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spend thy time and breath in beating the wind of error: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with.

69.

TWENTY-THIRD PSALM PARA

PHRASED.

1. JEHOVAH's my Shepherd and he will provide,

No covenant mercy shall e'er be denied;
He makes me to lie in his pastures of love,
And daily his life-giving waters I prove.

2. My soul he restoreth from sorrow and sin, He opens the door and he leads me safe in: Discovers his righteousness, hides all my shame,

And all to the honour of his holy name.

3. Yea, when through the vale of the shadow of death

He calls me to travel, I triumph by faith;
No finally falling, for he is my strength,

And out of temptations he brings me at length.

4. Sweet comfort I find in his staff and his rod, For still he remains the immutable God:

His rod is the token of his loving care:
The staff of his promise preserves from des
pair.

5. My table. he spreads in the sight of my foes, How choice the provision, no tongue can disclose!

My head he anoints with the oil of his grace :
My cup runneth over, and him I embrace.

6. Then surely his goodness and mercy will flow
Incessant and sov'reign, as onward I go;
Nor ever shall fail to the end of my life,
Till lodg'd in his bosom, deliver'd from strife.

David well understood a shepherd's life and business, having been himself in that capacity: "I took thee from the sheep-cote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel." (2 SAM. VII. 8:) "He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheep-folds: from following the ewes great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands." (Ps. LXXVIII. 70, 71, 72.)

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In David was Jesus most eminently typified. First, in his name, which signifies Beloved. Second, in his office, as a Shepherd. Third, as a King over Israel. Fourth, as a Warrior. But, as a Shepherd, how tender is his care over his flock, particularly to his little Lambs: He carries them in his bosom, and gently leads those that are with young.

70.

ON THE DEATH OF A BELIEVER.

The end of that man is peace.---Ps. xxxvii. 37.

21

1. TAKEN from this world of woe,
To the Saviour's loving breast,
Sov'reign love ordain'd it so:
Saints must enter into rest.

2. Now the fight of faith is o'er,

:

Now the work of faith is done;
Safely landed on that shore-
Victory completely won.

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Welcom'd by the Saviour in,
Now no more oppress'd with grief.

4. All the mysteries of grace,

All the ways of God are plain,
Now he views the Saviour's face :-
Proves his faith was not in vain.

5. Jesus, send thy Spirit down,

To supply our brother's place,
Raise from nature's gloom thy own;
Then we'll magnify thy grace.

“Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him," saith the Apostle. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

The departure of a child of God from this world, is a source of grief to the Church: they lose a Companion-a Jewel-one of the excellent of the earth; but the thought-the full persuasion! that they shall meet again, moderates their grief. The circumstances attending the departure of God's Children are various. Some, who have been all their life long subject to bondage, quit this mortal stage like a fine setting sun;

others, who have long lived in fellowship, and walked with God, have had little to say, and that little expressive of thick, mental darkness.— [Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?] But such things I have witnessed. What then? Shall he that shivers as he treads the cold waters of Jordan, be deprived of his lot in the promised land? No: Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him.

71.

GETHSEMANE.

He humbled himself.---Phil. ii. 8.

1. WOULD'ST thou see a wond'rous sight?│ What so wondrous canst thou see,

As Jehovah's chief delight,
Groaning in Gethsemane?

2. See! Jehovah's darling Son,
One with God co-equally,.
Press'd with sins, but not his own,
Groaning in Gethsemane?

3. Here behold the Love of God, O surprising mystery!

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