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works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.a

"And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.b

"The Lord shall guide thee continually.c "I will direct their work in truth.d

"I will cause them to walk by the rivers of water, in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble."e

When thou doubtest of some truth, apply, "He shall teach him the way that he shall choose, his soul shall dwell at ease. Thine ears shall hear a voice behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk in it. I will direct thy way in truth."

When thou art thinking what course to take, and fearest thou shalt not know what the Lord would have thee to do, apply, "Thy thoughts shall be directed, he shall direct thy ways.

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When thou fearest thy weakness will at some times carry thee astray, apply, "The Lord will guide thee continually; the Lord will lead thee in a straight way, that thou shalt not stumble."

If thou fearest satan will cause thee to fall, and art troubled with his temptations. "He shall bruise his head:"-Therefore

a Prov. xvi, 3. bIsa. xxx, 21. cIsa. lviii, 11. d Isa. Ixi, 8. Jer. xxxi, 9. f Gen. iii, 15.

fear not, for Christ hath overthrown all his power and subtilty, that he cannot do us any harm.

"Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. He shall cover thee with his feathers; and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.a

"The God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet shortly."b

Doth satan press thee with strong temptations, and fearest thou his power? Apply, "He shall bruise his head. He will cover thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers; his strength shall be thy buckler."

Fearest thou his subtilty? Apply, "He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fouler, and bruise his head," wherein lie all his powers and plots.

If thou canst not profit by the word of God, or by his works of mercy, or afflictions.

"I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee to the way that thou shouldest go.c

"The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."d

This is a promise that the Gentiles shall

a Psalm xci, 3, 4. b Rom. xvi. 20. c ́Isa. xlviii, 17. Mat. xxi, 43.

bring forth the fruit of the gospel; therefore every believing Gentile may apply it. If thou findest thyself unlike God's people, either in heart or life.

"I will give them one heart and one way."a

When thou seest thine heart not like the people of God, either in their affection to God, or his people, or ordinances, or in their sorrowing for sin, apply, "I will give them one heart."

When thou seest thy life and conversation not so holy as the people of God, apply, "I will give them one way."

If thou wouldest have God's blessing rest upon thee.

"The Lord will bless the righteous.b
"I will bless thee.c

"Thy blessing is upon thy people.d "He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

"The Lord will bless us, he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great." If thou wouldest be a blessing in thy place. "I will bless thee, and thou shalt be a blessing. I will make them about my hill a blessing.h

a Jer. xxxii, 39. b Psalm v, 12. Deut. vii, 13. d Psalm iii, 8. e Psalm xxiv, 5. f Psalm cxv, 12, 13. 8 Gen. xii, 2. b Ezek. xxxiv, 26.

If thou separatest thyself from the wicked in their corrupt worship and manners.

"I will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people: Wherefore come out from among them; and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."

CHAP. VIII.

OF THE MEANS OF GRACE. A promise to be applied in every ordinance. With joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation."b

Now in that it is said, out of the 'wells' of salvation, and not well, I think we ought to apply it to every ordinance of God, so as we are to use them with a comfortable persuasion that we shall receive abundance of grace from them. As the Lord promiseth we shall draw waters from out of them, we shall not only use them, but draw from them with joy.

Therefore when we pray, meditate, hear, confer, fast, in every duty apply this promise, and you shall find him faithful which promiseth.

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When thou prayest.

Apply these promises for the strengthening of thy faith, and for thy hearing,-"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.a

"Pray to thy Father which seeth. in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.b

"And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.c "Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name I will do it.d

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy

may
"Ask what

be full.

unto you.f

ye will, and it shall be done

"Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.8 "Thou shalt make thy prayers unto him, and he shall hear thee; and if thou seek him, he will be found."h

When thou meditatest.

"Mercy and truth shall be to them that devise good.i

"The loving kindness of the Lord endureth for ever, to them which think upon his commandments to do them.

fJohn xv,

a Mat. vii, 7. b.Mat. vi. 6. e Mat. xxi, 22. d John xiv, 13, 14. John xvi, 24, 7. g Isa. lxv, 24. Job xxii, 27. 22. j Psalm ciii, 17, 18.

Prov. xiv.

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