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MEDITATION X.

"Which hope we have as an anchor to the soul."

THE Christian is particularly distinguished by the possession of hope, having a good hope through grace. Its goodness is to be seen in its certainty. Its usefulness is here expressed by a metaphor. We have this hope as an anchor to the soul." The force of the comparison is simple and easy.

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We cast the anchor of the ship to keep her from being driven by the winds, and to this we liken the use of hope, in the common concerns and engagements of the Christian life. Without it we could be fixed, trusting in the Lord; but should be unstable and fluctuating. "Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel."

The anchor holds the vessel in rough and tempestuous weather, when the mariner is unable to steer without danger of running on rocks and quicksands. The world we have to cross is a sea, - not always calm; persecutions, losses, troubles, await us; conflicts without and fears within.

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He that walketh in darkness and hath no light, is to trust in the Lord, and stay upon his God. This David recommended to others. Let Israel hope in the Lord. This he enjoined upon his own soul. Hope thou in God.

We also read of the patience of hope, because hope is necessary to cheer and sustain it. In nature there are the wintry months, between the sowing and the reaping. In the Christian there is the prayer of faith, the fight of faith, the life of faith, before he receives the end of his faith, the salvation of his soul. There are also the perils of indulgence, of ease, of success in business, of wealth, of fame. Here also we are saved by hope.

What is the smile of man to the honor that cometh from God only? What is earth to a better country, even a heavenly? How came Moses to refuse to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter? He had respect unto the recompense of reward.

MEDITATION XI.

"The Lord will be with us."

FOR the relief of secret sorrow, and the preservation of deep-rooted joy, the only resource is to be found in heartfelt piety; the persuasion, that all things are in the hands of a Being infinitely wise and good; and the personal assurance, that the soul is safe in the care and keeping of the Father in heaven.

This truth is beautifully recognised by Solomon, in his sublime prayer in the dedication of the temple. "Whatsoever, sore, or whatsoever sickness there be," said the devout worshipper, "then what prayer or what supplication soever shall be made of any man, when any man shall know his own sore and his own grief, the plague of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands in this house; then hear thou from heaven. thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men."

In the spirit of this affecting intercession, the Psalmist, from whom Solomon learned his lesson of devotion, had prayed, and what Christian does not fervently join in the prayer, "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults."

One Being only is the witness of our hearts; and He, blessed be his name, is our Father. To Him, then, let us go with our joys and our sorrows. Is any afflicted, let him pray. Is any merry, let him sing psalms of praise. Having this refuge, grief will not distract, nor joy ensnare us.

We shall pass safely through the vicissitudes of time, and shall be prepared by them for the unchanging scenes of eternity, where no sea of trouble shall toss and agitate our souls, nor any night close upon our heavenly joys.

MEDITATION XII.

"He is precious."

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THE true believer thinks of his heavenly Father, and his thoughts of him are fervent and pleasant. 'My thoughts of him shall be sweet." "How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God, how great is the sum of them, - when I awake I am still with thee." See how he employs his tongue. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

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The impression made upon our feelings by an object preeminently interesting can hardly be restrained. The Bible is most precious, as it is the word of God, and reveals the way of salvation by Jesus Christ. Heaven is the most attractive, as the place in which we shall be with God, and behold his glory.

Our Lord promised to send the Holy Spirit to convince us of sin, and to glorify himself. Such is the Sabbath. It is named, in honor of him, the Lord's day. It is to

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