November 8

against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

But there is nothing with which the Christian is so much oppressed as his sins. "Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me to bear"—At first in the guilt of them, till by believing he enters into rest—But afterwards and always, in the remains of them. When I would do good, says he, evil is present with me, and how to perform that which is good I find not; O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? He is a stranger to Divine grace whose imperfections are not his afflictions. The Christian mourns even over those infirmities which are not even viewed by others as sins: such as wandering thoughts and cold affections in duty. He has a renewed and tender conscience, and like the apple of the eye, a mote will pain it. To love purity and feel pollution—to be eager to advance, and be hindered by baffling detentions—to wish to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, and never be able to put any thing out of his hand that is not marred and spoiled—to love the Saviour, and yet grieve his holy Spirit, and pierce the very bosom on which he leans—Here is enough to make him groan, being burdened. It is said of that beautiful bird, the bird of paradise, that when it is caught and caged, it never ceases to sigh till it is set free. "Just such is the Christian"—Nothing will satisfy him but the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

NOVEMBER 8.—"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms."—Deuteronomy 33:27.

How various and striking are the representations which God has given of himself in his Word! They all correspond with the state and wants of his people; and are adapted and designed to fill them with everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. Here we are told that he is their Defender and their Supporter—

"The eternal God is thy refuge." A refuge reminds us of exposure. Dangers encompass them on every side. Their enemies are numberless, and according to the Apostle, the greatest of them are not visible: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." They cannot stand of themselves; and creatures also, however disposed and powerful, are unable to secure them. But their defence is of God, who saveth the upright in heart. He is not only their protector, but their protection. It is only in his covenant engagements, and perfections, and presence, and providence, that they can realize their safety. But encouraging themselves in the Lord their God, they may be emboldened into confidence, and even triumph, and say with the Apostle, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." And this is the interest that awakens their chief anxiety. While they are here, their outward

concerns have their claims; but "one thing is needful." Temporal comforts, as far as they are good for us, are secured: but these may be injured and destroyed; not because God is not able to preserve them, but because he is wise, and knows that these are cases in which the loss of them will be more profitable than the possession. But spiritual blessings are "the sure mercies of David." Whatever becomes of the trader, the Christian is secure. The outward man may perish, but the inward man shall be renewed day by day. "I give unto them," says the Saviour, "eternal life; and they shall never perish."

— "And underneath are the everlasting arms." Are his people then children? The mother upholds the helpless babe. Sometimes the knee bears the pleasing load; but when she would press it to her bosom, or convey it sleeping to the bed of repose, her arms softly sustain it. "And as one whom his mother comforteth," saith God, "so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted." Are they invalids? How soon is the strength of the patient reduced, and another is required to raise and remove him from posture to posture, and from place to place. And thus "he giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." Are they heavy-laden? Sin is a burden too heavy for them to bear. The guilt of it often bows down their spirits; and the remains of it constrain them to complain, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" They frequently feel a load of cares, and wants, and crosses, and griefs. "Lord," say they, "I am oppressed, undertake for me." And the promise says, "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." And thus it has always been. They have frequently looked forward with dread and despondence; but when the afflictions arrived, they found grace to help in time of need; and as their days so was their strength. Yea, they were not only supported, but in the multitude of their thoughts within them, his comforts delighted their souls.

There is one individual to whom this will peculiarly apply. It is you, O aged believer. The evil days are now come, in which you have little pleasure from outward things. Many of your connexions have fallen off, one after another, like leaves in autumn. Lover and friend have been removed from you and your acquaintance into darkness. Your memory is unfaithful. Your senses begin to fail. The eye and the ear are becoming dim of seeing and dull of hearing. The limbs decline: the hands and the knees tremble. Fear is in the way. The grasshopper is a burden, and desire fails. But while you cry, "Cast me not off in the time of old age, forsake me not when my strength faileth," he who has borne you from the belly, and carried you from the womb, says, "And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you."

NOVEMBER 9.—"And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing."—Luke 15:5.

Jesus is the speaker, and he refers to himself. The allusion is metaphorical, and regards him under one of the most endearing characters he sustains—The Shepherd.