in peace, when her sins are forgiven, and her corruptions mortified; and the bodies of the saints shall be delivered in peace, at the resurrection of the just. The ground of all these deliverances is one and the same "They that are with us are more than they "that are against us:" 2 Kings vi. 16. "Greater "is he that is in us, than he that is in the world." 1 John iv. 4.

19. God shall hear, and afflict, or, humble, them, even he that abideth of old. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God; or, because they will not be converted, and fear God.

He who inhabiteth eternity, remaining unchange ably the same, from everlasting to everlasting, hath determined to hear the prayers of his faithful servants, and finally to humble the pride of his unrepenting adversaries. These are the decrees which he hath thought fit to promulgate; and on them we may safely depend.

20. He hath put forth his hands against such as be, or, were, at peace with him; he hath broken his covenant.

The Prophet goes on to describe the perfidy of traitors, like Ahithophel and Judas. Every wilful and malicious sinner "puts forth his hand against" the person who is "at peace with him," nay, who "made his peace" with the Father; and, by so doing, "breaketh the covenant" into which by baptism he was admitted. O blessed Jesus, how often do we betray thee to thine enemies, our own lusts, and consider it not!

21. The words of his mouth were smoother than

butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.

Of this complexion are the cant of hypocrites, the charity of bigots and fanatics, the benevolence of atheists, the professions of the world, the allurements of the flesh, and the temptations of Satan, when he thinks proper to appear in the character of an angel of light.

22. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

The conclusion of the whole matter is, that amidst all dangers and adversities, whensoever they oppress us, we are to put our full trust and confidence only in his mercy, who delivered David, and the Son of David, out of all their troubles. He, who once bore the burden of our sorrows, requested of us, that we would now and ever permit him to bear the burden of our cares; that, as he knoweth what is best for us, he may provide it accordingly. When shall we trust Christ to govern the world which he hath redeemed?

23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

O terrible voice of most just judgement, pronounced against rebels and murderers! Of the sure and certain execution of his righteous sentence who can doubt, that considers the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; of Absalom, Ahithophel, and Judas; and, above all, of the city which contained within its walls those rebels, and murderers of the Son of God? Let

us trust for ever in Him alone who can thus deliver,

and thus destroy.

ELEVENTH DAY.-MORNING PRAYER.

PSALM LVI.

ARGUMENT.

David, in danger from the Philistines, among whom he was driven, as well as from Saul and his associates, is supposed to, 1, 2. make supplication to God, in whom, 3, 4. he placeth all his hope and confidence, 5-7. of being saved from the wiles and stratagems of the adversary; 8, 9. he comforteth himself with the consideration that God taketh account of his sufferings, and will appear on his behalf; 10, 11. he repeateth the declaration of his faith in the divine promises; and, 12, 13. concludeth with paying his tribute of praise and thanksgiving. What David was in Philistia, the disciples of the Son of David are in the world.

1. Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up, for they be many that fight against me, O thou Most High.

The same words are applicable to the situation and circumstances of David, pursued by his enemies; of Christ, persecuted by the Jews; of the church afflicted in the world; and of the soul, encompassed by

enemies, against whom she is forced to wage perpetual war.

3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4. In God I will praise, or, glory in, his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Whoever, like the prophet Elisha's servant, beholdeth only the forces of the enemy, will be apt, like him, to cry out, "Alas, my master! how shall we "do?" 2 Kings vi. 15. But when our eyes are "opened," to see those "horses and chariots of fire" which are "round about us ;" when we perceive the promises of their Word, and the mighty succours of the Spirit, which are all on our side; we no longer fear the terrors or the temptations of flesh and blood ; but find ourselves enabled to do, and to suffer, all things, through faith in him who strengthened us to the battle. "He hath said, I will never leave thee, "nor forsake thee;" so that we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Heb. xiii. 5, 6.

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5. Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, they wait for my soul.

These words could not be more literally descriptive of the behaviour of David's persecutors, than they certainly are of that conduct which the Scribes and Pharisees observed towards our blessed Lord; when, like serpents by the way side, they "marked "his steps," till a proper opportunity offered, to dart from their lurking-place, and " bruise his heel."

We think it hard, when men use us in this manner; but surely we either forget that the Son of God was so used before us, or that we are his disciples.

7. Shall they escape by iniquity? In thine anger cast down thy people, O God.

The signal vengeance inflicted on the enemies of David, of Christ, and of the church, in different ages, may serve to convince us, that if we would " escape," it must be FROM sin, not BY it.

8. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

Known unto God are all the afflictions of his servants; while banished, like David, from their abiding city and country, they "wander" here below, in the land of their pilgrimage. The "tears" of penitents are had in remembrance, and, as so many precious gems, will one day adorn their crowns. How dear, then, in the sight of God, were the "wander

ings" and the " tears" of the holy Jesus, submitting to perform penance for those sins which he never committed!

9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

What can we possibly desire more, than this assurance, that, how many, or how formidable soever our enemies may be, yet there is one always ready to appear in our defence, whose power no creature is able to resist? " This I know," saith David; and had we the faith of David, we should know it too.

10. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11. In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.