However deeply a redeemed sinner is convinced that in him, (that is, in his flesh,) dwelleth no good thing;-(convinced both from the word of God and from past experience;)` yet, when he is brought into new troubles, arising from new discoveries of his old depravity, the present view he has of himself, and of his fallen condition, will not fail to make him groan most sensibly! This seems to have been Paul's experience, as it is clearly seen in his Epistle to the Romans, chap. 7, from verse 14,-to the end. of another; but of himself. of the experience of himself, when he had been in the ministry more than twenty years. Where God has taught a sinner, and that sinner has been any time in his school, he will not mistake Paul's meaning, he having the clue in his own bosom. None know the power of unbelief but such living sinners; and only such, know the preciousness of faith! To such, Jesus Christ is precious indeed! Paul did not speak Yes, and he speaks 18. ENCOURAGEMENT AMIDST THE STORM. It is I; be not afraid.---Mat. xiv. 27. 1. MORE sweet than the nightingale's lays, Are the notes which arise from the heart, When Jesus his mercy displays, And bids my mis-givings depart. 2. Thy soul-cheering voice let me hear, 3. Tho' fearful and feeble I am, And apt ev'ry moment to slide, 4. "Himself he can never deny," Is an anchor that holds in the storm; And wait for the light of the morn. 5. My strength he again will renew, And he will conduct me safe home. There is no small measure of faith in exercise, when, in the midst of great temptations and much soul-darkness, the believer is able to cast anchor in the immutability of his God, and hold him to his faithful word of promise. : This mode of living is not so pleasant, as it is profitable, to a believer in his early days he knows but little of this business; hence, when the fight of faith comes on, and he is called to do business in deep waters, he thinks it strange. Tribulation, however, worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope." 19. CHRIST'S COUNSEL TO THE SPOUSE. 2. "Tis to his love, his chosen bride, Prone through her weakness to backslide, 3. Helpless and poor from day to day, Assaulted sore by Satan too, 'Tis Jesus brings her on her way, And proves to her his promise true. 4. When doubts and fears ensnare her feet, And to the world for help she flies; He flies in love her foes to meet, That to his praise her songs may raise. Daughter of Zion! on thee the superlative love of thy head and husband was eternally fixed. All that Jesus did, when in our world, he did for thee; and all that he is doing, now he is enthroned in highest bliss, he is doing for thee. He is in heaven as thy Representative, Advocate, Counsellor; and will he leave or forsake his own flesh and blood? No. For thee the whole Volume of Scripture was written, and, blessed be God, is still continued. All those "exceeding great and precious promises," are thy preciand no less are his kind reproofs real blessings to thee, Faithful are the wounds of a friend.-Prov. XXVII. 6. ous treasure; 20. SELF-ABHORRENCE. Behold, I am vile.---Job. XL. 4. 1. WHAT a vile, deceitful heart, 2. Call'd by grace these many years, i 93. Thus I'm burthen'd, thus I groan, y sad condition moan: And my s 11/05/Can a sinner thus beguil'd, slot Be the Lord's adopted child?Cha 05 4. Yes, 'tis possible, and more, 5. Lord, how rich and free thy grace! WA |