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the Lord in delivering him from many snares, which Satan and the ungodly set to destroy him, previous to his uttering the language of our text. But notwithstanding this, he still found, when the day of adversity appeared, and the sweet effusions of the Holy Spirit were suspended from his mind, that he needed the helping hand of the Lord. It was from a knowledge of this that he was induced to give vent to his feelings in these words, "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path,' Psalm xxvii. 11.

Whilst looking up to the Lord for his blessing, I purpose to notice, first, The childlike expression of the man of God-" Teach me thy ways, O Lord:" which denotes two things, 1. Submission to the will of God. 2. A confidence that he could teach them without infringing upon his perfections.

1. Submission. This sweet spiritual flower, this excellent spirit, does not grow in nature's garden. Oh no, it is the sole produce of God the Holy Ghost, and only found in the garden of the Lord. Cant. v. 1. Alas, alas! instead of submission to the will of God, the ways of God, and the docof God, as recorded in the oracles of truth, we, by nature, rise up in hostility, not only against the sacred doctrines of the Bible, but against its divine Author. Our language was in unison with that of Pharoah, who said, Who is the Lord that I should obey his voice? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go," Exod. v. 2. Thus we see, beloved in the Lord, that

Submission to the will of God,
His works, his ways, his sacred word;
Oh 't is a grant divinely free,
Just suitable for such as me.

Again, the term, "Teach me," &c. implies ignorance on the part of the petitioner, and surely this is a lesson that the Lord the Spirit teaches to all whom he takes in hand.

2. Confidence in God is another

branch of this subject. This shews that he had a correct knowledge of Jehovah in the trinity of his Persons. The amazing plan of salvation had been by the Holy Spirit sealed upon his heart. The expiating blood of Jesus, the validity of his sacrifice, the intrinsic value of his spotless righteousness, which alone could screen him from the scrutiny of infinite justice, are things which were made known to his soul by the Lord himself, that created a holy confidence in his mind, that he could grant him the request of his heart, without the least infringement upon the perfection of his justice.

Secondly. I see it meet to notice the anxious desire that pervaded the mind of the psalmist, not only to be taught, but to be led also by the Lord in a plain path. This imports two things: 1. He found many obstructions in his way, which he was totally inadequate, in his own strength, to remove. We find on one occasion that unbelief was so prevalent, that he said, mark my brethren, not the Lord, that he should one day perish by the hand of Saul. 1 Sam. xxvii. 1. And this is true with reference to the experience of all the living family.

When the dark cloud of affliction was presented to poor old Jacob's mind, the utterance of his heart was, "All these things are against me." And many of the Lord's people have no small portion of temporal afflictions annexed to that which is spiritual, so that it is from real necessity they utter, or plead before the Lord in language that is in accordance with our text-"Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path."

Again, when the Lord the Spirit directs our attention to look at the signs of the times in which we live, how very little of genuine Christian love there appears amongst those who can, when grace is in holy exercise in their souls, speak of the Lord's work upon their hearts. Alas! instead of

endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. iv. 2), putting the best construction on the meaning of a brother's words, restoring such an one (when left to stray) in the spirit of gospel meekness (Gal. vi. 1), we regret to say that quite the reverse spirit is too often manifested amongst Christian brethren. This makes us heave the painful sigh; this makes our way Zionward very intricate.

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2. The craving desires of the man of God to be led by him, plainly shews that he wanted the Lord to go before him. The apostle saw and felt the need of this, when he expressed himself thus to the church : Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children." But to illustrate this, allow me to propound the following question Suppose we were necessitated to pass through a dark subterraneous passage into a large expanse, where every thing presented a most magnificent appearance, should we not want a faithful guide to go before us; yea, should we not want him to put out his hand to lead us lest we should lose our way? Surely it is so. And thus it is with all the Lord's family. They have to pass through dark dispensations, which makes them cry,

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Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe; let not the pit shut her mouth upon me:" or, in the language of our text, "Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path." And their faithful Guide, in his own blessed time, will make darkness light before them, and all crooked things straight. Yea, then it may be said, that he hath turned for them their mourning into dancing, he hath put off their sackcloth and girded them with gladness. Psalm xxx. 11. that the Lord would, if it is his sacred pleasure, listen to the breathings of my soul, for and on the behalf of the people of his choice, that he would appear for them, when in great extremity, as a God-hearing and answering prayer; and that he would

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THE FULNESS OF JESUS.

