Page images
PDF
EPUB

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John i. 4. And this is the record that God hath given to us, eternal life; and this life is in his Son. 1 John v. 11. I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John viii. 12.

WHATEVER notional knowledge men may have of divine truths, as they are doctrinally proposed in the Scripture, yet if they know them not in their respect unto the person of Christ, as the foundation of the counsels of God; if they decern not how they proceed from him, and centre in him, they will bring no saving spiritual light unto their understandings: for all spiritual life and light is in him, and from him alone. The difference between believers and unbelievers, as to knowledge, is not so much in the matter of their knowledge as in the manner of knowing. Unbelievers, some of

them, may know more, and be able to say more of God, his perfections and will, than many believers; but they know nothing as they ought, nothing in a right manner, nothing spiritually and savingly, nothing with a holy, heavenly light. The excellency of a believer is not that he hath large apprehensions of things, but that what he doth apprehend, which may perhaps be very little, he sees it in the light of the Spirit of God, in a saving, soul-transforming light. And this is that which gives us communion with God, and not prying thoughts, or curious raised notions. In this knowledge, Lord, give me to increase every day!

Dear Lord, anoint my head and heart,
And light and life bestow on me;
Light that will Gospel truth impart,
And life to make me live to Thee!

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Rom. xv. 1. Considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Gal. vi. 1. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? Rom. xiv. 4. EXTRAORDINARY quickenings and strengthenings, being often followed by particular temptations, conflicts, and sufferings, require a particular watchfulness, if we would be earnest not to provoke the Lord to visit us with sore punishments for our carelessness. Fear, therefore, rejoice with trembling, and as a needful means to secure thyself from falling, temper thy joy with true humility and gentleness towards the faults of others. Be never so high-minded, O man, at the miscarriages of others, as to think thou wouldst not do so, should it happen to be thy case! for if God does not hold thee up himself, thou wilt surely make greater mistakes. Therefore, thou hadst better not look upon others, but upon thyself; and for fear of falling, be continually watchful in prayer. A great many would not have fallen so deep, had they been truly humble and more charitable in judging of others. He who exalteth himself above others, and does not bear with the weak, is sometimes humbled and debased under the very weakest of all. Bear, therefore, since God bears with thee; and he that bears most with others, shews the greatest strength.

Jesus, Lord, we look to Thee;
Let us in thy name agree;
Each to each unite, endear,

Come and spread thy banner here.
Make us of one heart and mind,
Courteous, pitiful, and kind,
Lowly, meek in thought and word,
Altogether like our Lord!

Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore, for thy name's sake, lead me and guide me. Ps. xxxi. 4. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them; I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel. Jer. xxxi. 9.

HE that comes in this manner will certainly be led of God. Now, O Lord, I am blind, and heartily desire to be directed by thee alone in all my ways and steps, in great and in little things. Suffer me never to follow my own spirit and natural inclinations, whatever good appearance they may have. Be pleased to cross them continually, whenever they are contrary to thy will. Often have I been deceived by false appearances already; my zeal has not always been according to knowledge; I have put natural passion in the place thereof, and thought I was contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, and have afterwards found it no better than the effects of a party spirit. Be then a father to me, O Lord, and instruct thy waiting child in all necessary truths, and lead me in all thy righteous ways!

Thou art my portion, O my God!
And Christ my living way;
Incline my heart to keep thy word,
And on my Christ to stay.

I would be always wholly thine;
O save thy servant, Lord!

Thou art my shield, my hiding-place;
My hope is in thy word.

Thou hast inclined this heart of mine

Thy statutes to fulfil;

And thus till mortal life shall end,

Would I perform thy will!

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Isa. xxvi. 3, 4, Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me. Chap. xxvii. 5.

LET us get the divine favour, and we will be at peace, and have happiness in our own souls, and then shall good come unto us. The peace which God gives is a peace of unutterable happiness. In it is contained all the blessings of the Gospel of Christ. Let us search well our own hearts, and see if we have that peace; and let us do it now, for we know not what a day may bring forth. But to enjoy this undisturbed peace, great care must be taken that we do not look and depend upon anything in ourselves, since all is but imperfect, and ever will be so. We are to trust only in the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world, to feed our souls continually on this Gospel of peace, and be ever seeking him by diligent prayer, watchful, faithful, quiet, and humble; for we never lose anything of our peace, except it is stolen by some pride, or other unguarded affection.

Hence from my soul, sad thoughts, begone,
And leave me to my joys;

My tongue shall triumph in my God,

And make a joyful noise.

Darkness and doubts had veiled my mind,
And drown'd my head in tears,
Till sov'reign grace, with shining rays,
Dispell'd my gloomy fears!

O, what immortal joys I felt,

And raptures all divine,

When Jesus told me I was His,

And my Beloved mine.

99 66

Thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of Hosts is his name. The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads. Isaiah liv. 5; xxv. 10. WHEN Cyrus took the king of Armenia, and his son Tigranes, and their wives and children prisoners, and, upon their humble submission, beyond all hope, gave them their liberty and their lives, -in their return home, as they were all commending Cyrus,-some for his personage, some for his power, some for his clemency, Tigranes asked his wife," What thinkest thou of Cyrus? is he not a comely and a proper man, of a majestic presence?" "Truly," said she, "I know not what manner of man he is; I never looked upon him.' Why," said he, " where were thine eyes all the while: upon whom didst thou look?” "I fixed mine eyes," said she, "all the while upon him (meaning her husband) who, in my hearing, offered to Cyrus to lay down his life for my ransom."-Thus if any question the devout soul, once indeed captivated by the world, but now enamoured of Christ, her heavenly Bridegroom, whether she is not charmed with the riches, pleasures and gaities of the world?—her answer is, That her eyes and her heart are now fixed on a nobler object, even on him who not only made an offer, like Tigranes, to die in her stead, but actually laid down his life to ransom her; and as her dear Bridegroom is now in heaven, her looks are after him, and she can esteem nothing on earth in comparison of him.

Sweet the moments, rich in blessing,
Which before the cross I spend ;
Life and health, and peace possessing,
From the sinner's dying Friend.

« PreviousContinue »