spend thy time and breath in beating the wind of error: The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water; therefore leave off contention before it be meddled with. 69. TWENTY-THIRD PSALM PARA PHRASED. 1. JEHOVAH's my Shepherd and he will provide, No covenant mercy shall e'er be denied; 2. My soul he restoreth from sorrow and sin, He opens the door and he leads me safe in: Discovers his righteousness, hides all my shame, And all to the honour of his holy name. 3. Yea, when through the vale of the shadow of death He calls me to travel, I triumph by faith; And out of temptations he brings me at length. 4. Sweet comfort I find in his staff and his rod, For still he remains the immutable God: His rod is the token of his loving care: 5. My table. he spreads in the sight of my foes, How choice the provision, no tongue can disclose! My head he anoints with the oil of his grace : 6. Then surely his goodness and mercy will flow David well understood a shepherd's life and business, having been himself in that capacity: "I took thee from the sheep-cote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel." (2 SAM. VII. 8:) "He chose David his servant, and took him from the sheep-folds: from following the ewes great with young, he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart, and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands." (Ps. LXXVIII. 70, 71, 72.) In David was Jesus most eminently typified. First, in his name, which signifies Beloved. Second, in his office, as a Shepherd. Third, as a King over Israel. Fourth, as a Warrior. But, as a Shepherd, how tender is his care over his flock, particularly to his little Lambs: He carries them in his bosom, and gently leads those that are with young. 70. ON THE DEATH OF A BELIEVER. The end of that man is peace.---Ps. xxxvii. 37. 21 1. TAKEN from this world of woe, 2. Now the fight of faith is o'er, : Now the work of faith is done; Welcom'd by the Saviour in, 4. All the mysteries of grace, All the ways of God are plain, 5. Jesus, send thy Spirit down, To supply our brother's place, “Them that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him," saith the Apostle. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." The departure of a child of God from this world, is a source of grief to the Church: they lose a Companion-a Jewel-one of the excellent of the earth; but the thought-the full persuasion! that they shall meet again, moderates their grief. The circumstances attending the departure of God's Children are various. Some, who have been all their life long subject to bondage, quit this mortal stage like a fine setting sun; others, who have long lived in fellowship, and walked with God, have had little to say, and that little expressive of thick, mental darkness.— [Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?] But such things I have witnessed. What then? Shall he that shivers as he treads the cold waters of Jordan, be deprived of his lot in the promised land? No: Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him. 71. GETHSEMANE. He humbled himself.---Phil. ii. 8. 1. WOULD'ST thou see a wond'rous sight?│ What so wondrous canst thou see, As Jehovah's chief delight, 2. See! Jehovah's darling Son, 3. Here behold the Love of God, O surprising mystery! |