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of the least of all his mercies. Am I distinguished?

"Not more than others I deserve,
"Yet God has giv'n me more."

Am I successful? I shall not ascribe it to my own. skill, or the power of my own arm. I shall not sacrifice to my own net, or burn incense to my own drag. The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

It will appear, with regard to our trials. Here we walk with God, as our reprover and corrector: and if we walk humbly, we shall not charge him foolishly; we shall not arraign his authority; or ask, What doest Thou? We shall not expose ourselves to the reflection, Thou hast smitten them, and they have not grieved. We shall be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live. We shall be dumb, and open not our mouth, because He does it. Or if we speak, it will be to acknowledge that his judgments are right, and that in faithfulness he has afflicted us. "I mourn; but I do not murmur. I wonder not that my troubles are so heavy; but that they are so light. I more than deserve them all-and I need them all. I would not only bear, but kiss the rod. It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good."

- It will appear, with regard to our conditions. Here we walk with God, as our disposer and governor and if we walk humbly, we shall hold ourselves at his control; we shall be willing that he should choose our inheritance for us; we shall not lean to our own understanding, but in all our ways acknowledge him. We shall be satisfied with our own allotment; and learn, in whatsoever state we are, therewith to be content. We shall abide in the callings wherein his providence has placed us, and not be eager to rise into superior offices, feeling our unfitness for them, and fearful

of their perils; saying, "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 myself as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."

It will appear with regard to our qualification and ability for our work. Here we walk with God, as our helper and strength; and if we walk humbly, we shall be sensible of our insufficiency for all the purposes of the Divine life: that we know not what to pray for as we ought, unless the Spirit itself helpeth our infirmities; that the preparation of the heart, and the answer of the tongue, are from the Lord; that with regard to the exercise of every grace, and the performance of every duty, as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can we, except we abide in him-for without him we can do nothing. Did Peter walk humbly with him, when, even after the warning he had received, he leaned on his own resolution for superior constancy? Here, humility is-to fear always; and to-pray, Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe.

- It will appear with regard to the whole of our recovery. Here we walk with God, as a Saviour, and if we walk humbly, we shall not go about to establish our own righteousness, but submit ourselves unto the righteousness which is of God; and acknowledge that we have nothing to glory in before Him. Not by works of righteousness which I had done, but according to his mercy he saved me. I look to the rock whence I was hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence I was digged. How long did he wait for me! What pains were used in vain to bring my heart to him! He was found of me, when I sought him not. And how little have I attained! I am still an unprofitable

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servant-the sins of my holy things would condemn me-I must look only for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. If I am called, he called me by his grace. If I have a good hope, it is a good hope through grace. "By the grace of God I am what I am."

Happy this humble walker with God! God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

"All joy to the believer! He can speak—
"Trembling yet happy, confident yet meek.
"Since the dear hour that brought me to thy foot,
"And cut up all my follies by the root,
"I never trusted in an arm but thine,
"Nor hop'd, but in thy righteousness divine:
"My pray'rs and alms, imperfect and defiled,
"Were but the feeble efforts of a child;
"Howe'er perform'd, it was their brightest part,
"That they proceeded from a grateful heart.
"Cleansed in thine own all-purifying blood,
"Forgive their evil, and accept their good;
"I cast them at thy feet-my only plea
"Is what it was, dependence upon thee-
"While struggling in the vale of tears below,
"That never fail'd, nor shall it fail me now.
"Angelic gratulations rend the skies;
"Pride falls unpitied, never more to rise;
"Humility is crown'd, and Faith receives the prize."

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JUNE 7.-" The Lord is our Judge."

Isaiah xxxii. 22.

In ancient times the character of a judge was united with that of a sovereign. To deliver the award of acquittal, condemnation, or pardon, was the

exclusive prerogative of majesty. Even in our days the sentence pronounced by the appointed expositors of the law must have the fiat of the monarch, before it can be fulfilled.

The word Judge is frequently in the Scripture synonimous with Ruler. But as here, the Lord, as "our Judge," is distinguished from the Lord, as "our Lawgiver" and "our king" the term should be taken in its more peculiar meaning. And this view of God should blend with every other character he sustains: not to depress hope; but to prevent presumption: not to hinder our access to God; but to sanctify us when we come nigh him: not to inspire gloom; but to exclude from us all that carelessness and levity so inconsistent with our dependence and responsibility. "If ye call on the Father, who, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear."

He is our future judge. So then, says the Book, every one of us must give account of himself to God. And God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing. And who could bear the thought of this process, without the knowledge of a Mediator! The only way to find safety in that day, is to look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life; and to be found in him. He is our Advocate with the Father; and he is the propitiation for our sins. The charges brought against us are all true; and we have nothing to offer even in our own extenuation. But we appeal to our surety-and he answers for us. Who is he that condemneth? 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.

He is our Judge at present. And the Apostle speaks of it as a privilege of the Gospel Dispensation, that "we are come to God, the Judge of all."

Are you perplexed about the path of duty, while importance is attached to every step, and yet you must move forward? Refer yourselves to his unerring counsel. Be influenced and encouraged by the command and the promise-"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Is your spiritual state doubtful to your own minds? And do you dread delusion? Present the case before Him; and say-"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Do you lie under the misapprehension of friends, and the reproaches of enemies? Say, with Job, Behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high." How often did David turn from the groundless and cruel censures of men, to Him who knoweth all things! "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 myself as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child." "Let my sentence come forth from thy presence: let thine eyes behold the things that are equal." Are you reviled? Revile not again. Do you suffer? Threaten not-but commit yourselves to Him that judgeth righteously. It is pleasing to have the approbation of our fellow-creatures; but there is a higher-a juster-a more merciful tribunal. It is a light thing to be judged of man's judgment. He that judgeth us is the Lord. "Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall every man have praise of God."

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