has its perfect work. Some are retarded in their growth by " the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, or the lust of other things, and never bring forth fruit unto perfection." Others are remiss in the duties of the closet, and thereby deprive themselves of those rich communications of grace and peace, which God would otherwise bestow upon them. And others again are always poring over the evils of their own hearts, instead of contemplating the mercies of their God, and the wonders of redeeming love. It is not at all surprising that these different characters enjoy but Httle of that divine unction which is imparted to those only who live in close communion with their God. But let no man impute their want of joy to any defect in Christianity itself: they are not straitened in their God any more than David was : it is in themselves that they are straitened ; and " they receive not, because they ask not." Let them only live nigh unto God in the exercise of prayer and faith, and they shall find that God is the same in every age, rich in mercy, and " abundant in goodness and truth."]
2. How may we all attain it ?
[We have advantages far beyond any that David ever enjoyed. What he saw under a veil, we behold, as it were, with open face ; a God incarnate, taking upon himself the entire care of all his people, standing between them and the curse of the broken law, and engaging to keep them by his own power unto everlasting salvation. For us there is " help laid upon One that is mighty:" for tis there is all fulness treasured up in Christ, so that we are privileged to say, " In
the Lord have I righteousness and strength^" Let us
then improve this privilege as we ought to do : let us "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," yea, " strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." Then may we be assured of final victory, and now, even in the midst of all our conflicts, exult as already victors, yea, as " more than con- querors through Him that loved us*^."]
^ Isai. xlv. 24. See especially Isai. xxv. 4. « Rom. \'iii. 34 — 39. or Isai. xxvi. 3, 4.