Lastly, connected with this subject, mark the Christian's Character-" In whose heart is my law." His Security" None of his steps shall slide.”— His Happiness-"O how love I thy law!" 3-His Victory" The word of God abideth in him, and he hath overcome the wicked one. ̧”—All infallibly provided by the promises of the covenant-" I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts." "95 O let us not then be afraid of a close contact with the word, though the cost may be by cutting off a right hand for the saving of the life. No better test can be needed of the security of our state with God, than a willingness to come to the searching light of his holy word.6 12. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes. 66 PRAISE is comely for the upright."7 It is at once their duty and their privilege. But in its highest exercise what does it amount to, when placed on the ground of its own merit? We clothe our ideas with magnificence of language, and deck them out with all the richness of imagery, and perhaps we may be pleased with our forms of praise; but what are they in his sight beyond the offering of a contemptible worm, spreading before its Maker its own mean and low notions of Divine Majesty? If a worm were to raise its head, and cry- O sun, thou art the source of light and heat to a widely extended universe,'--it would, in fact, render a higher praise to the sun than we can ever give to our Maker. Between it and us there is some propor 1 Isaiah li. 7. 3 Verse 97. Jer. xxxi. 33. 2 Psalm xxxvii. 31. 4 1 John ii. 14, with Eph. vi. 17. 6 Compare John iii. 20, 21. 7 Psalm xxxiii. 1, 2. tion-between us and God none. Yet, unworthy as the offering confessedly is, it is such as he will not despise. Nay, more,-instead of spurning it from his presence, he has revealed himself as "inhabiting the praises of Israel," 1-intimating to us, that the service of praise is "set forth in his sight as incense," and at the same time, that it should not be as an occasional visit of a guest, but the daily unceasing exercise of one at his own home. The act of praise, however, in its real character, depends entirely upon the state of the heart. In the contemplative philosopher it excites nothing but barren admiration. In the believer it becomes a principle of practical comfort and encouragement. With him the character of God is always an incitement to pray, and the attempt to praise gives strength and confidence to prayer. For in taking up the song of praise, can we forget who the Christian's God is; and what is the revelation, which he has been pleased to give of himself in the gospel of his dear Son; how it divests every attribute of its terrors, and shines before us in all the glory of his faithfulness and love? The ascription of praise-" Blessed art thou, O Lord"-leads us therefore to take up the prophet's song of triumph-" Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy." "Truly then he is "blessed" in himself, and delights to communicate his blessedness to his people. Therefore we are emboldened to ask for continual "teaching in his statutes," 3-in the truths which he has revealed, and the precepts which he has 1 Psalm xxii. 3. 2 Micah vii, 18. 3 Compare Verses 64, 68, where the same acknowledgement and the same plea are again made. enjoined, that we may "walk" with him in love," and "be followers of him as dear children." 1 The practical influence, however, of Divine light upon the heart constitutes its peculiar privilege. Man's teaching puffeth up-God's teaching humbleth. Man's teaching may make us more learned-God's teaching makes us more holy. It persuades while it enlightens. It draws the heart, inclines the will, and carries out the soul to Christ. 2 The tried character and faithfulness of God affords a sure warrant for this petition—“ Good and upright is the Lord; therefore will he teach sinners in the way." This warrant is especially confirmed in approaching him as our covenant God"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me, for thou art the God of my salvation. Teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God." Reader, do you desire the Lord's teaching? Surrounded as you are with the means of instruction, what progress are you making in the Lord's statutes? Is your knowledge increased since the last year ? Have you a deeper acquaintance with the character of God with his holiness and love, with your own defilements, inconstancy, and weakness before him? Do you often frequent that "new and living way,' by which at all times you may find a free access to his throne? that only way, by which the acknowledgment of praise can ever ascend with acceptance before him? 66 By him (Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually; that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks unto his name.” 6 1 Eph. v. 1, 2. 4 Ibid. 5; cxliii. 10. 2 John vi. 44, 45. 3 Psalm xxv. 8. 6 Ibid. xiii. 15. 13. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. 6 WE may be assured that the Lord has taught us, and is engaged to "teach us" more of his "statutes,' when we are ready to impart the knowledge which we have received to one another. Teach me, that I may teach others.' This trading with our talents will bring a certain increase. “To every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance."1 But-" our lips are our own," 2-is the proud language of the world. Blessed be God; "we are not our own." 3 Has not the Lord, who fashioned our lips, the best claim to our service? And when he added to the claim of creation the right of purchase,+ ought not this double claim to be a security for the employment of all that we are and all that we have to his glory? David's readiness to "declare the judgments of God's mouth" was evidently the overflowing of a heart filled with heavenly love. Is our Christian communion under the influence of this unction that cometh from above, and guided by a single desire to glorify our Saviour, to edify his people, and to quicken our own souls? The guilt of sinful silence is indeed much to be deprecated; and those, who thus prove their unfaithfulness to God, may well tremble at the awful denunciations against them. And yet it is possible to be bold in speech for God, when in the closet, the family, or the world, our consciences justly convict us of insincerity. "Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself ? " 5 While therefore "with our lips we declare the judg 1 Matthew xxv. 29. 3 1 Cor. vi. 19. 5 Romans ii. 21. ments of God's mouth," let us seek to have our hearts "filled with the Spirit; " else we shall be found talking about religion, without life in ourselves, or any prospect of benefitting others; and such a "talk of the lips tendeth only to penury." 2 This subject illustrates the Character of the Lord's people" The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment; "3 their Resolution-" My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof; "4 their Prayer-“ O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise; "5 their Blessing-"The lips of the righteous feed many. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life." 6 The example of the Saviour here, as in every other exercise of our duty, is our perfect and encouraging pattern, "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation, lo! I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest." In this spirit of their Master the Apostles were enabled to awe their persecutors into forbearance-" We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." 8 How sinful is it to employ our lips for any but the Lord! Yet scarcely less sinful is our reluctance to employ them for him! Surely the day, when perhaps we have been fluent in worldly conversation, and yet have neglected our opportunities for speaking a word for him, must be considered a lost day! Is there not much cause for watchfulness, prayer, and self-denial, lest by our silence we should be ashamed of him, whom by every obligation we are bound to confess? 1 Eph. v. 18, 19. 3 Psalm xxxvii. 30. 2 Prov. xiv. 23, with x. 19. 4 Ibid. lxxi. 15. 6 Prov. x. 21; xv. 4. 7 Psalm xl. 9, 10, with Luke iv. 16-22. 8 Acts iv. 20. |