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so eagerly desired, would have proved our injury or ruin; and that what we were so anxious to escape has conduced to our best welfare: so that we can "It is good for me that I have been afflicted.".

say,

We are very incompetent to judge for ourselves, because we know not the influence other and untried events will exert upon us. To these, we go forward with our present views and feelings; not aware that new scenes will produce new views and feelings; and may unfold secrets in our character of which we have no conceptions, and which may fill us, not only with surprise, but dismay. Thus, when Elisha predicted, with tears, the atrocities and cruelties he would commit, Hazael shuddered at the thought, and sincerely exclaimed, "What! is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?"-the man of God only answered, "The Lord hath shewed me that thou shalt be king over Syria”—and his elevation transformed him from the man into the monster which he had execrated! And if, by leaning to our own understanding, we take one wrong step, what consequences, immediate or remote, personal or relative, may arise from it! See this in David. I shall now perish, said he, one day, by the hand of Saul: "there is nothing better for me than that I should speedily escape into the land of the Philistines"-The Oracle, had he consulted it, would not have told him so. In truth, it was the worst measure he could have devised; as it tended to alienate the affections of his countrymen; to justify the reproaches of his enemies; to deprive himself of the means of grace; to put himself out of the Divine protection; and to lay him under obligations to a benefactor he could not oblige, without betraying the cause of God. Accordingly, he was soon drawn into a scandalous equivocation with Achish; and was ordered to go and fight against his own people Israel. And when he was released from this embarrassment, and went back, he found that, in his absence, his residence

and property had been destroyed, and his family carried away captives. "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Lot leaned to his own understanding; and chose the land-vale of Sodom, which was well-watered, like the garden of the Lord. By this movement, he separated himself from intercourse with his pious uncle. He was taken captive by the confederate kings. He was strangely induced to reside in the town itself; and dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul, from day to day, with their unlawful deeds. At length, he was burnt out of house and home. His wife, for looking back, became a pillar of salt; so that he never after could go or look that way. His daughters damned by the vices of the placeBut we dare not go on Trust in the Lord with all thine heart-Lean not to thy own understandingIn all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and He shall direct thy paths.

SEPT. 15.-"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?"
Acts ix. 6.

THIS is a very marvellous question, considering from whom it came. For the enquirer, till now, had hated the Name of Jesus; and was at this very time actually engaged in the persecution of his followers. What would he have thought, if some one could have told him previously, that in a few hours, in a few moments, he would be a worshipper at the feet of the Nazarene! But so it was: and he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

Let us never despair. The chief of sinners are within his reach. He has a mighty arm; strong is his hand, and high is his right hand. What changes

has his grace already accomplished: and what changes must it accomplish still, if the promise be fulfilled, "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign, that shall not be cut off." But let us make this inquiry our own. It is every way worthy of our adoption.

It is personal in its aim-Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Many seem more anxious to reprove others, than to know their own faults; and are busily employed in pulling the mote out of their brother's eye, while a beam is in their own. Some are always reading and hearing for others. And we have known persons applying, in a sermon, to some fellow-worshipper, things, every one else in the assembly would have deemed most proper for themselves. But we should think of ourselves in divine things; and bring home every truth to our own business and bosoms, whether it encourages or censures-praying, Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any evil way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. When our Lord had informed Peter of his duty and destiny, Peter saw John coming towards him, and asked, Lord, and what shall this man do? But our Saviour said, What is that to thee? follow thou me.

It is practical in its subject-What wilt thou have me to do?-Not to know, to hear, to believe, to talk of-Religion, indeed, extends to every thing: but every thing is not essential to it. But practice is. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Faith, without works, is dead, being alone. Though a man say, he hath faith, and hath not works; can faith save him? Every part of the truth, as it is in Jesus, has a bearing upon the heart, and the life, of the receiver; and is according to godliness.

It is impartial in its desire-Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? I do not prescribe. I do not select.

I do not prefer-Thy pleasure, alone, I ask to know, and am resolved to follow-Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth. True obedience is compatible with defects; but not with partialities. If a man regards some things, and not others, in religion; those he regards, he regards from some other motive than the will of God: for this would lead him to regard the one, as well as the other; seeing they are all enjoined by the very same authority. He that offends in one point, is guilty of all; not in the act, but in the prin ciple-i.e., he violates the authority of the whole. For he that said, Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, said also, Enter into thy closet. If, therefore, you engage in public worship, and never retire for devotion, you are an offender. He that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill: now if thou commit no adultery, yet, if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the Law. We never can truly obey, therefore, unless we can say, with David, I esteem all thy commandments concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

SEPT. 16.-" Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"
Acts ix. 6.

BEFORE We yield ourselves to any one, we should have full confidence in him; and the confidence should be founded on knowledge. To no fellowcreature can we wholly resign ourselves, either of right, or with safety; for as he has no title to us, so we know not what his depravity may require of us. We owe duties to our fellow-creatures; and to many of them we may say, What wilt thou have me to do? Yet we must obey them only "in the Lord." But His authority is supreme. He has infinite claims to my implicit homage.

Five principles demand and more than justify the absolute surrender of myself to Him-saying, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?

First. The righteousness and excellency of his requirements. Each of his prohibitions only says, Do thyself no harm. Each of his injunctions is an order to be wise, and rich, and noble, and happy. While following Him, my understanding never blushes; my conscience never reproaches me. can give a reason for my obedience, as well as my hope. His will is always a reasonable service-His work is honourable and glorious.

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Secondly. The relations in which he stands to his people. He is their Husband-He is their Father -He is their Master-He is their Sovereign-He is their Maker-from whom they have derived all they have and are. And surely, in each of these, it becomes them to ask, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?"

Thirdly. His greatness. This is unsearchable. He is Lord of all. All the angels of God worship him. All things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things; and by him all things consist. His greatness is necessary to the illustration of his goodness; and crowns it with glory and honour. What condescension is there, where there is no dignity? But he was in the form of God, and took upon him the form of a servant--There was the stoop! He was rich; and, for our sakes, became poor-There was the grace! Greatness alone produces not attachment, but dread and aversion. But, while he has all power in heaven and in earth, he is full of grace and truth

"His heart is made of tenderness;

"His bowels melt with love."

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Therefore, fourthly, the obligations he has laid us under by his kindness. What are the obligations

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