how easy it is to talk of trusting in the Lord, &c. when trials are seen at a distance, or scarcely seen at all. When you are brought into the thickest of them, believer, and all your own wisdom and devices fail you, then to be able to say with an old believer: " Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him," proves the reality of that kingdom of power and grace which is within you,

41.

A SPIRITUAL MIRACLE.

The tongue of the dumb shall sing.---Is. xxxv. 6. 1. JESUS, Immanuel, God with us,

Thou dost constrain the dumb to sing;
Salvation flows from thy dear cross
Thy precious words salvation bring.

2. Enwrap'd in darkness, near despair, Without a hope to see thy face, This was my case; but I'll declare

Thy matchless, free, almighty grace!

3. Loos'd from the bonds of Sinai's law, For thou didst make my cause thy own;

And now by precious faith I draw
Salvation from thy name alone.

4. The breath I draw, the life I live,
The notes I sing my journey through,
Is Christ alone; to whom I'll give
My feeble praises, justly due.

5. Destruction never shall take place, Where God in love displays his pow'r; He will afford sufficient grace

In ev'ry dark and trying hour.

6. Thou great high priest upon thy throne,
Grant me the visits of thy love;
Then, though I daily sigh and groan,
I shall not from thy pastures rove.

The remarkable prediction at the head of this piece had its fulfilment both literally and spiritually, in a variety of instances, during our Lord's ministry on earth. Various laudable methods have been, and are still pursued, to teach the dumb to speak, so as to render their affliction more tolerable in many instances, I have been told, the improvement of the pupils has been truly surprising; nothing, however, like proper articulation is to be expected: It is the work of

God alone, and that work Jesus did; thereby proving the God-head of his Person and the truth of his mission. The testimony of it, recorded in the Testament, is sufficient for me, without ever wishing Jesus to make another visit to this earth, in the manner he once did, and going over the ground of public miracles again. Also, every believer has the substance of miraculous power in himself: Jesus has proved himself to him as God the Saviour-brought Salvation to his heart-yea, manifested himself to him, not as he does unto the world; and shall believers be silent, or be silenced? No, not for ever; the harp shall be taken from the willows again, and sound out eternal love!

42.

COMFORT FOR BRUISED REEDS.

A bruised reed shall he not break.---Is. xlii. 3.

1. BRUISED reeds shall ne'er be broken,
Let their faith be e'er so small,
They shall have a peaceful token,
And shall rise, tho' oft they fall.

2. Guilt and wrath their souls pursuing,
Make them sorely sigh and groan;
Till, by faith their Saviour viewing,
They are brought to grace's throne.

3. Then, by faith the Lord adoring,
In his arms their souls they cast;
Loving, praising, still exploring
Sov'reign love, that binds them fast.

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4. Mark the Saviour's sweet compassion, To his dear and chosen bride: While she makes the blest confession, "Twas for me that Jesus died.

5. What shall break the bond asunder?
Who from Jesus shall divide ?-

Jesus with a voice like thunder,
Will at last his foes deride.

6. Saviour, give me to behold thee,
As my Advocate with God!
By the Spirit coming boldly,
Resting on thy precious blood.

Our dear Lord declares, he came into the world to seek and to save them that were lost; and the truth of this declaration he proves to de

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monstration, in his own time, to all those, who were from eternity, given him by the Father. However long they may have lain among the pots of spiritual Egypt; however discouraged by a sight and sense of the magnitude of their sin; however fearful, weak, and unbelieving; however broken in judgment and bruised in heart; however tempted by Satan to give up the pursuit of salvation, by Jesu's righteousness and blood: they shall be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers as yellow gold. (Ps. LXVIII. 13:) viz. They shall possess the anointing Spirit, in his various powerful operations, as the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation, in the knowledge of Christ; and by this Spirit be fully persuaded, that in Christ they have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will.