any connection; with suspicion and jealousy | not. And if any man sin, we have an adwe shall eye it approaching; with courage vocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the and constancy we shall arm and fight righteous; and he is the propitiation for against it; we shall make no peace, nor so our sins." 1 John, ii. 1. much as a truce with it; but, as faithful soldiers and servants of Jesus Christ, we shall aim at that utter exterinination of it, which we have vowed, and which, through the Spirit of grace and power, will be accomplished, but not, perhaps, totally, till our life and warfare shall end together. TWENTY-SIXTH DAY.-MORNING PRAYER. NUN.-PART XIV. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Man is a traveller, his life is a journey, heaven is his end, his road lies through a wilderness, and he is in the dark. Thus circumstanced, how earnestly and devoutly ought he to pray, "O send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead me, let them bring me to thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles!" Psal. xliii. 3. For surely, "the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:" Prov. vi. 23. The word of God discovereth to us our errors: it showeth us where we lost our way, and how we may recover it again. If we take this "lamp" in our hand, it will not only point out our course in general, but also direct us in every step, and guide our "feet" aright in the "path" of holiness and peace. Thus, through the devious and lonely wilds of Arabia, was Israel once conducted to the land of promise, by the illuminating pillar, or rather by Him whose presence dwelt in the midst of it. 106. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. Such being the direction afforded by the word of God to a benighted pilgrim, David had obliged himself, in the most solemn manner, to follow that direction. Every Christian doth, at his baptism, in like manner, "promise and vow to keep God's commandments, and to walk in the same all the days of his life." The nature and extent of these engagements must be interpreted according to the covenant of grace, under which they are made. The command to us sinners is, that we should repent, and believe in him, who will pardon our failings, and strengthen our infirmities, that we may walk as becometh his disciples, who, though they ought not to commit sin, may yet, by divine grace, be restored and saved from it. "These things write I unto you, that ye sin 107. 1 am afflicted very much; quicken me, O LORD, according to thy word. The faithful servants of God may be "afflicted; " they may be "very much" and grievously afflicted: but let them consider, that, by afflictions, their corruptions are purged away, their faith is tried, their pa tience perfected, their brethren are edified, and their Master is glorified. Let them still firmly rely on the divine promise of grace and salvation; still humbly pray for its accomplishment in themselves: "quicken me, O LORD, according to thy word." 108. Accept, I beseech thee, the free-will offerings of my mouth, O LORD; and teach me thy judgments. The" offerings " of the believer are prayer, praise, and holy resolutions and vows, like that of the Psalmist above, "to keep God's righteous judgments," in which he therefore petitioneth to be every day more and more "taught " and instructed by the Spirit of truth. Christians are called by St. Peter, "a royal and holy priesthood, appointed to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God, by Jesus Christ." 1 Pet. ii. 5. 9. 109. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. To have one's "soul," 5, or life," in one's hand," is a phrase often used in Scripture, and implieth going in-continual danger of one's life: see Judg. xii. 3. 1 Sam. xix. 5. and xxviii. 21. Job, xiii. 14. Great and incessant as David's perils were, he did not "forget" God's promises, nor his precepts, but trusted in the former, and performed the latter. St. Paul knew, that "in every city bonds and afflictions awaited him but none of these things," saith he, "move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy." Acts, xx. 23. 110. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. When open violence fails to move a man from his steadfastness, "the wicked will lay snares" for him, to entice him into sin, by the baits of honor, pleasure, or profit; by exposing him to unavoidable temptations, as, when David was driven out of his own land, to live amongst idolaters, of which usage he complaineth, 1 Sam. xxvi. 19; or else, by making laws which an honest man cannot obey without sin, or refuse to obey without danger. Numberless are the traps, of one kind or other, which human wit and diabolical malice, in conjunction, have set for the consciences of those who profess themselves | which otherwise will devour half our time, to be the servants of God; and happy is that and appear against us, to our unspeakable servant, whom they have not caused to "err amazement, in that day when the secrets of from the precepts "of his Master. all hearts shall be revealed. 111. Thy testimonies have I taken as mine heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. The "testimonies" of God's will, his word and his sacraments, are the bonds and the deeds by which we hold our heavenly "inheritance, as heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." Of these deeds, and this inheritance, no power can deprive us; and when "they are the rejoicing of our hearts," we shall not, by preferring an earthly inheritance, deprive ourselves of them. 112. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. 