11. "Teach me Thy way, O Lord," that I neither mistake the right way, nor stumble and fall therein, but steadfastly and constantly "walk in Thy truth:" and this Way and this Truth is my blessed Redeemer, who by His doctrine and example, doings and sufferings, life and death, is the Way that leads to Life Eternal: "O knit my heart unto Thee," by the indissoluble bonds of a true faith, firm hope, fervent charity; "that I may fear Thy Name," so as that I neither dare to sin against Thee, nor too much presume upon Thy mercy.

12. "I will thank Thee, O Lord, my God," as from whom both my whole self, and all the little good that is mine does proceed, "with all my heart," as being hereunto excited by the fear and love of Thy Name; "and I will praise Thy Name for evermore:" and there is very great reason I should

do so;

most hell;" in the broad way that leads thereunto I have a long time walked, and it is of Thy great mercy that I have not long since been hurled headlong to that dismal place of torments and still I have great cause to complain,

14. "O God, the proud are risen against me" proud Lucifer and his infernal fiends, "and the congregations of naughty men have sought after my soul:" the wicked of the world conspire with the devil and his angels, by their sinful suggestions, to subvert the innocence of my soul, to have her portion with them in the nethermost hell.

15. "But Thou, O Lord, art full of compassion," especially to all them who choose rather to suffer, than to do what is offensive to Thy Majesty ; "and mer

cy," in pardoning the offences of the truly penitent; "long-suffering," not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance; "plenteous in goodness," abounding in Thy blessings; "and truth," both in performing Thy promises of mercy to the penitent, and in rendering to every man according to his works.

draweth nigh unto hell," which openeth wide her mouth to swallow down such polluted souls.

3. "I am counted as one of them that go down to the pit," looked upon as a dead man and a cast-away: "and I have been even as a man that hath no strength," which is derived from the Lord of life, to escape the snares and terrors of death.

4. "Free among the dead," not likely to be freed from my troubles, but by death, which puts an end to all the miseries of this sinful life: "like unto them that are wounded" by the fiery darts of the devil, “and lie in the grave" of corrupt conversation, which leads to the grave of death, the wages of sin; and whosoever thus lie there, out of remembrance," both forgotten by the righteous, "and also are cut away from Thy hand," repulsed from among those blessed sheep which shall be ranked on Thy right hand in the day of judgment.

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5. "Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit:" I confess I have so far incurred Thy wrathful displeasure, as to be laid in the nethermost hell, which is "a place of darkness," even blackness

of darkness for ever: "and in the deep" abyss of inextricable torments.

6. "Thine indignation lieth hard upon me," whereto I have provoked Thee by manifold offences, "and Thou hast vexed me with all Thy storms;" those tempests of affliction and trouble which disturb my peace are sent from Thee, to scour the rust of corruption off my soul.

7. "Thou hast put away mine acquaintance far from me, and made me to be abhorred of them :" the invisible society of holy Angels, with the prayers and good wishes of holy men, I enjoyed whilst I was innocent and heavenly-minded; but now being polluted, they are estranged from me, and abhor me in my sins.

8. "I am so fast in prison, that I cannot get forth :" I am so enfettered in the bonds and chains of my sins, that without the help of a Divine hand, I cannot be loosed from them.

9." My sight faileth for very trouble," the bright eye of my mind is dimmed and darkened through the pressures of my spirit: and in this sad condition, Lord, I have called upon Thee," as being my only refuge in

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danger, support in trouble, and succour in all distress, "I have stretched forth my hands unto Thee," by my practice according to my prayer.

10. "Dost Thou shew wonders among the dead?" or, shall the dead declare Thy works of wonder? "or shall the dead rise up and praise Thee?" they must have part in the first resurrection (which is from the corruption of sin) who worthily shew forth Thy praise.

11. "Shall Thy lovingkindness be shewed in the grave, or Thy faithfulness in destruction?" both in the state of the first, and of the second death, there is a deep silence of Thy goodness and of Thy truth.

12. "Shall Thy wondrous works be known in the dark, and Thy righteousness in the land where all things are forgotten?" Thy righteous and admired deeds are not once mentioned either in the grave of death, or in the pit of hell in both estates there is an utter forgetfulness of all Thy goodness and truth. But that I may be delivered from such a sad condition,

Thee:" before I be surprised by death, let my prayer for Thy preventing and assisting grace be not rejected. 14. " Lord, why abhorrest Thou my soul?" I am unclean, I confess, and it is but just I should be abhorred and forsaken; but being withal penitent and humbled, "why hidest Thou Thy face from me," as being still displeased with me, and deaf to my petitions?

15. "I am in misery, and like unto him that is at the point to die:" death, as the wages of sin, dogs me at the heels: "even from my youth up, Thy terrors have I suffered with a troubled mind:" the terrors of my conscience for sin, have been alway accompanied with a troubled and contrite spirit, which Thou hast promised not to despise.

16. "Thy wrathful displeasure goeth over me:" the apprehension of Thy wrath and displeasure invades and overflows my soul: "and the fear of Thee hath undone me:" the fear of Thy wrath in the day of judgment, and of the neverdying torments of hell, hath ruined all my worldly con

17. "They came round about me daily like water,"