children.

And thus, though "weeping may endure

for a night, joy cometh in the morning." 2

But let us inquire into the Lord's revelation of his own name, and we shall then more clearly conceive of its support in the darkest midnight of tribulations. "And the Lord descended in the cloud, and stood with him (Moses); and proclaimed the name of the Lord. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed-The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, and will by no means clear the guilty." 3 Can we wonder that such a name as this should be exhibited as a ground of trust? "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it and is safe." "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee.”4 Even our suffering Lord appears to have derived support from "the remembrance of the name of the Lord in the night" of desertion-" O my God I cry in the day-time, and thou hearest not; and in the nightseason, and am not silent. But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." 5 And from the experience of this source of consolation, we find the tempted Saviour directing his tempted people to the same support. "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God.” 6 Indeed all the rest that can be anticipated in this world of trouble can come only from this sourcethe "remembrance of the Lord's name "-what he is

1 See Luke xv. 20-24.

3 Exodus xxxiv. 5, 6.

5 Psalm xxii. 2, 3.

2 Psalm xxx. 5.

4 Prov. xviii. 10. Psalm ix. 10.

6 Isaiah 1. 10.

in himself, and what he has promised to be to us. How vast then are our obligations to his dear Son, as the only medium by which this name could ever be known or remembered!" No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him." 1

.

As, however, we are taught to know his name, the remembrance of the support received from it will be a constraining motive to obedience. We shall "keep his law," when we "remember his name." A sense of our obligations will impel us forward into the path of duty, and will indeed have a most happy influence in promoting diligence, heavenly-mindedness, and self-devotedness in whatever sphere of action may be appointed for us. Obedience will partake far more of the character of privilege than of duty, when an enlightened knowledge of God is the principle of action.

56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

How is it, believer, that you are enabled to "sing of the Lord's statutes "—and to "remember his name?" This you have, because you keep his precepts. Thus you are able to tell the world, that in keeping his commandments there is great reward"—that the "work of righteousness is peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever." 3 Christian let your testimony be

clear and decided-that ten thousand worlds cannot bestow the happiness of one day's devotedness to the service of your Lord. For is it not in this path that you realize fulness of joy in fellowship with the Father

and with his Son Jesus Christ?" "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him-my Father will love him; and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."1 If

you were walking more closely with God in "the obedience of faith," the world would never dare to accuse religion as the source of melancholy and despondency. No man has any right to the hope of happiness in a world of tribulation, but he that seeks it in the favour of his God. Nor can any enjoy this favour, except as connected in the exercise of faith with conformity to the will, and delight in the law, of his God.

But let us remark how continually David was enriching his treasury of spiritual experience with some fresh view of the dealings of God with his soul, some answer to prayer, or some increase of consolation, which he records for his own encouragement, and for the use of the church of God. Let us seek to imitate him in this respect; and we shall often be enabled to say as he does " This I had”—this comfort I enjoyed

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-this support in trouble-this remarkable manifestation of his love-this confidence I was enabled to maintain this I had"-it was made my own-"because I kept thy precepts." And how important in the absence of spiritual enjoyment to examine"is there not a cause?" and what is the cause? Have not "strangers devoured my strength; and I knew it not?" 2 Is the Lord "with me as in months past?" 3 with me in my closet?-with me in family? with me at my table? with me in my

1 John xiv. 21, 23, with 1 John i. 3, 4; iii. 24.

2 Hosea vii. 9.

3 Job xxix. 2.

my

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daily employments and intercourse with the world? When I hear the faithful people of God telling of his love and saying-" This I had"-must I not, if unable to join their cheerful acknowledgment, trace it to my unfaithful walk, and say--" This I had" not -because I have failed in obedience to thy precepts ; because I have been careless and self-indulgent ; because I have slighted thy love; because I have 'grieved thy Holy Spirit," and forgotten to "ask for the old paths, that I might walk therein, and find rest to my soul?" 1 Oh! let this scrutiny and recollection of our ways realize the constant need of the finished work of Jesus, as our ground of acceptance, and source of strength. This will bring healingrestoration-increasing devotedness-tenderness of conscience-circumspection of walk, and a determination not to rest until we can make this grateful acknowledgment our own. At the same time, instead of boasting that our own arm, our own diligence, or holiness, "have gotten us into this favour, we shall cast all

our attainments at the feet of Jesus, and crown him Lord of all for ever.

1 Jeremiah vi. 16.

H

PART VIII.

57. Thou art my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep thy words.

MAN, as a dependent being, must be possessed of some portion. He cannot live upon himself. He must also have a large portion, because the powers and capacities to be filled are large. If he has not a satisfying portion, he is a wretched empty creature, But where and how is he to find this portion?" There be many that say-Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us ! Ah! who can speak of the goodness of the Lord, in having offered himself as the portion of an unworthy sinner, and having engaged to employ his perfections for his happiness? Or who can speak of the folly, and madness, and guilt, of the sinner, in choosing his " portion in this life; as if there was no God on the earth, no way of happiness to be found in him?

"1

"2

access to him, or no That such madness

should be found in the heart of man, is a most affecting illustration of his departure from God; but that God's own 66 people should commit these two evilsforsaking the fountain of living waters, and hewing out broken cisterns for themselves"-is the fearful astonishment of heaven itself. 3

But we cannot know and enjoy God as our portion, except as he has manifested himself in his dear Son in the covenant of grace. And in the knowledge and

1 Psalm iv. 6.

2 Ibid. xvii. 14.

3 Jer. ii. 12, 13.