114. Thou art my hiding place, and my shield: I hope in thy word. From vain thoughts, and vain persons, the Psalmist teacheth us to fly, by prayer to God, as our refuge and protector. This course a believer will as naturally take, in the hour of temptation and danger, as the offspring of the hen, on perceiving a bird of prey hovering over their heads, retire to their "hiding place," under the wings of their dam; or as the warrior opposeth his "shield " to the darts which are aimed at him. 115. Depart from me, ye evil doers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. The "inclination of the heart" to good, is Safe under the protection of the Almighty, the work of God; but man is, nevertheless, David bids the wicked "depart from him; " in this, as in other instances, said to perform he neither fears their malice, nor will follow it, when he listens to the call, and obeys the their counsels, being resolutely determined motions, of his grace. We are not to judge to adhere to his duty, and to "keep the comof ourselves by what we sometimes say and mandments of his God." He who hath formed do, but by the general disposition and tendency David's resolution, must, like him, disclaim of the heart and its affections. When, after and renounce the society of "evil doers; repeated trials, we find that the love of God for every man will insensibly contract the casts the scale against the love of the world; good or bad qualities of the company which when it is our glory, our delight, our treasure, he keeps; and should, therefore, be careful our meat and drink, to do his will, and, against to keep such, as will make him wiser and all opposition, to persevere in doing it, "even better, and fit him for the goodly fellowship unto the end;" then are we the true disciples of saints and angels. of that Master, whose heart was evermore inclined to good; who alone performed a perfect and spotless obedience, and persisted in working the work of him that sent him, until, with his last breath, he declared upon the cross, IT IS FINISHED. 116. Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. A resolution to fly from evil, and to do good, is properly followed by an earnest and repeated prayer, to be "upheld" in the performance of it, by divine grace," according to God's word" and promise; that so our "hope" in that word may not fail, and put us to " shame" before our enemies; that we may be "saved" from falling, and enabled, in our walking, to have “ respect unto the divine statutes continually." How necessary is this prayer to be made by creatures, whose tempers and dispositions are ever varying; who have so many and so formidable adversaries to contend with; and on whom their temporal condition hath so much influence! "Love and hatred " are the two great and influencing affections of the human mind. Since the fall, they have been misplaced. By nature we love vain thoughts," and "hate the law of God. The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be: " Rom. viii. 7. But in a renewed mind the case is altered; its delight is in the law of God, and therefore it cannot bear "vain thoughts," which are contrary to that law, and exalt themselves against it. Thoughts are often said to be free; from human censure they are, but not from the cognizance and judgment The dreadful judgments which God, from of the Omniscient. The mind should be well time to time, in all ages of the world, hath furnished with proper materials, on which to executed, and which he still can and will employ itself. We shall then be secured execute, upon impenitent sinners, afford a against the incursions of rambling, conceited, kind of admonition, and a powerful motive, worldly, impure, and revengeful thoughts, to obedience. As no force can counteract the 118. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. power of God, so no "cunning" can deceive O my God, knowest that I am innocent of his wisdom, but will always, in the end, the crimes whereof my implacable enemies miserably "deceive " those who trust in it; accuse me, and that I have none no wrong and employ it against the counsels of heaven, to those who seek to take away my life; de"their deceit, or subtilty, is falsehood," pe, liver not thine injured servant, therefore, it will fail and ruin its owners. Of this, history furnisheth instances in abundance. And it will be evident to all the world, when simplicity and innocence shall reign triumphant with the Lamb, on Mount Sion; and deceit and guile shall have their portion with the serpent, in the lake of fire. 119. Thou puttest away all the ungodly of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. "Ungodly" men and hypocrites are mingled among the sons and servants of God, as "dross" is blended with the pure metal, and appeareth to be part of it. But the fiery trial of divine judgment soon discovereth the difference. The false pretences of the hypocrite are detected, and the glory of the wicked vanisheth away. These dispensations of God's providence increase our "love" of his "word;" because they give us sensible experience of its truth, they show us the justice of God in punishing others, together with his mercy in sparing us, and removing those who might have corrupted us, and turned the silver itself into dross. In times of visitation, Christ sitteth among his people, "as a refiner and purifier of silver," purging away all dross, that out of what remains may be made ❝ vessels of honor, meet for the Master's use," to serve and to adorn the sanctuary. See Mal. iii. 3. Isa. i. 25. 2 Tim. ii. 21. 120. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee: and I am afraid of thy judgments. At the presence of Jehovah, when he appeareth in judgment, the earth trembleth and is still. His best servants are not exempted from an awful dread upon such occasions; scenes of this kind, shown in vision to the prophets, caused their flesh to quiver, and all their bones to shake. Encompassed with a frail body, and a sinful world, we stand in need of every possible tie; and the affections both of fear and love must be employed, to restrain us from transgression; we must, at the same time, "love God's testimonies, and fear his judgments." AIN. PART XVI. 121. