Ver. 1. BLESSED are those that are undefiled in the way, and walk in the law of the Lord." This present life is called the way, because it is the thoroughfare to life eternal: and the paths leading thereunto are innocence and obedience.

2. "Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and seek Him with their whole heart." That we may keep God's laws, which is the way to blessedness, we must with all fervour of spirit implore the assistance of Divine grace.

3. "For they who do no wickedness, walk in His ways." To do wickedly, is to walk every one in the ways of his own heart, which are contrary to the ways of God. 4. "Thou hast charged that we shall diligently keep Thy commandments.' not enough to decline the ways of wickedness, except we be also diligent in doing the good works God hath commanded.

It is

5. "O that my ways were

keep Thy statutes." So directed by Thee.

6." So shall I not be confounded, while I have respect unto all Thy commandments." Disobedience to God's commands, is the high-way to confusion.

7. "I will thank Thee with an unfeigned heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of Thy righteousness." Unfeigned thanks are to be given unto God, as the chief Author of all our knowledge and obedience.

8. "I will keep Thy ceremonies; O forsake me not utterly." Or, That I may keep Thy laws in every circumstance thereof, O Lord, forsake me not: or, If for a while Thou leave me, that I may be sensible of my frailties, yet forsake me not utterly.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

As it was in the beginning, &c.

The Prayer.

With my whole heart do

Lord; that Thy truth may so direct me, and Thy grace support me in the way of Thy laws, and in the works of Thy commandments, that being holy and undefiled in the way of this life, I may be for ever blessed with Thee in the life to come, through Jesus Christ.

THE SECOND PART.

Ver. 1. "Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way? even by ruling himself after Thy word.' The regenerate or new man preserves himself clean and pure, by squaring all his intentions and actions by that infallible rule of righteousness which God has prescribed.

2. "With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not go wrong out of Thy commandments!" Either by misunderstanding Thy word, for want of Divine illumination; or by disobeying the same, for want of Divine grace.

3. "Thy words have I hid in my heart, that I should not sin against Thee." That we sin not, is the great end why the Word of God is given us.

4. "Blessed art Thou, O Lord O teach me Thy statutes." To bless God for

gifts already received, is the readiest way more fully to understand His will.

5." With my lips have I been telling of all the judgments of Thy mouth." Divine knowledge must not be buried, as the talent in a napkin; but be outwardly expressed to the glory of God, and edification of others.

6. "I have had as great delight in the way of Thy testimonies, as in all manner of riches.” The highest delight of man is the pleasure of his highest faculties, the understanding and the will, which consists in the knowledge of the truth, and obedience thereunto.

7. "I will talk of Thy commandments: and have respect to Thy ways." True religion will manifest itself both in words and deeds.

8. " My delight shall be in Thy statutes: and I will not forget Thy word." Whilst I delight to obey my God, I cannot forget the rule of that obedience which He requires.

The Prayer.

Grant me, blessed Lord, to delight in Thee, and in obedience to Thy laws, more than in all earthly treasure; devoting both my youth and riper age here

3. "I am a stranger upon earth: 0 hide not Thou Thy commandments from me. Not the earth, but Heaven is our native home; whereunto the knowledge of, and obedience unto God's commandments, doth entitle us, through Christ.

4. " My soul breaketh out, for the very fervent desire it hath alway unto Thy judgments." The beginning of true wisdom, is the fervent desire thereof.

5. "Thou hast rebuked

they that do err from Thy commandments." Spiritual pride is hateful before God, as being inconsistent with obedience to His laws.

6. "O turn from me shame and rebuke: for I have kept Thy testimonies.” Or, Turn from me that shame and curse which Thou hast threatened to the proud and disobedient.

7. "Princes also did sit and speak against me; but Thy servant is occupied in Thy statutes.".

8. "For Thy testimonies are my delight, and my counsellors." Against all the powers of earth and hell, God's word is our counsel by its direction, and our comfort in its practice.

The Prayer.

O Lord, the giver of all good things, vouchsafe unto Thy servant, fervently to desire, rightly to understand, and constantly to persevere in the practice of all Thy evangelical precepts: Let not any powers upon earth, nor all the princes and powers of Hell, withdraw my heart from Thee, or my actions from the rule of righteousness but let Thy testimonies be ever both my

service; comfort me in all my sadnesses; dispel all those mists of ignorance and error which cloud my understanding: enlarge my heart from the bondage of sin and Satan, and out of the fetters of all tempta

tions unto evil; and SO strengthen me to run in the ways which Thou hast commanded, that I may obtain what Thou hast promised, through Jesus ChristOur Father, which art in Heaven, &c.

THIS is called "the Holy Hour," in the decrees of the Church, and generally the hour of public assemblies in the worship of God; and not without very great reason: for,

1. It was at this hour my blessed Redeemer underwent the bitter sentence of death; whilst Barabbas, a thief, a rebel, and a murderer, was acquitted.

And I, vile wretch, am as guilty as Barabbas in many respects, and justly obnoxious to the dreadful sentence of condemnation to death eternal but by the infinite merits and mysteries of Thy condemnation,

Good Lord, deliver me. 2. It was at this hour of the day my blessed Re

• Matt. xxvii. 20.

deemer exposed His tender breasts, and delicate back and shoulders, to be rased, rent and torn with forked whips, by cruel blood-thirsty soldiers, until His innocent Body was all over gore blood d.

And my sins deserve the scourges, and mine offences the rod of the Almighty's just indignation: but, blessed Lord, I humbly beg, that I may so wash my polluted soul with the penitent tears of holy compunction, through faith in the blood of my Saviour; and so chastise and keep under that body of sin, which is and too much reigneth in my members that being delivered from the guilt and tyranny of sin in this

d Matt. xxvii. 26.