22 o The Loving-kindness of the Lord. H that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his won- derful works to the children of men ! ^ Let them exalt him also in the con- gregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the water-springs into dry ground ; *h A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into water-springs. *f* And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation ; And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase. ^ He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly ; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease. Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sor- row. §23 Of God's Goodness. .35 *h He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilder- ness, wJiere there is no way. Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh ///;;/ famiUes Hke a flock. *b The righteous shall see //, and rejoice : and all iniquity shall stop her mouth. Whoso is wise, and will observe these tilings, even they shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. Psalm cvii. 31-43. Every Day Will I Bless TJiee. WILL extol thee, my God, O King; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. *b Every day will I bless thee ; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised ; and his greatness is unsearchable. *b One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I 36 Of God's Goodness. § 23 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. "^ And vicji shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts : and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. •^ The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion ; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all : and his tender mercies are over all his works. ^ All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord ; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power ; "^ To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endiircth throughout all generations. ^ The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all tJwse that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. § 24 Of God's Goodness. 37 ^ Thou openest thy hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. '^ The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him : he also will hear their cry, and will save them. •^ The Lord preserveth all them that love him : but all the wicked will he destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord : and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm cxlv. 1-2 1. tEtDcntt'^fourt!; ^election* CJiastiscvient and Deliverance. PRAISE ye the Lord. O. give thanks unto the Lord ; for Jie is good : for his mercy endnretJi for ever. ^ Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord } luho can shew forth all his praise .-* 38 Of God's Goodness. § 24 Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. ^ Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thy people : O visit me with thy salvation ; That I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheri- tance. ►a* We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt ; they remembered not the multi- tude of thy mercies ; but provoked him at the sea, even at the Red sea. ^ Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known. Many times did he deliver them ; but they provoked ///;;/ with their counsel ; and were brought low for their iniquity. •^ Nevertheless he regarded their afflic- tion, when he heard their cry : And he remembered for them his cove- nant, and repented according to the multi- tude of his mercies. § 25 Of God's Goodness. 39 '^ He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives. Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise. "^ Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting : and let all the people say. Amen. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cvi. i-8, 43-48. O God' s Wonders in the Deep. H that men would praise the Lord /^r his goodness, and/rlrction* Hoiv Excellent is TJiy Loving-kindness. HY mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens ; T and thy faithfulness reacJietJi unto the clouds. *b Thy righteousness is like the great mountains ; thy judgments are a great deep : O Lord, thou preservest man and beast. Hh How excellent is thy loving-kindness, O God ! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house ; ^ And thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life : in thy light shall we see light. ^ O continue thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee ; And thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Psalm xxxvi. 5-10. 32 Of God's Mer-cy. 51 T TJic Giver of the Hcarfs Desire, HE king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord ; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice ! •^ Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. For thou preventcst him with the bless- ings of goodness : thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head. ^ He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever. His glory is great in thy salvation : hon- our and majesty hast thou laid upon him. "^ For thou hast made him most blessed for ever : thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. For the king trusteth in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved. ^ Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength : so will we sing and praise thy power. Psalm xxi. i--/, 13. 52 Of God's Mercy, § 33 I ^l)irt^^tl)irD ^election* TJie Lord hath Respect unto the Lozvly. WILL praise thee with my whole heart : *h Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kind- ness and for thy truth : for thou hast mag- nified thy word above all thy name. ^ In the day when I cried thou an- sweredst me, and strengthenedst me witJi strength in my soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. ^ Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord : for great is the glory of the Lord. Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly : but the proud he knoweth afar off. ^ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me : Thou shalt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. §34 Of God's Mercy. 53 ^ The Lord will perfect that whicJi con- cerneth me : thy mercy, O Lord, endnrcth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm cxxxviii. i-8. ^i)irt^:=fourtl; ^election* T/ion Tcllest My Wanderings. BE merciful unto me, O God : for man would swallow me up ; he fighting daily oppresseth me. ^ Mine enemies would daily swallow me up : for they be many that fight against me, thou Most High. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. ^ In God I will praise his word, in God 1 have put my trust ; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. Every day they wrest my words : all their thoughts are against me for evil. ^ They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. Shall they escape by iniquity 1 in tJiine anger cast down the people, O God. 54" Of God's Mercy. § 35 ^ Thou tellest my wanderings : put thou my tears into thy bottle : are they not in thy book ? When I cry tmto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back : this I know ; for God is for me. ^ In God will I praise Jiis word : in the Lord will I praise Jiis word. In God have I put my trust : I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. ^ Thy vows are upon me, O God : I will r^ender praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death : wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living t Psalm Ivi. 1-13. Wi^xxv^MiX) g)clcctiou* Verily God hath Heard Me. MAKE a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands : ^ Sing forth the honour of his name : make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works ! through the greatness of thy § 35 Of God's Mercy. 55 power shall thine enemies submit them- selves unto thee. *h All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Come and see the works of God : he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. *h He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot : there did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his power for ever ; *h His eyes behold the nations : let not the rebellious exalt themselves. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard : ^ Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. *h I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: *h But verily God hath heard vie ; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 56 Of God's Mercy. § 36 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psalm Ixvi. 1-9, 16-20. 3:i)irt^=sivtl) ^election* / Love the Lord. I LOVE the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my suppUca- tions. >^ Because he hath incUned his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Jiini as long as I live. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Hh Then called I upon the name of the Lord ; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. Gracious is the Lord, and righteous ; yea, our God is merciful. ^ The Lord preserveth the simple : I was brought low, and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul ; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. "^ For thou hast delivered my soul from § 36 Of God's Mercy. 57 death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. "^ I believed, therefore have I spoken : I was greatly afflicted : I said in my haste, All men are liars. What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me } ^ I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. '^ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Lord, truly I am thy servant ; I am thy servant, and the son of thine hand- maid : thou hast loosed my bonds. ^ I will offer to thee the . sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. 1 will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people. . "^ In the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cxvi. 1-19. 58 Of God's Mercy. § 37 In the Shadozv of Thy Wi?igs. BE merciful unto me, O God, be merci- ful unto me : for my soul trusteth in thee : yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calami- ties be overpast. *i* I will cry unto God Most High ; unto God that performeth all things for me. He shall send from heaven, and save me fro7n the reproach of him that would swallow me up. ^God shall send forth his mercy and his truth. My soul is among lions : and I lie eveji among them that are set on fire, eve7i the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. ^ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens ; let thy glory be above all the earth. They have prepared a net for my steps ; my soul is bowed down : they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. § 38 Of GocVs Mercy. 59 Hh My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed : I will sing and give praise. Awake up, my glory ; awake psaltery and harp : I myself will awake early. ^h I will 23raise thee, O Lord, among the people : I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. ^ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens : let thy glory be above all the earth. Psalm Ivii. i-ii. TJie Great Helper. PRAISE ye the Lord. ^ Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live I will praise the Lord : I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. ^ Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth ; in that very day his thoughts perish. 6o Of God's Mercy. § 39 "^ Happy is he that Jiath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God : Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever : ^ Which executeth judgment for the op- pressed ; which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners : the Lord openeth tJie eyes of the blind : *b The Lord raiseth them that are bowed down : the Lord loveth the righteous : The Lord preserveth the strangers ; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. •^ The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm cxlvi. i-io. I TJiis Poor Man Cried. WILL bless the Lord at all times: his praise sJiall continually be in my mouth. § 39 Of God's Mercy. 6i ^ My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. •^ I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were light- ened : and their faces were not ashamed. ^ This poor man cried, and the Lord heard Jiivi, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. •^ O taste and see that the Lord is good : blessed is the man tJiat trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints ; for tJiere is no want to them that fear him. "^ The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger : but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good tiling. Come, ye children, hearken unto me : I will teach you the fear of the Lord. >i^ What man is Jie that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good ? 62 Of God's Mercy. § 39 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. *h Depart from evil, and do good ; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord arc upon the righteous, and his ears arc open unto their cry. •^ The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of thefn from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. ►f* The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart ; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many arc the afflictions of the righteous : but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. •^ He keepeth all his bones : not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked : and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. ^ The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants : and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate. Psalm xxxiv, 1-22. I VII. OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS. ifortiftl) g)clcction* The Covenant. WILL sing of the mercies of the Lord for ever : ^ With my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever : "^ Thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, ^ Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. And the heaVens shall praise thy won- ders, O Lord : thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. *b For who in the heaven can be com- pared unto the Lord t ivJio among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord .'' 64 Of God's Faithfulness. § 41 God is greatly to be feared in the as- sembly of the saints, and to be had in rev- erence of all theui that are about him. Psalm Ixxxix. 1-7. G Reniejnber the Days of Old. IVE ear, O ye heavens, and I will -^ speak ; *h And hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass : *h Because I will publish the name of the Lord : ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, his word is perfect : for all his ways are judgment : *h A God of truth and tvithout iniquity, just and right is he. They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children : *h They are a perverse and crooked gen- eration. § 41 Of God's Fait Jif Illness. 65 Do ye thus requite the Lord, O fooUsh people and unwise ? is not he thy father that hath bought thee ? *b Hath he not made thee, and estabhshed thee ? Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations : ^ Ask thy father, and he will shew thee ; thy elders, and they will tell thee. When the Most High divided to their nations their inheritance, when he sepa- rated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. ^ For the Lord's portion is his people ; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness ; *b He led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, flutter- eth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings : ^ So the Lord alone did lead him, and there zvas no strange god with him. Deuteronomy xxxii. 1-12, 66 Of God' s FaitJifidness. § 42 o i?ort^=0rcontJ g^clection* The Lord is Our Defence. LORD God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee ? or to thy faith- fulness round about thee ? ^ Thou rulest the raging of the sea : when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain ; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm. ^ The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine : as for the world, and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them. The north and the south thou hast created them : Tabor and Hermon shall re- joice in thy name. Hh Thou hast a mighty arm : strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand. Justice and judgment ai'e the habitation of thy throne : mercy and truth shall go before thy face. ^ Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound : they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. § 43 Of God' s Fait Jif Illness. 6^ In thy name shall they rejoice all the day : and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. *h For thou ai't the glory of their strength ; and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted. For the Lord is our defence ; and the Holy One of Israel is our King. Psalm Ixxxix. 8-18. j?oitv^=tl)irti g)clfction* The People of His Pasture. OCOME, let us sing unto the Lord: *b Let us make a joyful noise to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. *i* For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand ai-e the deep places of the earth : the strength of the hills is his also. *i* The sea is his, and he made it : and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down : let us kneel before the Lord our maker. 68 Of God's Faithfulness. § 44 *h For he is our God ; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilder- ness : *h When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said. It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways : *h Unto -whom I sware in my wrath, that they should not enter into my rest. Psalm xcv. i-ii. / will Deelarc Thy Name. WILL declare thy name unto my breth- ren : in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee. *h Ye that fear the Lord, praise him ; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him ; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. I § 44 Of God' s Faithfulness. 69 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him ; but when he cried unto him, he heard. *h My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation : I will pay my vows before them that fear him. The meek shall eat and be satisfied : they shall praise the Lord that seek him : your heart shall live for ever. *i* All the ends of the world shall re- member and turn unto the Lord : And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. *h For the kingdom is the Lord's : and he is the governor among the nations. All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship : all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him : and none can keep alive his own soul. *i* A seed shall serve him ; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation. They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this. Psabti xxii. 22-31. /O Of God's FaitJifiilness. § 45 ifortt'=ltftl) ^election* Blessed is the Nation. REJOICE in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. *b Praise the Lord with harp : sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song ; play skil- fully with a loud noise. ^ For the word of the Lord is right ; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. ^ By the word of the Lord were the heavens made ; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap : he layeth up the depth in storehouses. ^ Let all the earth fear the Lord : let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done ; he com- manded, and it stood fast. § 4^ Of God's Faithfiihiess. Ji ^ The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ^ Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord ; and the people ivhovi he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Psalm xxxiii. 1-12. O We Jiave Waited for Him. LORD, thou art my God ; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name ; for thou hast done wonderful tilings. ^ Thy counsels of old arc faithfulness and truth. For thou hast made of a city a heap ; of a defenced city a ruin : a palace of strangers to be no city ; it shall never be built. ^ Therefore shall the strong people glo- rify thee, the city of the terrible nations shall fear thee. 72 Of God' s FaitJifulncss. § 46 For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his dis- tress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terri- ble ones is as a storm against the wall. ^ Thou shalt bring down the noise of strangers, as the heat in a dry place ; even the heat with the shadow of a cloud : the branch of the terrible ones shall be brought low. And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. ^ And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death in victory ; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces ; ^ And the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth : for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God ; we have waited for him, and he will save us : § 47 Of God' s FaitJifulncss. 73 ►f" This is the Lord ; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation. ■ Isaiah xxv. 1-9. He hath not Dealt so zviih Any Nation. PRAISE ye the Lord : >b For it is good to sing praises unto our God ; for it is pleasant ; and praise is comely. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem : he gathereth together the outcasts of Lsrael. ►t" He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. He telleth the number of the stars ; he calleth them all by tJieir names. *b Great is our Lord, and of great power : his understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek : he cast- eth the wicked down to the ground. ^ Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiv- ing ; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who 74 Of God's Faithfnhicss. § 47 maketh grass to grow upon the moun- tains. "^ He giveth to the beast his food, audio the young ravens which cry. He dehghteth not in the strength of the horse : he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. Hh The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem ; praise thy God, O Zion. *h For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates; he hath blessed thy children within thee : He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat. ^ He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth : his word runneth very swiftly. He giveth snow like wool : he scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes. *i* He casteth forth his ice like morsels : who can stand before his cold .