How great is the mercy, that amidst all the wretchedness, poverty, and emptiness, there is to be found in the creature, that still we have one fulness to resort unto, even Jesus; a fulness that all the wants and necessities of his people can never exhaust. And it is the good pleasure of God the Father, that all fulness should dwell in Jesus; and here it dwells; and it remains stationary, that is always full of grace; and out of it the children of God are continually receiving a supply. We will endeavour to set forth briefly, how the Lord supplies all our needs out of the riches of his glory by Christ Jesus.

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What a fulness of merit in his death: it is the only life of his church. The church lives in him through him, and by him. What wonderful events took place at his death and resurrection: and behold the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent, and the graves were opened, and many dead bodies of saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection." And what veils of ignorance are torn in pieces, what rocky hearts are broken, yea, melted; how many come out of the graves of sin, many sinners which sleep, and would sleep

the sleep of death; but the death of Jesus, there is such a matchless fulness in, that countless millions live through the merits there are in it. So with his resurrection.

But what was done at his death? Peace made by the blood of his cross; reconciliation effected; delivered for our offences; justice quite pacified; and sin for ever pardoned. Come see the place where the Lord lay, where the dear Saviour, and the great and intolerable burden of man's sin lay. Here is where the debt was paid, the bill was cancelled, and the whole account settled betwixt God and man. Then he must rise up a triumphing conqueror. Mary Magdalene comes to the sepulchre. Another earthquake we find has occurred: an angel of the Lord descends from heaven, rolls back the stone, and sits upon it. The enquiring women soon find the stone removed, and an angel sitting upon it:

"See how the well pleased angel rolls

The stone, and ope's the pris'n;

Lift up your heads ye sin-sick souls,

HART.

And sing the Lord is ris'n." Now the fulness of Jesus shines forth most splendidly in his resurrection: "who was delivered for our offences, and rose again for our justification." Here we have a lawfulfilling, a heaven-admitting robe, brought in an everlasting righteousness. There is that merit in Christ's resurrection, that will last to all eternity-an everlasting robe. This robe makes meet for the society of heaven; it makes the wearer a perfection of beauty; those who have it on, utterly renounce all other robes in point of justification; they cannot bear the thoughts of any other. "Death his death-wound has now received, An end of sin's entirely made; Prisoners of hope are quite reprieved; And all the debt entirely paid." This is glorious tidings to those who have long laid folded up in the rags of their own righteousness, and September, 1842.]

who are brought to feel that they will not cover them, being much to short and to narrow. But in this garment of God's own providing, there is no condemnation. Happy souls who are thus arrayed! Clad in this robe how bright they shine! The angels of God's presence, who are ever before the throne, would think it their highest happiness to be wrapt up in Immanuel's righteousness. It is the best robe. God the Father has contrived this wonderful garment. God the Son has effectually completed it. It wants no addition to it, either in length or in breadth. And God the Holy Ghost comes and puts it on. Then the sinner is sumptuously and gorgeously attired; he can challenge death: "O death, where is thy sting?" He can challange the holy law and justice of God: There is now no con. demnation. Blessed truth; Oh blessed reality. "I will go in the

strength of the Lord God making mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only." There is a fulness in the word preached that excels. The gospel contains tidings of great joy. On the day of Pentecost, when the apostles were met together, and Peter preached the everlasting gospel, to the wondering auditory, there was a fulness a power in it, that exceeded any thing they had ever felt before: it quickened them, it searched them to the bottom, and it very much comforted them. They received the word gladly. There was great joy in that city. It seems they were satisfied. And the eunuch went on his way rejoicing. And no wonder ! they heard of a Saviour, suited to all their sins, sorrows, miseries and maladies blood that cleansed from ali sin, that brought near to God, those who were far off.

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make them sing,) which justifies from all law charges:

"All praise his heavenly love excels,
All fulness in him ever dwells,

His blood will cleanse you, and his love,
Safe bring you to the worlds above.

Ye trembling, weak, and tempted saints,
He knows your fears, your sad com-
plaints;

Though here by furious storms your toss'd,
But Jesus came to save the lost."

And what a fulness there is in his written word and promise applied to the heart: one doctrine sent home to the soul, one precept given to order our footsteps, how it comforts, refreshes, invigorates and enlivens; it is what we do need constantly. We do get so dead and dull in the good ways of God, languid cold, prayerless, formal, and a disinclination to read the word, christian com

munion is avoided; but a good and gracious God does not suffer his children to live long without him, he will fetch them back with broken limbs, or he will leave them to feel great leanness of soul, or fall into the hands of enemies, or heavily afflict them, suffer his providence to run counter to them, great darkness of

mind and hardness of heart.

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how much better it is to be crying to him continually, living daily dependant upon his fulness, to be drawing daily from his bounty, and he makes them feel they are dependant upon him continually.

