James 1:27

REFLECTIONS

Reader! observe the Apostle's salutation, addressed to the brethren, and see whether you have a personal interest in it. Can you count it all joy, when you fall into divers temptations? Yet! If so be, by regeneration you know the Lord, and therefrom can discover God's love and favor, in the appointment of exercises. To every child of God, renewed by grace trials, whose issue can never be finally doubtful, will always bring joy, when patience hath her perfect work, in the perfection of Jesus. In Him, and Him only, can the Church find themselves perfect and entire, and lacking nothing. And when taught these precious things, every child of God, will daily find his lack of wisdom, and as daily be led, to seek his supplies from Him, and in Him; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Yea, and in faith, and without doubt and wavering, will the child of God seek it in Jesus, and from Jesus. And oh! how truly blessed is that child of God, who when tried, takes all his confidence in Christ.

Great Father of light! blessed forever be thy glorious Name, for that good and perfect gift, which comprehends every other, thy dear Son! And blessed be thou, O Lord, that thy gifts and callings are without repentance. Thy will, and not our purpose; thy grace, and not our deservings, are the alone standards of thy love and favor. Oh! the blessedness of that one scripture, which hath more in it of value, than a million worlds; Of his own will, begat he us with the word of truth! Lord! write it in the living tablet of my heart, for daily use, and every moment's joy.

Precious Jesus! be thou the perfect law of liberty to my poor soul, to look into, as in a glass, from day to day. Oh! for a blessed conformity to my Lord's image; in all things! May God the Holy Ghost, so take of the things of Jesus, and shew to me, that now by faith, I may daily behold thy face in righteousness; and ere long be satisfied in full sight, when I awake with thy likeness.