-^ He sendeth out his word, and melteth them : he causeth his wind to blow, and the waters flow. *h He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. § 48 Of God' s FaitJifidness. 75 He hath not dealt so with any nation : and as for Jus judgments, they have not known them. ^ Praise ye the Lord. Psaim cxivii. 1-20. G A Morning Prayer. IVE ear to my words, O Lord, con- sider my meditation. ^ Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God : for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord ; in the morning will I direct viy prayer unto thee, and will look up. ^ For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness : neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight : thou hatest all workers of iniquity. ^ Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy : ajid in thy y^ Of GcnVs Faithfulness. § 49 fear will I worship toward thy holy tem- ple. ^ Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteous- ness, because of mine enemies ; make thy way straight before my face. But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice : let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them : let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. ^ For thou. Lord, wilt bless the right- eous ; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm V. 1-8. 11-12. Serve the Lord with Gladness. MAKE a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. , *h Serve the Lord with gladness : come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God : it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. *i* Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, § 49 ^f God' s Faithfuhicss. jy and into his courts with praise : be thank- ful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good ; his mercy is ever- lasting ; and his truth cndurctJi to all gen- erations. ^ Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Lsrael rejoice in him that made him : let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. *b Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord taketh pleasure in his people : he will beautify the meek with salvation. Psalms c. 1-5 ; cxlix. 1-4. VIII. OF GOD'S WISDOM. fiftittl) ^election* T/ie UnscarcJiablc God. CANST thou by searching find out God ? canst thou find out the Al- mighty unto perfection ? "^ It is as high as heaven ; what canst thou do ? deeper than hell ; what canst thou know ? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. ►f" If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him 1 For he knoweth vain men : he seeth wickedness also ; will he not then con- sider it ? ^ For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt. If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him ; *h If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far §51 Of God's Wisdom. 79 away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. For then shalt thou lift up thy face with- out spot ; yea, thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear : *b Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters t/iat pass away: And t/iine age shall be clearer than the noonday ; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. *i* And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope ; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. Job xi. 7-18. ififtv^^first ^election* The Searcher of Hearts. OLORD, thou hast searched me, and know me. *i* Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted zvith all my ways. 8o Of God's Wisdom. § 5 1 ^ For there is not a word in my tongue, but lo, O Lord, thou knowest it alto- gether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. "^ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit } or whither shall I flee from thy presence 1 ^ If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, ajid dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea ; *i* Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me ; even the night shall be light about me. ^ Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee ; but the night shineth as the day : The darkness and the light aj-e both alike to thee. *h Search me, O God, and know my heart : try me, and know my thoughts : ' And see if their be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm cxxxix. 1-12, 23, 24. § 52 Of God's Wisdom. 8l B WJiere shall Wisdom be Found f UT where shall wisdom be found ? and where is the place of under- standing ? ^ Man knoweth not the price thereof ; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me : and the sea saith : // is not with me. ^ It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. Hh The gold and the crystal cannot equal it : and the exchange of it sJuill not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls : for the price of wisdom is above rubies. ^ The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom } and where is the place of understanding ? 82 Of God's Wisdom. § 53 ^ Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. >^ God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven ; Hh To make the weight for the winds ; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder : "^ Then did he see it, and declare it ; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom ; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job xxviii. 12-28. Search for Her as for Hid Treasure. MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee ; ►I^ So that thou incline thine ear unto § 54 election* So Teach Us to Njimbcj' On?' Days. LORD, thou hast been our dwelling- place in all generations. *h Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth §57 Of God's Wisdom. 89 and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. Thou turnest man to destruction ; and sayest, Return, ye children of men, "^ For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they are as a sleep : in the morn- ing tJiey are like grass zvJdcJi groweth up. ►t" In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth. For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. *J* Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed away in thy wrath : we spend our years as a tale tJiat is told. ^ The days of our years are threescore years and ten ; And if by reason of strength tJiey be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. go Of God's Wisdom. § 57 ^i*- Who knoweth the power of thine anger ? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach 21s to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ^ Return, O Lord, how long } and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. ^ Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years zvherein we have seen evil. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. ^ And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us : And establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Psalm xc. 1-17. IX. CHRIST AND HIS KINGDOM. TJwiL ai't My Son. WHY do the heathen rage ? and the people imagine a vain thing ? ^ The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, ►J* Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh : the Lord shall have them in derision. ^ Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeas- ure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. *b I will declare the decree : the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son ; this day have I begotten thee. 92 Christ and His Kingdom. § 59 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen/^r thine inheritance, and the utter- most parts of the earth for thy possession. ^ Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron ; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now therefore, O ye kings : be instructed, ye judges of the earth. ^ Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Hh Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. Psalm ii. 1-12. i?ift\?=nmtl) g)rlrctton* TJie Heir of All Tilings. GOD, who at sundry times and in di- vers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, ^ Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds ; § 59 Christ and His Kingdom. 93 Who being the brightness of Jiis glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand 'of the Majesty on high ; ^ Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee ? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son ? ^ And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith. And let all the angels of God worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. Hh But unto the Son, Jie saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever : a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy king- dom ; Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity ; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of glad- ness above thy fellows. 94 Christ and His Kingdom. § 60 *h And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth ; and the heavens are the works of thine hands. They shall perish ; but thou remainest : and they all shall wax old as doth a gar- ment ; *b And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed : but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. Hebrews i. 1-12. Fairer than the Children of Men. MY heart is inditing a good matter : I speak of the things which I have made touching the king : my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. ^ Thou art fairer than the children of men : grace is poured into thy lips : there- fore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon tJiy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. Hh And in thy majesty ride prosperously, because of truth and meekness and right- eousness ; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. § 6o Christ aiid His Kingdom. 95 ^ Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; wJiercby the people fall under thee. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. *b Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness : therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. ^ King's daughters were among thy honourable women : upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear ; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house ; ^ So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. And the daughter of Tyre shall be tJiere with a gift ; even the rich among the people shall entreat thy favour. ^ The king's daughter is all glorious within : her clothing is of wrought gold. 96 Christ and His Kingdom. § 61 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework ; the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. ^ With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought : they shall enter into the king's palace. Instead of thy fathers shall be thy chil- dren, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth. ^I will make thy name to be remem- bered in all generations : therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. Psalm xlv. 1-17. ^xxv^ixc^i ^election* Men Shall be Blessed in Him. GIVE the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. *h He shall judge thy people with right- eousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. *h He shall judge the poor of the people, § 6 1 Christ and His Kingdom. 97 he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all genera- tions. ^ He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass : as showers tJiat water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish ; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. ^ He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him ; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents : the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. ^ Yea, all kings shall fall down before him : all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth ; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. ^ He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit 98 Chidst and His Kingdom. § 61 and violence : and precious shall their blood be in his sight. Hh And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba : jDrayer also shall be made for him continually ; and daily shall he be praised. There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains ; ^ The fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon : and tJiey of the city shall flour- ish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun : •^ And men shall be blessed in him : all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. ^ And blessed be his glorious name for ever ; and let the whole earth be filled zvitli his glory. Amen, and Amen. Psalm Ixxii. 1-19. § 62 Christ and His Kingdom. 99 A ^irt^=0econD g>rlcction* The Magnificat. ND Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, •^ And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden : for behold, from hence- forth all generations shall call me blessed. •^ For he that is mighty hath done to me great things ; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation. *b He hath shewed strength with his arm ; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. Fie hath put down the mighty from tJicir seats, and exalted them of low'degree. *h He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpcn his servant Israel, in remembrance of Jiis mercy ; ^ As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed, for ever. st. Luke i. 46-55. lOO Christ and His Kingdom. § 63 g)i]rti?^tl)irD g)dection* TJie Bencdictiis. BLESSED be the Lord God of Israel ; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, ^ And hath raised up an horn of salva- tion for us, in the house of his servant David : As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began : •^ That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us ; To perform the mercy pjvniiscd to our fathers, and to remember his holy cove- nant ; ^ The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, might serve him without fear, ^ In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. St, Luke i. 68-75. § 64 CJirist and His Kingdom. lOi TJic True Oblations. HEAR, O heavens, and give ear, O earth : for the Lord hath spoken ; I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me. ^ To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me ? saith the Lord. Bring no more vain oblations ; incense is an abomination unto me ; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with ; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. *b Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth ; they are a trouble unto me ; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you : yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear : your hands are full of blood. *b Wash you, make you clean ; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes ; Cease to do evil ; learn to do well ; •i* Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 102 Christ and His Kingdom. § 65 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : ^ Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow : Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. •^ If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land : But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah i. 2, 11, 13-20. The Front is ed Light. THE people that walked in darkness have seen a great light : they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. *h For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given ; and the government shall be upon his shoulder : And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The ever- lasting Father, The Prince of Peace. § 65 Christ and His Kingdom . 103 ^ Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots : *i* And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and under- standing, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord ; And shall make him of quick under- standing in the fear of the Lord : and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears : ^ But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. "i" The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid ; And the calf and the young lion and I04 .CJirist and His Kingdom. § ^6 the fatling together ; and a little child shall lead them. ^ And the cow and the bear shall feed ; their young ones shall lie down together ; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice's den. ^ They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain : for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Isaiak ix. 2, 6, 7 ; xi. 1-9. Behold My Servant. EH OLD my servant, whom I uphold B mine elect, in whom my soul de- lighteth ; I have put my spirit upon him : he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. *i* He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench : he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. § 66 CJirist and His Kingdom. 105 "^ He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth : and the isles shall wait for his law. Thus saith God the Lord, he that cre- ated the heavens, and stretched them out ; he that spread forth the earth, and that which Cometh out of it ; ^ He that giveth breath unto the peo- ple upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein : I the Lord have called thee in right- eousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a cov- enant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles ; *^ To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the Lord : that is my name : and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. •^ Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare : be- fore they spring forth I tell you of them. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that io6 Christ and His Kingdojn. § 6/ go down to the sea, and all that is there- in ; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. ^ Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit : Let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Hh Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare his praise in the islands. And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not ; I will lead them in paths that they have not known : ^ I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not for- sake them. Isaiah xlii. 1-12, 16. ^irt^^gebrntl; g)election* The First-born of All Creation. FOR this cause we also, since the day we heard //, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wis- dom and spiritual understanding ; •^ That ye might walk worthy of the § 6/ Christ and His Kingdom. 107 Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness; ^ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light : Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated 11s into the kingdom of his dear Son : ^ In whom v/e have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins : Who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of every creature : for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or do- minions, or principalities, or powers : all things were created by him, and for him : *b And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church : who is the beginning, the first- born from the dead ; that in all tJiino^s he might have the pre-eminence. io8 Christ and His Kingdom. § 68 Hh For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell ; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself ; by him, / say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Co loss i an s i. 9-20. g>irt^=eigt)tt) Selection* Snrely He Hath Borne Our Griefs. HO hath believed our report ? w ^ And to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed ? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground : he hath no form nor comeliness ; ^ And when we shall see him, tJiere is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men ; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: •^ And we hid as it were onr faces from him ; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows : § 6S Christ and His Kino-dom. 109 ^ Yet we did esteem him stricken, smit- ten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgres- sions, Jie was bruised for our iniquities : ^ The chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way ; ^ And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. •i^ He was taken from prison and from judgment : and who shall declare his generation } For he was cut off out of the land of the living : for the transgression of my people was he stricken. ^ And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death ; because he had done no violence, neither ivas any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; no Christ and His Kingdovi. § 69 he hath put Jiivi to grief : when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see Ids seed, he shall prolong Jiis days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. •^ He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied : by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many ; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide \\\Vii a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong ; because he hath poured out his soul unto death : *b And he was numbered with the trans- gressors ; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah liii. 1-12. g)iTO=nintl) ^election* Perfect tJirough Sufferings. OR unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come whereof we speak. ^ But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful F CJirist and His Kins^dom. HI of him ? or the son of man, that thou visit- est him ? