finds himself tempted to betray the cause of his prince, or his Saviour, should set these two examples before his eyes.

"10. Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof; mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11. Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets."

The violence and strife, mentioned at the conclusion of the preceding verse, are here described as going their rounds, like an armed watch, upon the walls, to guard rebellion, which had taken up its residence in the heart of the city, from the attacks of loyalty, right, and justice, driven with the king beyond Jordan. Thus from the same city was righteousness afterwards expelled, in the person of the King of righteousness, and nothing left, but mischief, and sorrow, wickedness, deceit, and guile," encompassed with a guard of "violence and strife." Whether the state of the Gentile Christian church, in the last days, will not too much resemble that of Jerusalem before its destruction, is a matter of sad and sorrowful consideration.

"12. For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I could have hid myself from him. 15. But it was thou, a man, mine equal, my guide; Heb. my disciple and mine acquaintance. 14. We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company."

The many aggravating circumstances of Ahitophel's treason against David, and that of Judas against Christ, are here strongly marked. The treachery of pretended friends is generally to the church, as it was to her Lord, the beginning of sorrows. Ingratitude, malice, and falsehood, are ingredients that must always meet in the composition of a traitor.

15. Let death seize upon them, or, death shall remove, or, take them away, and let them, or, they shall, go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them."

In these words are predicted the tragical fate of Ahitophel, and those who followed Absalom; of Judas and the Jews; and of all who shall resemble them in wickedness. The sudden destruction of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, who, for stirring up a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, “went down alive into the pit," seems here alluded to, as the grand representation of the manner in which the bottomless pit shall one day shut her mouth for ever upon all the impenitent enemies of the true King of Israel, and great High Priest of our profession.

"16. As for me, I will call upon God and the LORD shall save me. 17. Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice."

Prayer is the believer's universal medicine for all the disorders of the soul within, and his invincible shield against every enemy that can attack him from without. "Morning, Evening, and Noon," were three of the hours of prayer in the Jewish church. We find holy Daniel observing them in Babylon, notwithstanding the royal decree, which made it death for him so to do. The event fully justified him, and showed the power of true devotion, whose high prerogative it still is, to save the righteous from the mouth of THE LION. See Dan. vi. 10. 22. 2 Tim. iv. 17. 1 Pet. v. 8.

"18. He hath delivered, or, shall deliver, my soul in peace from the battle that was, or, is, against me: for there were, or, are, many with me." David was delivered in peace, when after having suppressed the rebellion, he was brought back in triumph to his capital; the Son of David was delivered in peace, when, victorious over the enemies of man's salvation, he arose from the dead, and returned to the Jerusalem above; the believing soul is delivered in peace, when her sins are forgiven, and her corruptions mortified; and the bodies of the saints shall be delivered in peace at the resurrection of the just. The ground of all these deliverances is one and the same "They that are with us are more than they that are against us,”

2 Kings vi. 16. "Greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world," 1 John iv. 4.

19. God shall hear, and afflict, or, humble, them, even he that abideth of old. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God; or, because they will not be converted, and fear God."

He who inhabiteth eternity, remaining unchangeably the same from everlasting to everlasting, hath determined to hear the prayers of his faithful servant, and finally to humble the pride of his unrepenting adversaries. These are the decrees which he hath thought fit to promulgate; and on them we may safely depend.

20. He hath put forth his hands against such as be, or, were, at peace with him he hath broken his covenant."

The prophet goes on to describe the perfidy of traitors, like Ahitophel and Judas. Every wilful and malicious sinner "puts forth his hand against" the person who is "at peace with him," nay, who "made his peace" with the Father, and by so doing, "breaking the covenant," into which by baptism he was admitted. O blessed Jesus, how often do we betray thee to thine enemies, our own lusts, and consider it not.

"21. The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords."

Of this complexion are the cant of hypocrites, the charity of bigots and fanatics, the benevolence of atheists, the professions of the world, the allurements of the flesh, and the temptations of Satan, when he thinks proper to appear in the character of an angel of light.

