July 28

The evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.—PROV. xiv, 19.

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for Himself.—Ps. iv, 3.

Clothe me, Lord, with holiness,

With meek humility;

Put on me that glorious dress,—

Enduc my soul with Thee:

Let Thine image be restored;

Thy name and nature let me prove:

With Thy fullness fill me, Lord,

And perfect me in love.

CHARLES WESLEY.

Godliness is a wonderful thing; it commandeth reverence, and the stooping of the spirit, even of the ungodly ones. Godliness puts such a majesty and dread upon the professors of it, that their enemies are afraid of them; yea, even then when they rage against them, and lay heavy afflictions upon them. It is marvellous to see in what fear the ungodly are, even of godly men and godliness; in that they stir up the mighty, make edicts against them, yea, and raise up armies, and what else can be imagined, to suppress them; while the persons thus opposed, if you consider them as to their state and capacity in this world, are the most inconsiderable. Oh, but they are clothed with godliness; the image and presence of God is upon them. This makes the beasts of this world afraid. "One of you shall chase a thousand."

JOHN BUNYAN.

The ornament and beauty of this lower world, next to God and His wonders, are the men that spangle and shine in godliness. IBID.