A

GOLDEN TREASURY
TREASURY

FOR THE CHILDREN OF GOD,

WHOSE TREASURE IS IN HEAVEN;

consisting of

SELECT TEXTS OF THE BIBLE,

WITH PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS,
IN PROSE AND VERSE,

FOR EVERY DAY IN THE YEAR.

By C. H. V. BOGATZKY.

With some Alterations and Improvements;

A PREFACE ON THE RIGHT USE OF THIS BOOK; AND A FEW FORMS OF PRAYER FOR PRIVATE USE.

London:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAMS AND CO. STATIONERS' COURT;

OGLES, DUNCAN, AND COCHRAN; AND SIMPKIN AND MARSIIALL.

1818

1.1314

1

Gi. AuLD, Printer, Greville Street, London.

PREFACE.

TH HE Editor thinks it incumbent upon him to inform the Reader, that several, both ancient and modern Christians, have contributed towards enriching this Treasury; that he has not stuck to any particular sect or party of Christians, but wherever he found a passage among the old authors striking, instructive, or encoura ging to the people of God, he inserted it with great pleasure, and applied to friends for their illustration of particular points in divinity, which he thought were more immediately necessary for the information of common readers; not points of speculation, or doubtful interpretation, but what all allow are essential to the Christian Religion; such as Repentance, Faith, Holiness, &c.

and they readily favoured him with their sentiments, prompted, he doubts not, with the same generous motive he himself is actuated by, "the edification of the children of God." He is, nevertheless, aware, that there are many who discover an excellent spirit and lively zeal, yet confine their regards to a few principles, which, however important, are not the whole of Christianity, but want some other articles to guard them. Knowledge and practice, he is persuaded, must go hand in hand together.

The edification of Christians in general, and of every reader in particular, is the professed design of this publication. The grace of God forming the heart for God, is the Lord's work; "the new creature" is his workmanship, "created in Christ Jesus unto good works." The foundation of the spiritual building is laid in Christ; on this foundation the Christian builds: in building upon their most holy faith, Christians will have their eye upon the Master-builder; will keep to the plan of the work, to the plan of the Christian life, as drawn and set by Jesus: and will be daily asking and receiving directions and materials for carrying on the work. In this good work they meet with many impediments, arising from self, the world, and the great enemy to religion, Satan; and at times are apt to be discouraged; as the Jews were often opposed and retarded

;

in the building of the temple by the subtilty and power of those who hated them; happy when the work was going on pleasantly, sad and cast down when it was otherwise. So when the good work in the soul is advancing, and there is a growth in the divine life, then are they glad and revive. But when the work is more at a stand when many things concur to hinder the progress of religion in the soul; when the mind is disturbed with sinful desires, and unbelieving thoughts, with the cares of the world, and the assaults of the Devil; when the Lord seems to have forgotten, and to hide his face, and dark dispensations of Providence perplex and disquiet the weak mind; when the frail body is bowed down with trouble, and the spirit is faint and languid, how sad and sorrowful the case

!

Reader, How is this work going on with you? Have you the same life and spirit you once had? or are you more feeble-minded? Is a spirit of languor and deadness creeping upon you? Are you bewailing the want of that sweet experience of the power and presence of God you once had! Are you, like Job, crying out, "O that I were as in months past, when the candle of the Lord shined upon me! Wilt thou not revive, wilt thou not enlighten my darkness?" If this is your complaint, go to the throne of Grace; go often to the Living Stone, that you, as a lively stone in the building,