"22. Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

The conclusion of the whole matter is, that amidst all dangers and adversities, whensoever they oppress us, we are to put our full trust and confidence only in his mercy, who delivered David, and the Son of David, out of all their troubles. He, who once bore that burden of our sorrows, requested of us, that we would now and ever permit him to bear the burden of our cares; that as he knoweth what is best for us, he may provide it accordingly. When-shall we trust Christ to govern the world which he hath redeemed?

"23. But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee."

O terrible voice of most just judgment, pronounced against rebels and murderers! Of the sure and certain execution of this righteous sentence who can doubt, that considers the fate of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; of Absalom, Ahitophel, and Judas; and above all, of the city which contained within its walls those rebels, and murderers of the Son of God? Let us trust for ever in Him alone, who can thus deliver, and thus destroy.

ELEVENTH DAY.-MORNING PRAYER.

PSALM LVI.

ARGUMENT.

David, in danger from the Philistines, among whom he was driven, as well as from Saul and his associates, is supposed to, 1, 2. make supplications to God, in whom, 3, 4. he placeth all his hope and confidence, 5-7. of being saved from the wiles and stratagems of the adversary; 8, 9. he comforteth himself with the consideration, that God taketh account of his sufferings, and will appear on his behalf; 10, 11. he repeateth the declaration of his faith in the Divine promises; and, 12, 13. concludeth with paying his tribute of praise and thanksgiving. What David was in Philistia, the disciples of the Son of David are in the world.

"1. Be merciful unto me, O GOD; for man would swallow me up: he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2. Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou Most High."

The same words are applicable to the situation and circumstances of David, pursued by his enemies; of Christ, persecuted by the Jews; of the church, afflicted in the world; and of the soul, encompassed by enemies, against whom she is forced to wage perpetual war.

"3. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. 4. In God I will praise, or, glory in, his word in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.'

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Whoever, like the prophet Elisha's servant, beholdeth only the forces of the enemy, will be apt, like him, to cry out, "Alas, my master, how shall we do?" 2 Kings vi. 15. But when our eyes are "opened" to see those "horses and chariots of fire, which are round about us;" when we perceive the promises of the Word, and the mighty succours of the Spirit, which are all on our side; we no longer fear the terrors, or the temptations of flesh and blood; but find ourselves enabled to do, and to suffer all things, through faith in him, who strengtheneth us to the battle. He hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;" so that we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me," Heb. xiii. 5, 6.

5. Every day they wrest my words; all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6. They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul."

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These words could not be more literally descriptive of the behaviour of David's persecutors than they certainly are of that conduct, which the Scribes and Pharisees observed towards our blessed Lord; when, like serpents by the way-side, they marked his steps," till a proper opportunity offered to dart from their lurking place, and "bruise his heel." We think it hard, when men use us in this manner; but surely we either forget that the Son of God was so used before us, or that we are his disciples.

"7. Shall they escape my iniquity? In thine anger cast down the people, O God."

The signal vengeance, inflicted on the enemies of David, of Christ, and of the church, in different ages, may serve to convince us, that if we would "escape," it must be FROM sin, not by it.

"8. Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"

Known unto God are all the afflictions of his servants, while banished, like David, from their abiding city and country, they "wander" here below, in the land of their pilgrimage. The "tears" of penitents are had in remembrance, and, as so many precious gems, will one day adorn their crowns. How dear, then, in the sight of God, were the "wanderings" and the "tears" of the holy Jesus, submitting to perform penance for those sins which he never committed!

"9. When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me."

What can we possibly desire more, than this assurance, that, how many, or how formidable soever, our enemies may be, yet there is one always ready to appear in our defence, whose power no creature is able to resist. This I know," saith David; and had we the faith of David, we should know it too.

"10. In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word. 11. In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. (See above, on verse 4.) 12. Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13. For thou hast delivered my soul from death; wilt not thou deliver my feet, or, my feet also, or, assuredly, from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living."

At the conclusion of this Psalm, and of many others, the prophet speak

eth of his deliverance as actually accomplished; he acknowledgeth himself under the obligation of the vows made to God in the night of affliction, which he is resolved to pay on the morning of triumph and jubilee. O come that glorious morning, when the redeemed shall sing eternal praises to the Lord God of their salvation, for having "delivered their souls from death, and their feet from falling, that they may walk before him in the light of the living!"

PSALM LVII.

ARGUMENT.

