Jehovah speaks to his pilgrim-flock in the wilderness, there are not merely instructions in regard to the line and direction of the way, but there are motives of ten thousand kinds, and of uncalculated strength,―addressed to every principle and every susceptibility of their regenerated natures,-inducing them to choose with all their hearts, and to prosecute with all their might, the pure and ascending paths which even now they perceive to be the paths of pleasantness and peace,-which they know to be the ways to immortality and heaven. While, finally, from him descend, through the communicated grace of his regenerating and sanctifying spirit, all those capacities of holy feeling and holy action, as well as the will and power to use these capacities in any particular case,-of which the believer's growth in grace and progress in holiness is the effect. As they work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, he it is that worketh in them "to will and to do of his good pleasure." And therefore the promise of steady and rapid progress which conducts to heaven is specially to those who wait upon the Lord,-who depend on him,-who look to him in the appointed way, for the mercy and the grace which they require to help them in the time of need. "For even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fail. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their

strength: They shall mount up with wings, as eagles, they shall run and not be weary,-they shall walk and not faint." Thus absolutely, therefore, is it of the Lord that the Christian is led "in the paths of righteousness,”—and, therefore, most meet it is that, like the Psalmist, he should ascribe the praise of every successful step he takes,-of every degree of progress he accomplishes, towards the goal of his high calling, to the benignant power and wisdom of his Shepherd-God,—that he should perpetually acknowledge, that no other motive can be imagined why Jehovah should thus be pleased to regard and bless him, but the glory of his own holy name, the manifestation of his own sovereign grace, and the exhibition of his whole character, under the impulse and direction of that grace, as infinitely wise to direct his chosen, and infinitely powerful to uphold them, and infinitely beneficent to bless them. To this, therefore, as their original source in the eternal mind, we find that all the spiritual blessings with which God's people are enriched, are traced alike in the Old Testament and in the New. " Jehovah," said the Prophet," will not forsake his people for his great name's sake.""Of him," says the Apostle, "are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, that, as it is written, he that glorieth might glory in the

VOL. II.

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Lord." Let this then be the plea which every Christian urges with especial force when he comes to "the throne of grace," as for any spiritual benefit, so especially for the benefit specified in the text, of guidance "in the paths of righteousness."— "In thee," let him say, " in thee, O Lord, I put my trust,―let me never be ashamed. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore, for thy name's sake, lead and guide me." And when he has the blessedness of knowing that in any instance, or in any degree, the petition has been heard, let his song of thanksgiving ascend to God, breathing the like spirit, and couched in the like expressions:-"Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give glory, for thy truth and for thy mercy's sake."

In conclusion, my believing brethren, let me recall your attention to the circumstance that the benefit described in the former clause of the verse before us," He restoreth my soul," is obviously to be understood as subsidiary and conducive to that which is set forth in the latter, "He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, even for his own name's sake." Receive, then, the practical lesson which this circumstance is fitted and designed to teach. Remember evermore that the very reason for which ye were at first brought back from the ways of sin and death, and are still restored from time to time from those of defection and of backsliding, is that

ye may walk "in the paths of righteousness." Christ "bare your sins in his own body on the tree, that ye, being dead unto sin, might live unto righteousness. For ye were as sheep going astray, but ye are now returned unto the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." Remember, that in order to the same holy end it is that, when, from time to time, amidst the toils and trials of your desert-way, your hearts are overwhelmed within you, your smitten hearts are restored, your failing knees confirmed with refreshment and consolation from on high. "Now may the Lord Jesus Christ himself,"-such was the apostle's prayer,-" and God, even our Father, who hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." Let this then be the effect of all the rich and overflowing consolation which that Almighty Shepherd, who "gathereth the lambs with his arm, and carrieth them in his bosom, and gently leadeth the nursing ewes," pours into your hearts,-to stablish you in holiness, -to prepare you for being led forth by a right way, until ye come in peace to that better Canaan which lies beyond the wilderness,-where the Lord himself "shall comfort his people, and have mercy upon his afflicted," where they shall feed in peace, and "their pasture shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat

nor the sun smite them. For he that hath mercy on them shall lead them,-even by the springs of water he shall guide them."—" For the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."