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels ; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands ; •^ Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. •^ But now we see not yet all things put under him : But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour ; *b That he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom arc all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. ^ For both he that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one : for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 112 CJirist and His Kingdom. § 70 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. Hebrews ii, 5-12. Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord. COMFORT ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfort- ably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniq- uity is pardoned : *h For she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilder- ness. Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. *i* Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low : And the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain : Hh And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it to- § /O Christ and His Kingdom. 113 gether : for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry ? ^ All flesh is grass, and all the goodli- ness thereof is as the flower of the field : The grass withereth, the flower fadeth : because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it : surely the people is grass. ^ The grass withereth, the flower fadeth : but the word of our God shall stand for ever. O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain ; ^ O Jerusalem, that bringest good tid- ings, lift up thy voice with strength ; lift // up, be not afraid ; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God ! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong Jiand, and his arm shall rule for him : •^ Behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd : he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah xl. i-ii. 114 Christ and His Kingdom. § 71 H TJie Messenger of Good Tidings. OW beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that pubhsheth peace ; that bring- eth good tidings of good, that pubhsheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth ! ^ Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice ; with the voice together shall they sing : for they shall see eye to eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion. Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem : for the Lord hath comforted his people, he hath re- deemed Jerusalem. •^ The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations ; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing ; go ye out of the midst of her ; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. *b For ye shall not go out with haste, nor § ^2 Christ and His Kingdom. 1 1 5 go by flight : for the Lord will go before you ; and the God of Israel zvill be your rearward. Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high. •^ As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men : So shall he sprinkle many nations ; the kings shall shut their mouths at him : for tJiat which had not been told them shall they see ; and tJiat which they had not heard shall they consider. Isaiah lii. 7-15. TJic Spirit of the Lord shall Rest upon Him. AND there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots : *b And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and under- standing, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord ; Ii6 CJirist and His Kingdom. § 72 And shall make him of quick under- standing in the fear of the Lord : and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears : ^ But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth : And he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. ^ And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid ; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. ^ And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee : though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me. Behold, God is my salvation ; I will trust, and not be afraid : for the Lord JEHO- VAH is my strength and viy song ; he also is become my salvation. § y^ Christ and His Kingdom. 117 •^ Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. •^ Sing unto the Lord ; for he hath done excellent things : this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion : for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. Isaiah XI. i-6; xii. i-6. g)rt3ent^=tl)irti ^election* T/ie Lord hath Ajwintcd Ale. THE Spirit of the Lord God is upon me ; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to bind up the broken- hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound ; ^ To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God ; to comfort all that mourn ; Ii8 CJirist and His Kingdom. § 73 To appoint unto them that mourn m Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. *b And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien sJiall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. ^ But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord : men shall call you the Ministers of our God : Ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast your- selves. ^ For your shame j/^ shall have double ; and/fr confusion they shall rejoice in their portion : therefore in their land they shall possess the double : everlasting joy shall be unto them. For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering ; and I will di- § 74 CJirist and His Kingdom. 119 rect their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. ^ And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowl- edge them, that they mr the seed zvhich the Lord hath blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God ; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of right- eousness, as a bridegroom decketh Jnmself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. *h For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth ; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah Ixi. i-ii. T §)tt5enti?=fourtl) ^election* The Covenant of Peace. HUS saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him 120 Christ and His Kingdom. § 74 whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, ^ Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee : *b And I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to es- tablish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth ; to them that arc in darkness, Shew yourselves. ►^ They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst ; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them : '^ For he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them. And I will make all my mountains a way, and my highways shall be exalted. >b Behold, these shall come from far : and, lo, these from the north and from §75 Christ and His Kingdom. 121 the west; and these from the land of Sinim. Sing, O heavens ; and be joyful, O earth ; and break forth into singing, O mountains : *h For the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. Isaiah xlix. 7-13. Oui' Peace. WHEREFORE remember, that ye be- ing in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands ; *h That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the common- wealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world : But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who some- times were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ. ^ For he is our peace, who hath made 122 Chi'ist and His Kingdom. § 75 both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition betzvccn ns ; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contaiiicd in ordinances : for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace ; •^ And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby : And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. ^ For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God ; ^ And are built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ him- self being the chief CQ)XX\Q.x-stone ; In whom all the building fitly framed to- gether, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord : ^ In whom ye also are builded together, for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians ii. 11-22. § 7^ Christ and His Kingdom. 123 Thejoyofthc Whole Earth. r^ RE AT is the Lord, and greatly to be ^^J" praised in the city of our God, /;/ the mountain of his holiness. ^ Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great king. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. ^ For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. They saw it, a?id so they marvelled ; they were troubled, and hasted away. *h Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail. Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. *h As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the Lord of hosts, in the city of our God : God will establish it for ever. We have thought of thy loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple. ^ According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth : thy right hand is full of righteousness. 124 Christ and His Kingdom. § "j*] Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daugh- ters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. ^ Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces ; that ye may tell it to the genera- tion following. '^ For this God is our God for ever and ever : he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm xlviii. 1-14. Great Shall be the Peace of Thy CJiildren. THOU afflicted, tossed with tempest. o and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. ^ And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children sJiall be taught of the Lord ; ^ And great shall be the peace of thy children. § 7^ Christ and His Kingdom. 125 In righteousness shalt thou be estab- lished : thou shalt be far from oppression ; for thou shalt not fear : and from terror ; for it shall not come near thee. ^ Behold, they shall surely gather to- gether, but not by me : whosoever shall gather together against thee shall fall for thy sake. Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work ; and I have created the waster to destroy. •^ No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper ; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. Isaiah liv. 11-17. ^etintt^=rigf)tf) fe)rlcction* They Shall Obtain Joy and Gladness. THE wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them ; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 126 CJirist and His Kingdom. § J^ "^ It shall blossom abundantly, and re- joice even with joy and singing: The glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon ; ^ They shall see the glory of the Lord, ajid the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and con- firm the feeble knees. Hh Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, fear not : Behold, your God will come with ven- geance, even God ivith a recompence ; he will come and save you. ^ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing : for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. >b And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water : in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holi- § 79 Christ and His Kingdom. 127 ness ; the unclean shall not pass over it ; but it sJiall be for those : the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. *b No lion shall be there, nor any raven- ous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there ; but the redeemed shall walk there : — And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads : ^ They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiak XXXV. i-io. Arise, Shine, for Thy Light is Come. ARISE, shine ; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. ^ For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people : But the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. *h And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 128 Christ and His Kingdom. § 79 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see : all they gather themselves together, they come to thee : ►^ Thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged ; ^ Because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron : Hh I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders ; *b But thou shalt call thy walls Salva- tion, and thy gates Praise. The sun shall be no more thy light by day ; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee : ^ But the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself : § 8o CJirist and His Kingdom. 129 *i^ For the Lord shall be thine everlast- ing light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also sJiall be all righteous : they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. ^ A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation : I the Lord will hasten it in his time. Isaiah Ix. 1-5, 17-22. Ctgtjtietl) g>rlcction* TJic Gospel of Peace. FOR Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that be- lieveth. *^ For Moses describeth the righteous- ness which is of the law. That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven } (that is, to bring Christ down from above :) 130 CJirist and His Kingdom. § 80 ^ Or, who shall descend mto the deep ? (that is, to brmg up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it ? The word is nigh thee, cvLii in thy mouth, and in thy heart : that is, the word of faith, which we preach : *^ That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth con- fession is made unto salvation. '^ For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek : for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ^ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed .'' and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard } and how shall they hear without a preacher } § 8 1 CJirist and His Kingdom. 131 *h And how shall they preach, except they be sent ? as it is written, How beauti- ful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things ! Romans x. 4-15. TJie Invitation. HO, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money ; come ye, buy, and eat ; »I* Yea, come, buy wine and milk with- out money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for tJiat zvhich is not bread ? and your labour for that zvhich satisfieth not ? *h Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that zvhich is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me : hear, and your soul shall live ; *b And I will make an everlasting cove- nant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given him/^ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God send- ing his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh : Hh That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh ; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. •^ For to be carnally minded is death ; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. § 84 The Spirit of Life. 137 "^ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. >b Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin ; *b But the Spirit is life because of right- eousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans viii. i-ii. (II;igl)tv^=fourtt) ^election* The Ministration of the Spirit. BUT if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glori- ous, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance ; which glory was to be done away: 138 The Spirit of Life. § 84 '^ How shall not the mmistration of the spirit be rather glorious ? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. *^ For even that which was made glori- ous had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious, ^ Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech : And not as Moses, wJiicJi put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of that which is abolished : "^ But their minds were blinded : For until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament ; which vail is done away in Christ. "^ But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless, when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. ^ Now the Lord is that Spirit : and § 85 TJie Spirit of Life. 139 where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians iii. 7-18. TJie Fniits of tJie Spirit. OR, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty ; only nse not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. ^ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this ; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. ^ This I say then. Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh : and these are contrary the one to the other ; so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. F 140 The Spirit of Life. § 85 >b But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are tJiesc, Adultery, fornication, un- cleanness, lasciviousness, ^ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, here- sies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revel- lings, and such like : of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you. in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Hh But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance : Against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. "^ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians v. 13-25. § S6 TJie Spirit of Life. 141 N TJie Unity of the Spirit. OW there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Hh And there are differences of adminis- trations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. "^ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom ; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit ; ^ To another faith by the same Spirit ; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit ; To another the working of miracles ; to another prophecy ; to another discerning of spirits ; to another divers kinds of tongues ; to another the interpretation of tongues : "^ But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. 142 The Spirit of Life. % '^6 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body : so also is Christ. ^ For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether ive be Jews or Gen- tiles, whether zve be bond or free ; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. Tliere is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling ; ^ One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. I Corinthians xii. 4-13 ; Ephesians iv. 4-6. XI. TRUE RELIGION. The Fast that God hath CJioscn. CRY aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice ' like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. ^ Yet they seek me daily, and dehght to know my ways, as a nation that did right- eousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God : They ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. *b Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not } zvJierefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no know- ledge } Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. *^ Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness : 144 True Religion. % ^y ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen ? a day for a man to afflict his soul ? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him ? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord ? *i* Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke ? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house ? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him ; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? *h Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily : And thy righteousness shall go before thee ; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. *i* Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer ; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. Isaiah Iviii. 1-9. T True Religion. 145 God shall Judge His People. HE mighty God, eveu the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. "^ Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence : a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. *i^ He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me ; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. •^ And the heavens shall declare his righteousness : for God is judge himself. Hear, O my people, and 1 will speak ; Israel, and I will testify against thee : 1 am God, eveu thy God. "^ I will not reprove thee for thy sacri- fices or thy burnt-offerings, to have been continually before me. 146 True Religion. § 89 I will take no bullock out of thy house, 7ior he-goats out of thy folds. ^ For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains : and the wild beasts of the field are mine. ^ If I were hungry, I would not tell thee : for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats } *h Offer unto God thanksgiving ; and pay thy vows unto the Most High : And call upon me in the day of trouble : I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 1. 1-15. Pure Religion and Undcjiled. O not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no vari- ableness, neither shadow of turning. D § 89 Ti'ue Religion. 147 ^ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath : *b For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. Hh But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass : *^ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, *b He being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be re- ligious, and bridleth not his tongue, but 148 True Religion. § 90 deceiveth his own heart, this man's rehgion is vain. *b Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James i. 16-27. jpinetiett) ^election* Add to Your Faith Virtue. GRACE and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, "^ According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue : Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises ; that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ^ And beside this, giving all diligence, § 90 True Religion. 