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heights of faith and love, proportioned to the depths of gloom and despondency which before had overspread his mind. He now chides himself for his folly and ignorance in ever calling in question the wisdom or goodness of any of God's dispensations; and recovering from his temporary delusion, he thus pours forth the pious feelings of his soul: "Never"theless I am continually with thee; "thou hast holden me by my right hand, "thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and "afterward receive me to glory."

In these last words, which I have chosen for the text, the Psalmist, arising on the wings of faith and hope, seems to soar above all terrestrial objects; and reposing an unbounded confidence in that faithful and unchangeable God who had hitherto led and supported him, he assures himself of the divine direction in every future step of his journey, and of glory at last as the end of his faith and the completion of his happiness.

The evils of life and the consequences of death are two principal sources of uneasiness to the mind of man. Whatever therefore has a tendency to remove, or

even to mitigate these, must, in the highest degree, conduce to human enjoyment. Such are the divine consolations suggested in the text. They furnish to every true believer an effectual and never-failing remedy against the various ills of life, and the still more awful terrors of death. With regard to the former, the Psalmist consoles his mind with the assurance of the Lord's guidance upon earth: With regard to the latter, he rejoices in the prospect of immortal life and blessedness beyond the grave.

I shall endeavour, in the present, and in a subsequent discourse, to illustrate and apply each of these consolatory truths. I propose, therefore, on this occasion, to confine your attention to the first clause of the text, "Thou shalt guide me "with thy counsels." And here let us consider in what way the Lord conducts and guides his people in this present

state.

Human life is frequently represented in the Bible as a journey; and the people of God are described as pilgrims and strangers upon earth, looking out for, and

travelling towards a better country, even an heavenly. Their way to this blessed country, like the journey of the Israelites to Canaan, lies through a wilderness, where enemies abound, and dangerous snares beset them on every hand. Many dark and difficult steps have they to take, -much opposition to encounter, and many trials to endure. Meanwhile they have not wisdom of their own sufficient to guide their wandering steps. Even the most discerning among them may well adopt the language of the prophet, and say, " O Lord, I know that the way "of man is not in himself; it is not in "man that walketh to direct his own "steps." They are as weak and defenceless as they are ignorant. If left to themselves, they are as unable to resist or repel the attacks of the numerous foes who oppose their progress, as to find out the way to the mansions of their Father's house above.

In these circumstances, the Lord himself vouchsafes to be their guardian and guide." As an eagle stirreth up her

nest, fluttereth over her young, spread"eth abroad her wings, taketh them,

"beareth them on her wings; so the "Lord leadeth his people." " I will

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bring the blind by a way that they know "not," says he; "I will lead them in paths that they have not known; I will "make darkness light before them, and "crooked things straight. These things "will I do unto them, and not forsake "them." To the same purpose is that gracious promise, "I will instruct thee, "and teach thee in the way thou shalt go. I will guide thee, and mine eye "shall be upon thee."

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But how does the Lord guide his people? In general he guides them, as we are informed in the text, " by his coun"sels;" by which we may understand, in the first place, his Providence.-I say,

First, The Lord guides his people in the way to heaven by his Providence.

"All the paths of the Lord are mercy " and truth unto such as keep his cove"nant and his testimonies." Wonderful and mysterious indeed is the conduct of Providence. It baffles our deepest researches, and far transcends our feeble and narrow comprehensions. "His way is

"in the sea, his path in the mighty wa

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ters, and his footsteps are not known." But though the depth of the divine counsels cannot be fathomed by the line of human reason, yet to a careful and devout observer of Providence, so much will appear as to excite the highest wonder, gratitude, and praise. "Who"so is wise, and will observe these "things, even they shall understand the

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loving kindness of the Lord." In the exercise of his providence, the Lord never fails to lead his people in the way that is right. All the events that befall them, the different changes in their lot,

-their prosperity and adversity,—their health and their sickness, their mercies and their trials,-all conspire together for their good, and are rendered subservient, by a wonder-working Providence, to make them holier here, that they may be happier hereafter. Sometimes their outward path is smooth. Their gracious Shepherd makes them to lie "down in green pastures, and leads. "them beside the still waters.' They are made to rejoice under the smiles of his countenance; and in the outward

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