February 20

"in tribulation; and in the kingdom; and patience of Jesus Christ." A just and striking representation of the state of Christians while in this world.

They are called to suffer: and many are the afflictions of the righteous. But never imagine you are alone in your trials. The same things have happened to your brethren. See your companions —"Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

But if you suffer, you are also called to reign: and are receiving a kingdom that cannot be moved; the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour; a kingdom not of this world, but infinitely sur- passing all the glories of time and sense.

Hence patience is indispensable. It is necessary to both the for- mer; to the tribulation—to bear it: and to the kingdom—to wait for it. For though you are already entitled and anointed, you are not yet actually crowned; but resemble David, who, after much tribula- tion and years of hope, entered his kingdom.

FEBRUARY 20.—"Lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."— Psalms 27:11.

DAVID had enemies. So has every Christian. And perhaps we should have more if we more fully resembled Him, who said to the Jews, "The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I tes- tify that its deeds are evil."

But the margin reads, "because of mine observers." Let us see who these observers are, and how concerned we should be to walk properly, having so many watchers over us, and many of them regarding us with no friendly mind.

The world are observers, and they mark us with a keen and ma- lignant eye. When David had slain Goliath, and drawn forth the gratitude of his countrymen, it is said, "Saul eyed David from that day and forward." And it is also said, "And David behaved him- self wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him. Where- fore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him." How well if it had been always so! At length he yielded to temptation, and one of the effects which he had to mourn over all his days, was the triumph he gave to his adversaries. Thou hast caused, said Nathan, the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. To blaspheme here means, to speak reproachfully against his God, his religion, and his experience. So Paul says, "Let as many ser- vants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed."

Wonder not that this is addressed to servants and even slaves; for, professing Christianity as they did, they were able to adorn the doc- trine of God our Saviour, or disgrace it. Let us remember that we have many lookers on who watch, not to find something to admire, but for our halting. And they are not so ignorant as we sometimes imagine. They know generally what we profess, and they know what line of conduct becomes us: and if we act inconsistently with it, they will be sure to despise us. But if we are inflexible, and fol- low out our principles, and are always and every where the same,

we shall commend ourselves to their consciences, and they will be constrained to respect those to whom they cannot be attached. What a noble testimony was borne to Daniel, when his accusers said they could find nothing against him, unless in matters pertaining to the law of his God! Some do not mind what people say of them: but they ought to mind. "Ought ye not," said Nehemiah, "to walk in the fear of our God, because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies?" And says Peter, "So is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men." "Avoid," says Paul, "the very appearance of evil."

Saints are our observers. They observe us from love; and a sense of duty. They are commanded not only to "admonish," and "exhort," but to "consider one another"—not curiously, but to warn; and rebuke; and restore; and to provoke to love and good works. Wo to those who shall offend one of God's little ones! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he thrown into the depth of the sea. Let us be careful, even if they are ignorant and infirm, not to offend against the generation of the upright. Let us make strait paths for our feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Ministers are our observers. They are to take heed to the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made them overseers. When we act unworthy our calling, their minds are perplexed, their hearts are discouraged, and their hands are slackened. But they live when we stand fast in the Lord. They can refer to us, when our conversation becomes the Gospel, as arguments, proofs, and commendations; and we are their glory and joy.

Angels observe us. We are a spectacle to angels, as well as to the world and to men. And Paul charges Timothy, not only before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, but also the elect angels, to do nothing by partiality. They are therefore witnesses of our conduct and can see us, though we cannot see them. When persons are tried, witnesses are called in to depose. So will it be at the day of judgment. Parents will be called upon to testify against their children; and ministers against their hearers. Angels also will be employed. Some sins, and the temptations leading to them, are unknown to all human beings but the parties themselves. And these accuse each other. And who is to determine which is the seducer, and which only the seduced?

Above all, God observes us. He is the most perfect observer, for nothing eludes him; he sceth our thoughts afar off. He is also the most concerned observer: they are his laws which are violated or honoured by our temper and conduct; and he records all we speak and do; and will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. Therefore said he to Abraham, "Walk before me, and be thou perfect." And what manner of persons should we be, if we believed and considered that he was always looking upon us!

Let us remember therefore that we are never in secret, but always acting on a stage. We are observed by foes, by friends, by men, by angels, and by God the judge of all. Surely we need wisdom, and strength, far above our own. Lord, be our guide and our guard, even unto death.