"'Tis even so, thy faithful love

Does all thy children's graces prove; 'Tis thus our pride and self must fall, That Jesus may be all in all."

Then we are in our right mind, when thus sitting at the feet of Jesus, when he is our all in the great work of justification. He will be all in all in heaven. All our crown (if we have any) must be cast at his dear feet, no room for great I there, So much of it here below, in the pulpit, at the throne, in conversation, in our hymns of praise, and in all we say

or do. Paul wished the thorn in the flesh to be taken away, and Satan's buffeting to be suspended; but when he learned that he was to have a fresh supply of grace, and the Lord's strength to be made perfect in his weakness, then he resigned to the will of God: "Most gladly therefore I will glory in my infir mities." Hezekiah prayed most sweetly when heavily afflicted with boils: "O Lord, I am oppressed, May the Lord undertake for me." enable both writer and reader to be drawing largely from the fulness of Jesus; an every day supply out of his fulness: to be receiving grace for grace; strengthening grace, to enable us to hold on our way; reviving grace, to comfort us amid all our castings down; restoring grace, for the many backslidings we are the subjects of; pardoning grace, for the many sins we commit; redemption grace, to bring us out of the many bitter bondages that we slide into; comforting grace, to cheer and refresh us: and that we may find, that, "My grace is sufficient for us." We shall soon

have done with it all below and we

hope to be admitted to behold him on his throne, that compend of all that most blessed God-man whose wonder that fountain of felicity

shine even now affords an earnest of

heaven, whose bosom is a safe retreat from all the ills of life, and whose precious word has been a safe guide to many a weary pilgrim. Your's in him,

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God fulfils the declaration, that as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth the countenance of a man his friend; and in writing we see each others heart, if not the colour of the face, and notwithstanding all your bother about being an hypocrite, be one if you dare, I shall never believe you are, till you deal in daub, varnish, untempered morter, and such like stuff; and even did you dream of setting up in trade, and sell such articles, you would be quite at a loss for words to set off your commodities. But I have a proof of you, I know you are for dealing in the good old corn of the land, the new wine of the kingdom, a fatted calf, for I only read of one; a gold ring also, this is in the singular number; a lamb also, this stands alone; a Bridegroom too, you must, and are determined to have, or die; and shall I add, a Shepherd, yea, man, for thou art as greatly in need as your namesake, though perhaps you do not like the crook but it is necessary; a Father, yes a Father also, which is sweet say you, when he not only shews the rod, but lays it on till the back smarts and you wimper out, Not so, Father! a Counsellor, yes, only I should like to guide myself now and then, but it won't do; a leader yes, a leader also, one who says, I will lead the blind by a way they know not; of whom David says, he led me through fire and through water; this must be sharp work, and had any one short of Jehovah himself been David's leader here, the man must have perished, but no danger where the God of salvation leads, or goes before, for our dear Lord Jesus was made perfect through sufferings. What are these light afflictions that you and me, and friend Fowler, and you may include your wife if you like; what are they I say, compared with one dolorous groan our glorious Christ endured when he suffered for the sins of his people. Oh may we hear the rod, and see a father's loving, indulgent,

hand in it. I am again in the furnace of bodily affliction; but am better to day. Dost thou want a

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Brother, too? Yes say you. member our Jesus is called a Brother born for adversity, and why should we complain if called to be companions, with such a Brother, in the various trials, temptations, buffetings, mockings, evil speakings, scourgings, losses, bereavements, wants, &c. &c. we ought to rejoice in it. Why, methinks you will say, How so? I will tell thee; because there is bles. sed security against any real harın whilst suffering for, and with such a brother. Here I will observe, you say Mr. Hardy preached about blessed troubles, blessed crosses, &c., and it struck me, whilst reading yours, the reason was because upon every cross we endured, there is written upon it, The Lord is there; and though because of the dark cloud that cometh betwixt we cannot see his gracious purpose and end, he designs, we directly like good old Jacob, say, "all these things are against me;" and I will no more appear such a fool as I have done scores of times by opening my mouth; and though to my shame I have been brayed like a fool in a morter with a pestle, for this my folly, yet will not this foolishness go from me. But by your own confession you are at it again the very first opportunity. Yes, say you, it is my sin, it is my sin, day by day that troubles me. you are alone in this? no indeed my my brother, thou art not; if Jacob had looked about him he might have discovered his sin laid a foundation for his crosses, and perhaps it was the remembrance of it, that made him conceive the very heart-rending stroke of the apparant, and to him real loss of his children, a proof of God's anger to him.

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And do you think

Oh how pathe

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