149 add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge ; And to knowledge temperance ; and to temperance patience ; and to patience god- liness ; *h And to godliness brotherly kindness ; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make yort that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^ But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure : for if he do these things, ye shall never fall : ^ For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter i. 2-n. XII. THE LAW OF GOD. Blessed are the Undejileel. BLESSED are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. *b Blessed are they that keep his testi- monies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity ; they walk in his ways. *h Thou hast commanded ?is to keep thy precepts diligently. that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! *h Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. 1 will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy right- eous judgments. *h I will keep thy statutes : O forsake me not utterly. § 92 TJie Laiv of God. 151 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? By taking heed thereto accord- ing to thy word. *h With my whole heart have I sought thee : O let me not wander from thy com- mandments. Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. *h Blessed art thou, O Lord : teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. *h I have rejoiced in the way of thy testi- monies, as m?tch as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. *i* I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget thy word. Psalm cxix. 1-16. j^inrt^^sccont) ^election* T/iy Testiniojiies are My Delight. DEAL bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. *h Open thou mine eyes, that I may be- hold wondrous things out of thy law. 152 TJie Laiv of God. § 93 I am a stranger in the earth : hide not thy commandments from me. •^ My soul breaketh for the longing tJiat it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy command- ments. '^ Remove from me reproach and con- tempt ; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me : but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. "^ Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. Psalm cxix. 17-24. ilimct^=tl)irt) ^election* The Way of Truth. MY soul cleaveth unto the dust : quick- en thou me according to thy word. •^ I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me : teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts : so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. § 94 The Laiv of God. 153 Hh My soul melteth for heaviness : strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying : and grant me thy law graciously. ^ I have chosen the way of truth : thy judgments have I laid before uie. I have stuck unto thy testimonies : O Lord, put me not to shame. ^ I will run the way of thy command- ments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Psalm cxix. 25-32. This is My Comfort. REMEMBER the word unto thy ser- vant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. *i* This is my comfort in my affliction : for thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in de- rision : yet have I not declined from thy law. *i* I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord ; and have comforted myself. 154 The Laiv of God. § 94 Horror hath taken hold upon me be- cause of the wicked that forsake thy law. "^ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law. ^ This I had, because I kept thy pre- cepts. TJioii art my portion, O Lord : I have said that I would keep thy words. ^ I entreated thy favour with my whole heart : be merciful unto me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. "^ I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. The bands of the wicked have robbed me : but I have not forgotten thy law. ^ At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous judg- ments. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. ►t" The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy : teach me thy statutes. Psalm cxix. 49-64. § 95 ^^^^ Lazv of God. 155 T S^iwtv^MtX) ^election* Teach 1/1 c Good Judgment. HOU hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word. ^ Teach me good judgment and knowl- edge : for I have believed thy command- ments. Before I was afflicted I went astray : but now have I kept thy word. *h Thou art good, and doest good ; teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me : but I will keep thy precepts with viy whole heart. ^ Their heart is as fat as grease ; but I delight in thy law. // is good for me that I have been af- flicted ; that I might learn thy statutes. ^ The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me : give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. *h They that fear thee will be glad when they see me ; because I have hoped in thy word. 156 The Lazv of God. § 96 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and tJiat thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Hh Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kind- ness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live : for thy law is my delight. ^ Let the proud be ashamed ; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause : but I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. ►f" Let my heart be sound in thy statutes ; that I be not ashamed. Psalm cxix. 65-80. TJiy Word is Settled in Heaven. FOR ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. "^ Thy faithfulness is unto all genera- tions : thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to § 97 The Laiv of God. 157 thine ordinances: for all are thy ser- vants. ^ Unless thy law Jiad been my delights, I should then have perished in mine afflic- tion. I will never forget thy precepts : for with them thou hast quickened me. ^ I am thine, save me ; for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to de- stroy me : but I will consider thy testimo- nies. "^ I have seen an end of all perfection : but thy commandment is exceeding broad. Psalm cxix. 89-96. A Light unto My Path. OH how love I thy law ! it is my medi- tation all the day. ^ Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers : for thy testimonies are my medi- tation. 158 The Law of God. § 98 "^ I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. ^ I have not departed from thy judg- ments : for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste ! yea, szveeter than honey to my mouth. *h Through thy precepts I get understand- ing : therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. *b I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Psalm cxix, 97-106. D Order my Steps in Thy Word. EAL with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. •^ I am thy servant ; give me understand- ing, that I may know thy testimonies. // is time for tJiee, Lord, to work : for they have made void thy law. ^ Therefore I love thy commandments above gold ; yea, above fine gold. § 99 T^^^ Lazv of God. 159 Therefore I esteem all tJiy precei^ts con- ceniing all tilings to be right ; and I hate every false way. ^ Thy testimonies are wonderful : there- fore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light ; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Hh I opened my mouth, and panted : for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. ^ Order my steps in thy word : and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalm cxix. 124-133. ^\\\zv^'A\\\\i\) ^election. TJiy Word is Very Pure. RIGHTEOUS art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. Hh Thy testimonies tJiat thou hast com- manded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. ^ Thy word is very pure : therefore thy servant loveth it. i6o The Laiv of God. § lOO I am small and despised : yet do not I forget thy precepts. *b Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me : yet thy commandments are my delights. ^ The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting : give me understanding, and I shall live. Psalm cxix. 137-144, I (Due l^untjreutlj fe>clcctioiu Consider Jiow I Love Thy Precepts. CRIED with jny whole heart ; hear me, O Lord : I will keep thy statutes. *h I cried unto thee : save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried : I hoped in thy word. *h Mine eyes prevent the ///^///-watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Hear my voice, according unto thy lov- ing-kindness : O Lord, quicken me accord- ing to thy judgment. § lOO The Lazv of God. i6i *b They draw nigh that follow after mis- chief : they are far from thy law. Thou ai't near, O Lord ; and all thy commandments are truth. *h Concerning thy testimonies I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me : for I do not forget thy law. *b Plead my cause, and deliver me : quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked : for they seek not thy statutes. *h Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord : quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine ene- mies : yet do I not decline from thy testi- monies. *h I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved ; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts : quick- en me, O Lord, according to thy loving- kindness. *h Thy word is trwQ from the beginning : and every one of thy righteous judgments endtiretJi for ever. Psalm cxix. 145-160. 1 62 TJie Lazv of God. § loi (Due J^uuDrcD auD J?irs?t ^election* My Heart Standcth in Azvc. PRINCES have persecuted me without a cause : but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. ^ I rejoice at thy word, as one that find- eth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying : but thy law do I love. *b Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law : and nothing shall offend them. *b Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies ; and I love them exceedingly. •^ I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways arc before thee. Psalm cxix. 161-168. § 102 TJie Law of God. 163 ^Xit l^untirttj anrj ^cconD g)electton» Let Thine Hand Help Me. LET my cry come near before thee, O Lord : give me miderstanding ac- cording to thy word. ^ Let my suppHcation come before thee : dehver me according to thy word. My Kps shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. "^ My tongue shall speak of thy word : for all thy commandments ai^e righteous- ness. Let thine hand help me ; for I have chosen thy precepts. ►t" I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord ; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee ; and let thy judgments help me. •^ I have gone astray like a lost sheep ; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. Psalm cxix. 169-176, 164 TJie Law of God. § 103 #ne J^unUreD anD t\)\x'^ ^election* Retur/i juito the Lord. O ISRAEL, return unto the Lord thy God ; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. *{*■ Take with you words, and turn to the Lord : Say unto him. Take away all iniquity, and receive ils graciously : so will we ren- der the calves of our lips. ^ Asshur shall not save us ; we will not ride upon horses : Neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, Ye are our gods : for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy. *^ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely : for mine anger is turned away from him. I will be as the dew unto Israel : he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. "^ His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and his smell as Lebanon. § 103 The Lazv of God. 165 They that dwell under his shadow shall return ; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine : ^ The scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim sJiall say, What have I to do any more with idols ? ^ I have heard ///;;/, and observed him : I am like a green fir-tree. From me is thy fruit found. Who is wise, and he shall understand these things ? prudent, and he shall knov; them } *h For the ways of the Lord a?-e right, and the just shall walk in them : but the transgressor shall fall therein. Hosea xiv. 1-9. XIII. PENITENCE AND PARDON. #ne J^uutircD anO i?ourtl; ^election* Cleanse Me from Jl/j' Sin. AVE mercy upon me, O God, accord- H ing to thy loving-kindness : according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. ^ Wash me thoroughly from mine in- iquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done t/iis evil in thy sight : Hh That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. *i* Create in me a clean heart, O God ; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy pres- § 105 Penitence and Pardon. 167 ence ; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. *h Restore unto me the joy of thy sal- vation ; and uphold me with tJiy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. "^ Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation : and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteous- ness. O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. ^ For thou desirest not sacrifice ; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm li. 1-4 ; 9-17. (Due C^uuDrcD and fittX) ^election* TJiere is Forgiveness with Thee. UT of the depths have I cried unto o thee, O Lord. ^ Lord, hear my voice : let thine ears 1 68 Penitence and Pardon. § io6 be attentive to the voice of my suppli- cations. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand ? ^ But tJiere is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. ^ My soul ivaiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning : / say more than they that watch for the morning. Let Lsrael hope in the Lord : for with the Lord t/iej-e is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. ►P And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities. Psalm cxxx. i-8. A Prayer for the Penitent. H that thou wouldest rend the heav- o ens, that thou wouldest come down, *^ That the mountains might flow down at thy presence. As wJien the meltinir fire burneth, the § io6 Penitence and Pardon. 169 fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, •^ TJiat the nations may tremble at thy presence ! When thou didst terrible things zvhicJi we looked not for, thou camest down, '^ The mountains flowed down at thy presence. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, '^ Neither hath the eye seen, O God, besides thee, zvJiat he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remem- ber thee in thy ways : >^ Behold, thou art wroth ; for we have sinned : in those is continuance, and we shall be saved. But we are all as an unclean tiling, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; ^ And we all do fade as a leaf ; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. And tJiere is none that calleth upon thy I/O Penitence and Pardon. § 107 name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee : ^ For thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. But now, O Lord, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou our potter ; and we all are the work of thy hand. "^ Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever : be- hold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people. Isaiah Ixiv. i-io. (0nr UnmDiTD anu ^c^nttl) g)rlcction» If We Confess our Sins. THIS then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. "^ If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth : But if we w^alk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with an- § io8 Penitence and Pardon. i/i other, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. ^ If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John i. 5-9. Pardon mijie Iniquity, for it is Great. « UNTO thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. •^ O my God, I trust in thee : let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed : let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. ^ Shew me thy ways, O Lord ; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me : for thou art the God of my salvation ; on thee do I wait all the day. 1/2 Penitence and Pardon. § io8 ^ Remember, O Lord, thy tender mer- cies and thy loving-kindnesses ; for they Jiave been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions : according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy good- ness' sake, O Lord. •!• Good and upright is the Lord : there- fore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. ^ All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. % For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity ; for it is great. Hh What man is he that feareth the Lord } him shall he teach in the way tJiat he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease ; and his seed shall inherit the earth. ^ The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him ; and he will shew them his covenant. Psalm XXV. 1-14. § I09 Pefiitence and Pardon. 173 Deliver nie from niy Transgressions. I SAID, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue : I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. Hh I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good ; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned : tJien spake I with mys'tongue. ^ Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is ; tJiat I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth ; and mine age is as nothing before thee : verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. ^ Surely every man walketh in a vain shew : surely they are disquieted in vain : he heapeth up rie/ies, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for,? my hope is in thee. 174 Penitence and Pardon. § no ^ Deliver me from all my transgres- sions : make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth ; because thou didst it. •^ Remove thy stroke away from me : I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth : *b Surely every man is vanity. Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears : for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers zvere. ^ O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more. Psahn xxxix. 1-13. (Due J^uniJreD anu ttwtX) ^rlcctiotu Enter not into Judgment. EAR my prayer, O Lord, give ear to H my supplications : in thy faithful- ness answer me, and in thy righteousness. §110 Penitence and Pardon. 175 *h And enter not into judgment with thy servant : for in thy sight shall no man liv- ing be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul ; he hath smitten my life down to .the ground ; he hath made me to dwell in dark- ness, as those that have been long dead. *h Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate. I remember the days of old ; I meditate on all thy works ; I muse on the work of thy hands. *b I stretch forth my hands unto thee : my soul tJiirstetJi after thee, as a thirsty land. Hear me speedily, O Lord : my spirit faileth : hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. •^ Cause me to hear thy loving-kindness in the morning ; for in thee do I trust : cause me to know the way wherein I should walk ; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine ene- mies : I flee unto thee to hide me. •^ Teach me to do thy will ; for thou art my God : thy Spirit is good ; lead me into the land of uprightness. 176 Penitence and Pardon. §111 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake : for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. Psalm cxliii. i-ii. ^\\t l^untjrri) antj Clrbcntl^ ^election* / Hope in Thy Word. AM afflicted very much : quicken me, I O Lord, according unto thy word. "^ Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand : yet do I not forget thy kuv. ^ The wicked have laid a snare for me : yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as a heri- tage for ever : for they are the rejoicing of my heart. "^ I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, eveii unto the end. I hate vain thoughts : but thy law do I love. *h Thou aj't my hiding place and my shield : I hope in thy word. § 1 1 2 Penitence and Pardon. i jy Depart from me, ye evil doers : for I will keep the commandments of my God. ^ Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live : and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe : and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Psalm cxix. 107-117. <^\\t l^untirrD ant) ttorlftlj Selection* ThoiL /last Coveird all their Sin. LORD, thou hast been favorable unto thy land : thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. *i* Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Thou hast taken away all thy wrath : thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger. •^ Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us for ever.? wilt thou draw out thine anger to all gener- ations .? 1/8 Penitence and Pardon. § 113 •^ Wilt thou not revive us again : that thy people may rejoice in thee ? Shew us thy mercy, O Lord, and grant us thy salvation. *b I will hear what God the Lord will speak : for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints : but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him ; that glory may dwell in our land. ^ Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth ; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. ^ Yea the Lord shall give tJiat wJiich is good ; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him ; and shall set iis in the way of his steps. Psalm Ixxxv. 1-13. The Blessedness of Pardon. BLESSED is he zvJiose transgression is forgiven, zvhose sin is covered. *h Blessed is the man unto whom the § 1 1 3 Penitence a?id Pardon. 1 79 Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I. kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. *h For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me : my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. ^ For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found : surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou aj't my hiding place ; thou shalt preserve me from trouble ; thou shalt com- pass me about with songs of deliverance. *h 1 will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go : I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, zvJiicJi have no understanding : whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. ^ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked : i8o Penitence and Pardon. § 114 but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous : ^ And shout for joy, all ye that are up- right in heart. Psalm xxxii. i-ii. ^\\t l^untireu and j?ourteentl) §>ricction» The Righteousness of God ivhicJi is by Faith. 