September 27

Counsellor.—Isaiah 9:6.

IT was predicted of Jesus, that there should rest upon him the Spirit of "counsel and might." And there never was any so well qualified for giving counsel as the blessed Jesus. His knowledge and wisdom are infinite; he knows all things connected with the past, present, and future, therefore error with him is impossible. Infallibility in its most absolute and extended application, belongs to him. And this infallibility of understanding in Jesus, applies to all subjects connected with man and Jehovah, with earth and heaven, and with time and eternity. Then his fidelity is unimpeachable. As he cannot err, neither can he violate the principles of equity and truth. Insincerity often distinguishes the counsels of men, sometimes arising from a desire to flatter, at other times the operation of selfish feeling, but Jesus ever exhibited the truth, the whole truth, and the truth at all times. Then his counsel was associated with tenderness and affection. He ever spoke the truth in love. Even when he uttered those fearful denunciations against the Pharisees, his heart so overflowed with love, that his address was succeeded by a flood of tears, his compassionate heart was melted down, when he contemplated the ruin their incorrigibleness would bring upon them. This affection never forsook him for a single instant, even in the agonies of a death, which human cruelty was inflicting. He prayed, "Father forgive them, they know not what they do." Then as our counsellor, he is ever easy of access. He is never far from those who seek his face in sincerity and truth. If we acknowledge him in all our ways, and refer all our concerns to his counsel, he will infallibly direct our steps. O then let us commit our ways to him, that he may bring them to pass. To whom else shall we go, but to Jesus, who has the reins of universal government, and the words of eternal life.