degree of his aversion.

From this distempered state of mind an easy step is made to unwarrantable actions, to the laying base projects and evil schemes, with a view to defraud others, and to obtain the things which are coveted, as far as it can be done with impunity, and without falling under the correction of human laws. JORTIN. 167 Minist'ring Spirits,

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Is it not a known and delightful truth? are they not indeed all ministering spirits, who officiate before the throne of God, and are sent out to attend on those who shall inherit salvation? and always willing to undertake the offices he shall assign them for the safety and good of his people? And, therefore, far from thinking of them in any view of comparison with him, let us humbly adore him, for the benefits which, by his authority and favour, we daily receive from these benevolent creatures. And as our obligations to him are infinitely superior to theirs, let us emulate their fidelity, vigour, and zeal, in the steadiness and cheerfulness of our obedience; till we join them in services like their own, in that world where they dwell, and to which, if we prove ourselves his faithful servants, he will ere long give them a charge safely and joyfully to convey us. and the faithful armies rung

Hosanna to the Highest ;

An Hebrew word, signifying, Save we beseech thee.

357 Of Moloch furious king;

A king; an idol of the Ammonites.

365 Vanquish'd Adramelech

And the Avites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites burn their children in fire to Adrameleck and Anammaleck, the gods of Sepharvaim. 365 Asmadia

A rebel angel.

369 Nor stood unmindful of Abdiel.

An holy seraph who zealously opposed Lucifer in the revolt.

371 Ariel and Arioc

Ariel, a devouring and ferocious captain of the fallen angels, a name given to Jerusalem, from the great brazen altar erected there by Solomon, which devoured the sacrifice like a lion, Solomon offered a thousand burnt sacrifices upon it at one time. Arioc another leader of the rebellious spirits. 372 Of Ramiel

A proud aspiring chief among the rebels. 380 Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell.

Thou hast destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish. Isa. xxvi. 14.

447 Nisrock, of principalities the prime;

Another of the fallen angels. As the king of Assyria was worshipping in the house of Nisroch, his god, his sons smote him with the sword. 2 Kings, xix. 37.

535 Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest wing,

One of the chiefs under Michael, who sounds the alarm to battle.

564 Heaven witness thou anon, while we discharge Freely our part;

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. Prov. xxi. 24.

627 They show us when our foes walk not upright. He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. Prov. ii. 7.

Which God hath in his mighty angels plac'd.

The righteous seem to lie by, in the bosom of earth, as a weary pilot in some well-sheltered creek, till all the storms which infest this lower world are blown over: here they enjoy safe anchorage, are in no danger of foundering amidst the waves of prevailing iniquity, or of being shipwrecked on the rocks of any powerful temptation. But, ere long, we shall behold them hoisting the flag of hope; riding before a sweet gale of atoning merit and redeeming love, till they make, with all the sails of an assured faith, the blessed ports of everlasting life. HERVEY.

681 Son, in whose face invisible is beheld

708

Who is the image of the invisible God. Col. i. 15.

to be heir and to be king By sacred unction, thy deserved right.

Come then, all ye faculties of my mind, come all ye powers of my body, give up yourself, without delay, without reserve, to his governance; stand, like dutiful servants, at his footstool, in an everlasting readiness, to do whatever he appoints; to further, with united efforts, the porposes of his glory in this earthly scene; or else to separate, without reluctance, at his summons: the one, to sleep in the silent dust; the other, to advance his glory. Thus may I join with all the works of the Lord, in all places of his dominion, to recog

714

nise his universal supremacy; and proclaim him Sovereign of Souls, as well as Ruler of Worlds.

HERVEY.

and sword upon thy puissant thigh;

Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And, in thy majesty, ride prosperously, because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the hearts of the king's enemies they fall under thee. Psalms, xiv. 3, 4, 5.

725 To glorify thy Son, I always thee.

And

Father, glorify thy name. John, vii. 28, far be it from me to draw back from such engagements and undertakings. I will, therefore, much rather say: Father, glorify thine own name, and dispose of me, and all my concerns, in such a way as may most effectually answer that great end.

728 That thou in me well pleas'd, declar'st thy will Fulfill'd,

And, as a farther testimony of the divine. regard to Christ, and of the glorious dignity of his person, this was attended with a memorable event; for behold, a loud and awful voice came out of heaven, when it was thus opened, which said: Thou art my beloved Son, in thee am I well pleased: that is, I perfectly acquiesce in thee, as the Great Mediator; through whom I will shew myself favourable unto sinful creatures. Matt. iii. 17.

S

733 Thou shalt be all in all and I in thee;

That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. I in them, and thou in me; that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. John, xvii. 21, 22 Thus, therefore, may these wise and gracious purposes of his love be fulfilled in us! May we be one with each other and with him! May that piety and charity appear in the whole series of our temper and behaviour, which may evidently shew the force of our religion, and reflect a conspicuous honour on the founder of it! And may all concur to train us up for that complete felicity above, in which all the purposes of his love centre! It is the declared will of Christ, and let us never forget it, that his people should be with him where he is, that they may behold his glory which the Father has given him. And there is apparent congruity, as well as mercy, in this appointment; that where he is, there also should his servants be.

734 But whom thou hat'st, I hate and can put on

For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O Lord, that hate thee? and am I not grieved with those that rise up against thee?

I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and lead me, and know my thoughts; and see