all things work together for thy good; even when all things seem to work together against thee. In life and in death he is with thee. Yes, through the whole of life, be it long or short. Amidst all its changes and variations, Jesus never changes, but is invariably the same. He will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it hath pleased the Lord, to make them his people. He will be with them in six troubles, and in seven, he will not forsake them. Every day and every night, at home and abroad, Jesus is with his people. And when we come to life's last hour. When the last scenes of time crowd upon us. When heart and flesh is failing us, then, then Jesus will be especially with us. who gave us grace to live, will give us grace to die. He who has ever stood by us, and defended, supplied, and delivered us, will stand by us then. The passage may be dark, but the Lord will be a light unto us. The river may appear deep, wide, and cold, but when we pass through the waters, he will be with us, and through the river, it shall not overflow us. Nature may be alarmed, but grace will rise with the occasion. The flesh may tremble, but the spirit shall be strong and vigorous. Earthly friends may accompany us to the brink of the river, there they must leave us, but Jesus will go with us quite across the stream. They must bid us farewell, but He Jesus will never say, Adieu. They know not what it is to die, but Jesus does. He knows all that is necessary in order that we may die safely, and what would be required to make us die happily. He has, and has for us, all we shall need in the dying hour; nor will he fail to impart it. O believer, is it not blessed to think, that our beloved Saviour, who died for us, will be with us when we are dying, and with us on purpose to glorify his grace in us, in the last trying moments of life. He will, he will be with us, for he has said, Lo, I am with you always." 66 "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.' Mark this as certain. Observe it, for it is a fact. Note it down, for it is of great importance. Changes many and painful, may be witnessed by you, but there shall be no change in my word. My mind is made up. My determination is fixed. I know what you are. I know what you will be. And it is with a perfect knowledge of all that is in you, of all that will happen to you, and of all that will be done by you, that I give you my word, I will be with you always. Expect me therefore according to my promise. In every season of darkness, when your faith is put to the test; in every hour of temptation, when your love is tried; in every hour of suffering, when your patience is severely exercised; believe that I am with you, that I will support you, and that I will give you a happy issue out of all your afflictions. Yes, I am with you, let Satan suggest what he may-I am with you, let unbelief misrepresent me as it will-I am with you, though every thing around, and within you, seems to conspire to give my promise the lie-for I will on no account, at any time, under circumstances leave you. our any If Christ be with us, we may be tried, unusually tried, unexpectedly tried; but by virtue of his presence we shall be holy, and useful, and happy. Let us then daily realize our need of his presence; for we shall daily need it, and never more than when we fancy we can get on without it. Let us seek to enjoy his presence, for he is with us, that we may have fellowship and communion with him. He loves to see us on knees before him, and to hear our prayers and praises ascending to him. His loving heart is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and he wishes us to pour our wants, woes, and desires into his bosom. Let us go forward with confidence and courage. We know not what a day may introduce us to, or what it may be commissioned to bring us; but we do know that Jesus will be with us, and that his grace is sufficient for us, and that his strength, will be made perfect in our weakness. Precious Lord Jesus, let us ever go forward on our journey homeward, believing thy promise, assured of thy love, and expecting thy presence! O be with us every day, as each day's wants may require! Keep up our hearts in communion with thy blessed self, and let us have to say with thy servant John, "Of his fulness, have all we received, and grace for grace!" Glorify thyself in us, day by day, and let our last day prove our best! O for grace to live as Jesus lived, to walk as Jesus walked, and thus to glorify God in our bodies and spirits which are God's! Now I see, whate'er betide, When a sense of sin and thrall, He engag'd to manage all, "Cast," he said, " on me thy care, Lord, I would, I do submit, MAN OR GOD? EVER since Satan suggested to Eve, "Ye shall be as Gods," man has wanted to reign. In the pride of his heart, he wishes to be first in every thing, and considers that his dignity should be consulted, and that his honour should be sought. This has introduced a controversy, for God can not give up his prerogative, and man will not surrender his arrogant claims. In the matter of salvation, the question is, "Who is to be first?" Shall God or man, have the credit of commencing the work? Shall it be ascribed to God's sovereign grace, or to man's proud free will? If to grace, then God has all the glory; if to free will, then man at least shares with his Maker. Now the Scriptures every where teach, that salvation is of the Lord. That God originates, carries on, and completes the glorious work. Man gets all the benefit, but God claims all the glory. This man does not like, and it takes much inward exercise, much severe discipline, before man will yield to be saved fully and freely by grace alone. And yet it must be so, for man must be saved by grace or not at all. He cannot be saved without an atonement |