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We would see Jesus. Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. John xii. 21, and v. 39. Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read. Isa. xxxiv. 16. See also Chap. viii. 20. IT is remarkable that the wise men travelling to find CHRIST, followed only the star; and as long as they had that in view, were assured that they were in the right way, and we may believe had great pleasure in their journey; but when they entered Jerusalem, whereas the star led them not thither, but to Bethlehem, and there would be instructed where CHRIST was born, they were not only ignorant of the place where, but had also lost the sight of the star which should guide them thither. Whereby we are taught this useful lesson, that when we are going to learn CHRIST, and seek CHRIST, who is above, to beware we lose not the star of God's word, which only is the mark that shews us where CHRIST is, and which way we may come to him. To which may be added, that if with David we make the word of God" a lamp to our feet, and a light to our paths," we shall not be led aside by every false fire that presents itself to us; but by keeping close to the word of God, we shall be brought to the knowledge of CHRIST here, and to the full enjoyment of him hereafter. Reader, this little book is only designed to lead thee to "search the Scriptures," which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ.

Eternal life God's word imparts,
Whereon each fainting spirit lives;
Here sweeter comforts cheer our hearts
Than all the round of nature gives.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, 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. Let not filthiness be once named among you, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient. Eph. iv. 29, 30, and v. 4. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another. Col. iii. 8, 9.

IDLE words are hurtful words; they grieve the Holy Spirit, destroy what power has been obtained by prayer, and cause nothing but levity and distraction of mind. Let this be a caution against talking too much; for if it does not tend to the glory of God, it is nothing but corrupt conimunication, the end of which is destruction and misery. May all Christians take heed to refrain their tongues, and never speak unadvisedly; but always consider first, whether their words can be profitable to others, and acceptable to God in heaven. O Lord, teach me, by thy wisdom, "to keep my mouth as it were with a bridle," and to weigh all my words like gold. Let my heart and lips be moved and governed by thy Spirit, that both my silence and talking may be according to thy will and direction! Grant that I may always chiefly converse with thee in prayer and thanksgiving for the good of my own soul and others; and whenever I am to open my lips in due time, let my words be so seasoned and blessed as to administer grace to the hearers.

So let our lips and lives express
The holy Gospel we profess!

So let our words and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all divine.

And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Gen. xxviii. 12.

THIS ladder the Lord Jesus Christ applies to himself, John i. 51, and it may be considered as representing the Divine Providence which governs all things. The several steps of the ladder are the motions and actions of Providence; the angels going up and down, shew that they are the great ministers of Providence, never idle, but always employed in the preservation of the just; their ascending, means their going up to receive the divine orders and commands; and their descending, their coming down upon earth to put them in execution. So that, in this representation, God signified to Jacob, now full of care and uneasy apprehensions, that the man who was under the custody and protection of Divine Providence wanted not company in a wilderness ; wanted not security in the midst of dangers; wanted not direction in the most difficult undertakings; since there were so many ministering spirits holding correspondence between earth and heaven, and daily and hourly "sent forth from God's presence to minister unto them who shall be heirs of salvation." Seeing, then, that these ministering spirits of God are still active in their work, shall I not enjoy the care and the direction of such holy beings? Shall I not give up my poor soul into their hands? Alas, how it clings to its own foolish ways! May the God of grace deliver it from these, for they are indeed folly. Thou, Jesus, my safe ladder art,

To lift me to the skies;

And on it when I find I'm got,
My heart begins to rise.

Alleluia for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Rev. xix. 6.

GOD is the Lord of hosts; he is the great commander of heaven and earth; he it is that directs all conflicts in war; no field is pitched, no battle fought, but by his special order and commission, and all for the accomplishment of his glory. But it befalleth us, as it doth them who stand in the same level wherein two great armies are ready to engage; they conceive them to be a disordered multitude; whom, notwithstanding, if they beheld from a high hill, they would discern that they were artificially ranged, and every man serving under his own colours. Even so men, who behold the state of the world with the eyes of flesh and blood, dim by reason of the corruption of their judgments and weakness of their affections, think all things out of order; they "see servants riding on horses, and princes going on foot; that the worse men are, the better they fare; and they fare the worse the better they are:" but if they would go into God's sanctuary, and judge of occurrences by heavenly principles, then they would confess that no army on earth can be better marshalled than the great army of all the creatures of heaven and earth, yea, and of hell too; and that, notwithstanding all appearances to the contrary, all is well, and will end well, especially to God's people; and that the God of order will bring light out of darkness, and order out of the greatest confusion, could they but have patience, and let him alone with his own work.

The Lord God omnipotent reigns,
Commanding whatever he will;
And rebels that fear not his word
Are under his government still.

Thou hast thrust sore at me, that I might fall; but the Lord helped me. Ps. cxviii. 13.

Preserved

in Jesus Christ, and called. Jude 1. JESUS was in the council, undertook our cause, struck hands in the covenant as our surety, wrought out a righteousness for us; suffered our curse on the tree to redeem us, ever lives, and ever loves, and ever pleads our cause, while he represents our persons before the everlastingly gracious and infinitely just and righteous Jehovah, his Father and our Father, now well pleased with us, because accepted and preserved in the Beloved. Are these things so? And has the Lord the Spirit, the glorifier of Jesus, enlightened our understandings to see these things, enabled us to believe, and assured our hearts of our own happy share and interest in them! O my soul, stop, reflect, dwell on such wonderful power, marvellous favour, distinguishing love, and appropriated mercy! Now let all mine enemies exert their utmost power, I will not be afraid. Afflictions, pains, temptations, may await me, waves and storms may go over my head, Satan may sift me as wheat, the waters of death may prove bitter to my taste, yet I will not be discouraged; he that died for me will take care of me; he that pardoned my aggravated offences will heal my infirmities, he that knew the power of temptation will support and deliver me out of all. This I believe; Lord help my unbelief! The wisdom, the power, the love, the promise, the covenant, and the oath of Jehovah, stand all engaged for the preservation of a poor, unworthy believer in Jesus. Alleluia.

Why should I fear, though mighty foes
Thrust at me every day!

The Lord, who offers me his help,
Is stronger much than they.

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