January 19

And as to spiritual things, the penitent remembers how, when awakened out of his sleep, and he gazed on the horrors of his state, there seemed nothing left but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation. How hard did he find it to hope even for deliverance. But the Lord appeared to his joy, and not only spared and pardoned him, but enriched and ennobled him; and took him not only into his service, but into his house and into his bosom.

But in nothing has this observation been more frequently verified than in the last experience of believers. They had all their lifetime been subject to bondage through fear of death; a thou-and comforts had been imbittered by the apprehension. This did not affect their safety then; but when their departure was at hand, they were filled with peace and joy, and had an abundant entrance ministered unto them into the Saviour's everlasting kingdom. Some, who had trembled at the shaking of a leaf before, have then displayed a courage amounting to more than heroism; and those who had shrunk back from speaking, especially concerning themselves, have shouted aloud upon their beds and sung of his righteousness. "Ah," says Dr. Goodwin, "is this dying? How have I dreaded as an enemy this smiling friend!" To die is gain.

When the queen of Sheba, though accustomed to royal magnificence, witnessed the glory of Solomon, she exclaimed, The half was not told me. So the believer, after all the reports of the Scripture, all the earnest and foretastes of heaven, finds it to be a glory yet to be revealed; and when he arrives at the possession, he will acknowledge that eye had not seen, nor ear heard, nor had entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.

Let all this scatter our doubts, and lead us to say, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him." Especially let us view, through the force of this truth, all our future duties and difficulties. We are not to limit the Holy One of Israel. What is impossible to us is easy to him. His thoughts and ways are as far above ours, as the heavens are higher than the earth; and "he is able to do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think." We have read of an emperor who said he delighted to undertake enterprises deemed by his counsellors and captains impracticable; and he seldom failed in them. God cannot fail. But he loves to surprise. He turneth the shadow of death into the morning. "At eventide," says he, "it shall be light."

"And Noah walked with God." Gns. 6:9.

THE apostle gives us a fine representation of religion when, speaking of God, he says, "With whom we have to do." We have to do with our fellow-creatures in various relations; but morality must be supported by piety, and flow from it. It is with God we have principally to do. Our connections with him, our expectations from him, our obligations to him, are all supreme.

Three expressions are observable as to our walking with regard to God:

First, we read of "walking after the Lord." This supposes him to be our leader and example, and requires us to be followers of him as dear children. "They shall walk after the Lord," says Hosea.

Secondly, we read of walking before God. This supposes him to be our observer and witness; we are thus always in his sight. "Walk before me," said God to Abraham. "I will walk before the Lord," says David, "in the land of the living."

We also read of "walking with God." So did Noah. So did Enoch. So does every partaker of divine grace. This seems to hold him forth as our companion and friend. This may seem surprising, but so it is. There is an intercourse between us; we have fellowship one with another. In order to this reconciliation is necessary; for "how can two walk together, except they be agreed?" And this reconciliation must be mutual. It is not enough that God is reconciled to us through the blood of the Cross; we must be also reconciled to God, and love his presence, and choose his way.

For walking with God implies a oneness of course, and supposes that we advance together towards the same end. God's aim is his own glory; and we are enjoined, "whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, to do all to the glory of God." As far as we observe this rule, we walk with God; as far as we neglect it, we leave God, and go in another direction.

If we are familiar and conversant with any one, we unavoidably catch something of his spirit and his manners. Hence it is said, "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." If I walk with God, I shall resemble him, and all will take knowledge of me that I have been with Jesus.

How envied would the man be that was allowed to walk with the king. But I walk with the King of kings and the Lord of lords. "Such honor have all his saints." What security have I in nearness to him! "He is at my right hand: I shall not be moved." What can I want if I have him? "My presence shall go with thee; and I will give thee rest."