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. into their hands; "leave me not to mine oppressors." The Son of David might use the words in their full and absolute sense, and plead for a glorious resurrection, on the foot of his having performed a perfect obedience to the law. 122. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. The Psalmist, finding himself ready to be seized by his insolent adversaries, like a helpless and insolvent debtor, entreateth the Almighty to appear in his defence, to take the matter into his own hands, to interpose and plead his cause, as his surety and advocate, in the day of trouble. Good Hezekiah uses the same word in the same sense, speaking of the time when death was about to make his claim upon the mortal part of him; “O Lord, I am oppressed, 127, undertake, be surety for me :” Isa. xxxviii. 14. Happy the creatures, whose Creator is their surety, and hath interposed to rescue them from those great oppressors, sin, death, and Satan! 123. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Salvation, whether temporal or spiritual, may be delayed; the "eyes" of the sufferer may "fail" with looking upward, and his earnest expectation may be ready to break forth, in the words of Sisera's mother, "Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariot?" But what saith God, by his prophets and apostles? "Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come" Heb. ii. 3. "Yet a little while, and he that shall come, will come:" Heb. x. 37. The "word" which hath promised it, is the word of truth, faithfulness, and " righteousness; "the attributes of God are engaged for its accomplishment, and he cannot deny himself. 124. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. 125. I am thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. The consideration, that we are the "servants" of God, if indeed we are so, will always be successfully urged to the best of masters, as an argument why he should "deal with us according to his mercy," in the pardoning of our offences; "teach us his statutes," that we may know and do his will; and instruct us in his "testimonies," that we may He who is engaged in a righteous cause, and hath acted uprightly in the support of it, may, so far, without incurring the censure of boasting, or trusting to his own righteous-believe aright concerning him. ness, make David's plea, "I have done judg- 126. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: ment and justice;" as if he had said, Thou, for they have made void thy law. The "law" of God "is made void " by the sublimest spiritual truths, veiled under those who deny its authority, or its obliga- external ceremonies and sacraments, figurative tion; by those who render it of none effect descriptions, typical histories, parables, simithrough their traditions, or their lives. When litudes, &c. When properly opened and ena deluge of wickedness and impiety entering forced, they terrify and humble, they conat these gates, hath overwhelmed a land, "it vert and transform, they console and strengthis time for the Lord to work ;" the great law- en. Who but must delight to study and to giver will then exert his power, and vindi-" observe" these "testimonies" of the will cate his authority speedily. There is a cer- and the wisdom, the love and the power, of tain measure of iniquity, which when com- God most high! While we have these holy munities, or individuals respectively, have writings, let us not waste our time, misemfilled up, the destroying angel comes forth, ploy our thoughts, and prostitute our admiraand executes his commission. How ought a tion, by doating on human follies, and wonman to fear, lest the next sin he commits dering at human trifles. should fill up his measure, and seal his eternal doom! 127. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. As the wickedness of those increaseth who "made void the divine law," the zeal and "love" of believers should increase in proportion, to stem the torrent; and this may be done, to a surprising degree, by a few persons, who, after the example of the first Christians, can forsake all, to follow their Master; who have the sense and the courage to prefer truth, wisdom, holiness, and heaven, to falsehood, folly, sin, and the world; who can resolutely reject the glittering temptation, and say, without hypocrisy, to their God, "I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold." 128. Therefore 1 esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; or, Therefore all thy precepts, even all, have I approved; and I hate every false way. 130. The entrance of thy words giveth light: it giveth understanding to the simple. The Scriptures are the appointed means of "enlightening" the mind with true and saving knowledge. They show us what we were, what we are, and what we shall be ; they show us what God hath done for us, and what he expecteth us to do for him; they show us the adversaries we have to encounter, and how to encounter them with success; they show us the mercy and the justice of the Lord, the joys of heaven, and the pains of hell. Thus will they "give to the simple," in a few days, an "understanding" of those matters, which philosophy, for whole centuries, sought in vain. 131. I opened my mouth and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. An eastern traveller, fatigued through toil, and parched by heat, doth not, with more vehement desire, gasp for the cooling breeze, than the servant of God, in time of temptation and trouble, "panteth" after that spirit of refreshment and consolation, which breathes in the Scriptures of truth. The affections are the springs of human actions; no arguments are needful to impel, and no difficulties are sufficient to retard, the man who is in pursuit of an object which, with all his heart, he loves and "longs for." How