Weep not; behold the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed. Rev. v. 5. He rose triumphantly, and destroyed the works of the Devil; therefore sin shall not have dominion over us. Rom. vi. 14. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Rom. viii. 2. MANY complain that, though they will not turn back, yet they have no power to advance farther. If this should be thy case, my reader, remember that the enemy of souls will discourage thee. Go on praying, and venture it evermore upon the Lord. Consider how he awakened you at first, how often he has heard your prayers afterwards, and assisted you in many hard struggles. Surely he will help you now also. If that will not do, begin, as it were, afresh; acknowledge yourself guilty in every respect; and, as the chief of sinners, plead for mercy, and be instant in your humble supplications; looking at the same time upon God as a reconciled Father through CHRIST, who is willing to receive you, pardon, and bless you in spite of all your misery: then you will soon make a better progress. To despair of our own strength is good; but we must never despair of the power of CHRIST, who is risen from the dead, but be sure to overcome with him at last. He will certainly help you in the due and best season. Hell and thy sins resist thy course, But hell and sin are vanquished foes! Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth Though for my sin I justly feel I wait thy gracious moment still, For I have found 'tis good for me This is the comfort I enjoy When new distress begins; I read thy word, I run thy way, The entrance of thy word gives light; it giveth un- Since I'm a stranger here below, But mark the road my feet should go, And be my constant guide. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken thou me in thy way. Ps. cxix. 37. IF you were to see a man endeavouring all his life to satisfy his thirst, by holding up one and the same empty cup to his mouth, you would certainly despise his ignorance; but if you should see others ridiculing the dull satisfaction of one cup, and thinking to satisfy their own thirst by a variety of gilt and golden empty cups, would you think that these were the wiser or ever the happier, or better employed, for their finer parts? Now this is all the difference that you can see in the happiness of this life. The dull and heavy soul may be content with one empty appearance of happiness, and be continually trying to hold one and the same empty cup to his mouth all his life. But then let the talented men of the world lay all their heads together, and they can only shew you more, and various empty appearances of happiness; give them all the world into their hands, they can only make a great variety of empty cups; for search as deep as you will, there is nothing to be found here nobler or greater than eating and drinking, rich dress and applause, unless you look for it in the wisdom and laws of religion. Reader, reflect upon the vanity of all orders of life who live without godliness, and see how all the ways of the world are only so many different ways of error and blindness, that you may be earnest at a throne of grace to be turned from the creature, and seek for happiness in the Creator. No peace or lasting rest Earth's flatt'ring joys impart: Will not content my heart. David's Prayer.-Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not thyself from my supplication. Ps. lv. 1. Christ's Answer.-Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. John xvi. 23. For the Father himself loveth you. Ver. 27. He has promised: Before they call I will answer; and whilst they are speaking I will hear. Isa. lxv. 24. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark xi. 24. HE that converses much with God in prayer, and has some child-like confidence in his word, shall certainly be heard; and these answers of prayer are undeniable evidences of the truth, faithfulness, and love of God, and greatly strengthen his faith; and at last bring him to be intimately acquainted with God. The more we receive, the more we are enlightened to see how much there is still wanting. This stirs up to more frequent prayer, and to more fervent desires; and the more we desire and believe that we shall receive it, the more shall be granted. Unbelief receives nothing (Matt. xiii. 58); but faith opens all the treasures of God, and never goes away empty. Because on me they set their love, I'll save them, saith the Lord; In me they every grace shall find My grace shall answer when they call; My power shall help them when they fall, |