our worldly mindedness, and our tampering with temptation. But however severe our troubles may be, they are limited, it is "the day of our trouble." We have months of pleasure, and years of health, but only days of trouble. The period is short, though painful. It may appear long, when we look back upon it. For days of trouble now, we have an eternity of happiness before us. Nor only so, but in trouble we have a sure resource, the throne of grace is erected for us, the gracious promise is given us, and God waits to be gracious unto us. Let us therefore with David, form,

THIS SETTLED purpose, "I will call upon

thee." I will turn from creatures, and from circumstances to thee. I will not complain to man, I will cry to God. I will not murmur at thy dealings, or complain of my lot, but I will turn to thee. I will cry unto thee, for thou hast bidden me, and wilt therefore be gracious unto me. I will cry unto thee, for necessity is laid upon me, I must cry or sink under my burden. I will cry unto thee, for my relation to thee, and connection with thee, warrants me-thou art my God, my Deliverer, my Father. I will cry unto thee, and so relief will be afforded me, for thou hast said, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." I believe thy word, I rely on thy faithfulness, I will test thy veracity, and I shall prove, that thou wilt deliver me in six

troubles, and in seven thou wilt not forsake me. Here then is my

66

FIRM PERSUASION, "Thou wilt answer me." Thou wilt, for it is thy character, thy conduct, "O thou that hearest prayer." Thou wilt, for thou hast promised, Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer, thou shalt cry, and be shall say, Here I am." "Call upon me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not." Thou wilt, for it is thy nature, for" for God is love.' Thou wilt, for it is thy delight, thou delightest in mercy. Yes, thou wilt answer me, though I am poor and needy. Thou wilt answer me, though I am weak and feeble. Thou wilt answer me, though I am destitute and friendless. Thou wilt answer me, though I am sinful and unworthy. Thou wilt certainly answer me, and answer me speedily too.

It is

But

Beloved, we may expect trouble. appointed for us. It is needful for us. let us not be alarmed at the prospect of trouble, for it is provided for in the covenant, and deliverance is secured to us by promise. Let us then ply the throne. God will hear us, sympathise with us, acknowledge his word, give us present support, and in the end compiete deliverance. Let us therefore look for deliverance. He who hath delivered his people in all times past, doth deliver now, in him therefore we may confidently trust that he will yet deliver us.

The last day of trouble will soon be here, the last cry of distress will soon be uttered, the last application for relief will soon be made, the last answer to prayer will soon be received, and then all will be peace, pleasure, and perfect holiness for ever. Sinner, what will you do in trouble? Evil is before you. The evil days draw nigh. What will you do, with no God to go to, no promise to rest on, no deliverance to expect.

What will you do? Seek the Lord now, before the day of trouble comes. Make the Lord your friend now, before your great need of a friend is felt. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ now, be reconciled to God now, seek and obtain peace by the blood of the cross now, and then you too may say, "In the day of my trouble, I will call upon thee; for thou wilt answer me."

Dear refuge of my weary soul,

On thee, when sorrows rise,

On thee, when waves of trouble roll,
My fainting hope relies.

To thee I'll tell each rising grief,
For thou alone canst heal;
Thy word can bring a sweet relief
For every pain I feel.

Thy mercy-seat is open still,

Here let my soul retreat;

With humble hope attend thy will,

And wait beneath thy feet.

GOD'S WORD MUST RULE ME.

BAD men, sometimes give utterance to very good things-things worth remembering, things which should influence our conduct and our hearts. This was the case with Balaam, he was a bad man, coveteousness ruled his soul, he wanted to curse Israel to make money, and gratify Balak, but he was not permitted. How many sweet and blessed things he said of the safety, honour, and happiness of God's people and when Balak tried by all means to get him to curse Israel, and could not prevail, and then tried to prevent his bless ing them, how well he said, "All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do." Num. xxiii. 26. What a text for us! True, he was influenc ed by fear, and we should be influenced by love, still our language should be the same, and our conduct should correspond with our words.

:

HERE IS A FACT SUPPOSED. A fact containing three points. First, the Lord communicates his mind. This he has done most fully, in his most holy word. Here he tells us what he would have us do, and what he would have us avoid. Second, the Lord's word can be understood.

True, the Scrip

tures contain some things that are hard to be understood, but this only applies to some doctrines or predictions, which are confessedly mysterious. Upon all practical matters the Scriptures are exceedingly plain. Third, the Lord requires obedience. His word is not given to amuse us, or even interest us, but to sanctify us, and regulate our lives. In a word we are directed what to believe, what to expect, what to avoid, and what to do. Nor is there an unnecessary precept in all God's word, all are, or were necessary; and all are, or were, designed to promote God's glory and our happiness and holiness.

HERE IS AN OBLIGATION FELT. "All that the Lord speaketh, that 1 must do." I must, for I am a creature, and am bound to obey my Creator-I am a subject, and am bound to obey my Sovereign-I am a pardoned criminal, and am bound to obey my forgiv ing Lord-I am a child, made so by adoption and grace, and am bound to obey my gracious and loving Father. I am not at liberty to object to any one of his commands. I cannot be justified in delaying to obey. There is no excuse for neglecting to do.

HERE IS A CONFESSION MADE. "All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do." I must do all the Lord bids, whether painful or pleasant, civil or religious. I must obey, for the Lord is my Master, and requires-my