'OW we know that what things soever N' the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law : ►f* That every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law, there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. *b But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being wit- nessed by the law and the prophets ; Even the righteousness of God, zvhieh is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all, and upon all them that believe ; for there is no differ- ence : § 114 Penitence and Pardon. i8t *h For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God ; Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus : *h Whom God hath set forth to be a pro- pitiation, through faith in his blood, to de- clare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God ; To declare, / say, at this time his right- eousness : that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans iii. 19-26. XIV. THE JOY OF RELIGION. ^nt l^unOrco auD jfifttmtl) ^election* T/ie Lord is my ShepJicrd. THE Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ^ He maketh me to lie down in green pastures : he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ^ Yea, though I walk through the val- ley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : For thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. •^ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : Thou anointest my head with oil ; my cup runneth over. §ii6 The Joy of Religion. 183 ^ Surely goodness and mercy shall fol- low me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm xxiii. i-6. Strong Son of God, Iniviortal Love. WHAT shall we then say to these things ? If God be for us who ean be against us ? ^ He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things ? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? // is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth ? *h It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ } shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword } *h As it is written, For thy sake we are 184 The Joy of Religion. §11/ killed all the day long ; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor p'rinci- palities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, ^ Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now unto him that is able to do exceed- ing abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ^ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. Romans viii. 31-39 ; Ephesians iii. 20-21. #ne i^unDrcu antj g)rtjcntccntl) g>election* Trials and Consolations. MANY a time have they afflicted me from my youth, may Israel now say : §11/ The Joy of Religion. 185 *h Many a time have they afflicted me from my youth : yet they have not pre- vailed against me. The ploughers ploughed upon my back : they made long their furrows. *i* The Lord is righteous : he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked. Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Zion. *i* Let them be as the grass ?ipoji the housetops, which withereth afore it grow- eth up : Wherewith the mower filleth not his hand ; nor he that bindeth sheaves his bosom. *h Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of the Lord be upon you : we bless you in the name of the Lord. When the Lord turned again the cap- tivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. *h Then was our mouth filled with laugh- ter, and our tongue with singing : then said they among the heathen. The Lord hath done great things for them. The Lord hath done great things for us ; wJiereof we are glad. 1 86 The Joy of Religion. § 1 1 8 ^ Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. ^ He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing his sheaves ivitJi him. Psabn cxxix., cxxvi. (Dae l^unDreD anu (IBigljterntl) g)election» Be Mindful of His Covenant. GIVE thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. ^ Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name : let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. *b Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth ; ^ O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. § 119 The Joy of Religion. 187 He is the Lord our God ; his judgments are in all the earth. ^ Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word whicJi he commanded to a thou- sand generations. I Chronicles xvi. 8-15. (Dne l^untirei) anti S^\\\tin\\i\^ ^election* Fear not, O Land. FEAR not, O land ; be glad and rejoice : ^ For the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field : for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength. ^ Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God \ For he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, nnd the latter rain in the first month. Hh And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, I S8 The Joy of Religion. § 1 20 and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you. ^ And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you : and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else : and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel ii. 21-27. b Go through, go through the gates ; prepare ye the way of the people ; Cast up, cast up the highway ; gather out the stones ; lift up a standard for the people. § 122 The Joy of Religion. 191 Hh Behold, the Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation Cometh ; Behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. "^ And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord : And thou shalt be called. Sought out, A city not forsaken. isaiah\y:\\. 1-4; 10-12. #ne J^untireti anD ^uienti^rscconti ^rlcctioiu Rejoice in the Lord. REJOICE in the Lord alway : and again I say. Rejoice. ^ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing ; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanks- giving let your requests be made known unto God. "^ And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 192 The Joy of Religio7i. § 123 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things ai'c honest, whatsoever things arc just, w^hatsoever things arc pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things arc of good re- port; ^ If tJiere be any virtue, and if tJiere be any praise, think on these things. Philippians iv. 4-8. The Right eons shall FlourisJi. T is a good thing to give thanks unto / the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High : •^ To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night. Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery ; upon the harp with a solemn sound. *b For thou. Lord, hast made me glad through thy work : I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works ! and thy thoughts are very deep. § 124 The Joy of Religion. 193 ^A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this. When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish ; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever : ^ But thou, Lord, art most high for evermore. The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree : he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ^ Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age ; they shall be fat and flourishing ; ^ To shew that the Lord is upright : he is my rock, and tJiere is no unrighteousness m him. Psalm xdi. 1-8 ; 12-15. ^election* w We Believe and therefore Speak. E having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I be- 194 The Joy of Religion. § 124 lieved, and therefore have I spoken ; we also believe, and therefore speak ; ^ Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanks- giving of many redound to the glory of God. ^ For which cause we faint not ; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more ex- ceeding and eternal weight of glory ; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen : "^ For the things which are seen are temporal ; but the .things which are not seen are eternal. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present yon faultless before the presence of his glory with ex- ceeding joy, *b To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 2 Cor'mthians iv. 13-18 ; Judc 24, 25. § 125 The Joy of Religion. 195 (Due Unmtireti anti 2:iDcnt^=fiftt) ^election* Peace zvith God. THEREFORE being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ : ^ By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and re- joice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribula- tions also : knowing that tribulation work- eth patience ; "^ And patience, experience ; and experi- ence, hope : And hope maketh not ashamed ; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by "the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. ^ For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die : *b Yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, 196 The Joy of Religion. § 126 in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. *h Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son ; ^ Much. more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans v. i-ii. (Due il;untirrt> auD 2:iJDcntv'=6i]ftt) g)elcction» Blessed are They that Dwell iji Thy House. HOW amiable ai'e thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts ! ^ My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord : my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. § 126 The Joy of Religion. 197 *h Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they will be still praising thee. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee ; in whose heart are the ways of them. ^ IV/io passing through the valley of Baca make it a well ; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of tJiem in Zion appeareth before God. ^ O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer : give ear, O God of Jacob. Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. ^ For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield : the Lord will give grace and glory : no good tiling vvdll he withhold from them that walk uprightly. *^ O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. Psalm Ixxxiv. 1-12. XV. TRUST AND CONFIDENCE. God Our Refuge. GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Hh Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ; TJiougJi the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. *b There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved : God shall help her, and that right early. ^ The heathen raged, the kingdoms § 128 Trust and Cojifidence. 199 were moved : he uttered his voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our refuge, ^ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth ; ^ He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder ; he burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God : I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ^ The Lord of hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Psaim xivi. i-n. ^clcctioiu As the Mountains are round about Jerusalem. THEY that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, zvJiicJi cannot be re- moved, but abideth for ever. "^ As the mountains are round about 200 Trust and Confidence. § 128 Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous ; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. ^ Do good, O Lord, unto tJiose tJiat be good, and to tJicvi that are upright in their hearts. As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity : but peace sJuill be upon Israel. ^ The Lord reigncth, he is clothed with majesty ; The Lord is clothed with strength, zvherewitJi he hath girded himself : the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. ^ Thy throne is established of old : thou art from everlasting. The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice ; the floods lift up their waves. *f" The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea^ than the mighty waves of the sea. § 129 Ti'Hst and Confidence. 201 Thy testimonies are very sure : holi- ness becometh Ihine house, O Lord, for ever. Psalm cxxv, 1-5; xciii. 1-5, g)clcction* Be Thou My Strong Rock. IN thee, O Lord, do I put my trust ; let me never be ashamed : deliver me in thy righteousness. ^ Bow down thine ear to me ; deliver me speedily : be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and piy fortress ; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. ^ Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me : for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. ^ I have hated them that regard lying vanities : but I trust in the Lord. 202 Trust and Confidence. § 129 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy : for thou hast considered my trouble ; thou hast known my soul in adversities ; ^ And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy : thou hast set my feet in a large room. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee ; zvJiich thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men ! ►t" Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man : thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the Lord : for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. ^ For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes : nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the Lord, all ye his saints : foi' the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plen- tifully rewardeth the proud doer. Hh Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm .\xxi. i-3 ; 19-24. § 130 Trust and Confidence. 203 O^ne !^untiiTD anU tMixiitiX) ^election* A Shield to all that Trust Thee. /J S for God, his way is perfect : the "^^ word of the Lord is tried : ►^ He is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the Lord ? or who is a rock save our God ? ^I^ // is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' /rr/, and setteth me upon my high places. ^ He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation : and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. ^ Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that fny feet did not slip. The Lord liveth ; and blessed be my Rock ; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. Hh It is God that avengeth me, and sub- dueth the people under me. 204 Trust and Confidence. § 131 He delivereth me from mine enemies : yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me : thou hast delivered me from the violent man. "^ Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Great deliverance giveth he to his king ; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. Psalm xviii. 30-36, 46-50. Preserve My Soul. BOW down thine ear, O Lord, hear me : for I ajn poor and needy. Preserve my soul ; for I a?n holy : ^ O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord * for I cry unto thee daily. ^Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to §131 Trust and Confidence. 205 forgive ; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. ^ Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer ; and attend to the voice of my supplica- tions. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee : for thou wilt answer me. *b Among the gods tJicre is none like unto thee, O Lord ; neither are tJiere any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord ; and shall glorify thy name. •^ For thou art great, and doest won- drous things : thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord ; I will walk in thy truth : unite my heart to fear thy name. "^ I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart : and I will glorify thy name for evermore. Psalm Ixxxvi. 1-12. 2o6 Trust and Confidence. § 132 ^wt J^uuDrcD auD 2:i)iit^=sfecont) ^election* TJie Lord is on Our Side. UNTO thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. "^ Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress ; So our eyes ivait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us. ^ Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us : for we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud. *i* If it had not becji the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say ; If // had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us : *b Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us : Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul : § 133 Trust and Confidence. 207 ^ Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. ^ Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm cxxiii.-cxxiv. (Dne i^unDreH anu 2:i)irti^=tt)iro ^election* / Waited Patiently for the Lord. I WAITED patiently for the Lord ; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. *b And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God : many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 208 Trust and Confidence. § 133 ^ Many, O Lord my God, are thy won- derful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts ivhicJi are to us-ward : They cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee : if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be num- bered. *h Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire ; mine ears hast thou opened : burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come : in the volume of the book // is written of me, ^ I delight to do thy will, O my God : yea thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation : lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. *i* I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart ; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation : I have not concealed thy loving-kindness and thy truth from the great congregation. *h Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord : let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Psalm xl. i-ii. § 134 Trust and Confidence. 209 ^election* / Jiave Trusted in Thy Mercy. HOW long wilt thou forget me, O Lord ? for ever ? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me ? *b How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily ? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me ? Consider and hear me, O Lord my God : lighten mine eyes, lest I sleejo the sleep of death ; ^ Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him ; and those that trouble me re joice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy ; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. *b I will sing unto the Lord, because Ik: hath dealt bountifully with me. The Lord hear thee in the day of trou- ble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; ^ Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion ; 2IO Trust and Confidence. § I35 Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice ; ^ Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up oilt banners : the Lord fulfil all thy peti- tions. ^ Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed ; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in hbrses : but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. •^ They are brought down and fallen : but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, Lord : let the king hear us when we call. Psahns \\\\. i-6 ; xx, 1-9. Thou Kneivest My Path. CRIED unto the Lord with my voice ; I with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. § 136 Trust and Confidence. 2 1 1 •^ I poured out my complaint before him ; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed with- in me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. ^ I looked on my right hand, and be- held, but tJicre zvas no man that would know me : refuge failed me ; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O Lord : I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. ^ Attend unto my cry ; for I am brought very low : deliver me from my persecutors ; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name : ^ The righteous shall compass me about ; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. Psalm cxlii. 1-7. ^\\t l^unDrrt! anu ^ijirt^^^sij'tl) ^election. /;/ His Favour is L ife. I WILL extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 212 Trust and Confidence. § 136 ^ O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave : thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. *b Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.' For his anger cndiireth but a moment ; in his favour is life : *b Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comet Ji in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. "^ Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong : Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. ►t« I cried to thee, O Lord ; and unto the Lord I made supplication. What profit is their in my blood, when I go down to the pit } Shall the dust praise thee "i shall it declare thy truth } *i* Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me : Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing : thou hast put off my sack- § 137 Trust and Confidence. 213 cloth, and girded me with gladness ; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. ^O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. p.aUn xxx. 1-12. Thou Makest Me Dwell in Safety. HEAR me when I call, O God of my righteousness : thou hast enlarged me ivJicn I was in distress ; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. Hh O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame } Jioiv long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing } But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. ^ Stand in awe, and sin not : commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord. ^ There be many that say. Who will shew 214 Trust and Confidence. § 138 us any good ? Lord, lift thou up the Hght of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness m my heart, more than m the time tJiat their corn and their wine increased. ^ I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep : for thou. Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm iv. i-8- ^election* Under the SJiadow of the Almighty. HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. *h I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress : my God ; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, a?id from the noisome pestilence. *h He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. ' Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror § 138 Trust and Confidence, 215 by night ; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; ^ Nor for the pestilence tJiat walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand ; but it shall not come nigh thee. ^ Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord ivhich is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation ; ^ There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. ^ They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder : the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. *^ Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him : I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer 2l6 Ti'iLSt and Confidence. § 139 him ; I ivill be with him in trouble , I will deliver him, and honour him. >h With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalm xci. 1-16. g)flcction* The Rock that is Higher than I. HEAR my cry, O God ; attend unto my prayer. •^ From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed : lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. *h I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows : thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. *i* Thou wilt prolong the king's life : and his years as many generations. He shall abide before God for ever : O prepare mercy and truth, zuhich may pre- serve him. § 140 Trust and Confidence. 217 *b So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. Psalm Ixi. i-8. ^wt l^untirctJ anu ifortictl) Selection* / shall not be Moved. TRULY my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. ^ He only is my rock and my salvation ; Jie /> my defence ; I shall not be greatly moved. How long will ye imagine mischief against a man.? ye shall be slain all of you : as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. ^ They only consult to cast Jiim down from his excellency : they delight in lies : they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. My soul, wait thou only upon God ; for my expectation is from him. •^ He only is my rock and my salvation : he is my defence ; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory : the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 2i8 Trust and Confidence. § 141 *b Trust in him at all times ; ye people, pour out your heart before him : God is a refuge for us. Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie : to be laid in the balance, they are altogether ligJiter than vanity. •^ Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery : if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. God hath spoken once : twice have I heard this ; that power belongeth unto God. ^ Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy : for thou renderest to every man according to his work. Psalm Ixii. 1-12. (Due l^unDret) ani3 jfoit^=fir0t g)eleftion* The Lord is Thy Keeper. WILL lift up mine eyes unto the hills, I from whence cometh my help. >b My help conicth from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : he that keepeth thee will not slumber. § 142 Tnist and Confidence. 219 ^ The Lord is thy keeper : the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. •^ The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil : he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm cxxi. i-8. (Due l^untirrD anJ) Jforti^^seconu ^rlcction* Is not God in the Height of Heaven ? IS not God in the height of heaven .? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are ! *b And thou sayest. How doth God know } can he judge through the dark cloud 1 Thick clouds aj'e a covering to him, that he seeth not ; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven. *h Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden "i 220 Trust and Confidence. § 142 Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood : ^ Which said unto God, Depart from us : and what can the Almighty do for them ? Yet he filled their houses with good tilings: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me. ^ The righteous see it, and are glad : and the innocent laugh them to scorn. Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth. ^ Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace : thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart. ^ If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. ^ Yea, the Almighty shall be thy de- fence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver. For then shalt thou have thy delight in § 143 Trust and Confidence. 221 the Almighty, and shalt Uft up thy face unto God. ^ Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee : and the light shall shine upon thy ways. "^ When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, TJiere is lifting up ; and he shall save the humble person. He shall deliver the island of the inno- cent : and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands. Job xxii. 12-30. He BeJwldeth all the Sous of Men. THE Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. ^ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. He fashioneth their hearts alike ; he considereth all their works. 222 TiiLst and Confidence. § 144 '^ There is no king saved by the multi- tude of an host : a mighty man is not dehvered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety : neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. *b Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy ; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. ^ Our soul waiteth for the Lord : he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, be- cause we have trusted in his holy name. ^ Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee. Psalm xxxiii. 13-22. #ne J^tintjrrli anu i?ort^- fotirtl) g>clcction* A Prayer in Trouble. EAR my prayer, O Lord, and let my H cry come unto thee. ^ Hide not thy face from me in the day zvhen I am in trouble ; incline thine ear § 144 Tnist and Confidcjtce. 223 unto me : in the day zvhcn I call, answer me speedily. When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory. *b He will regard the prayer of the desti- tute, and not despise their prayer. This shall be written for the generation to come : and the people which shall be created shall praise the Lord. ^ For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary ; from heaven did the Lord behold the earth ; To hear the groaning of the prisoner ; to loose those that are appointed to death ; ^ To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem ; When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. *b He weakened my strength in the way ; he shortened my days. I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days : thy years are throughout all generations. *^ Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth : and the heavens arc the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure : 224 Trust and Co7ifidence. § 145 yea, all of them shall wax old like a gar- ment; as a vestm*e shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed : •^ But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end. The children of thy servants shall con- tinue, and their seed shall be established before thee. Psalm cii. 1-2, 16-28. My Fortress and My Deliverer. WILL love thee, O Lord, my strength. I ^ The Lord is my rock, and my for- tress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust ; My buckler, and the horn of my salva- tion, and my high tower. ►P I will call upon the Lord, zvJio is zvortJiy to be praised : so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness ; according to the clean- ness of my hands hath he recompensed me. § 145 Trust and Confidence. 225 *b For I have kept theHvays of the Lord, and have not wickedly dq^arted from my God. For all his judgments zvcre before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. •^ I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, accord- ing to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. ^ With the merciful thou wilt shew thy- self merciful ; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright ; With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure ; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward. ^ For thou wilt save the afflicted people ; but wilt bring down high looks. For thou wilt light my candle : the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. Psalm xviii. 1-3, 20-28. 226 Trust and Confidence. § 146 (Dne l^untireD auD i?ort^=0trtl) ^election* Happy is that People Whose God is the Lord. BLESSED be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight : ^ My goodness, and my fortress ; my high tower, and my deHverer ; my shield, and lie in whom I trust ; who subdueth my people under me. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him ! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him ! •i^ Man is like to vanity : his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Bow thy heavens, O Lord, and come down : touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. *b Cast forth lightning, and scatter them : shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. Send thine hand from above ; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children ; ^ Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and § 146 Trust and Confidence. 22 J their right hand is a right hand of false- hood. I will sing a new song unto thee, O God : upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. ^ // is Jie that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood : >b That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth ; tJiat our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace : TJiat our garners may be full, affording all manner of store ; tJiat our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets : ^ That our oxen may be strong to labour ; that there be no breaking in, nor going out ; that there be no complaining in our streets. Happy is that people, that is in such a case : yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord. Psalm cxliv. 1-15. XVI. COURAGE AND HOPE. #ne J^unUteJ) anu ifort^^s^rbentti ^election* The Armour of God. F^INALLY, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ^ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ^ Wherefore take unto you the whole ar- mour of God, that ye may be able to with- stand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast- plate of righteousness ; § 148 Courage mid Hope. 229 *h And your feet shod with the prepara- tion of the gospel of peace ; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ^ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God : Praying always with all prayer and sup- plication in the Spirit, and watching there- unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Epkesians vi. 10-18. Be of Good Courage. 'HE Lord is my light and my salva- T' tion ; whom shall I fear ? •^ The Lord is the strength of my life ; of whom shall I be afraid ? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. ^ Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war 230 Courage and Hope. § 148 should rise asrainst me, in this will I be confident. One tJdng have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after ; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. ^ For in- the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion : in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me ; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me : there- fore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; *b I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord. Hear, O Lord, ivhen I cry with my voice : have mercy also upon me, and answer me. ^ When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face /^?r from me ; put not thy servant away in anger : thou hast been my help ; leave m.e not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. § 149 Courage and Hope. 231 ^ When my father and my mother for- £.ike me, then the Lord will take me up. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. •^ Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies : for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. / had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. •^ Wait on the Lord : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm xxvii. 1-14, Hope in God. JUDGE me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation : ^ O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength : why dost thou cast me off.'' why go I 232 Coiu'age and Hope. § 149 mourning because of the oppression of the enemy ? *b O send out thy light and thy truth : let them lead me ; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy : ^ Yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul .'' and why art thou disquieted within me.'' hope in God : *b For I shall yet praise him wJio is the health of my countenance, and my God. Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty : ^ Neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted my- self, as a child that is weaned of his mother : my soul is even as a weaned child. "^ Let Israel hope in the Lord from henceforth and for ever. Psalms xliii. 1-5 ; cxxxi. 1-3. § 150 Courage and Hope. 233 (Due J^tmUreli anti jfiftict^ g>elcction* Watch and Be Sober, BUT of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. ^ For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape. ^ But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day : we are not of the night, nor of darkness. ^ Therefore let us not sleep, as do others ; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night ; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. Hh But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith 234 Coverage and Hope. § 151 and love ; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ^ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. I Thessalonians v, i-io. Ahvays Coiifident. THEREFORE we are always confi- dent, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord : ^ (For we walk by faith, not by sight :) We are confident, / say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. ^ Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For the love of Christ constraineth us ; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead : §151 Co Ullage and Hope. 235 >h And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh : *h Yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature : >h Old things are passed away ; behold, all things are become new. And all things a?'e of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, *i* And hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation ; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconcil- ing the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them ; *h And hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech j'o?i by us : we pray j/6>;/ in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. *b For he hath made him to be sin for 236 Courage and Hope. § 152 us, who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Corinthians v. 6-9, 14-21. Let us Rjiii ivith Patience. WHEREFORE, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset lis, •^ And let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and fin- isher of our faith ; ^ Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. "^ Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. § 152 Courage and Hope. 237 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him : ^ For whom the Lord loveth he chast- eneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Now no chastening for the present seem- eth to be joyous, but grievous : nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exer- cised thereby. •i^ Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees ; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way ; but let it rather be healed. •^ Follow peace with all vien, and holi- ness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Hebrews xii. i-6, 11-14. 238 Co wage and Hope. § i53 O^ne i^untjrei) auD i?ift\?^tt)iru ^election* Grace to Help in Time of Need. THERE remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered mto his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. *h Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and power- ful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and mar- row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. *h Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight : but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, *i* Let us hold fast o?ir profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our § 154 Courage mid Hope. 239 infirmities ; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. ^ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews iv. 9-16. (Due l^untircD anU fiXv^^itAxiiX) ^election* The Neiv Covejiant. THIS is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord ; I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them ; ►I* And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now, where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. ^ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh ; '^ And Jiaving an high priest over the house of God ; 240 Courage and Hope. § 155 Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ^ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering ; for he is faithful that promised : And let us consider one another to pro- voke unto love, and to good works : ^ Not forsaking the assembling of our- selves together, as the manner of some is ; But exhorting one another ; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews x. 16-25. ^m J^unOrctJ anti j?iftv'=fiftl) ^election* / shall yet Praise Hint. AS the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. *h My soul thirstcth for God, for the living God : when shall I come and appear before God "^ My tears have been my meat day and § 155 Courage and Hope. 241 night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God ? *b When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me : for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holy- day. Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and 2vhy art thou disquieted in me ? hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise himfor the help of his countenance. *h O my God, my soul is cast down with- in me : therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Her- monites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts : all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. *h Yet the Lord will command his lov- ing-kindness in the day-time, and in the night his song shall be with me, a7id my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me .'' why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy .? *h As with a sword in my bones, mine 242 Courage and Hope. § 156 enemies reproach me ; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God ? Why art thou cast down, O my soul ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? hope thou in God : for I shall yet praise him, wJw is the health of my countenance, and my God. o Psalm xlii. i-ii. (J^ne l^unDretJ auD j?ifti!=0i]ftlj ^election* Forget not the Lord. ALL the commandments which I com- mand thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers. ^ Therefore thou shalt keep the com- mandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the Lord thy God bringeth thee in- to a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains, and depths that spring out of valleys and hills ; *h A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig-trees, and pomegranates, a land of oil-olive, and honey ; § 156 Courage and Hope. 243 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any tJiing in it ; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass. ►I^When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee. Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his command- ments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day : ^ Lest ivJien thou hast eaten, and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt ///^;y/;/ ; And ivJien thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multi- plied ; *b Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage ; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, ivherein ivere fiery ser- pents, and scorpions, and drought, where tJiere ivas no water : 244 Courage and Hope. § i57 >b Who brought thee forth water out of the rock of fiint ; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end : "^ And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God : for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. Deuteronomy viii. i, 6-18. Keep His Commandments. THEREFORE thou shalt love the Lord thy God, '^ And keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always. And it shall come to pass, if ye shall § 157 Courage and Hope. 245 hearken diligently unto my commandments which. I command you this day, ^To love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. That I will give yo2L the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou may est gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. ^ And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them ; ►I< And then the Lord's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit ; And lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the Lord giveth you. ^ Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul. And bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. HhAnd ye shall teach them your chil- 246 Courage and Hope. § 158 dren, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou Uest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door post of thine house, and upon thy gates : Hh That your days may be multipHed, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. Deuteronomy xi. i, 13-21. (Due l^untirrD anu j?iftv=cigl)tl) g>clcction* TJie Blessings of Obedience. ND it shall come to pass, if thou shalt A^ hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day : ►I^That the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth : And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God. § 158 Courage and Hope. 247 •^ Blessed sJialt thou be in the city, and blessed slialt thou be in the field. Blessed sJiall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. "^ Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed sJialt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shall thou be when thou goest out. ^ The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face : They shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. ^ The Lord shall command the bless- ing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto : And he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. ^ The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, If thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in his ways. 248 Courage and Hope. § i59 ^ And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the Lord ; and they shall be afraid of thee. Deuteronomy xxviii. i-io. #ne J^unHreD ant) fiXv^AxmS) Selection* A Vozv of Service. WILL smg of mercy and judgment: I unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. ^ I will behave myself wisely in a per- fect way. O when wilt thou come unto me t I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes : I hate the work of them that turn aside ; it shall not cleave to me. "^ A froward heart shall depart from me : I will not know a wicked person. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off : him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer. ^ Mine eyes sJiall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me : He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me. ^ He that worketh deceit shall not dwell § i6o Courage and Hope. 249 -•within my house : he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land ; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. Psalm ci. i-8. (Dne l^uiiDreD auD g)i]i:tietl) ^election* A Vozv Performed and Rewarded. LORD, remember David, and all his afflictions : Hh How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob ; Surely I will not come into the taber- nacle of my house, nor go up into my bed; •^ I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyelids, Until I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. ^ Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah : we found it in the fields of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles : we will worship at his footstool. ^ Arise, O Lord, into thy rest ; thou, and the ark of thy strength. 250 CoiLvage and Hope. § 160 Let thy priests be clothed with right» eousness ; and let thy saints shout for joy. ^ For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. The Lord hath sworn /;/ truth unto David ; he will not turn from it ; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. *I< If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them ; their children also shall sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; he hath desired it for his habitation. *t" This is my rest for ever : here will I dwell ; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread. ^ I will also clothe her priests with sal- vation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud : I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. HP His enemies will I clothe with shame : but upon himself shall his crown flourish. Psalm, cxxxii. 1-18. XVII. SERVICE AND REWARD. Good Resolutions. JUDGE me, O Lord ; for I have walked in mine integrity : I have trusted also in the Lord ; tJiercfore I shall not slide. •i^ Examine me, O Lord, and prove me ; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes : and I have walked in thy truth. ^ I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers ; and will not sit with the wicked. ^ I will wash mine hands in inno- cency : so will I compass thine altar, O Lord : That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. ►J< Lord, I have loved the habitation of 252 Service and Rezvard. § 162 thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men : ^ In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity : redeem me, and be merciful unto me. ^ My foot standeth in an even place : in the congregations will I bless the Lord. Psalm xxvi. 1-12. (0ne l^unureu ant) ^irt\?'S?econi3 g)clcction» An Up rig J It Character. LORD, who shall abide in thy taber- nacle } who shall dwell in thy holy hill .? *h He that walketh uprightly, and work- eth righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. § 163 Service and Reivard. 253 •^ In whose eyes a vile person is con- temned ; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to Jiis ozun hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. *h He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Psahn XV. 1-5. o^ne C^untircu ant) g)irti'=tljut) g)rlrftion* Praise of a Good Life. A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. ^ The rich and poor meet together : the Lord is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself : but the simple pass on, and are punished. *b By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward : he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. 254 Service a?id Reivard. § 164 ^ Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. ^ He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity : and the rod of his anger shall fail. He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed ; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. ^ Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out ; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. ^ The eyes of the Lord preserve knowl- edge, and he overthrovveth the words of the trans2:ressor. &' Proverbs xxii. 1-12. #ne l^uniDrcD anti §)irtv^^fourtl; g>rlcction. T TJic Reivard of Righteousness. HE Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness ; according to the § 164 Service and Reward. 255 cleanness of my hands hath he recom- pensed me. •^ For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments zvere before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. ^ I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness ; accord- ing to my cleanness in his eyesight. ^ With the merciful thou wilt shew thy- self merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright. . With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury. ^ And the ai^icted people thou wilt save : but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring tJievi down. For thou art my lamp, O Lord : and the Lord will lighten my darkness. 2 Samuel xxii. 21-29. 256 Service and Rezuard. § 165 ^nt l^unOrcD anu ^tvti^ fiftt) ^election* The Tivo Paths. ENTER not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. ^ Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief ; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. >{*• For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. "^ The way of the wicked is as darkness : they know not at what they stumble. My son, attend to my words ; incline thine ear unto my sayings. *^ Let them not depart from thine eyes ; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. ^ Keep thy heart with all diligence ; for out of it are the issues of life. § 1 66 Service and Reward. 257 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. ^ Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. ^Turn not to the right hand nor to the left : remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs iv. 14-27. Trust in tJie Lord and Do Good, PRET not thyself because of evil doers, A neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. ^ For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. ^ Delight thyself also in the Lord ; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord ; trust also in him ; and he shall bring it to pass. 258 Service and Reivard. § 167 '^ And he shall bring forth thy righteous- ness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him : fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. ^ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath : fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evil doers shall be cut off : but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. ^ For yet a little while, and the wicked sJiall not be : yea, thou shalt diligently con- sider his place, and it sJiall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth ; and shall delight themselves in the abun- dance of peace. Psalm xxxvii. i-ii. The Happy Man. BLESSED is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. § 1 68 Service and Reward. 259 "^ But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season ; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. ^ The ungodly are not so : but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congre- gation of the righteous. ►I* For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous : but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm i. 1-6. (J^ne J^untjrrU anti g^irt^^cigtjtl) ^election* TJie Steps of a Good Man. 'HE steps of a good man are ordered T by the Lord : and he delighteth in his way. •^ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down : for the Lord upholdeth him with- his hand. 26o Sei'vicc and Rezvard. § 169 I have been young, and now am old ; yet have 1 not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. *I< He is ever merciful, and lendeth ; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. ^ For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints ; They are preserved for ever : but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. •i^ The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judg- ment. ^ The law of his God is in his heart ; none of his steps shall slide. Psalm xxxvii. 23-31. TJie Righteous shall Endure. PRAISE ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that de- lighteth greatly in his commandments. § 169 Service mid Rezvai^d. 261 *i* His seed shall be mighty upon earth : the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house : and his righteousness endureth for ever. *i^ Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness : he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. A good man sheweth favour, and lend- eth : he will guide his affairs with discre- tion. *b Surely he shall not be moved for ever : the righteous shall be in everlasting re- membrance. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings : his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. *h His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desii^e upon his enemies. He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor ; ^ His righteousness endureth for ever ; his horn shall be exalted with honour. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved ; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away : the desire of the wicked shall periSll. Psalm cxii. i-io. 262 Service and Reward. §170 O^nr l^iuxDrcD ano ^ctimttetl; S)elcction* Judgment according to Truth. THEREFORE thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art, that judgest : for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself ; for thou that judgest, doest the same things. *b But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God.-' *b Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness, and forbearance, and long-suffer- ing ; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance .'* But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God ; ^ Who will render to every man accord- ing to his deeds : To them who by patient continuance in § I /I Service and Rezvard. 263 well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality ; eternal life : *i^ But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey un- righteousness ; indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil ; of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile ; ^ But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good ; to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile. Romans ii. i-io. The Vanity of Riches. HEAR this, all ye people ; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world : ^ Both low and high, rich and poor, to- gether. My mouth shall speak of wisdom ; and the meditation of my heart sJiall be of understanding. •^ I will incline mine ear to a parable : I will open my dark saying upon the harp. They that trust in their wealth, and 264 Service and Rezuard. § 171 boast themselves in the multitude of their riches ; *h None of them can by any means re- deem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him : For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. *i* Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling-places to all generations ; they call tJieir lands after their own names. Nevertheless man being in honour abid- eth not : he is like the beasts tJiat perish. •^ Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is in- creased ; For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away : his glory shall not descend after him. '^ Though while he lived he blessed his soul, (and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself,) He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light. ^ Man tJiat is in honour, and understand- eth not, is like the beasts that perish. Psalm xlix. 1-4, 6, 7, 10-12, 16-20. § 1/2 Service and Reward. 265 #nr l^untirca anu ^ctirntv^=0cconu g>clrction» 77/^ Fulfilling of the Law. RENDER therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; cus- tom to whom custom ; fear to whom fear ; honour to whom honour. ^ Owe no man anything, but to love one another : for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt not covet ; and if tJiere be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ^ Love worketh no ill to his neigh- bour : therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep : ^ For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand : 266 Service a7id Rczvard. § 173 let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. •^ Let us walk honestly, as in the day : not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Ro?nans xiii. 7-14. (Dne l^unurru anu g>rt)rnt^=tl)irt) ^election* Acceptable Sacrifice. L^T^j^;/;- conversation be without covet- ousness ; ajid be content with such things as ye have : for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ^ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God : whose faith follow, consider- ing the end of their conversation : § 1/3 Service and Rezvard. 267 Hh Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines : for it is a good thing that the heart be estabhshed with grace ; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. •^ We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. ^ Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him with- out the camp, bearing his reproach. ^ For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacri- fice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. ^ But to do good, and to communicate, forget not : for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews xiii. 5-16. 268 Service and Rezvard. § 174 #ne J^unnrcU anti g)et3cnt^=fourtl) §)rlection* TJie Proof of Our Ministry. WE then, as workers together with him, beseech yon also that ye re- ceive not the grace of God in vain. ►f* (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee : behold, now is the accepted time ; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed : ^ But in all tilings approving our- selves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings ; ►f" By pureness, by knowledge, by long- suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, § 174 Service and Rcivard. 269 ^ By honour and dishonour, by evil re- port and good report ; as deceivers, and yet true ; As unknown, and yet well known ; as dying, and behold, we live ; as chastened, and not killed ; "^ As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing ; as poor, yet making many rich ; as having nothing, ^nd yet possessing all things. 2 Co7-wtIiians vi. i-io. XVIII. LOVE AND BROTHERHOOD. The Peace of Jerusalevi. I WAS glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. ►J^ Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together : ^i^ Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. "^ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and pros- perity within thy palaces. ^ For my brethren and companions' § 1/6 Love and BrotJicrJiood. 271 sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. ^ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity ! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard : that went down to the skirts of his garments ; ^ As the dew of Hermon, and as the deiv that descended upon the mountains of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. Psalm cxxii. 1-9 ; cxxxiii. 1-3. Unity in Christ. I THEREFORE, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk wor- thy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, ^ With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; 2/2 Love and BrotJicrJiood. § 176 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ^ TJierc is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. *b Wherefore he saith, When he as- cended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth } •^ He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors and teachers ; *b For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ : Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ : § 1/7 Love and Brotherhood. 273 *b That we hcncefortJi be no more chil- dren, tossed to and fro,- and carried about with every wind of doctrine. By the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive : ^ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ : From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians iv. 1-4, 7-16. ^election* TJlc Greatest of These is Charity. THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. ^ And though I have the gift of proph- ecy, and understand all mysteries, and all 2/4 Love and BrotJierhood. § 177 knowledge ; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. ^ Charity suffereth long, and is kind ; charity envieth not ; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seek- eth not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil ; Hh Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth ; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. ^ Charity never faileth : But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail ; whether tJiere be tongues, they shall cease ; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. ^ For we know in part, and we proph- esy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. § 178 Love and BrotJierhood. ^ 275 ^ When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child : But when I became a man, I put away childish things. "^ For now we see through a glass, darkly ; but then face to face : Now I know in part ; but then shall I know even as also I am known. •^ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three ; but the greatest of these is charity. I Corinthians xiii. 1-13. g)flcction» Love is of God. BELOVED, let us love one another: for love is of God ; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. "^ He that loveth not knoweth not God ; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 276 Love and BrotJicrJiood. § 178 ^ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. ^ No man hath seen God at any time. If we love another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ^ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. ^ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. *^ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judg- ment : because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casteth out fear : because fear hath § 1/9 Love and Brotherhood. 277 torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. •i^ We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen 1 •^ And this commandment have we from him. That he who loveth God, love his brother also. I JoJvt iv. 7-21. O^ne II^tmlirrD anti ^ctjcnt^.nint!) ^election, TJie Sons of God. BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God : ^ Therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: ^ But we know that, when he shall ap- 2^*^ Love and BrotJierJiood. § 179 pear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue ; but in deed and in truth, *h And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts be- fore him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. ^ Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. ^ And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. ^ And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. I John. iii. 1-3, 18-24. § i8o Love and Brotherhood. 279 ^\\t HpuntirrD antj Ctgljticti; ^election* Members One of Another. FOR as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office : ^ So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let 71s prophesy according to the proportion of faith ; ^ Or ministry, let ns zuait on onr minis- tering ; or he that teacheth, on teaching ; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation : he that giveth, let him do it with simplic- ity ; he that ruleth, with diligence ; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. ^ Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil ; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love ; in honour preferring one another. *h Not slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord ; 28o Love and BrotJierhood. § i8o Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribula- tion ; continuing instant in prayer ; ^ Distributing to the necessity of saints ; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you : bless, and curse not. "^ Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. ^ Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. •^ Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath : for it is written. Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him ; if he thirst, give him drink : for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. *h Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Rotnans xW. ^^-^i. XIX. COUNSELS OF PERFECTION. (Due l^unUret) anti €i^\MSt^t ^tltaioxu TJie Blessings of Jcsiis. BLESSED arc the poor in sjDirit : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ►I^ Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted. Blessed a7'e the meek : for they shall in- herit the earth. ^ Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness : for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful : for they shall obtain mercy. ^ Blessed are the pure in heart : for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers : for they shall be called the children of God. "^ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake : for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 282 Counsels of Perfection. § 182 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute yon, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ^ Rejoice, and be exceeding glad : for great is your reward in heaven : for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. . st Mattheiu v. 3-12. (Due i^unUrcD (Bigljt^ 0rconD g>elcctiou* TJie Life of Jesns in Us. FOR we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord ; ^ And ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shincd in our hearts, ^ To give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. *i* We are troubled on every side, yet § 1 83 Counsels of Perfection. 283 not distressed ; zve ai-e perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but not destroyed ; ^ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. ^ r. ■ ,, ■ ■ 2 Con/it/iiai/s IV. 5-1 1, ane l^untirrti and CiglKintljirti g)rlmion. T/ie Mind of Christ. TF there be therefore any consolation in J- Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, ^Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like- mmded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 284 Counsels of Perfection. § 183 ^ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus : *^ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men : ^ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name : ^ That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of tilings in heaven, and things in earth, and tilings under the earth ; And tJiat every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians ii. i-ii. § 184 Counsels of Perfection. ' 285 (Bm i^unDrcD anu €i%\M4onvt\) Selection* Follozv That Which is Good. SEE that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. *h Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceas- ing. In every thing give thanks : for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ^ Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good. ^ Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly ; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ►^ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. I Thessaloiiians v. 15-24. 286 ' Coimsels of Perfection. § 185 ^m ^unDret) ant) CBigtjt^^fiftl) g^electioiu Be Not Weary in Well Doing. BRETHREN, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness ; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. '^ Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be some- thing, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. *b But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own bur- den. *b Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived ; God is not mocked : for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ^ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption ; § 1 86 Counsels of Perfection. ' 287 But he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. ^ And let us not be weary in well doing : for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all incji, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians vi. i-io. (Due J^untircti anu dDigljti^.sirtl; ^election* Truth y Peace y Purity, Forgiveness. WHEREFORE putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour : ^ For we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not : let not the sun go down upon your wrath : ^ Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more : ^ But rather let him labour, working with Jiis hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, 288 Counsels of Per'fcction. § 187 ^ But that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of re- demption. '•h Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice : And be ye kind one to another, tender- hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians iv. 25-32. ^election* TJie Children of Light. YE are all the children of light, and the ■ children of the day : we are not of the night, nor of darkness. *h Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but-let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night ; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. § 1 88 Counsels of Perfection. 289 *h But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love ; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ►t* Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 1 Thessalonians v. 5-10. (Due l^untirfti ano Cigljt^^eigljtl) ^election. Let Us Glory in the Lorel. WHERE is the wise? where is the scribe ? where is the disputer of this world ? *b Hath not God made foolish the wis- dom of this world ? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. *h For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom : 290 Counsels of Perfection. § 188 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbUng-block^^and unto the Greeks fooHshness ; ^ But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men ; •^ And the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called : *h But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise ; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty ; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yeay and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are : ^ That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and right- § 189 Counsels of Perfection. 291 eousness, and sanctification, and redemp- tion : ^ That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. I Corhithians i, 20-31. ^xit l^untircD anD (];igt)t^=nintt) ^election* Accordijig to Christ Jesus. w E then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. *h Let every one of us please his neigh- bour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself ; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. ^ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consola- tion grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus : ^ That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eomans xv. i-6. 292 Counsels of Perfection. § 190 ^\\t J^uuDrco anu j^inetiet^i ^election* Love and Light. MY little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous : *b And he is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for tJie sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. ^h He that saith, I know him, and keep- eth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected : hereby know we that we are in him. ►t He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning : ►I^The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. § IQI Counsels of Perfrction. 293 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you : ^ Because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the Hght, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. ^ He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. I yohn ii. i-ii. ^\\t i^unDrrD auD jl^inrt^ fiirsft g)elrction* Consider Christ. WHEREFORE, holy brethren, par- takers -of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus ; *h Who was faithful to him that ap- pointed him, as also Moses zvas faithful in all his house. 294 Counsels of Perfection. § 191 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house, hath more honour than the house. ^ For every house is builded by some man ; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those . things which were to be spoken after : *b But Christ as a Son over his own house : whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Wherefore, as the Holy Ghost saith, To- day if ye will hear his voice, ^ Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness : When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. ^ Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart ; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. § 19 1 Counsels of Perfection. 295 ^ Take heed, brethren, lest there be m any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day ; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. »J< For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. Hebrews iii. 1-14. I XX. THE RISEN LIFE. Noiv is Christ Risen from the Dead. F in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. "^ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. Hh For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order : Christ the firstfruits ; Hh Afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometJi the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; § 193 The Risen Life. 297 Hh When he shall have put clown all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. ^ The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. ^ But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is ex- cepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto -him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. I Corinthians xv. 19-28. Risen zvitJi Christ. IF ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. *h Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 298 The Risen Life. § 193 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Hr" When Christ, ivJio is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth ; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry : ^ For which things' sake the wrath of God Cometh on the children of disobedi- ence : In the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. ^ But now ye also put off all these ; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds ; >b And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him : Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision. Barba- rian, Scythian, bond nor free : ^ But Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, § 193 The Risen Life, 299 holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kind- ness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long- suffering ; '^ Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any : even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things p7it on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. ^ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body ; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom ; teaching and ad- monishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ^ And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians iii. 1-17. 300 The Risen Life. § I94 S)elcction* In Newness of Life. WHAT shall we say then ? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound ? ^ God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein ? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death ? ^ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death : That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. *^ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also ill the likeness of his resurrection : Knowing this, that our old man is cruci- fied with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. *h For he that is dead is freed from sin. § 195 T^Ji<^ Risen Life. 30 1 Now if we be dead with Christ, we be- lieve that we shall also live with him : ^ Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more ; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once : but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Ro77tans vi. i-io. O^ne l^unUreD auD jl^tnet^=fiftl) ^election* A Lively LLope. BLESSED he the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which accord- ing to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again into a lively hope by the resur- rection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ^ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, re- served in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. *h Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations : 302 The Risen Life. § 196 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ : ^ Whom, having not seen, ye love ; in whom, though now ye see Jmn not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory : Receiving the end of your faitH, even the salvation of yotw souls. "^ Now unto the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. I Peter i. 3-9; 1 Timothy i. 17. The Victory over DeatJi. NOW this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the king- dom of God ; neither doth corruption in- herit incorruption. ^ Behold, I shew you a mystery ; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, § 196 The Risen Life. 303 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incor- ruptible, and we shall be changed. ^ For this corruptible must put on incor- ruption, and this mortal urnst put on im- mortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written. Death is swallowed up in victory. ^ O death, where is thy sting .? O grave, where is thy victory .'' The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is the law. ^ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord, I Corinthians xv. 50-58. 304 The Risen Life. § 197 g)elcction* Our House WJiieh is from Heaven. FOR we know that if our earthly house of tJiis tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. "^ For in this we groan, earnestly desir- ing to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven : If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. ^ For we that are in tJiis tabernacle do groan, being burdened : Not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. ^ Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore ive are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord : ►I^ (For we walk by faith, not by sight :) § 198 TJic Risen Life. 305 We are confident, / say, and v/illing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. .^Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 2 Corinthians v. 1-9. ^election* The Blessedness of tJie Redeemed. AFTER this I beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could num- ber, of all nations, and kindreds, and peo- ple, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands ; ^ And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, '^ Saying, Amen : Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, 306 ^ he Risen Life. § 198 and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are ar- rayed in white robes t and whence came they.? And I said unto him. Sir, thou knowest. ^ And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple : and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. ^ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more ; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters : and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. ^"velation vii. 9-17, § 199 ^^^^ ^^^'^^^ ^^f^- ^^^ <^m l^unureu anti jlimet^^nintl) g)clcction. The Holy City. AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth : ^ For the first heaven and the first earth were passed away ; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Je- rusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ►I^And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself snail be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things have passed away. ►p And I saw no temple therein : for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 3o8 The Risen Life. § 200 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it : for the glory of God did Hghten it, and the Lamb is the Ught thereof. ►t" And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it : and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day : for there shall be no night there. •^ And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither zvhatsoever worketh abomination, or niaketJi a lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Revelation xxi. 1-4, 22-27. 2:u)o i^tintireDtl) ^tXtnmx. 771 e Rive?' of Water of Life. AND he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, pro- ceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, § 200 The Risen Life. 309 ^ In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, zvas there the tree of life, Which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: *b And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse : but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it ; "^ And his servants shall serve him : and they shall see his face ; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there ; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun ; ^ For the Lord God giveth them light : and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me. These sayings are faithful and true: ^ And the Lord God of the holy proph- ets sent his angel to shew unto his ser- vants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 3IO The Risen Life. § 200 *b And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation xxii. 1-7, 17, INDEX OF BIBLE PASSAGES. PASSAGE SELECTION PAGE Deut. viii. i, 6-18 156 242 xi. I, 13-21 157 244 xxviii. i-io 158 246 xxxii. 1-12 41 64 2 Sam. xxii. 21-29 164 254 I Chron. xvi. 8-15 1 18 186 23-36 ..... 4 4 Job xi. 7-18 50 78 xxii. 12-30 142 219 xxviii. 1 2-28 52 81 Psalm i. 1-6 167 258 ii- 1-12 58 91 ^v- 1-8 137 213 V. 1-8; II, 12 48 75 viii. 1-9 12 18 xiii. 1-6 134 209 XV. 1-5 162 252 xvi. l-ll 120 189 xviii. 1-3; 20-28 145 224 30-36; 46-50 130 203 xix. 1-14 17 26 XX. 1-9 134 209 ^i- 1-7; 31 32 51 xxii. 22-13 44 68 xxiii. 1-6 115 182 3" 312 Index of Bible Passages. PASSAGE SELECTION PAGE Psalm xxiv, i-io 13 . . 20 XXV. 1-14 108 171 xxvi. 1-12 161 251 xxvii. 1-14 148 229 xxx. 1-12 136 211 xxxi. 1-8; 19-24 129 201 xxxii. i-ii 113 178 xxxiii. 1-12 45 70 13-22 143 221 xxxiv. 1-22 39 60 xxxvi. 5-10 31 50 xxxvii. I-I I 166 257 23-31 168 259 xxxix. 1-13 109 173 xl. i-ii 133 207 xlii. I-II 155 240 xliii. 1-5 149 231 xlv. i-i 7 60 94 xlvi, i-ii 127 198 xlvii. 1-9 16 24 xlviii. 1-14 76 123 xlix. 1-4,6,7,10-12, 16-20 171 263 1. 1-15 88 145 li. 1-4, 9-17 104 106 Ivi. 1-13 34 53 Ivii. I-II 37 58 Ixi. 1-8 139 216 Ixii. 1-12 140 217 Ixv. 1-13 26 40 Ixvi. 1-9, i6-20 35 54 Ixvii. 1-7 5 6 Ixviii. 1-8, 32-35 15 22 Ixxii. 1-19 61 96 Index of Bible Passages. 3 1 3 PASSAGE SELECTION PAGE Psalm Ixxxiv. I-12 126 196 Ixxxv. 1-13 112 177 Ixxxvi. 1-12 131 204 Ixxxix. 1-7 40 63 8-18 42 66 xc. 1-17 57 88 xci. 1-16 138 214 xcii. 1-8, 12-15 123 192 xciii. 1-5 128 199 xcv. i-i I 43 67 xcvi. 1-13 14 21 xcvii. 1-12 6 7 xcviii. 1-9 2 2 xcix. 1-9 19 29 c. 1-5 49 76 ci. 1-8 159 248 cii. I, 2, 16-28 144 222 ciii. 1-22 30 47 civ. 1-24 II 16 cv. 1-8, 43-45 27 42 cvi. 1-8, 43-48 24 37 cvii. 1-15 21 32 21-31 25 39 31-43- •■ 22 34 cxi. i-io 18 28 cxii. i-io 169 260 cxv. 1-18 7 8 cxvi. 1-19 36 56 cxviii. 1-6, 19-26 29 46 cxix. 1-16 91 150 17-24 92 151 25-32 93 152 33-48 20 30 314 Index of Bible Passages. PASSAGE SELECTION Psalm cxix. 49-64 94 65-80 95 89-96 96 97-106 97 107-117 Ill 124-133 98 137-144 • 99 145-160 100 161-168 lOI 169-176. 102 cxxi. 1-8 141 cxxii. 1-9 and cxxxiii. 1-3 175 cxxiii 132 cxxiv 132 cxxv. 1-5 128 cxxvi 117 cxxix 117 cxxxi. 1-3 149 cxxx. 1-8 105 cxxxii. 1-18 160 cxxxiii. 1-30 1 75 cxxxv. 1-5, 15-21 ... 10 cxxxvi. 1-26 28 cxxxviii. 1-8 Ili cxxxix. 1-12, 23, 24 51 cxlii. 1-7 135 cxliii. i-ii no cxliv. 1-15 146 cxlv. 1-21 23 cxlvi. i-io 38 cxlvii. 1-20. . 47 cxlviii. 1-14 I cxlix. 1-4 49 153 155 156 157 176 158 159 160 162 163 218 270 206 .206 199 184 184 231 167 249 270 14 43 52 79 210 174 ,226 35 59 73 I 76 Index of Bible Passages. 315 PASSAGE SELECTION PAGE Psalm cl. 1-6 3 4 Prov. ii. 1-9 53 82 iii- 13-26 54 ^1, iv. 1-13 56 87 14-27 165 256 viii. I-2I 55 85 xxii. I-I2 163 253 Isaiah i. 2, 11, 13-20 64 loi ix. 2, 6, 7 65 102 xi. 1-6 72 115 1-9 65 102 XXV. 1-9 46 71 XXXV. i-io 78 125 xl. i-i I 70 112 18-31 8 10 xlii. 1-12, 16 66 104 xlix. 7-13 74 119 Iii. 7-15 71 114 liii. 1-12 68 108 liv. 11-17 77 124 Iv. 1-13 81 131 Iviii. 1-9 87 143 Ix. 1-5, 17-22 79 127 Ixi. i-ii 73 117 Ixii. 1-4, 10, 12 121 190 Ixiv. i-io 106 1 68 Hosea xiv. 1-9. 103 164 Joel ii. 21-27 119 187 Matt. V. 3-12 181 281 Luke i. 46-55 62 99 68-75 63 100 Acts xvii. 24-31 9 12 Romans ii. i-io 170 262 3i6 Index of Bible Passages. PASSAGE SELECTION PAGE Romans iii. 19-26 114 180 V. i-ii 125 195 vi. i-io e 194 300 viii. i-ii 83 136 16-28 82 134 31-39 "6 183 X. 4-15 80 129 xii. 4-21 180 279 xiii. 7-14 172 265 XV. 1-6 189 291 1 Cor. i. 20-31 188 289 xii. 4-13 86 141 xiii. 1-13 177 273 XV. 19-28 192 296 50-58 196 302 2 Cor. iii. 7-18 84 137 IV. 5-1 1 182 282 13-18 124 193 V. 1-9 197 304 6-9; 14-21 151 234 vi. i-io 174 268 Gal. v. 13-25 85 139 vi. I-IO. 185 286 Eph. ii. 11-22 75 121 iii. 20, 21 116 183 iv. 1-4; 7-16 176. . . .' . .271 25-32 186 287 vi. 10-18 147 228 Phil. iv. 4-8 122 191 ii. I-II ... 183 283 Col. i. 9-20 67 106 iii. 1-17 ^93 297 I Thess. V, I-IO 150 233 Index of Bible Passages. 3 1 7 PASSAGE SELECTION PAGE I Thess. V. 5-10 187 288 15-24 184 285 Heb. i. 1-12 59 92 ii. 5-12 69 no iii. 1-14 191 293 iv. 9-16 153 238 X. 16-25 154 239 xij. 1-6; 11-14 152 236 xiii. 5-16 173 266 James i. 16-27 89 146 1 Peter i. 3-9; 17 195 301 2 Peter i. 2-1 1 90 148 I John i. 5-9 107 1 70 ii. i-i I 190 292 iii. 1-3; 18-24 179 277 iv. 7-21 178 275 Jude 24, 25 124 193 Rev. vii. 9-1 7 198 305 xxi. 1-4 ; 22-27 199 7P1 xxii. 1-7; 17 200 308 Date Due »^' ^ ■