Consolation on the death of a Christian.

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"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; for the righteous are taken away from the evil to come; they shall enter into peace; 3 they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

5" And I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord; that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.-Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.'

3 Rev. vii, 15-17.
61 Thess. v, 28.

4 Rev. xiv, 12.

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Chapter Eighth.

THE CHRISTIAN PERPLEXED.

Exhortation to seek Divine direction.

"IF any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. 2 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.

"Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

3 Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. "Trust ye in the Lord for ever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. All the paths of the Lord, are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. 8Trust in the Lord with all thine

heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

9" Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

1 Jas. i, 5-7.

4 Ps. xxvii, 14.

8 Prov. iii, 5, 6.

2 Ps. xxxvii, 5, 7, 1, 2.

32 Chron. xx, 17.

5 Is. xxvi, 4. 6 Ps. XXV, 10. 7 Phil. iv, 6. 9 Heb. x, 35, 36.

Prayer for wisdom, &c.

1" Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me. 2 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

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4" O Lord God, give me now wisdom and knowledge. 5 Show me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths; lead me in thy truth, and teach me. Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path. My soul melteth for heaviness; strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Teach me good judgment and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments. 8 Teach me and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 'Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord; give me understanding according to thy word."

1 Ps. lxxxvi, 1. 2 Ps. v, 8. 3 Ps. xvii, 5, 8. 42 Chron. i, 9, 10. 5 Ps. xxv, 4, 5. 6 Ps. xxvii, 11. 7 Ps. cxix, 28, 34, 66. 8 Job vi, 24. 9 Ps. cxix, 169.

Help and guidance promised.

1" Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself-wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye. My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. The Lord shall guide thee continually; 5 for God giveth to a man that is good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy."

12 Chron. i, 11, 12. Ps. xxxii, 8. 3 Ex. xxxiii, 14. 4 Is. lviii, 11. 5 Ecc. ii, 26.

Thanksgiving for God's counsel.

"I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom, and hast made known unto me now what I desired of thee. Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever; for wisdom and might are his. By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. 4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee; and thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

"I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.— 8This God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even unto death.”

1 Dan. ii, 23, 20. 2 Ps. xvii, 4. 3 Is. xxvi, 3.
lxxiii, 24. 6 Ps. xvi, 7. 7 Ps. xxv, 9.

4 Ps. lvi, 3.
8 Ps. xlviii, 14.

Chapter Ninth.

THE CHRISTIAN PERSECUTED.

Prayer for deliverance from enemies.

1" O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust; save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me. 2O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong: judge thou my cause. Thou hast seen all their vengeance, thou hast heard their reproach, O Lord, and all their imaginations against me; the lips of those that rose up against me, and their device against me all the day. Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand. The poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless. They that sit in the gate speak against me; I was the song of the drunkards. But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O Lord, in an acceptable time.

5Mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, saying; 'God hath forsaken him, persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him, O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily. Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.

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