good man sees the divine beauty and glory; the perfections of God as peculiarly manifested in our redemption and there too he enquires and learns the way of life. If we would dwell in the mansions of God above, we must regularly and joyfully frequent the ordinances of His house on earth. And we should most carefully examine ourselves, as to what we there behold and enquire.

3. Trials of various kinds are to be expected by us here; but if we trust in God, and worship Him, we may be assured of the divine protection, and be confident of safety and triumph. It is thus that our trials, when rightly improved, lead to thanksgiving and songs of joy.

4. Whatever be our assurance, we must never forget present circumstances and present duty. We need always pray for divine mercy; for divine favour, support, and presence; for divine guidance and deliverance. It is no longer well with us than while we really attend to this. The dearest earthly ties may be, will be dissolved: but if God, the everlasting Father, be with us, we shall enjoy safety and comfort.

5. When faith fails we shall faint; shall be low, dispirited, disconsolate. But faith, resting upon God's promises; and patience waiting for their fulfilment ; these are the support of the soul; and by these the good man is enabled to proceed courageously in his thorny pilgrimage, and to speak to others the language of encouragement with a decided mind.

PRAYER.

O blessed God, have mercy upon us, and give us faith, that we may put our whole trust in Thee, and banish fear from our hearts. May we delight to worship Thee in the ordinances of Thy Church, and be made the partakers of Thy grace and Holy Spirit, that be delivered from all our enemies, rejoice in Thy goodness to us, experience Thy favour and presence, and be enabled to encourage others in the way of life, to the glory of Thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

we may

PSALM XXVIII.

Prayer, as Psalm iv. Written, probably, by David during the

rebellion of Absalom.

(I. Prayer for deliverance.)

1 Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord my rock;

Be not silent to me:

Lest, if Thou be silent to me,

I become like them that go down into the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my supplication,

when I cry unto Thee,

When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy oracle. 3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, Which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

(II. Overthrow of enemies foretold.)

4 Give them according to their deeds,

And according to the wickedness of their endea

vours:

Give them after the work of their hands;

Render to them their desert.

5 Because they regard not the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands,

He shall destroy them, and not build them up. (III. Praise and Petition.)

6 Blessed be the Lord,

Because He hath heard the voice of my supplication. 7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth;

And with my song will I praise Him. 8 The Lord is their strength,

And He is the saving strength of His anointed. 9 Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance: Feed them also, and lift them up for ever.

REFLECTIONS.

1. The sun is often veiled with clouds. The Christian may be often in darkness and distress. In such seasons here is his example. He must pray earnestly; he must pray to be heard and answered. He must pray to be kept from all sin, that he may not perish with the ungodly.

2. Here the wicked are described. They do not regard the works and ways, the counsels and laws of God; but walk in their own way, according to the devices of their evil hearts. Here too their end is foretold. They who sow to the flesh "shall of the

flesh reap corruption :" for God is righteous, and "will render to every man according to his deeds.” The wicked are impious as to God; cruel and deceitful as to man; and their end is destruction.

3. Winds drive away the clouds, and the sun shines again. We pray to God; our darkness is dispelled; comfort is restored; and we pour out our hearts in the language of praise and thanksgiving. We can tell what God has done for us, and what He does for all His faithful servants. Our animated praise will lead to earnest prayer for others, that they may largely experience the divine goodness.

PRAYER.

O gracious God, Thou knowest our weakness, dangers, and sorrows; have mercy upon us, and be Thou our strength and our defence. Save us, and Thy whole Church, from all our enemies; bless us with all spiritual blessings; feed us with the bread of life; and grant that we may rise more and more into the life of righteousness; that we may be finally exalted to everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

PSALM XXIX.

Displaying the Divine perfections, as Psalm viii. Written by David.

(I. Admonition to give glory to God.)

1 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty,

Give unto the Lord glory and strength.

2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

(II. God's power in nature and in grace.) 3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: The God of glory thundereth:

The Lord is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf;

Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.

7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness;

The Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, And discovereth the forests.

And in His temple doth every one speak of His glory.

(III. His majesty and goodness.) 10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood;

Yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.

11 The Lord will give strength unto His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

REFLECTIONS.

1. All men, both high and low, should unite in ascribing glory to God, and in worshipping Him with holy worship; with clean hands and upright hearts. Those only honour God aright who thus magnify and serve Him.

2. God is great in the works of creation. In the thunder, which is here called "the voice of the Lord," we are reminded of His power and majesty. How