November 8

PART V.—1 Peter 2:7.

CHRIST is precious in his invaluable benefits. These benefits include all the fulness of infinite mercy, by which iniquity, transgressions, and sins are all blotted out. Unbounded grace, by which all needful blessings and influences are communicated for the spiritual happiness and prosperity of the soul, and all the eternal blessings of glory, by which our felicity and salvation, is irrevocably consummated. Jesus is precious under all circumstances. In prosperity, his grace humbles, and he is all our joy and song. In adversity he is our sympathetic friend who sticketh closer than a brother. In poverty he is our riches, in affliction our consolation, in temptation our deliverer, in death our triumph, in judgment our advocate, and in eternity the object of our unceasing joy and delight. We are provided for by Christ, he feeds and clothes, and strengthens, and heals us. He guides and supports and comforts. He illumines, renders us acceptable, and sanctifies us by his truth. He transforms us into his likeness, and finally exalts to his kingdom and glory. How many have lived joyfully experiencing the preciousness of Christ, how many have died rapturously, uttering pauses to his precious name? how the unnumbered hosts of heaven, are constantly filling the celestial temple with acclamations of joy and praise?

"Weak is the effort of my heart, And languid are my lays.

But when I see thee as thou art, I'll give thee nobler praise.

Till then I would thy love proclaim, With every fleeting breath;

And may the music of thy name, Refresh my soul in death."