445. Meditation on the receipt of Money †. 1 IS my treasure, Lord, with thee, Let me in thine image shine. 3 Is my treasure all secure, 4 Treasures in thy word I find, 446. A NATIONAL ANTHEM. 1 BLESS, Lord, our gracious King, Guard him from every foe, Crown him with days. + What numerous species of fraud and overreaching are not only tolerated, but even justified and applauded among us, as quite fair in the way of business! because the love of money has Besotted men's understanding, and blinded their eyes. 2 Let him his people see Blest as thine own; Stretching his guardian hand, 3 Streams of thy blessings give, Let all our sons rejoice, 4 Let all our daughters shine, With cheering eyes. 5 Bless those who guard our coast, From ev'ry vengeful host, Shield them from ill; Let all their hearts be strong, 6 Prosper thy Church, O Lord, Bless those who preach thy word, Crown them with peace; Let them thy truth declare, 7 Let purest incense rise, That we may grateful prove, (In time of trouble.) O Lord, now grant us peace, Cheer thou our drooping heart, NOTE ON PAGE 262. At the cleansing of the leper, as described Lev. xiv. 4-7, and 52, the following ceremonies were enjoined. The priest was to take two birds, and to kill one of them over a vessel of running, or spring water, so that the blood of the victim became mingled with the water. This bird was a type of the sacrifice of Christ, and of the water and blood which flowed from his side. Then the priest was to take the living bird, and with a scarlet thread to fasten it on a stalk of hyssop, or a branch of cedar wood, (a type of the cross perhaps, or it might be for the purpose of reaching the leper at a distance,) and to dip the bird in the water tinged with the blood of the other bird which he had killed, and to sprinkle the leper therewith. This as clearly typifies the office of the Holy Spirit, (who at our Saviour's baptism descended upon him in the form of a dove,) viz. To take of the things of Christ and to shew them to us; to apply with efficacy to the conscience the blood of Christ, mingled, and mysteriously hidden, as it were, in the waters of the baptismal font. The living bird also typifies the resurrection, and consequent removal, of sin; and represents to us how we, buried with Christ in baptism, rise again at liberty, new-born into a state of grace, privilege, and power. Still the office of the Holy Spirit, to apply the benefit to the individual, must not be forgotten. |