43. THE SAVED SINNER's CONFESSION AND PRAYER. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord.---Ps. xxxiv. 2. 1. JESUS Christ is all my trust, 2. Law and justice now I view 3. Shelter'd now beneath his wing, 4. In myself, 'tis true, I am Worse than words can ever name; 5. Feeling this I daily cry To the God that brought me nigh, 6, "On thy word my all is cast, "And thee, my God, eternally adore." While boasting is, in one sense, excluded by the righteousness of faith, boasting is, in another sense, allowed in the Church of God. He that boasteth of any inherent goodness or righteousness, proves the blindness of his mind to his own condition as a fallen sinner. Striking is the parable of the pharisee and publican: the pharisee boasts at a very high rate indeed! but not in the sense of David, in the motto prefixed to this piece. The former speaks under the influence of a deceived heart, puffed up by his fleshly mind; the latter, from a sweet sense of God's lovingkindness, made known to him in a most free, unmerited manner; and which language is not foreign to the family of Christ now. To boast in Christ, and in Christ alone; to rest upon him as my perfection and righteousness before God; to go out of myself, as out of a Sodom of sin, and to rest by faith in Jesus; this is produced and effected by the Almighty operation of God the Holy Spirit. 44. NO REST BUT IN A COVENANT GOD. Arise ye, and depart, for this is not your rest.---Micah. ii, 10, 1. THIS world, my soul, is not thy rest, 'Tis all polluted here; Eternally in Jesus blest, I'll press to glory there. 2. I feel my nature all deprav'd, Yet will I sing, "a sinner say'd, 3. Satan, that dread, infernal fiend Contrives new schemes of ev'ry kind, 4. But all the tempter's subtle snares, Shall e'er abortive prove; For God to his elect declares, He resteth in his love! 5. What tho' the pow'rs of hell engage, She'll rise superior to their rage, 1 6. His solemn oath is past for me, Nor can he change the same; He said, "I'll be a God to thee, "Jehovah is my name." 7. Thy counsel, O my God, shall stand, Thou wilt conduct me with thine hand With what false colouring does the devil besmear this world in its various maxims! by which he amuses the children of this world, and 'lulls them fast asleep, without a desire to leave this, or to enjoy another world. The Lord sees fit to embitter this world to his elect, by a series of exercises and crossing dispensations; without which, either without or within, we should settle on our lees, grow supine, and forget him who has done such great things for us. Believer! has God given thee largely of the bounties of his providence? That is a great blessing, praise him for it. Has God given thee a daily cross to bear about? That is a greater blessing still; for without this thy prosperity would elevate thy proud, independant spirit, and thy blessings would become a share to thee. Poor Christian, envy not thy rich brethren; they are more troubled, per haps, with their property, than thou art without property. Thou hast got righteousness, faith, a knowledge of Jesus, and a kingdom which cannot be moved: with these things canst thou be poor? A crown-a place-a kingdom, and white robes, await thy dismissal from this dark abode; and then the days of thy mourning shall be ended. 45. GOOD NEWS FOR SENSIBLE SINNERS. The iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, and there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not be found; for I will pardon them whom I reserve.---Jer. L. 20. 1. WHAT welcome news to sinners lost, Tho' sin-distress'd and tempest-toss'd, 2. Their sins, more num'rous than the stars, In Jesu's blood were drown'd; And Zion's God in love declares, 3. Yes, Jesu's blood completely cures The sinner's ev'ry wound, |