and streams; wherein shall go no galley with oars, neither shall gallant ships pass thereby. (b) Who dwelleth also with them that are of a contrite and humble spirit. (c) Though the Lord be high yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off. (d) By grace are we saved through faith; and that not of ourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. For "the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the Great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ: who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works." (b) Isai. 33. 21. (c) Isai. 57. 15. (d) Ps. 138. 6. Be still; and know that he who said, “I AM that I AM," remains the same to-day, yesterday and for ever: he will arise for our help and comfort, that we may enjoy a foretaste of that glorious kingdom, “where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest.” He who was the still small voice that appeared to the prophet Elijah, and who also will be a swift reprover of evil in our hearts, and whisper peace when we do well; he who will hide us in the secret of his presence from the pride of man; will keep us secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (e) The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habi (e) Ps, 84. 11. tation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (f) The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (g) The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. (h) Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. (i) He also will hear their cry, and will save them. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life. (j) In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. (k) If we have thus far proceeded in our Christian course, let us press on towards the mark for the prize of our high calling of God in Christ Jesus, who for the joy that (ƒ) Isai. 32. 18. (g) Prov. 18. 10. and the power and the glory. To such alone our Saviour says, "he that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, and followed me in the Regeneration, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Chapter XV. WHILE endeavouring to pursue that path which alone leads to life, we should avoid feeding the soul with unprofitable imaginations, which are as the shadow over the noon day sun, obscuring for a time his refulgent light from our view, though he shines with equal lustre behind the cloud. So is the mind when overshadowed by reasonings. The sweet meditation and divine presence of our Holy Redeemer is obscured from our souls by our not sufficiently guarding against that enemy who is continually laying his snares to entrap us, either in thought, word, or in deed, and through which we suffer loss; if we do not flee to the cross, and "cast down every imagination, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring |