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I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait. Ps. cxxx. 5. God's Answer: -They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint. Isa. xl. 31. For the Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. Lam. iii. 25.

WHEN we have prayed, we must remember to wait also; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord, and expressly commanded by him. The more we wait and keep instant in prayer, so much more will he give: nay, he always hears and grants our petitions directly, and lays them up for his children; but that we may not abuse them, he gives the enjoyment only when it is most needful; therefore we may confidently say, such and such gifts I shall have since I have prayed for them;— they are actually laid up for me; and the use and benefit thereof, I shall reap in due season, especially in death and in eternity.

My spirit looks to God alone,
My rock and refuge is his throne;
In all my fears, in all my straits,
My soul on his salvation waits.

Trust him, ye saints! in all your ways
Pour out your hearts before his face;

When helpers fail, and foes invade,
God is our all-sufficient aid.

For Sov'reign Pow'r reigns not alone,
Grace is a partner of his throne:
Thy grace and justice, mighty Lord,
Shall well divide our last reward.

In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul. Ps. xciv. 19. See also 2 Cor. i. 3—5.

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A CONTENTED man without afflictions, is ready to place his trust and seek his comforts in temporal things. Earthly desires crowd upon him, filling his soul with vanity, and he cannot well taste the sweet comforts of God's word, but under the burden of the cross. Here we often enjoy more solid rest than if we were without a cross, and then that word is fulfilled which Christ says, Matt. xi. 30: My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Thus our hearts are set against the world, reconciled to heavenly things, and easily separated from many idols which we could not resist or forsake before. Well then may we bear these salutary burdens, which, when sanctified, will produce present comfort, and soon issue in eternal rest and glory. And since the Lord has promised to give strength sufficient for the day, that we may not be tempted above measure, there is abundant reason again to say that his burden is light indeed.

'Tis good for me to wear the yoke,

For pride is apt to rise and swell; 'Tis good to bear my Father's stroke,

That I might learn his statutes well.

Father, I bless thy gentle hand;

How kind is thy chastising rod,
That forc'd my conscience to a stand,
And brought my wand'ring soul to God!

I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ, and The fear of the Lord is the beginning of The wisdom that is from above is first

him crucified. 1 Cor. ii. 2. wisdom, &c. Ps. cxi. 10. pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated; full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James iii. 17. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 1 Cor. viii. 1. CHRIST crucified, and he alone, is the power and wisdom of God;

him all Christians, and especially Divines, should make their particular practice to study well. Were our faith built on human wisdom, then surely carnal philosophers would be the greatest believers ; whereas they are sometimes the worst infidels, or at best the most silly and faithless people in times of distress. And besides, their being puffed up, is another evidence that they have not the true wisdom; for the wisdom from above is only with the lowly and babes, who pray for it earnestly. Prov. xi. 2. Matt, xi. 25. What would all knowledge avail us then, without the knowledge of Christ! One spark of pure love yields more power than all the stores of empty human learning. May the Lord Jesus shed his love abroad in my heart; him have I determined only to know; his love at the cross I account for my greatest wisdom and glory.

They that would grow divinely wise,
Must with his fear begin.

Our fairest proof of knowledge lies

In hating ev'ry sin.

I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Gen. xxxii. 26. Forsake me not, O Lord, O my God. Ps. xxxviii. 21.- Divine Answer: Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Gen. xxviii. 15. I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. Exod. xxxiii. 12. I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Heb. xiii. 5.

GOD will have me to be faithful;

and should not he be so himself? Am I to trust in his word? then, surely, he will not forsake me, but be as good as his word. Heaven and earth must pass away, but his word will not: he is ever faithful. If I do not believe this, I think blasphemously of God, and can have no help or comfort from his word; but if I truly believe him to be faithful, I believe enough. This is what he only desires; and if I really do, my faith will not be moved even in the hottest trials; the Word will hold me up, though I receive it even in weakness. But my faith must be attended with continual prayer.

Begin, my tongue, some heav'nly theme,

And speak some boundless thing;
The mighty works, or mightier name,
Of our eternal King.

Tell of his wond'rous faithfulness,
And sound his pow'r abroad;
Sing the sweet promise of his grace,
And the performing God.

Proclaim salvation from the Lord
For wretched dying men;
His hand has writ the sacred word
With an immo: tal pen.

Engrav'd, as in eternal brass,

The mighty promise shines;
Nor can the pow'rs of darkness rage
Those everlasting lines.

I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Matt. xii. 36. See also Eph. iv. 29; and v. 4.

HERE all corrupt communication, jesting, foolish talking, or whatever is not convenient and good to the use of edifying, is plainly forbidden. But who truly believes the report and the truth of these awful words? Surely, the world does not believe them at all: this is quite plain, from that very common and shocking practice of judging, lying, swearing, jesting, and talking all manner of filthiness; yea, even religious people very often do not believe and consider them enough. How many heedless, slanderous, idle, and unprofitable words, are sometimes spoken by these! Be therefore careful, O my reader, to weigh every word, and to make light of none; for such will increase thine account. Whenever ye are going to speak, let the question be first, Is it needful to speak? does it tend to the glory of God? will it profit me or others? O Lord, grant that never an idle word may drop from my lips! Whenever I am to converse with others, give me grace first to converse with thee by secret prayer! In all companies let thy presence be before mine eyes, always looking upon thee as the chief person in the place, and receiving direction when and what I am to speak! May thy good Spirit always teach me, and sanctify all my thoughts and words!

And must I give a strict account
Of ev'ry idle word?

Then set a watch upon my lips,

And guard my tongue, O Lord.

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