This Psalm is said to have been composed by David, on occasion of his escape from Saul in the cave at Engedi. See 1 Sam. xxiv. 3. And the church, by her appointment of it as one of the proper Psalms for Easterday, hath instructed us to transfer the ideas to the resurrection of Christ from the grave. The Psalm containeth, 1-3. an act of faith in the promises: 4. a description of grievous sufferings; 5. a prayer for the exaltation of God's glory, which is repeated again at the conclusion; 6. a prediction of judgment on the adversary ; 7—10. a strain of the highest exultation and jubilee.

"1. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast."

David, encompassed by his enemies at Engedi, putteth up this prayer to God; the same prayer we may suppose to have been used by our blessed Lord, when drawing near to the grave, and gate of death: and the church ever continueth the use of it, until she be delivered from the bondage of corruption. In the mean time, she teacheth the children to put themselves, living and dying, under the protection of Him who is always ready to "gather them, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings." There they may rest in peace and security.

"2. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things

for me."

David cried unto God, and he was delivered out of the hand of Saul; the son of David cried unto God, and was delivered from the power of the grave: the saints on earth cry unto God, and shall be delivered out of their troubles; the souls under the alter in heaven, cry unto God, Rev. vi. 10. and shall obtain a reunion with their bodies. Thus God "performeth all things for us," as well as for David.

"3. He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth." We have all an enemy, who would "swallow us up; and we look for a manifestation of the Divine mercy and truth" from "heaven," for the salvation of our souls, and the redemption of our bodies. A grand specimen of this manifestation was exhibited to the world on that glorious morning, when Jesus Christ arose from the dead.

"4.. My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongues a sharp sword."

The fiercest of beasts, the most devouring of elements, and the sharpest of military weapons, are selected to represent the power and fury of David's enemies. How much stronger, and more furious, were the enemies of Christ, who, in the day of his passion, resembled Daniel in the lion's den, the three children in the fiery furnace, and who stood alone, exposed to the assaults of men and evil spirits!

"5. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth."

God is exalted and glorified among men by the display of mercy and

judgment, in the salvation of his children from the hands of their enemies. But chiefly was he exalted, when having raised up his Son Jesus, he set him at his own right hand, far above all principalities and powers, and everything that is named in heaven and in earth. This was the great exultation, prefigured, foretold, and incessantly prayed for, in the ancient church.

"6. They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen, or, shall fall, themselves."

David compares himself, 1 Sam. xxvi. 20. to a bird upon the mountains, which the fowler endeavoureth to hunt into nets and snares, set up and prepared for its destruction. So was that most innocent Dove, the holy Jesus, persecuted by the Jews, until they had driven him into the snares of death, and laid him low in the grave. But the enemies of both received, in the end, the due reward of their deeds, and "fell into the pit they had digged." 7. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give

praise."

At the prospect of approaching deliverance, the prophet, in the person of Christ, declareth his heart to be fixed and established, steadfast and unmoveable in the midst of trouble, even then preparing to celebrate its future enlargement with songs of praise.

8. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early; or, awaken in the morning."

For this purpose, he calls upon his tongue, with all his instruments of music, all the organs of the body, and affections of the soul, to unite their powers in sweetest harmony and concert, and to awaken the sluggish morning with the voice of melody, sounding forth the glories of redemption. Thus should the morning be ever celebrated, on which Christ "arose from the dead, and became the first-fruits of them that slept."

9. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations: 10. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy

truth unto the clouds."

The resurrection of Jesus from the grave, foreshadowed in the deliverance of David from the hand of Saul, was a transaction which caused the heavens, and all the powers therein, to extol the mercy and truth of God. The nations of the earth, whose are the benefits and the blessings of that transaction, are therefore bound evermore to make it the subject of their praises and thanksgivings; which is done by the members of our church every Easter-day, in the words of this very Psalm.

"11. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth."

Even so, be thou still exalted, O blessed Jesus, above the heavens, while the angels sing their hallelujahs on high; and let thy glory be above all the earth, while, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, the congregations of the redeemed incessantly magnify thy salvation below.

In the persons of Saul and his iniquitous counsellors, the enemies of Christ and the church, 1, 2. are reproved, and 3-5. their malice is described, by comparing it to the poison of serpents, which are proof against every art