" In all our ways we must acknowledge him, and he will direct our paths."
In this then must all of us resemble the Lord Jesus Christ. In this has " he set us an example, that we should follow his steps :" and " we must walk as he walked." By this must all his followers be distinguished; for they are " a people near unto him." They are hypocrites, of whom it is said, " They will not always call upon God :" all true Christians can say, " Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."]
Application —
[Learn hence the real state of your souls before God. Prayer has often been called the pulse of the soul : and truly it is so; for by that you may discern the state of the soul, incomparably better than you can by the pulse the state of the body. If you are prayerless people, you are dead, altogether dead in trespasses and sins. If your prayers are habitually cold and formal, they are such as God will never accept. No prayer will enter into the ears of the Lord of Hosts, but that which is offered " in spirit and in truth." Let us then beg of God to give us a spirit of grace and of supplication ; and let us interest ourselves with God for the welfare of his Church. Let us especially remember " those who are over us in the Lord," and " labour always fervently for them in prayer," that they may be enabled to fulfil their ministry with diligence and suc- cess. Thus shall we both ensure blessings to our own souls, and be instrumental to the hastening on of that day, when " all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest," and " all flesh shall see the salvation of God."]