The rich and the poor were to give the same, being all equally guilty before the Almighty, and all equally precious in his sight; for, as Solomon says, the rich and poor meet together, the Lord is the maker of them all. Therefore we must be all redeemed by the same price; that is, not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ. David's petition was, " purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall

be whiter than snow."

O may it be our's, that we may compass thine altar, O Lord: (y) that we may depart from evil, and do good; and dwell in thy house for evermore. (z) Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense? Was it not he who was anointed to preach good tidings unto the meek; to bind up the broken-hearted, to

proclaim libe opening of t bound; to co it was he wh root of Jesse, Almighty rest understanding

might, the sp of the Lord; w and who does his eyes, neit

le judge the of his ears; the meek of th us wash in t open for sin Christ, we ar without spot, become new.

are passed a

proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to comfort all that mourn ? Yes, it was he who was the branch out of the root of Jesse, upon whom the spirit of the Almighty rested: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord; who is quick of understanding, and who does not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears; but with righteousness doth he judge the poor, and reprove with equity the meek of the earth. Come then and let

us wash in this pure fountain, which is open for sin and uncleanness, till we are without spot, or wrinkle; for if we are in Christ, we are new creatures: old things are passed away: behold all things are become new.

Journey XVXXX. V. 21.

the Israelites wer

Surely then the s

refresh our souls

And they removed from Libnah, and pitched in Risah, and save us with

RISSAH, from Ris, to moisten, &c. How consoling to the Christian traveller, while pursuing his course through this wilderness, to have the dew of Hermon de scending into his soul, invigorating and moistening it, that when the sun arises, it may be as a morning without clouds;

that it may grow as the lily, and cast forth its roots as Lebanon. These divine emanations, proceeding from the pure fountain light and life, through eamest interes, should be a farther conto proceed on our way Him, through whom we have タンタラスク one spirit unto the Father. It dew upon the fleece, and on the which were tokens to Gideon, that

Anointed, from al that every evil aff stain in the heart" progress to th therighteous shir ingdom of their bevise shall shit imament; and ighteousness, a

ever. (b)

(4) Matt, 13. 43

the Israelites were to be saved by his arm. Surely then the same Almighty power can refresh our souls with his heavenly dew, and save us with the saving strength of his Anointed, from all the attacks of the enemy, that every evil affection and desire may be slain in the heart; that nothing may hinder our progress to that land of peace, where the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. (a) For they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. (b)

(a) Matt. 13. 43.

(b) Dan. 12. 3.

David out of the teeth of the lion and the paw of the bear, and out of the hand of Goliath; (n) and Daniel in the lion's den; and the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace. Is there any ground then to fear? If we meet the sons of Anak in the name of the Lord of Hosts, they shall fall before us; for we know not how far and how fully the Emmanuel, God with us, can Let us then commit our way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass. Thy word, O Lord, is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path: the entrance of thy words giveth light. (0)

save us.

d

(n) 1 Sam. 17, &c.

(0) Ps. 119. 105. 130.

0

n