November 16

"The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous."—Psalms 1:6.

THIS is a consoling truth to believers, when under a cloud: their principles and pursuits are often misrepresented; but such aspersions are only like smoke blown upon a diamond, which, though it clouds its beauty for the present, is easily rubbed off, and the gem restored to its genuine lustre. Let us from this passage observe

THE CHRISTIAN'S CHARACTER. "The righteous." By nature there is none righteous; believers are entitled to the appellation, not from human merit, but divine mercy. How? By the imputation of the Saviour's righteousness, and by the implantation of the Spirit's grace; the one is for our justification, the other for our sanctification; the one rescues us from hell, the other fits us for heaven; the one delivers us from the wrath of God, the other prepares us for communion with God.

THE CHRISTIAN'S WAY. It has many properties.

It is a peculiar way. It is not the way of the world, but that of the Church. Christians are a "peculiar people," as it regards the character they sustain, the resources on which they depend, the motives by which they are influenced, and the end they have in prospect

It is a difficult way. How hard to escape the pollutions, and free ourselves from the snares, of an enticing world; to hold communion with the skies, while our evil hearts are drawing us from God; to enter the world in our lawful avocations, and yet to come out of it in our Christian principles and pursuits!

It is an honorable way. It is the high way of the King of kings — true dignity is stamped on every pilgrim who is found in this way; he is going forward to the highest promotion. But

It is a despised way. And that by the generality of mankind who refuse to walk in it. By many it is represented as the way of folly and delusion; but these speak evil of things which they know not.

THE CHRISTIAN'S COMFORT. "The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous." This includes much more than mere knowledge; though this is a privilege. How encouraging to remember, that there is One above who knows all our ways, and is acquainted with every movement of our minds! But he approves of this way; and is it not a privilege to have the smiles of his approbation? "His favor is life, and his loving-kindness is better than life."