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whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke i. 76, 77, 78, 79.

Reflect on the nativity and ministry of John the Baptist.

Pray for grace to follow his doctrine and holy life.

JUNE 25. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm xxxvii. 5.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matt. xxi. 22. Meditate on the importance of faith in prayer. Pray, believing that your petitions will be granted.

JUNE 26. They consider not in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness. Hosea vii. 2.

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt. xxv. 41.

Meditate on the punishment that will be inflicted on the wicked at the day of judgment. Pray that you may escape that punishment by timely consideration, &c.

JUNE 27. Depart from evil, and do good. Psalm xxxvii. 27.

Eschew evil, and do good; seek peace, and ensue it. 1 Peter iii. 11.

Mark the advice here given.

Pray to be delivered from evil, &c.

JUNE 28. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. Psalm cxvi. 17.

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Col. iv. 2.

Meditate on the duty and importance of calling upon God in prayer.

Pray with importunity, &c.

JUNE 29. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him. Psalm xxxvii. 39, 40.

And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. Acts xii. 11.

Meditate on Peter's miraculous deliverance from prison, &c.

Pray to God in all cases of emergency, who alone can save and deliver you, &c.

JUNE 30. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm cxviii. 29.

Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. Heb. xiii. 15.

MEDITATION.

The Psalmist, I see, in the portion of Scripture appointed for this day's meditation, is thanking the Lord for his goodness and for mercies received. And have not I reason to do the same? The Psalmist did receive many signal mercies and blessings at the hands of the Almighty. And have not I have I been blessed with health, food, raiment, and all the necessaries of life, and, above all, the means of grace? If I have, these are blessings for which I should be truly thankful. And, if I have been deprived of some of these blessings, yet I ought to be thankful. Have I been deprived of health? "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." Have I experienced the straits of poverty and distress, being scarcely sup

plied with the necessaries of life?

Most of my

Saviour's primeval followers underwent the same hardships, and he himself, I read, had not a place where he might lay his head; he was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. St. Paul says, "I have learned in whatever state I am, therewith to be content." Let me then do the same for my light afflictions, which are comparatively but for a moment, if sanctified, will work out for me a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." "Bless the Lord," then, "O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies."

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Bless God, who made all things of use
To man, and for his good;

Who makes the ground and seas produce
All things that are for food.

I'll thank the Lord who reigns above,
And does his mercies lend:

I'll praise Him for his boundless love,
Who did a ransom send.

JULY.

JULY 1. Turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.

Hosea xii. 6.

Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Matt. xxiv. 46.

Meditate on the blessedness of him, whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find employed in the exercise of prayer, mercy, and all other Christian

virtues.

Pray that you may be found so doing.

JULY 2. O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever. Deut. v.

29.

Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which

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