of Satan, and all the infirmities of flesh and blood. " Know, then, in whom thou hast believed ; and that, as he is able to keep that which thou hast committed to him'," so " he will preserve thee unto his heavenly kingdom"^."]
To IMPROVE this subject, I would further say,
1. Cultivate increasing friendship with God —
[It is not to all, but to his friends only, that God imparts these heart-revi%dng secrets, even to them who truly " fear him." Nor is it amidst the noise and bustle of the world that he will communicate them, but in seasons of retirement, and in the stillness of the night. It is by a still small voice that he imparts them to the soul. O let your fellowship with him be sweet and frequent ! Go to him on all occasions : consult him in every emergency : listen to his voice, whether he speak by the written word, or by his Holy Spirit. Say to him at all times, " Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." So " will he draw nigh to you, when you draw nigh to him :" and when you spread before him your inmost wants, " he will guide you by his counsel :" he will " lead you into all truth ;" he will make known to you " the deep things of God";" and by com- munications of every kind will " perfect that which concerneth you°;" enabling you to " comprehend, in a measure, what none can fully comprehend, the height and depth and length and breadth of the love of Christ, and thereby filling you with all the fulness of Godi'."]
2. Make a due improvement of the secrets he has already imparted to you —
[Treasure them up in your minds, for your support and comfort under all the trials of life. They will prove a healing- balm to every wound ; and, like an anchor of the soul, they will keep you steadfast amidst all the storms that you may encounter in this tempestuous world i.
But, keep them not altogether in your own bosoms. God may make use of you for the imparting of them to others, and for the sustaining and strengthening of your weaker brethren. Yet, care is necessary, that you do not, by an indiscreet dis- closure of them to those whose minds are not prepared to receive them, lay a stumbling-block before the very persons whom you wish to edify. Our Lord cautions us " not to cast our pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend us"^." We must administer " milk to babes, and strong meat to those only who are able
1 2 Tim. i. 12. "^ 2 Tim. iv. 18. " 1 Cor. ii. 10.
"Ps. cxxxviii. 8. p Eph. iii. 18, 19. i Heb. vi. 19.
r Matt. vii. 6.