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❝ving God, who giveth us all things rich"ly to enjoy; that you do good, that you be rich in good works, ready to "distribute, willing to communicate, lay“ing up in store for yourselves a good "foundation against the time to come, "that you may lay hold on eternal life." In the season of prosperity, the word of God allows us to be joyful, but only in measure, from a view of the uncertain, as well as the unsatisfying nature of all earthly enjoyments. "In the day of adversity," it commands us " to consider." My son, despise not thou the chasten"ings of the Lord, nor faint when thou

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art rebuked of him. Call upon me in "the day of trouble, and I will deliver "thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

In the different relations of husband and wife, parents and children, masters and servants, magistrates and subjects, ministers and people, the word of God gives particular directions, suited to every case and to every possible combination of circumstances. And happy beyond expression are they who possess this divine skill of applying the Sacred Scrip

tures, the oracles of truth, to the different occasions of life as they occur.

In order to this, I add, in the third and last place, That the Lord guides his people by his Spirit. "Thy Spirit is good; "let him lead me into the land of up

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rightness." The Spirit of God does not reveal any new truths different from, or in addition to, those recorded in the written word. He does not guide by impressions on the mind, the nature and tendency of which cannot be explained. But he opens the understandings to understand the Scriptures. He enables and disposes clearly to perceive, and faithfully to apply the truths already revealed in his word, as the various cases and circumstances of his people require, and

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as many as are the children of God are "led by the Spirit of God." They are taught of God: they have received the unction from the Holy One, which shall abide with them for ever. Hence, in all ordinary cases of sin and of duty, they are possessed of a spiritual discernment, which, without any painful exertion, guides their feet into the ways of peace.

They wait at wisdom's gates, and humbly depend on the promised influences of the Spirit of God, who leads them into all truth, and brings to their remembrance every thing necessary for their comfort and direction.

Oh how great a privilege is this divine teaching! How needful in the present dark and depraved circumstances of human nature! It is for this the Psalmist prays so fervently in different parts of this inspired book. "Open thou mine 66 eyes, that I may behold the wonders of thy law make me aright to know the

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way of thy commandments. Give me "understanding, that I may keep thy "word. Shew me thy ways, O Lord; "teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy "truth, and teach me; "God of my salvation. "I wait on thee."

for thou art the

All day long do

Thus earnestly did the pious Psalmist implore from God this inestimable blessing, the illumination and guidance of his Holy Spirit. And we, my friends, if ever we expect to enjoy this privilege, must seek after it by the same means, in the exercise of faith and prayer.

" If

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any of you," saith St James, "lack wis"dom, let him ask of God, who giveth "to all men liberally, and upbraideth "not, and it shall be given him. But "let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."

If any of you, being evil, know how to "give good gifts unto your children, how "much more shall your heavenly Father

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give his Holy Spirit to them who ask "him? Ask, therefore, and ye shall re❝ceive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, " and it shall be opened unto you. For "6 every one that asketh, receiveth; and "he that seeketh, findeth; and to him "that knocketh, it shall be opened."

In this way, then, does the Lord guide his people in their journey through life; -by his providence making all things work together for their good, by his word, pointing out the path of duty, as the pillar of cloud and fire directed the march of the Israelites through the wilderness; and by his Spirit, enlightening their understandings to perceive his will, and inclining their hearts to obey what it commands.

Thus have I endeavoured to point out

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some of the ways in which the Lord conducts and guides his people in the present state. Happy, surely, is the people that is in such a case as ye are; yea, happy is that people who are under the care and guidance of their Father in heaven. "Let this animating thought per"vade, and influence, and invigorate all 26 your life let it give energy to your "exertions, consistency to your proceedings, strength to your resolutions, fer"vour to your devotion *," and courage under all the evils which flesh is heir to. With confidence and comfort commit yourselves to his direction, who is given to be a leader and commander to his people. Walk in the steps in which he also walked. Follow the leadings of his providence. Observe the directions of his word. Cease not daily to implore the promised influence of his Holy Spirit ; and when granted, yield to its suggestions ;-in this way looking for the hope of eternal life, and waiting the happy hour that will set you free from all the cares and burdens of mortality, and introduce • Cooper's Practical Sermons.