known his restoring grace. The metaphor is taken from the custom of the eastern shepherd, who did not drive, but lead his flock; going before them, and calling them after him. Applied to our Lord Jesus and his redeemed, it instructs us in many precious truths: for instance-That all our practical holiness lies in imitating him, who hath left us an example that we should follow his steps. That the most self-denying duties should be attempted with cheerfulness, as they have been sanctified by the experience, and are softened by the sympathy, of our Elder Brother, Though he were a SON, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. He has not left a thorn in our path which did not pierce his own blessed foot: not one, of which his blood will not counteract the poison, and heal the wound

That in all the opposition which his people have to encounter, he is the first to perceive the foe, and to sustain the onset; for their King shall pass before them, and the Lord on the head of them that he enlarges their hearts to run the way of his commandments: his love constraining them, both as a motive and a principle, to live not unto themselves, but unto him that died for them and rose again; a constraint which liberates their will, so that they walk at liberty, and without which they would infallibly revert back into bondage. Summarily, they know nothing,

perform nothing, and are nothing, but in their LEADER'S might. He is the Lord their strength, who guides them with his counsel, as a pledge that he will afterward receive them to glory.

(3.) The reason of this, his interference to keep his people in the paths of righteousness, is assigned in the last clause of the third verse-It is for his name's sake.

The name of Jesus includes all the excellencies of his person, offices, and work. To display them in the redemption of sinners, and to acquire the glory which had been promised to its accomplishment, was the end of his incarnation, his sorrows, and his death. For the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame; and because he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; therefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. Whatever grace, love, truth, wisdom, power, belongs to the Lord Jesus as the Captain of salvation, it is comprehended in that name for the sake of which he leads believers in the paths of righteousness. Its lustre shines forth in his regard for them.

As the first-born among many brethren, of whom he is not ashamed; and for whom he is entered as the forerunner within the vail.

As the high priest of their profession, through whose blood they have boldness to enter into the holiest; and who, being their advocate with the Father, ever liveth to make intercession for them.

As the author and pattern of their perfection; drawing more and more strongly the lines of their resemblance to himself; evincing his omnipotence in the transformation of their minds; and exhibiting to holy angels and spiritual men, the rudiments of that beauty which is to receive its finish when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.

The praise thus derived to his name bears directly upon the consolation of his people in two important points.

First, it shows the safety of their state.

By leading them in the paths of righteousness, he connects their preservation with his own glory. And the question, whether they may fall into complete and final apostasy? is answered by another, whether the Son of God shall tarnish the honor of his own name? In virtue of his covenant-engagement, he must either keep them, or deny himself: and, therefore, not one of them, no, not the feeblest of them all, can perish without the ruin of his glory. The alternative is awful, but sure; and while it stands on the heavenly record, let no heart faint, nor any joints be loosed. Here is the refuge of

the church of God; here the assurance of her children's peace.

Secondly. The name of Jesus, for the sake of which he leads his people in the paths of righteousness, furnishes them with argument before the throne of grace. "Me," may the tempted and disconsolate say, "me he might overlook and contemn, but will he contemn or overlook his own name?" No, thou afflicted: the charge of indifference toward his name, or those who trust in it, shall never be attached to God thy Savior. To repose such confidence in his name as couples it with thine eternal salvation, is that boldness of the gospel which never went ashamed from the mercy-seat. This was well understood by the elders who obtained a good report through faith. Let us plead in their spirit and language, For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity, for it is great. If we die when suing for the mercy of the covenant, or be deserted while our eyes are toward thee for guidance in the paths of righteousness, the seekers of thy face will be discouraged thine enemies will triumph, and what wilt thou do to thy great name? We are, indeed, most criminal and vile: but there is forgiveness with thee that thou mayest be feared. Our appeal is to the proffers and promises of thy word. Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake;

Do not disgrace the throne of thy glory; remember, break not thy covenant with us."

But the shepherd's care does not end with the direction of his flock: he supports and defends it also, both under the pressure of calamity, and in the enjoyment of privilege. The proof of this point is in verses four and five, which describe the

3d. Part of his office. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me: thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

The psalmist shows the support and protection which believers may expect from their Redeemer, in the most grievous calamity. For, having put an extreme case in relation to himself, he declares his security, and then assigns the reason of it.

The case, which is extreme, he puts in these words: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

That we may rightly understand the whole passage, we must fix the meaning of the expression, valley of the shadow of death. It does not signify dying for it is not the valley of death, but of the shadow of death; and the shadow of an object cannot be the same thing with the obVOL. IF.

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