he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." 4 Nov. 17.-" His seed shall endure for ever." DAVID was peculiarly related to the Messiah. He wrote, as a poet and as a prophet, much concerning him. He yielded the most varied and complete type of him ever exhibited. He was at once his Lord and his Son-Hence the Name of the former is often applied to the latter; and what is spoken of the one, is often to be extended to the other-and must be so applied, to do any thing like justice to the force of the language. And in this cause we are more than justified, by numerous appropriations of men in the New Testament, who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Upon this principle, the words before us insure the perpetuation of his people-"His seed shall continue for ever." We shall say nothing of their number; though, if we were asked the question, "Are there few that shall be saved?" we could boldly answer, No! Ignorance and bigotry have always diminished them; but they shall be found, when gathered together, a countless multitude. But why are they called his seed? Because they derive their being, as new creatures, from him. "Every one that doeth righteousness, is born of Him."-In such a relation, we look for resemblance. This, indeed, is not invariably the case, with regard to children. Some of them have little of the father's likeness, either in features or in temper. But all Christians resemble Christ. They bear the image of the Heavenly. If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.-The relation infers duty. It does away, indeed, with all servileness; but not with service. "A seed shall serve him." "And I will spare them," says he, "as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." "A son honoureth his father." Every Christian, therefore, will ask, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"-The relation confers honour. His seed are descended from One who is higher than the kings of the earth; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and whose holiness and goodness are infinite-Such honour have all his saints.-But what a privilege does it bespeak! There is an amazing instinct in brute-creatures towards their young. It seems to transform the very nature of some of them. The timid sheep, and the fearful bird, become bold and daring on behalf of their young. As to man, if he were not to provide for his own, he would be contemned by all around him: and were he a pretender to religion, he would be considered as denying the faith, and be deemed worse than an Infidel. Will the Lord Jesus neglect his offspring? Will he suffer them to want any good thing? Will he not educate them? Chastise them? Resent every injury that is done them? Acknowledge them? Defend them? But observe, not only their relation to him, but their perpetuity-"They shall continue for ever." They die, as well as others-they often die earlier. But, consistently with this obvious and undeniable fact, they shall continue for ever, in three senses. First. In the succession of their race to the end of the world. It will never be cut off-"The Church in danger!" What Church! Upon this rock," says he, "I will build my Church; and the gates of hell VOL. II. 3 H shall not prevail against it."-Yea, his people shall continue to increase in number and excellency-We shall leave the world better than we entered it: and so will our children-till Jerusalem shall be established, and be made a praise in the whole earth.-Secondly. In their religious character to the end of life. If left to themselves, we could not be sure of their persevering to the end of a day, or an hour. But they are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation. He upholdeth them with his hand. They shall hold on their way. In all their dangers they shall be more than conquerors.-Thirdly. In their glorified state, through eternal ages. The world passeth away, and the lusts thereof; but he that doeth the will of God, abideth for ever. All other greatness is only for life-frequently is not so long. But, at death, it ends. But then, the Christian's greatness-I will not say begins; for it began the moment he prayed-but then it continues-increases -and is perfected. Death only affects one part of him the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness-and even the body shall be revived, and improved-and made like the Saviour's own glorious body-and be as immortal as the soul. Every thing here is variable, fading, perishing "All, all on earth, is shadow; all beyond, "Is substance the reverse, is Folly's creed- -Where we shall have, not only endless existence, but endless existence beatified. Where, if we have treasure, moth and rust will not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. Where, if we have a house, it will not be a house made with hands, but eternal in the heavens. Where, if we have a crown of glory, it fadeth not away. Where, if we have friendships, we shall part no more. Where, we shall be for EVER WITH THE LORD. Nov. 18.-" Open thy mouth wide." Ps. lxxxi. 10. THOUGH We cannot find out God, perfectly, in his essence or his works, we are not left in total ignorance concerning him. We have all the information our duty and our consolation can require. Though he be a God that hideth himself, yet he is the God of Israel, the Saviour. He has been pleased to reveal himself as the hearer of prayer-Yea more-as exciting it as encouraging it-as concerned for the enlargement of our desires in the performance of itOpen thy mouth wide.” 66 66 This is no easy thing, with the consciousness we feel as sinners. To aid us herein, Let us consider his greatness and all-sufficiency. We should expect more from a prince than from a pauper. Many have benevolence without resources; and in vain we address them-they may grieve to deny us, but they cannot relieve. When the woman cried, Help, O king!" he said, "Whence should I help thee?" But we kneel before One, whose greatness is unsearchable; who is Lord of all. His giving a world, would be less than our giving a crumb of bread. When Alexander had bestowed a very valuable present on a poor man, his modesty would have declined it: "It is too much," said he, "for me to receive""But," said the conqueror of the world, "it is not too much for me to give." God gives like himself; and he is to be addressed in character with himself. We believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Is it comfort we want? He is the God of all comfort. Is it deliverance? Nothing is too hard for the Lord. Is it renovation? He can make all things new-He is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Let us consider his goodness. Nothing tends to contract us more than a sense of our unworthiness. We ought to feel this-but we ought not to be discouraged by it; since he is the God of all grace, the Father of mercies; since he is rich in mercy, and delighteth in mercy. We are not to judge of Him by a human standard. It is an injury to us, when we are applying to him, to think of the benevolence of the most generous of our fellow-creaturesso far short do they come of his glory. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." And the reference here, is to his thoughts and ways of mercy; and especially pardoning mercy. Let us remember, also, the medium through which we implore his favours. We have boldness and access with confidence, by the faith of him: we have boldness to enter into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus; having such an High Priest over the House of God, we draw near in full assurance of faith. In saving and glorifying us, through the Son of his love, we do not ask God to deny his truth; or dishonour his Name; or trample upon his law-Yea, he magnifies his law in doing it. He declares his righteousness. While he redeems Jacob, he glorifies himself in Israel: and glory to God in the highest, is combined with peace on earth, and good-will towards men. Let us think of this; and ask, and receive, that our joy may be full-Whatsoever, said he, ye shall ask the Father, in my Name, he will do it. - Review, also, the manner in which he has answered the prayers of his people. Has he ever refused? Has he ever given sparingly? Jacob asked for bread to eat, and raiment to put on, and a return in peace to his father's house: and, lo! he becomes two bands! Solomon asked for a wise and understanding heart: and he obtained, not only wisdom, but life, and riches, and honour! Abraham left off asking, with regard to Sodom, before God left off giving. Why did he stop at ten? Had not God complied with every |