can do that cure for thee in a moment, which all creatures cannot do in many years. What bolts, what strong fetters, what temptations and miseries art thou locked into! Behold, the Deliverer is come out of Zion, having satisfied justice and paid a price to ransom poor captives, with the keys of heaven, hell, and thy unruly heart in His hand, to fetch thee out with great mercy. Oh, look up to Him, sigh to Heaven for deliverance from Him, and be glad and rejoice at His coming. Thomas Sheppard, 1640. OCTOBER 30. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He shall appear, we may have confidence." I John ii. 28. of that which How fearful should we be weakens our union to Christ? There is nothing but sin that endangers the soul's preservation, because nothing but that endangers Christ's departure, and so puts us out of Christ's protection. The people of God, while troubles are upon them, are safe; but when they are within them, when sin sends away Christ, then begins their sorrow. Sin can never quite bereave a saint of his jewel, grace; but it may steal away the key of the cabinet, his assurance. He may not know where to find his grace when he stands most in need of it. Grieve not the Holy Spirit which unites Christ to the soul, and supplies the soul with Christ. The Spirit of Christ is a tender thing. William Jenkin, 1656. OCTOBER 31. "The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." I Pet. iii. 4. MEEKNESS teaches us prudently to govern our own anger. Anger in the soul is like mettle in a horse; good, if it be well managed. Now meekness is the bridle, as wisdom is the hand that gives law to it; puts it into the right way, and keeps it in an even, steady, and regular pace; in that way, reducing it when it turns aside, preserving it in a due decorum, and restraining it, and giving it check, when at any time it grows headstrong and outrageous, and threatening mischief to ourselves and others. Meekness keeps anger in its place, sets banks to this sea, and says: "Hitherto thou shalt come, and no farther; here shall thy proud waves be stayed." Matthew Henry, 1670. NOVEMBER J. Thy commandment is exceeding broad." SOME word and promise of God, or other, is able to reach to all our outward wants and evils, which no one outward contentment can do. Health only cures sickness; but as many a man is healthful and poor together, it reacheth not to cure his poverty. And riches take away poverty, but cannot sometimes buy health. Honour perfumes a man, and keeps him from being despised; but many a man that is well esteemed of, may be poor enough. Herein especially is seen the exceeding breadth of God's word and promises. Here is a promise that might heal that wound which a slanderous tongue hath given me; there another, which might be my best cordial on my sick bed. Affliction is a large word, and may contain under it many evils. God's word reacheth to all wants of the outward man, and in that respect is exceeding broad. Anthony Tuckney, 1678. NOVEMBER 2. "At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth." Dan. ix. 23. PRAYER has divided seas, rolled up flowing rivers, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshalled the stars against the wicked, stopped the course of the moon, arrested the sun in its rapid race, burst open iron gates, recalled souls from eternity, conquered the strongest devils, commanded legions of angels down from heaven. Prayer has bridled and chained the raging passions of man; and routed and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring, blustering atheists. Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the sea, and carried another in a chariot of fire to heaven. What has not prayer done? Dr. Ryland, 1800. NOVEMBER 3. "That we might know the things that are freely given to us of God." I Cor. ii. 12. THE first disciples of Jesus, men without culture and learning, received truths which they did not comprehend, and spread them through the world. A crowd of sages, and men of genius, have received, from the hands of these poor people, truths which they comprehended no more than they. The ignorance of the one, and the science of the other, have been equally docile. Do, then, as the ignorant and the wise have done. Do not lose, in vain discussions, the time which is gliding away, and which is bearing you into the cheering or appalling light of eternity. Hasten to be saved! Love now; one day you will know. A. Vinet, 1850. NOVEMBER 4. 'Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." I Sam. xvi. 7. THEY that seem best to the world, are often the worst to God; they that are best to God, seem worst to the world. When the moon is highest to the earth, she is darkest to heaven; when she is highest to heaven, she is darkest to the earth. So, often men most glorious to the world, are obscured to the Divine approbation; others, obscure to the world's acknowledgment, are principally respected in God's favour. would have cleared the pharisee and condemned Man |