the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me : say unto my soul, I am thy salvation ^" It was thus that he brought down succour from on high, in every time of need. And it is in the same way that we must obtain help of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Though his promises to us are so free and full, yet " he will be inquired of, to do these things for us^:" and "if we ask not, neither shall we have." Moreover, we must acknowledge him in all that we have already received, and confess him as " worthy to be praised:" for the command is, " In every thing, by prayer and supplica- tion, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God : and the peace of God, which jDasseth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." It is in this way alone that victory can be secured : but if we use these means, we are certain to obtain it. If we live in the habit of fervent and believing prayer, we may, in the midst of conflicts, exult as " more than conquerors ;" and behold, by anticipation, our great adversary as already " bruised under our feet''."]
From this sublime passage we may see,
1. The true nature of vital religion —
[Vital religion is not wholly speculative, nor is it altoge- ther practical ; but a compound, if I may so say, of theory and of practice. We must have knowledge, even a knowledge of God in all his perfections, and of the Lord Jesus Christ in all his offices. Without this, there can be no right feeling towards the Supreme Being: no love towards him, no confidence in him, no communion with him. But, with just views of the Deity, we must also have suitable dispositions towards him. In a word, we must have an experience similar to that of David in our text, affecting from our inmost souls a life of communion with God, of dependence on him, and of devoted- ness to his service. Beloved Brethren, rest not in any thing short of this. Let your meditations on God be sweet and frequent : and let them be renewed, till they have kindled a flame of love in your souls towards him, and till the daily lan- gviage of your heart be, " Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."]
2. The folly of those who seek not after God —
[Compare the Psalmist's experience with your owai : What refuge have you in a time of trouble, or what comfort in reflecting upon God ? Alas ! instead of the blessed language of David, you must rather say, " O God, I behold nothing in thee that I can appropriate to myself; nothing but what may
a Ps. XXXV. 1 — 3. ^ Ezek. xxxvi. 37. '^ Rom. xvi. 20.