Pv 20, 27

Ro 2, 14

15

Ro 14, 14

Tt1, 15

1J3,21

22

Pv 15, 15

2 C1, 12

9. STRENGTH OF THE INTERIOR LAW OR CONSCIENCE

FOR GOOD OR EVIL.

The spirit of a man is the land sincerity of God, and
Lamp of the Lord, which not in carnal wisdom, but in
searches all the hidden things the grace of God, we have
of the bowels.
conversed in this world, and
When the Gentiles, who more abundantly towards
have not the Law, do by you.

nature those things that are In every work of thine re- Eci 32,27
of the Law; these having gard thy soul in faith: for
not the Law, are a law to this is the keeping of the
themselves: who show the commandments.

is W 17, 10

work of the Law written in Day and night Thy hand Ps 31, 1
their hearts, their conscience was heavy upon me: I am
bearing witness to them, and turned in my anguish whilst
their thoughts between the thorn is fastened.
themselves accusing or also Whereas wickedness
defending one another. fearful, it beareth witness of
To him that esteemeth its condemnation : for a
anything to be unclean, to troubled conscience always
him it is unclean.
forecasteth grievous things.

All things are clean to the Over them only [the W 17, 20
clean; but to them that are Egyptians] was spread a
defiled and to unbelievers heavy night, an image of
nothing is clean, but both that darkness which was to
their mind and their con- come upon them. But they
sciences are defiled.
were to themselves more

If our heart do not repre- grievous than the darkness. hend us, we have confidence The wicked man, when he Pv 18, 3 towards God:-And whatso-is come into the depth of ever we shall ask, we shall sins, contemneth: but ignoreceive of Him, because we miny and reproach follow keep His commandments, him. and do those things which are pleasing in His sight.

All the days of the poor are evil: a secure mind is like a continual feast.

By what things a man W 11, 17 sinneth, by the same also he is tormented.

I will make Babylon a Is 14, 23 possession for the ericius.

Our glory is this, the The wicked are like the Is 57, 20
testimony of our conscience, raging sea, which cannot
that in simplicity of heart rest.

10.-POWER OF THE PASSIONS OF THE SOUL FOR
GOOD OR EVIL.

The heart of a man chang-cheerful countenance; but
eth his countenance either by grief of mind the spirit
for good or for evil.
is cast down.

Eci 13, 31

Pv 15, 13

A glad heart maketh a

The wickedness of a wo- Eci 25, 24

Pv 21, 29

Pv 25, 28

Ps 118, 5

Ps 118, 8

man changeth her face: and walls, so is a man that can-
she darkeneth her counten- not restrain his own spirit
ance as a bear, and showeth in speaking.
it like sackcloth.

A hot soul is a burning Eci 23,22 The wicked man impu- fire: it will never be quenched dently hardeneth his face: till it devour something. but he that is righteous cor- Soundness of heart is the Pv 14, 30 recteth his way. life of the flesh: but envy

As a city that lieth open is the rottenness of the and is not compassed with bones.

11.-ASPIRATIONS OF ONE WHO DESIRES AND

RESOLVES TO KEEP GOD'S LAW.

O that my ways may be directed to keep Thy justifications!

I have said, I would keep Ps 118, 57 Thy law.

Thy justifications I will Ps 118, 93

I will keep Thy justifica- never forget, for by them tions; O, do not Thou utterly Thou hast given me life. forsake me! Let me not stray I have sworn and am de- Ps 118,106 from Thy Commandments. termined to keep the judg

Ps 118,44 In Thy words I have ments of Thy justice.

hoped exceedingly; so shall I am ready and am not Ps 118, 60
I always keep Thy law, for troubled: that I may keep
ever and ever.
Thy commandments.

12.-ASPIRATIONS OF ONE SEEKING LIGHT AND
GRACE TO UNDERSTAND AND TO KEEP GOD'S
LAW.

Ex 33, 13 If I have found favour in

Tb 34, 32

Show, O Lord, Thy ways to Ps 24, 4-5
Thy sight, show me Thy me, and teach me my paths.
Face, that I may know Thee, -Direct me in Thy truth
and may find grace before and teach me; for Thou art
Thy eyes.
God my Saviour, and on Thee
If I have erred, have I waited all the day.
Thou me.

teach

Send forth Thy light and Ps 42, 3

Ps 118, 10 With my whole heart have Thy truth: they have con-
I sought after Thee: let me ducted me and brought me
not stray from Thy com- unto Thy Holy Hill and
mandments.
into Thy Tabernacle.

Ps 118, 12

Ps 118, 35

36

Lead me into the Eternal Ps 138, 24

Cause me to hear Thy Ps 142, 8

Way.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord:
teach me Thy justifications.
Lead me into the path of
Thy commandments; for mercy in the morning, for in
this same I have desired. Thee have I hoped. Make
Incline my heart unto Thy the way known to me where-
testimonies, and not to in I should walk, for I have
lifted up my soul to Thee,

covetousness.

Ps 142, 10 Teach me to do Thy will, mandments from me.

Ps 38, 5

Ps 85, 11

for Thou art my God. Thy I am Thy servant: give Ps 118,125
Good Spirit shall lead me me understanding, that I
into the right Land, for Thy may know Thy testimonies.
Name's sake.

Thy testimonies are jus-Ps 118,144
O Lord, make me know tice for ever: give me under-
my end, and what is the standing, and I shall live.
number of my days, that I Make me to understand Ps 118, 27
may know what is wanting the way of Thy justifications,
and I shall be exercised in

to me.

Conduct me, O Lord, in Thy wondrous works.

Thy Way, and I will walk in Give me understanding, Ps 118, 34
Thy truth. Let my heart re- and I will search Thy law;
joice that it may fear Thy and I will keep it with my

Name.

whole heart.

