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of the same cup that He drank of, and to have fellowship with him in his sufferings. But, after all, if there is a real union between Christ and our souls by faith, our safety depends not so much on our love to Christ, as on his love to us. Though,

indeed, our love to

by his love to us. us first.

Christ will be effectually secured
We love him, because he loved

Rejoicing in the assurance, that if we suffer with him we shall be also glorified together, let us bear about continually the dying of the Lord Jesus; and, when we depart, let us leave all our unbelieving cares and fears behind, and live and love like Him who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, and whose love was stronger than death.

MEDITATION XXII.

[October 2, 1803.]

2 CORINTHIANS VI. 17, 18.

WHEREFORE COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE SEPA

RATE, SAITH THE LORD, AND TOUCH NOT THE UNCLEAN THING; AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU, AND WILL BE A FATHER UNTO YOU, AND YE SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, SAITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

BLESSED God, we are come out from among them, and thankfully ascribe it to the praise of the glory of thy grace, that inclined us and enabled us to separate ourselves from them; else we had to this hour been as ignorant, as wicked, and as miserable as they. And wilt thou receive us into thy family and favour? Wilt thou put us among thy children, and own us and bless us as such? It is such an honour, such a privilege, and yields such a fund of consolation, in all the various changes of life, that I scarcely know a more pleasing subject for your meditation than this. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.

To consider what we once were, what we now are, and what we hope God will hereafter make us. Lord, what are we, and what is our father's house, that thou shouldest bring us hitherto ? Does God

promise to receive us, and to be a Father to us? then,

1. We are sure of a Friend always at hand, that is able and willing to help us. When our blessed Lord was about to be left by all his disciples, he comforted himself with this. " Nevertheless," says he, "I am not alone, for the Father is with me." We christians may, in our measure, say the same. When this and the other earthly friend, in whose acquaintance we used to be happy, when they drop off, we have this to comfort us, We have still the Father with us; He will never leave us, nor forsake us; He is a Friend to whom you can freely make known your griefs and burdens, and on whom you may depend for sympathy and secrecy-two things most agreeable in a true friend. On this account, prayer has been called heart's ease. When Hannah had poured out her soul before the Lord in the temple, she went her way, and was no more sad. It is the privilege of believers; it belongs to them, and to them only. Others are strangers to prayer; they have no free correspondence with Heaven.

God is a Friend always able and ready to advise. Many times it may happen that you have no friend

upon earth that you can be free with, in a case of great perplexity. Your heavenly Father can direct you in every difficulty, and direct you for the best, which no earthly friend can always be sure to do, though ever so willing. Whenever, therefore, you are at a loss, spread your case before Him. He can direct you by his word, or by his Spirit, or by his providence, and sometimes, perhaps, by all three, and lead you by a right way, though sometimes seemingly dark and unlikely.

Jehoshaphat was once in a great strait; when the children of Ammon and Moab were coming against him with a great army, threatening to destroy him, he refers the matter to God, and said, “O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh up against us; neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee," 2 Chron. xx. 6. 12. And he had presently direction from above: "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's." You, therefore, that have no earthly friend to advise with, do but seek and follow the counsels of your heavenly Father, and you shall find a good and happy issue.

But, further, God is a Friend that is able to protect as well as advise. When you have none

to stand by you, and plead for you, your heavenly Father will assist you in the greatest extremity. The most helpless persons are generally thought to be the fatherless and the widow, and therefore they are, in a special manner, taken under his care. He styles himself, once and again, the Father of the fatherless, and Judge of the widow. When, therefore, you are in any distress, apply immediately to your heavenly Father, and leave it to him to support or deliver you. God may sometimes permit the enemies of his children and people to triumph over them. Whenever he does it, he has the most gracious and benevolent design towards his children; and he will assist you in all your spiritual conflicts too. Satan and all his instruments are in his hand, and they cannot move a step without Divine permission.

2. Here is comfort for the afflicted christian.

Whatever the affliction be, whether personal or family, whether inward or outward, the thought of its coming from your Father, softens and sweetens it. "If this affliction is laid upon me by my Father, then I am sure it is in love. Though there should be a rod in his hand, and a frown in his face, yet I know there is love in his heart; and this sweetens the bitterest cup, and takes out the sting of the heaviest affliction, and makes it comparatively light." God shows his love to his children, not as many foolish parents do, by withholding correc

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