Christians suffered "the bands of the wicked to rob them ""They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”1 We have indeed little reason to be frightened from religion by the anticipation of the trouble, to which it may expose us. In making exchange of the world for God, and the services of sin for the ways of heaven, we shall find no room left for regret in life, in death, or in eternity. The darkest hour of the believer is ten thousand times brighter than the brightest day of the ungodly. The hope of the crown will enable us to bear the cross, and to realize its sanctifying support as a matter for unbounded praise.

But those who in this world of trouble are utterly ignorant of the all-sufficiency of the refuge of the Gospel; instead of being driven to it by the gracious visitations of God, are ready to retreat into any hiding-place of their own, rather than direct their steps backward to him. Pitiable and desolate as their circumstances of distress must be, surely they are most intensely aggravated by the sullen rebellion of the heart, which refuses to listen to those breathings of the Saviour's love, that would guide them to himself, as their sure, and peaceful, and eternal rest! 2 Would that we could persuade them to cast their souls in penitence and faith before his blessed cross! 3 The burden of sin, as Bunyan's pilgrim found, would then drop from their backs. And this burden once removed-other burdens before intolerable would be found comparatively light; nay-all burdens would be removed in the enjoyment of the Christian privilege of casting all-sin-care-and trouble-upon Jesus. Contrast the state of destitution without him, 2 See Matt. xi. 28. 3 1 Peter v. 7.

1 Hebrews x. 34.

with the abundant resources of the people of God. They are in the present possession of a "joy which no man taketh from them; "1 and they have "laid up treasure in heaven," where the bands of the wicked can never break through nor steal." 2

Christian! Does not your faith realize a subsistence in things not seen? The only realities in the apprehension of the world are "the things that are seen and are temporal." Your realities are "the things that are not seen and are eternal." Then remember -if you be robbed of your earthly all, your treasure is beyond the reach of harm. You still are able to say—“I have all and abound.” 3 You can live splendidly upon your God, though all is beggary around you. The remembrance of the law of your God is an unfailing stay to your soul, and you are ready to acknowledge-" Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction."4

62. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee : because of thy righteous judgments.

THERE was no occasion for the painful restrictions and mortifications of a monastry to oblige this holy man to severe and self-denying observances. Much less was there any desire, by these extraordinary services, to work out a righteousness of his own, to recommend him to the favour of God. His diligence in this heavenly employment was the spontaneous effusion of a heart filled with the Spirit." "Seven times a day "6 was not enough for him; but he must rise “at midnight" to continue his song of praise.

1 John xvi. 22.

3 Phil. iv. 18, also 2 Cor. vi. 10.
5 Ephesians v. 18.

995

2 Matthew vi. 20.

4 Verse 92.

9 See Verse 164.

2

These hours sometimes had been spent in overwhelming sorrow.' Now they were given to the excrcise and enjoyment of praise. Indeed it seems to have been his custom habitually to excite the glow of gratitude in his soul by beginning the midnight hour with a review of the manifestations of the goodness of God throughout the day. What a useful example for our imitation! and what a sweet employment for the "wearisome nights," when the child of sorrow "is full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day!" 3 Often should we then understand the suitableness of the exhortation-" Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud upon their beds.”4 us look at another picture of Christian enjoyment, under similar circumstances- At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises to God," 5-they gave thanks because of his righteous judgments."

Let

We often complain of our want of spirituality in the divine life-how much our body hinders the ascent of the soul heavenwards-how often drowsiness overcomes our evening communion with our God; the "weakness of the flesh" overpowering the "willingness of the Spirit."6 But after making all due allowances for constitutional infirmity, it may be well to inquire, how far we are "instant in season and out of season in the mortification of the flesh. Do we earnestly seek for a heart delighting in heavenly things? The more the flesh is denied for the service of God, the more we shall be elevated for the enjoyment, and realize the privilege, of the work; and, instead of having so often to mourn that our "souls cleave unto

1 See Psalm 1xxvii. 3, 4.
3 Job vii. 3, 4.
5 Acts xvi. 25.

2 Ibid. cxxxix. 17, 18.
4 Psalm cxlix. 5.
6 Matthew xxvi. 41.

71 Corinthians ix. 27.

the dust," 1 we shall be able to "mount upwards with eagles' wings," and even now by anticipation, to take our place before "the throne of God and the Lamb." And need we remark the active influence of self-denial in exercising our graces, and promoting our comfort? Oh! how much more fervent would our prayer be-how much more fruitful in blessings-were they enlivened with more abundant delight in the angelical work of praise. The theme is even present before us. That which employs the song of heaven should constantly engage our songs on earth -Jesus and his love-the worthiness of the Lamb

3

that was slain-his " power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength and honour, and glory, and blessing.” 4 Midnight wakefulness would be far sweeter than slumber; yea, night itself would be turned to day, were it thus employed in the grateful recollection of "the judgments of God," as manifested in the glory of the Saviour.5 Lord, tune my heart to thy praise-and then no time will be unseasonable for this blessed employment. Time thus redeemed from sleep will be an antepast of the unwearied service of heaven.6

63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

be iden"'7 as the

THOSE" that fear the Lord" will ever tified with "those who keep his precepts; child testifies his filial fear by cheerful and implicit obedience to his father's will. They are then the Lord's people; and union with the Lord will naturally

1 Verse 25.

4 Rev. v. 12.

2 Isaiah xl. 31.

5 See Ibid. xv. 3, 4.

7 Compare Psalm ciii. 17, 18.

3 Baxter.

6 Ibid. iv. 8.

form a bond of union with them. Their identity of taste and pursuits will bind them to each other with a cord of love and fellowship, that "is not quickly broken." 1 Perhaps, however, here the Christian may be occasionally called to some sacrifice of his own taste and inclination. The worldly society of his own sphere may be of a more refined and intelligent character, and more accordant to the cast of his own mind. But will he not, or ought he not, to say-"Surely the fear of God is not in this place; "'2 and "should I love them that hate the Lord ?" 3 It would be well that Christian's living in close, and to a certain degree necessary, contact with the world, should subject their hearts to an evening scrutiny on this subject Have I felt fellowship of spirit with the world to-day? Has the society of this day refreshed my soul? Has it raised my heart to spiritual things? Has it promoted a watchful temper? Or has it not rather " quenched the spirit" of prayer,

and thrown me back from communion with God?'

The duties of our profession, or the leadings of providence, bring us indeed into unavoidable connexion with those, who "have no fear of God before their eyes." Nor are we called to affect a sullen silence, or to violate the rules of courtesy 5 in our attempts to force religion upon their attention. But such men, whatever be their attractions, will not be the companions of our choice. To feel fellowship with them, is to 66 remove the ancient land-mark; " 6 to forget the broad line of separation between us and them; and to venture into the atmosphere of most imminent danger. If indeed our hearts were ascending, like a flame of fire, with a natural motion heavenwards, and

1 Eccles. iv. 12.

4 See 2 Cor. vi. 14, 15.

2 Gen. xx. 11.
5 See 1 Pet. iii. 8.

3 2 Chron. xix. 2. 6 Prov. xxii. 28.