Ps 118, 80 Let my heart be undefiled Thy hands have made me Ps 118, 73 in Thy justifications, that I and formed me: give me unmay not be confounded.

derstanding, and I will learn

Ps 118, 18 Open Thou my eyes, and Thy commandments.

Ps 118, 19

Ps 118, 38

I will consider the wondrous Make Thy face to shine Ps 118,135
things of Thy Law.
upon Thy servant, and teach

I am a sojourner on the me Thy justifications.
earth: hide not Thy com-

13. ASPIRATIONS OF ONE WHO DESIRES TO KEEP

THE

DIVINE LAW PERFECTLY, AND WHO

GRIEVES TO SEE IT BROKEN.

Establish Thy word to Thy My eyes have sent forth Ps 118,136 servant, in Thy fear. springs of water, because

not kept Thy

Ps 118, 33 Set before me for a law they have
the way of Thy justifications, Law.
O Lord, and I will always My zeal hath made me
seek after it.
pine away, because my ene-
Direct my steps according mies forgot Thy words.
to Thy Word, and let no I beheld the transgressors,
iniquity have dominion over and I pined away, because
they kept not Thy word.

Ps 118, 133

Ps 12, 5

me.

Ps 118,

-139

Ps 118,

158

Enlighten my eyes that I Thus saith the Lord God: Ez 6, 11 may never sleep in death; Strike with thy hand and lest at any time my enemy stamp with thy foot, and say: say: I have prevailed against Alas for all the abominahim. tions of the evils of the House of Israel!

Ps 118, 20 My soul hath coveted to long for Thy justifications at

all times.

Ps 118, 53 A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy Law.

How long, O Lord, shall Ps 73, 10
the enemy approach! Is the
Adversary to provoke Thy
Name for ever!

14. ASPIRATIONS OF ONE WHO LOOKS UPON THE
LAW OF GOD AS EASY AND SWEET.

Ps 118, 54 Thy justifications were the the way of Thy testimonies,
subject of my song in the as in all riches.
place of my pilgrimage.

Ps 118, 103

Ps 118,

111

Ps 118, 72

126-127

They have dissipated Thy Ps 118, How sweet are Thy words Law;-Therefore have I loved to my palate! More than Thy commandments above honey to my mouth! gold and the topaz.

I have purchased Thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever, because they are the joy of my heart.

The law of Thy mouth is good to Me, above thousands of gold and silver.

Ps 118, 14 I have been delighted in

Ps 118, 109

Ps 118, 61

O how have I loved Thy Ps 118,97 Law, O Lord! It is my meditation all the day.

Thy words were found, and Je 15, 16 I did eat them, and Thy word was to me a joy and gladness of my heart.

15.-EJACULATIONS OF ONE WHO KEEPS GOD'S LAW

IN THE FACE OF DEATH.

My soul is continually in not from Thy Law.

my hands, and I have not The wicked have waited Ps 118, 95
forgotten Thy Law.
for me to destroy me: but

The cords of the wicked I have understood Thy testi-
have encompassed me: but I monies.

have not forgotten Thy Law. Sinners have laid a snare Ps 118,110 Ps 118, 51 The proud did iniquitously for me: but I have not erred altogether: but I declined from Thy precepts.

4 K 20,3

2 E5, 19

2 13, 14

16.-EJACULATIONS OF ONE HUMBLY OFFERING
HIS GOOD WORKS TO GOD.

I beseech Thee, O Lord,| spoke also to the Levites 2 E 13,22
remember how I have walked that they should be purified,
before Thee in truth and and should come to keep the
with a perfect heart, and gates, and to sanctify the
have done that which is Sabbath-day; for this also
pleasing before Thee.
remember me, O my God,
Remember me, O my God, and spare me according to
for good, according to all the multitude of Thy tender
that I have done for this mercies.
people.

O Lord, Thou knowest, re- Je 15, 15 Remember me, O my God, member me, and visit me, and for this thing, and wipe not defend me from them that out my kindnesses, which I persecute me: know that for have done relating to the Thy sake I have suffered reHouse of my God and His proach.

ceremonies.

PART IV.

ACTUAL AND HABITUAL GRACE.

2 Til, 2

ENLIGHTENED by Conscience, "the law written on our hearts," and by the Divine-Positive Law, man is enabled to distinguish between good and evil. But what avails it to know the good, if we lack the power to achieve it? And yet, the Council of Orange says, "No man hath anything of his own save lying and sin."* But God comes once more to our assistance; and as He enlightens our minds by His Law, so He also fortifies and elevates our wills by His Grace. Grace overcomes the sluggishness and repugnance of our fallen natures, and confers upon our pursuit of the good a supernatural character and dignity.

Ap 3, 20

Ro 8, 26

1-PREVENTING AND HELPING GRACE.

He hath delivered us and we ought: but the Spirit
called us by His holy calling; Himself asketh for us with
not according to our works, unspeakable groanings.
but according to His own Whosoever are led by the Ro 8, 14
purpose and
grace, which Spirit of God, they are the
was given us in Christ Jesus sons of God.

before the times of the His Mercy shall prevent me. Ps 58, 11
world.
The Lord loveth mercy Ps 83, 12
Behold. I stand at the and truth: the Lord will
gate, and knock. If any man give grace and glory.

grace for

shall hear My Voice, and Of His fulness we all have Jn 1, 16
open to Me the door, I will received, and
come in to him, and will sup grace.
with him, and he with Me.

To the meek He will give Pv 3, 34

The Spirit helpeth our grace.
infirmity. For we know not
what we should pray for as humble.

God giveth grace to the

*Second Council of Orange, canon 22.

Ja 4, 6