Psalm cxix. 11.-Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

As Protestants, we believe that the Holy Scriptures are an adequate guide on all subjects relating to man's spiritual welfare. This belief is founded on the direct testimony of the writings to which it refers. See Psalm xix. 7—11; 2 Timothy iii. 15—17.

We believe that the more any individual seriously examines the scriptures, the more fully will he be convinced of their sufficiency.

Let us now turn our attention to the words of the text, and consider

I. The Psalmist's declaration :- 66 Thy word have I hid in mine heart."

What does this declaration imply?

1. That he set a high value upon the word of God.

2. That he frequently read it, and meditated on its statements.

3. That his memory was well stored with the sacred

treasures.

4. That he made a personal application of Divine truth. Let us notice

II. The purpose for which the Psalmist hid the word of God in his heart; viz., that by its instrumentality he might be preserved from sin.

The word of God, when hid in the heart of an individual, will be the means of preserving him,

1. From sinful thoughts. By supplying the most delightful and important subjects of meditation, it will prevent the intrusion of those which are vain and unprofitable.

2. From sinful discourse..

his tongue

-

to set a watch

It will teach him to bridle over the door of his lips to

order his conversation aright to speak the words of truth and soberness.

3. From sinful practice. - By reminding him, not only of what is opposed to the will of God, and consequently pernicious; but also, of what is lawful, and therefore beneficial; it will put him on his guard against wrong-doing on the one hand, while on the other, it will encourage and stimulate him in the performance of duty.

To conclude.

1. Let us be thankful for the word of the Lord.

2. Let us evince our thankfulness by making it our counsellor and guide.

3. Let us endeavour to do something towards extending the knowledge of Divine truth.

Acts x. 1, 2.-There was a certain man in Cesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band; a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.

THE opening of the kingdom of heaven to the Gentiles, by the preaching of the everlasting gospel, is the leading fact in the narrative which this chapter contains. A reference to attending circumstances will best introduce the remarks we have to offer on the text.

Observe I. The national origin of Cornelius.

He was a Gentile.

The people to whom he belonged had hitherto enjoyed but few religious privileges. — They

were a despised people.

Observe II. The office which he filled.

He was 66

a centurion, of the band called the Italian

band:" that is to

say,

He was the commander of a mili

tary company containing one hundred men.

His profession was, perhaps, the least favourable to piety of any in which he could have been employed.

Observe III. The features of his character.

1. He was a devout man."

We understand by this that, he was a man of fervent religious feeling. His mind was deeply affected by considerations which many disregard.

2. He "feared God, with all his house."

As Cornelius was but imperfectly acquainted with the gospel, if he had any knowledge of it at all; we need not wonder that the fear, rather than the love of God, is represented as pervading his mind.

It was a happy circumstance that "all" the members of his household felt as he did.

3. He" gave much alms to the people."

From this statement it is evident that he possessed some worldly property.

It is evident also, that he did not set his heart on the

mammon of unrighteousness; but aimed to do all the good in his power.

4. He" prayed to God alway."

The lan

There are some people who pray not at all. guage of their hearts, if not of their lips, is, "Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?" &c.

Ot: ers pray only on particular occasions: when urged by the pressure of afflictions, &c.

Others pray regularly; but to no purpose. James iv. 3.

Cornelius prayed constantly; and God heard him. He therefore prayed in faith.

Revelation xxii. 17.-The Spirit and the bride

say, Come.

And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is And whosoever will, let him take the water

athirst Come.

of life freely.

THE Word of God abounds with threatnings and promises; but the latter are far more numerous than the former. We thence infer, that Ministers are more likely to be successful when attempting to draw men by the sweet influence of love, than when labouring to accomplish their object by the excitement of fear.

Observe I. The state of unsatisfied desire to which there is a reference in the text.

An individual is presented to our notice who is the subject of thirst. This individual is to be regarded as the representative of his species: and his state reminds us of the strong desire for happiness which is found in the human breast.

This desire is universally prevalent. Men of every class, and in every country, are the subjects of it.

Its universality justifies us, we think, in coming to the conclusion, that God is its author.

Observe II. The provision which is intended to meet the spiritual necessities of the human race.

"Let him that is