“”། ་་

We may have money and yet no bread-so in a famine, Genesis. · Eat their own children. Bread, without God's blessing, will not nourish us, Eccles. v. 19; Micah vi. 14; Levit. xxvi. 26; Exod. xxiii. 25; Hag. i. 6; Dan. i. 13—15; Prov. x. 22; Psalm lxxviii. 30, 31.

God's promise, Isa. xxxiii. 15—17; Pṣalm xxxiii. 18, 19; xxxiv. 10 ; Exod. xvi. 29; Psalm xxxvii. 3,

If God feed the birds, Job xxxviii. 41; Psalm cxlvii. 9; how much more will he feed those who pray to him.

But must ask God, Matt. vii. 9. Agur's prayer, Prov. xxx. 7—9.
Must use means, as well as pray, Prov. xxviii. 21; Deut. xxi. 17;
Gen. iii. 19; 2 Thess. iii. 8-12; Prov. xxvii. 23—27.
Anecdote. Waggoner and Jupiter. (Esop's fables.)
Diligence, Prov. xi. 4; xxviii. 19; Rom. xii. 11.

God gives us strength to labour-success in our undertakings, Prov. x. 22-fruits of earth-kindness and help of others-comfort and refreshment, Psalm civ. 14, 15, 27, 28.

But must use lawful means, not eat devil's bread-not try to get a livelihood by dishonest means—prostitution-gambling-selling on Sundays-cheating, &c.-nor any way in which we cannot ask God's blessing.

Anecdote 1.

Farmer's man and the stolen lamb.

A labouring man, who had a wife and children to support, was once reduced to such distress, that, with the concurrence of his wife, he went to his master's flock and brought home a lamb, which was killed, and a part of it dressed, and placed on the table. The next thing to be done, before their hunger could be relieved, was to ask a blessing on the food. The poor man's heart was filled with anguish. How could he ask a blessing from God on the fruit of unrighteousness? Tears gushed into his eyes. He rose-he went directly to his master, told him what he had done, and implored his forgiveness. His master knew him to be not only a sober and industrious man, but also an honest and wellintentioned man, and that nothing but the greatest temptation in the greatest straits could have led him to commit so sad a crime. After a suitable admonition, he assured him of his hearty forgiveness, told him that he was welcome to what he had got, and that he should not be disappointed in any future application which he might find it necessary to make to him, for the supply of his wants. The poor man returned home with joy and gratitude, determined, in the strength of the Lord, and in reliance on his Holy Spirit's aid, to be more watchful and prayerful against the temptations of the devil. Better starve than steal, any day. Whitecross 182. 5.

When using lawful means, &c. must trust in God's blessing, Psalm cxxviii. 1, 2.

God's goodness in giving us bread, I Sam. xxv. 11. Considering how unthankful man is, Isa. i. 2, 3; Psalm xli. 9. That we are by nature his enemies, Prov. xxv. 21.

Jacob's vow, Gen. xxviii. 20-22.

Repeat the 59th hymn of "hymns for the young," "Jacob's vow.” Examples of God's providing for his people. Elijah, 1 Kings xvii. 6. Prophets, 1 Kings xviii. 4. Israelites in the wilderness. Jeremiah, Jer. xxxvii. 21. Saviour fed 4000, and 5000-first blessed-gave thanks.

Anecdote 2.

The sailor and his daughter.

;

"I came home from my last voyage before Christmas,” says a sailor, "and hastened home. Being late when I arrived, I had not the opportunity of seeing my eldest girl until the following day. At dinner time, when we had sat down, I began to eat what was before me, without ever thinking of my heavenly Father, that provided my daily bread but, glancing my eye towards this girl, of whom I was doatingly fond, I observed her looking on me with astonishment. After a moment's pause, she asked me, in a solemn and serious manner, "Father, do you never ask a blessing before eating?" Her mother observed me looking hard at her, and holding my knife and fork motionless; it was not in anger-it was a rush of conviction, which struck me like lightning. Apprehending some reproof from me, and wishing to pass it by in a trifling way, she said, "Do you say grace, Nancy." My eyes were still riveted on the child, for I felt conscious I had never instructed her to pray, nor even set her an example, by praying with my family when at home. The child, seeing me waiting for her to begin, put her hands together, and lifting up her eyes to heaven, breathed the sweetest prayer I ever heard. This was too much for me; the knife and fork dropped from my hands, and I gave vent to my feelings in tears." Through the instrumentality of this child, not more than six years of age, who attended a Sunday school,-together with his subsequent attendance on the public worship of God, this man became a real Christian.-Whitecross, Pleasing Expositor, p. 37.

