thing striking, and we had almost said, unexpected, in the conclusion of this Psalm? To hear one-who has throughout been expressing such holy and joyful aspirations for the salvation of his God, such fervent praises of his love, that we seem to shrink back from the comparison with him, as if considering him almost on the verge of heaven-to hear this "man after God's own heart," sinking himself to the lowest dust, under the sense of the evil of his heart, and his perpetual tendency to wander ftom his God, is indeed a most instructive lesson. It gives an accurate view of the conflict, that must be sustained to the end in the believer's heart, and of the opposite graces which meet and flourish there. The highest notes of praise mingling with the deepest expression of humiliation, combine to form that harmony of service, which ascends "like pillars of smoke" with acceptance before God. And thus will our Christian progress be chequered, until we reach the regions of unmixed praise, where we shall no longer mourn over our wanderings, no longer feel any inclination to err from our Shepherd's presence, no more experience the wretchedness of distance from him, or the difficulty of returning to him-where we shall be eternally safe in the heavenly fold, to "go no more out." FOR " HE THAT SITTETH ON THE 392 THRONE SHALL DWELL AMONG THEM; THEY SHALL HUNGER NO MORE, NEITHER THIRST ANY MORE, NEITHER SHALL THE SUN LIGHT ON THEM, NOR ANY HEAT: FOR THE LAMB WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE THRONE SHALL FEED THEM, AND SHALL LEAD THEM UNTO LIVING FOUNTAINS OF WATERS; AND GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES." 3 1 Can. iii. 6. 2 Rev. ii. 12. 3 Ibid. vii. 15-17. INDEX. Agatha, martyr, 116 note Ainsworth referred to, 37 n. Application of the word to our case, 33, 100, 129 n. Ashamed of Christ, 119-121 14, 366, 457 n. 14, 15 140-142, 155-157, 278-Attainments, humble view of, 280, 389-391 228 confidence in, 226- Augustine, his conflicts, 79 n. 423-425, 448, 450-452 223, 496 Bacon, lord, quoted, 202 n. Baxter quoted, 160 -'s Christian Directory, character, 98, 246 comfort in affliction, 129-131, 140-142, 389- condition, 313, 314 30-32, 110, 111, 119-121, confidence, 80, 196- conflicts, 61-65, 70 trials of faith, 220- walk, 458-465 Bradford's Letters, 405, 406 n. Brainerd's Life, 381, 383, 386 cross, 52, 53, 131, Character of God. See God. 132, 421-423 Cecil quoted, 306, 346, 347 n. his judgments. See Judg- ments his testimonies. See Tes- despised by the world, Characteristics of Psalm cxix. See Temptation. Believer's plea for mercy, 247, Circumstances of Temptation. 331 Cleansing power of the Word. See Word Corruptions of nature, 5, 20 Cleaving to God, 79, 80, 233- Counsel of Christ. See Jesus wisdom, 256, 257 (President) resolu- view of false humility, tion, 67, 68 n. 385 n. Pref. vii. view of Psalm cxix. Deadness in prayer, 236, 237 Ejaculatory prayer, 171 n. 395, in the ways of God, 37 in the word of God. See Believer Elisha's faith, 406 Emblem of the covenant of grace, 239 Christ, 120, 121 to confession of under the cross, 52 from vain thoughts, 62, 63 |