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and having "faith in Christ," and "living in all godliness and honesty, all things will work together for your good."

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Thy statutes," says the Psalmist, "have been my song in the house of my pilgrimage."* There you will find an account of pious servants; you will see how faithfully Abraham's servant obeyed his master; † how a servantmaid was useful to Naáman, the captain of the king of Assyria's army; you will see the punishment of a lying servant in Gehazi.‡ There, in a word, you will find your duty pointed out and explained.§

In short, all classes of persons, in every age, in every situation; kings and subjects, ministers and people, husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants,

*Psalm cxix. 54. + Gen. xxiv. § Col. iii. 22; Ephes. vi. 5, 6, 7, 8;

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+ 2 Kings v.

Titus ii. 9, 10.

rich and poor, righteous and wicked, prosperous and unfortunate, learned and unlearned, may, as Bishop Cranmer truly and justly remarks, "learn in this book all things; what they ought to do, and what they should not do, as well concerning Almighty God, as also concerning themselves and all others."*

* He who hath one brought himself to "delight" in the Scriptures, says Bishop Horne, in his more than excellent Commentary on the Psalms, will find no temptation to exchange that pleasure for any which the world or the flesh can offer him. Such a one will make the lively oracles of God his companions by day and by night. He will have recourse to them for direction, in the bright and cheerful hours of prosperity: to them he will apply for comfort, in the dark and dreary seasons of adversity. The enemy, when advancing to the assault, will always find him well employed, and will be received with "Get thee behind me, Satan! When the law of God is the object of our studies and meditations, we are conformed to the example of our Redeemer himself, who, as a man, while he "increased in stature,' in

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creased likewise "in wisdom," and grew powerful in the knowledge of the law which he was to fulfil, and of those prophecies which he was to accomplish; so that, at twelve years of age, he appeared to "have more understanding than all his teachers; for the divine testimonies had been his meditation." Psal. cxix. 99.

114

SELECT

PORTIONS OF SCRIPTURE.

ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.* 2 Tim. iii. 16.

*By the Word of God we learn what human nature hath been, and what it is now, and what it is capable of becoming. No book is of equal importance with the Bible; no knowledge comparable to that which we thence derive; and our value for it cannot rise to too high a degree. Many words may please; many others may entertain; many may instruct us in useful interesting science, wherein we may lawfully and laudably take pleasure. But no words are on the level with the words of heavenly wisdomsweeter also are they than honey and the honey-comb; for by them are God's servants taught, and in keeping them there is great reward.

SELECT PORTIONS OF SCRIPTURE. 115

Whosoever is ashamed* of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. Mark viii. 38.

"All things work together for good† to them

* To all of every age, who, from a false shame, and fear of the world's censure, dare not publicly profess their belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ, dare not act up to what they think right, this short declaration made by our Saviour himself, well deserves their most serious consideration. A sincere Christian will not hesitate to

say,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of CHRIST; for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Rom.i. 16.

+ If we are perfectly convinced of this great truth, that all the events of life are directed by an all-wise and good God, who orders them in the way that is best for us, we shall be ready to follow the example of Christ, and to say, "Not my will, but Thine be done!" In all our troubles and misfortunes, let us call to mind the emphatic language of Scripture-"God hath power to help, and to cast down; for with Him all things are possible."

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