David's remark, Psalm xxxvii. 25.

Some tempted to doubt God's care, Matt. iv.; but, Mark viii. 17, &c. Others to use unlawful mans, Matt. iv.

If God will take care of the body, how much more of the soul.

He will give us the bread of life, John vi. 27, 48-58. Christ is that bread. Water of life, John vii. 37–39. The Holy Spirit is that living water.

Let us pray, 2 Cor. ix. 10, 11.

Learn from this prayer, contentment, 1 Tim. iv. 4; vi. 6; 1 Pet. v. 7. To cast our care on God, Phil. iv. 6; cannot make an ear of corn. Obtain good from his hands, Matt. vii. 11. Good creatures sanctified to us, 1 Tim. iv. 4, 5. Not lose sight of God in our daily mercies. Not to depend too much on our own strength-health-habits of industry-skill and contrivances-any prospects, however promising -for

God can send sickness-destroy our property-deprive you of employment-whenever he sees fit.

Acknowledge God as your preserver, Acts xiv 17; Matt. v. 45; Psalm cxlvii. 8, 9; Matt. vi. 18–30.

How blessed is he that eateth bread in the kingdom of heaven, Luke xiv. 15. Yet, though God has provided a feast-men neglect and despise it.

"Trespasses” mean sins, Ezra ix. 6, 15; 2 Chron. xix. 10; xxviii. 22; Ezek xvii. 20; Ephes. ii. 1; Col. ii. 13.

What is sin, Prov. xxiv. 9; Matt. xii 36; 1 John iii. 4; v. 17; James iv. 17; Rom. xiv 23.

Whence does sin proceed? Matt. xv. 19.

Are all sinners? Gen. vi. 5, 11, 12; Psalm xiv. 2, 3; liii. 2, 3; lviii. 3; Isa. liii. 6; Jer. xvii 9; Rom. iii. 10–20; vii. 18; viii. 7; Gal. iii. 22; Eph. ii. 1—3; iv. 18; Titus i. 15.

Are our sins many?—Yes, sins of omission-commission—in thought, word, and deed-in childhood-riper years-sins of ignorance-presumption—sins against God—our neighbour - and ourselves — against light-vows-promises-warnings of friends-ministers-parents-God's word, and Spirit --committed every day-every hour-sins known, and unknown.

What are the consequences of sin? Psalm ix. 17; Ezek. xviii. 4, 20 ; Isa. lxvi. 24; Matt. viii 12; xxii. 13; xxiv. 51; xxv. 30; Luke xiii. 28; Mark ix. 44, 48; Rom. i 18; ii. 5, 6. Who can “forgive' sin?-God only. How can God forgive sin? Has he not said, Eph. xviii. 4. Do not his law, justice, faithfulness, truth, demand our death? Gal. iii. 10; Rom. vi. 23; James ii. 10

True, but Jesus died for sinners, Isa. liii; John i. 29; Luke xix. 10; 1 John i. 7; Rom. v. 8-10.

In him God can be just, and yet justify the ungodly, 1 John i. 8, 9. Jesus is able to pardon, Heb. vii. 25. Willing, Num. xiv. 18; Psalm lxxxvi. 5; cxxx. 4; Isa. i. 18; lv. 7; Dan. ix. 9; 2 Chron. vii. 14; Jer. xxxiii. 8; Micah vii. 18. Waiting, Exod. xxxiv. 4-7. Invites, Isa. lv. 1; Matt. xi. 28. Sends his ministers, 2 Cor. v. 19, &c; Acts xiii. 38, 39. Teaches us to pray, Hosea xiv. Forgives, freely -fully-for ever, Matt. i. 21; xx. 28; Mark x. 45; John iii. 16; Gal i. 4; iii. 13; iv. 4, 5; Col. i. 20; Heb. ix. 22; 1 Pet. iii. 18; 1 John iv. 10; Rev. i. 5, 6; v. 9. Forgiveness of sin is called in Scripture, Neh. ix. 17; Isa. Ixi. 1; Luke iv. 18. Col. ii. 13. Not remembering, Jer. xxxi. our sins, Psalm xxxii. 1; lxxxv. 2. xliv. 22. Removing, Exod. xxxiv. 7; ciii. 10-12; Jer. L. 20. Not imputing, Psalm xxxii. 2; Micah vii. 18, 19; Rom. iv. 8; 2 Cor. v. 19.

remission, Acts xxvi. 18; Mercifulness, Heb. viii. 12; 34; Heb. viii. 12. Covering Blotting out, Isa. xliii. 25; Levit. xvi. 21, 22; Psalm

Forgive "us" "our" sins-religion a personal thing-must seek pardon first for ourselves and secondly for others have you seen, felt, and acknowledged your sins? Have you sought mercy?- fled to Christ? Acts iv. 12.