happy is it when heaven, instead of earth, is that object! For the same reason that the children of God, in the worst of times, "love his commandments," they love them "all," not observing such only as they can observe without giving offence, but, regardless of the censures of the world, doing their duty in every particular; not "hating some "evil ways," and at the same time walking in others, but extending and manifesting their aversion to all alike. Of such persons it is evident, that they make a conscience of their doings, and their conduct appears to be uniform; the adversary will have no evil thing to say of A child of God is never so much afflicted, them; they will do real service to the cause as when his heavenly Father seemeth, for a which they maintain; and, after having hon-time, to have turned away his face from him. ored their Master before men, they will by him be honored before men and angels. PE. PART XVII. 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep, or, observe, them. The Scriptures are "wonderful," with respect to the matter which they contain, the manner in which they are written, and the effects which they produce. They contain 132. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. All lesser troubles vanish, when God doth but vouchsafe a "look" of paternal compassion. And since the love of Jehovah to his people is unchangeable as his nature, mercies. formerly shown to others, are most forcibly urged by the Psalmist in his petition for the like; "Be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love hy name." 133. Order my steps in thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. By the instruction of his "word," God bringeth us into the way of life; by the aids of his grace he "directeth" and "supporteth" our "steps" in that way, enabling us, as we proceed, to overcome the sins which do beset us, so that they prevail not to turn us back, or to make us desist from travelling toward the city of our eternal habitation. 134. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. PSAL. 119. TZADDI.-PART XVIII. right are thy judgments. 137. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and up celebrating the righteousness of God, maniThis portion of our Psalm is employed in fested to us by his word, and by his dispensations, which that word both recordeth and tius, that, upon seeing all his children slain explaineth. It is said of the emperor MauriHe truly loveth God, who requesteth "de- tyrant and usurper, Phocas, himself expectbefore his face, at the command of that bloody liverance" from "oppression" and persecu-ing the next stroke, with a philosophy truly tion, that he may again enjoy the opportunities of "keeping his precepts," and of serving him without distraction. And gratitude for his deliverance will be, with such an one, an additional reason for using those opportunities, when they are restored, to the best advantage. 135. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant and teach me thy statutes. divine, he exclaimed aloud, in these words of David, "Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments." By faith he confessed it, notwithstanding all appearances was assured of this great truth, and nobly to the contrary. The last day will demonopen the mouths of men and angels to destrate the same thing to the whole world, and what the good Mauritius acknowledged, at clare, concerning all the divine proceedings, the time, with regard to the murder of his children. The same sentiment is again expressed in different language. The Psalmist prayeth for a return of the divine favor, and for better days, that in peace and tranquillity he may learn and do the will of God. Tribula-manded, are righteous and very faithful. 138. Thy testimonies, that thou hast comtion is a dark and tempestuous night; but Jehovah causeth "his face to shine" upon eousness his people, and the effects are like those produced by the sun at his rising, when universal nature revives and rejoices, and clouds and darkness fly away. 136. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes. because they keep not thy law. The revelations of God's will are "rightjust, and ought to be obeyed; his promises " and "truth; " his commands are and his threatenings will infallibly come to pass, and deserve, above all things, to be regarded. 139. My zeal hath consumed me; because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. David, who, through this whole Psalm, so often and so ardently beseecheth God to "teach him his statutes," declareth in this verse, his continual grief of heart, occasioned by seeing others break those statutes. Thus Lot," consume" the heart. among the Sodomites, was "vexed from day to day," not so much at their usage of himself, as at "seeing and hearing their unlawful deeds: " 2 Pet. ii. 8. Thus Jeremiah telleth the ungodly of his time, "If ye will not hear, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eyes shall weep sore, and run down with tears:" Jer. xiii. when the object of that love is ill-treated, it "Zeal" is a high degree of love; and venteth itself in a mixture of grief and indignation, which are sufficient to wear and 17. Thus the holy Jesus "looked round about on the Pharisees, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts:" Mark, iii. 5. and "wept over a city which had always persecuted, and was then about to crucify him, because it "knew not the things which belonged to its peace: " Luke, xix. 41. Accept, O Lord, the tears which our blessed Redeemer shed, in the days of his flesh, for us, who should, but, alas too often cannot, weep for our brethren, or for ourselves; and give us, at least, the grace of holy mourning, which in thy sight is of great price. This will be the case, where men rightly conceive of that dis- thy servant loveth it. nal, "tried, refined, purified, like gold in the Baron. Annal, ad Ann. 602. |