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Tuke this child away, and nurse it for me, and 1 will give thee thy wages.

Exod. ii. 9,

As Moses was ordered to be saved by the most cruel enemy's daugh

ter, so Satan himself, even when he meditates our destruction, must be a mean of our life. See also Matt. xii. 48. Who is my mother, &c. Isa. viii. 10; and ix. 6. O Lord Jesus, if thou art a child born unto me, and I willing to receive thee as my Immanuel, thou wilt be my shield and exceeding great reward, and defend me powerfully against all my enemies. O my dear Saviour, if thou art mine, all is mine, even thy Father, thy Spirit, and thy heavenly glory; all accidents, all enemies must work for my good, and be instruments and ministers of my salvation. O that I may, trusting in thee, never fear any thing, but, thinking directly it is mine, may only make good use of every thing. Thus even the very worst would turn to my greatest blessing; and without it perhaps I should want as needful a thing as a mill or a ship does when destitute of wind and water.

My soul, survey thy happiness,
If thou art found a child of grace:
How richly is the gospel stor'd!
What joy the promises afford!
All things are now the gift of God,

And purchas'd with our Saviour's blood;

While the good Spirit shows us how
To use and to enjoy them too.

If
peace and plenty crown my days,
They help me, Lord, to speak thy praise;
If bread of sorrows be my food,
Those sorrows work my real good.

My Father worketh hitherto, and I work (as also the Holy Spirit). John v. 17.

My poor soul, is not the blessed Trinity thy God, in three Persons, able to destroy the works of the Devil, and fulfil his good-will in thee? O yes, he works both to will and to do: and that very thing which is above your own power, he works, and nothing else. If you can do little, he works much; if nothing at all, so much the better, then he works all; for he is our all, since we are nothing, and can do nothing. And happy are we that we can have him for our support in all things; and that the children of God are not required to direct their own steps, but shall be led by their heavenly Father. Now, O Lord, since by the will, guidings, and workings of my own heart, I throw only so many hinderances and blocks in my way, grant, I beseech thee, that, in true dependence on thee, I may venture every thing; and, despairing of my own sufficiency, may always abide in thee, draw all necessary strength from thee by prayer, and bring forth many good fruits which may last to eternity! For thy work in true believers, weak as it may seem now, will last for ever, and none shall be able to destroy it.

Lord, let thy counsels guide my feet

Through this dark wilderness; Thy hand conduct me near thy seat, To dwell before thy face!

Then, if the springs of life were broke,
And flesh and heart should faint,
God is my soul's eternal rock,

The strength of ev'ry saint.

Draw nigh to God,'and he will draw nigh to you. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. James iv. 7, 8. And thus the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. chap. v. 16.

My dear soul, draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh to thee; be instant in it, and the Devil cannot stand against thee; for prayers will drive away sin and Satan, as the wind drives the smoke before it; it works wonderful great things, and will make possible what seemeth most impossible. If God has given thee some spiritual blessings already, this is an encouragement to hope also for that which thou lackest yet: therefore only pray confidently, and shall receive evermore; for unbelief is the only reason that God cannot work wonders for us.

My God, I bow before thy feet,
When shall my soul get near thy seat?
When shall I see thy glorious face,
With mingled majesty and grace?
How should I love thee and adore,
With hopes and joys unknown before!
And bid this trifling world begone;
Nor teaze my heart so near thy throne.

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Creatures with all their charms should fly
The presence of a God so nigh:
My darling sins should lose their name,
And grow my hatred and my shame.
My soul should pour out all her cares
In flowing words or flowing tears;
Thy smiles should ease my sharpest paîn;
Nor shall I seek my God in vain.

What dost thou here, Elijah? 1 Kings xix. 13.

I ET this question be supposed as addressed to us: What dost thou here in this world, into which thou art sent ? Art thou working “the work of Him that sent thee," or standing all the day idle? How dost thou acquit thyself in the duties of thy particular calling? Art thou upright, conscientious, and useful therein? Art thou in the post assigned thee by Heaven, truly called, and properly qualified for it? or hast thou thrust thyself into it without warrant or invitation; and therefore hast no cause to expect success? What dost thou here, in this retirement? Is the world shut out of thy thoughts, and are the visits of the blessed Spirit invited ? What dost thou here, if it be not thy wish and endeavour to have communion with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ? What dost thou here, if thy peace with an offended God is not already made, or most earnestly desired and sought after? If thou really wantest peace and safety, plead the blood of Jesus, flee to the city of refuge, before the avenger of blood overtake thee, and thou perish from the way! "Remember Lot's wife," and look not behind thee, lest thou become a monument of wrath. What dost thou here in times of trial and temptation? Art thou flying from the danger, or boldly facing it, in the name and strength of the Lord? Art thou ashamed of the Cross, or dost thou willingly take it upon thee? Elijah failed here; he fled from Jezebel; and did such an one as Elijah fear? Then howl, ye fir-trees, if the cedars be thus shaken! hold fast by Christ, ye weak ones, if the strong fall? What dost thou here below? Art thou for pitching thy tent on this side Jordan, satisfied with thy present portion? or art thou "looking to a better country, to a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God?" Life is uncertain, death approaches, the Judge is at the door, then prepare to meet thy God.” Arm me with a jealous care, As in thy sight to live ;

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And thy weak servant, Lord, prepare,

A good account to give!

Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. Ps. xxv. 15. Happy is the man that feareth alway. Prov. xxviii. 14.

How long can some enemies hide themselves with their nets before our eyes, and draw in all on a sudden! It is unspeakable how cun. ning and powerful our enemies are, how they lie in wait everywhere, so that in all places, and at all times, we are surrounded with many cruel murderers of souls! Blessed is he that keeps clear from self-confidence, and, fearing always, says within himself, as soon as he awakes in the morning, Who knows what temptations I may meet with today? perhaps when I arise, by the first step my feet may be entangled in dangerous snares and nets. And as self-confidence ever will be ashamed, and a firm confidence in the Lord never shall (Rom. ix. 33) grant, O Lord, I beseech thee, that distrusting myself, I may fully put my trust on thee, watching evermore in all things, and looking cautiously in all places about me, where there is any fear of danger. Whatever I am about to do or to speak, let me first converse with thee by prayer; that keeping always close to thee, I may be preserved against the power and craft of mine enemies, as in a stronghold; and confidently say, according to thy own pattern given (Psalm xvi. 8) "I have set the Lord before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

God is my portion and my joy;
His counsels are my light,

He gives me sweet advice by day,
And gentle hints by night.

My soul would all her thoughts appro
To his all-seeing eye:

Not Death nor Hell my hope shall m
While such a friend is nigh,

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