Repeat Watts' hymn, "Why should I say 'tis yet too soon," &c.

Anecdote 1.

Little boy and his tutor.

It is reported of Ben Syra, that one day, when he was a little boy, he went to his tutor, and requested him to talk to him about the law of God. His tutor replied that it would be time enough to do that when he grew bigger, to which remark Ben Syra made answer, "O teacher, I have been into the burying ground, and measured the graves, and find that there are several for children much less than I. Now if I die before I know the law of God, what will become of my soul" What a serious consideration! What a solemn question!

God knows all our sins, "Almighty God thy piercing eye," &c, Watts.
We can only expect pardon for Christ's sake, Eph. iv. 32; i. 7.
Must pray to the Spirit to make us feel that we are sinners, John xvi. 8.
Should seek an assurance of our pardon.

We must repent and believe, Acts x. 43; xiii. 38, 39; Rom. iii. 24, 25 ;
Luke xxiv. 46, 47; Acts v. 31; Ezek. xviii. 30jr fa one

To offer this prayer aright, we must have a deep sense of our own sinfulness, and of the guilt of sin, and its desertan earnest desire to be free from sin, and not from the punishment merely an humble confession of our vileness-hearty prayer for deliverance, and pardon— expectation of forgiveness through Christ. moon! Herein we pray that God would discover to us our sinfulness-its horrid and aggravated nature would humble us under a sight and sense of our sin-and give us his Holy Spirit to convince us of sin and grant us a clear knowledge of Christ's undertaking an ardent love to Jesus for dying for us a cordial reception of Christ as our Saviour. Alas! how little attention many pay to these things! How soon they forget what they hear !

Anecdote 2.

ސ

The woman who burnt her bushel.

"

A poor woman in the country went to hear a sermon, wherein, among other evil practices, the one of short weights and measures was exposed. With this discourse she was much affected. In the course of the week, when the minister, according to his custom, went among his hearers, and called upon the woman, he took occasion to ask her what she remembered of the sermon? The poor woman complained much of her bad memory, and said that she had almost forgotten all he had said. "But one thing," said she, "I remembered. I remembered to burn my bushel." A doer of the word will never be a forgetful hearer. James i. 22, 23.-Buck's Anecdotes.

This is what I wish you to remember when you go home, to pray fervently to God, to "forgive you your trespasses."

prayer.s

Hymn and prayer.

Hymn.

LECTURE XI.

"As we forgive them that trespass against us."

Heard them part of the broken catechism.

What is meant by trespass against us ?-Hurt us, offend us. It implies that some probably will-every day we meet with something to try us-in our family-world.

This we must forgive.

How often?Seventy and seven times.

How?-As God forgave us freely-fully-remembering no more-not as some say, "but I shall never forget."

Anecdote 1.

t 4

The little black boy and his cruel master.

A poor little African negro, only ten years of age, went to hear the preaching of one of the missionaries, and became, through God's blessing on his ministry, a real Christian. His master, who hated missionaries, hearing of it, commanded him never to go again, and declared that he would have him flogged to death if he did. The poor little boy, in consequence of this order, was very miserable. He felt disposed to obey his master; but then, his soul, what must become of that? He could scarcely refrain from going, yet knew his death was inevitable if he did. In this painful situation he prayed to God for direction and assistance, and having done so, felt convinced that it was his duty to attend, but to be very careful that he never interfered with his master's time or work, and, for the rest, to leave himself in the hands of God. He went therefore, and on his return was summoned to his master's presence; and after much violent and abusive language, received five and twenty lashes. His master then, in a tone of blasphemous ridicule, exclaimed, "What can Jesus Christ do for you now?" 66 'He enables me to bear it patiently," said the poor child. "Give him five and twenty lashes more, said his cruel master. He was obeyed, & And wheaty ashus Christ do for you now?" said the unfeeling man. look forward to a future world," replied the little sufferer. five and twenty more, shouted the cruel tyrant in a transport of rage. They complied, and while he listened with savage delight to the groans of the dying child, he again asked him, "What can Jesus Christ do for you now?" The youthful martyr, with the last effort of expiring nature, meekly answered, "He enables me to pray for and forgive you, massa,” and instantly breathed his last. (Whitecross 185.)

Repeat the hymn of Dr. Watts," Whatever brawls disturb the street," &c. What will be the consequence if we do not forgive others? God will