16. The true Believer acknowledges the unending goodness of God

EXHORTATION.

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."—Lam. iii. 22, 26. Everything in this world has its appointed period, but the goodness of God endureth forever. David, in his 136th Psalm, ends every verse with the expression "for his mercy endureth forever." God's bounty is like a mother, who, when her child is born, takes it into her arms, and nourishes and rears it; so does God also unto men. 1. The true believer acknowledges that this goodness is undeserved. If God would deal with us according to our deserts, destruction would visit us in soul and body. 2. It is perpetual. When a true believer recalls his past life, from his birth, childhood and youth, to his riper years, all is the goodness of God. All the good that is in us, God has wrought there. All our worldly possessions the bounty of God has given us. 3. And what is most wonderful, this goodness is extended also to the unthankful and wicked. God maketh his sun to shine upon them; he gives them food and raiment, but the indwelling THE UNENDING GOODNESS OF GOD.

of the Spirit the wicked do not obtain, because they close their hearts against it.

4. The goodness of God leads the believer to daily repentance, and to the love and fear of God, and he knows that this goodness shall follow him until death. How excellent is thy loving kindness, God! that the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They grow intoxicated with the good gifts of thy house, and thou dost give them to drink of pleasure as of a stream. Goodness like this, O God, I too have experienced. It has been with me every day, and new every hour. Like a nurse, thy goodness took me to its arms when I was born, and reared me. In youth, thy goodness led me by the hand, and followed me everywhere; it fed and clothed me, and supplied all my wants of body and soul. Yea, to this day and hour, thy merciful providence has been over me, thy light hath shone upon my path, and thy blessings, consolations and grace have cheered my soul. This goodness of thine has protected me from misfortune and harm, has attended my going out and my coming in, so that no evil could befall me. This goodness of thine has also sanctified my soul by the Holy Ghost, and brought it to the true and living THE TRUE BELIEVER ACKNOWLEDGES knowledge of thee. O my God, let this same goodness still follow me, and do not forsake me in old age, when my hair turns grey; let thy goodness and faithfulness accompany me until death; until it has brought my soul into thy bosom, and my body into the rest of the grave. May the contemplation of thy goodness and mercy lead me to unfeigned repentance, and to an entire consecration of my body and soul to thy service. And if through weakness I should fall into sin, in the greatness of thy goodness and love, have mercy upon me. Lead me back in thy benignity, to the path of repentance and of peace. For all the goodness vouchsafed unto me I thank thee and praise thee from my inmost heart. Not only will I praise thee here while I live, but I will extol thee, O good and merciful God! in all eternity. Amen. 1. Every night and every morning,

God! thy mercies are renewed.

Never spent, and still returning,

All my steps have they pursued.

He has done me more to bless

Than my words can e'er express;

Life and health and strength he's given,

Joy and love, and hope of heaven.

THE UNENDING GOODNESS OF GOD.

2. Happiness, of angel savor,

Love, that from his bosom flows,

Grace, that comes of Jesus' favor,

Comfort, as the Spirit knows.

Solace, when my heart would fail,

Help, when Satan doth assail;

Goodness, when I stand before him,

Grace, when I for grace implore him.

3. What my memory rehearses,

Speaks of mercies such as these;

I was cradled in his mercies,

I was fondled on his knees.

When at morn I rise with zest,

When at eve I take my rest,

Never does his goodness falter,

Never fail and never alter.

4. O that this celestial kindness

Never might my steps forsake;

'Till from this unbroken blindness

To the joys in Christ I wake.

I will praise this heavenly cheer

While my voice endureth, here,

And, when earthly shadows leave me,

Where his goodness shall receive me.

THE TRUE BELIEVER MEDITATES ON THE