THE Spiritual Magazine ; OR, SAINTS' TREASURY. There are Three that bear record in heaven, the FATHER, the WORD, and the HOLY GHOST: and these Three are One." "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." 1 John v. 7. Jude 3. MAY, 1828. (For the Spiritual Magazine.) THE BENEFIT OF PRAYER. "My soul wait thou only upon God for thy expectation is from him."-Ps, lxii. 5 THE confidence which the Psalmist mentions in the words chosen for present meditation, calls aloud, christian reader, for your attention and practice: a correspondent evidence which will be found in every heart taught by divine grace, and is a strong proof of the Lord's work begun in the soul. When the Lord said of Saul of Tarsus, "behold he prayeth," it carried with it a convincing testimony, had all the united powers of earth and hell conspired to deny it. And to this moment the redeemed of God can declare their confidence alone is in him. Under such considerations the tried family of Jesus may come boldly to his footstool, and pour out their complaints unto him. Unspeakably great is this privilege, and exceedingly more so the condescending favour of the eternal Majesty to stoop to the poor supplications of such worthless worms. "My soul, wait thou only upon God: for thy expectation is from him." Oh! how precious is Jesus when lifted up in the affections of his beloved ones. I sincerely wish the reader may be enabled by the Spirit's power to appreciate his real worth, and enter by a living faith into the blood and merits of the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of an elect world. This will carry them above the reproaches of this adulterous generation, and give them a peace which the world cannot give nor take away, How lamentable it is to behold men of Vol. IV.-No. 49. 3 A learning and considerable talent attempting to throw into the back ground the office and honours of the Holy Spirit, and erecting a superstructure of their own, raised upon the sandy foundation of fallen nature, which in the end must give way, and sweep its votaries into everlasting perdition. But those whose hope is in God, shall steadily outride the storm, and triumph in a crucified Saviour, when creature holiness shall be no more. It is free grace alone which taught the sweet singer of Israel to approach unto the mighty God, and it is the same influence which now actuate every renewed soul to aspire to the same glorious heights of covenant love. Knowing from rich experience that "no other name is given under heaven whereby we can be saved," and so led, and blessed be his dear name, we desire no other: casting aside all filthiness of the flesh, and confessing our expectation is alone from him. How positive is that promise to Christ," he shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied."-And when on the day of his baptism God the Father announced to all the world his approbation of antient love," This is my Son, in whom I am well pleased." My soul, wonder and be astonished, for here lies the foundation of thy acceptance for eternity, which sin, death, nor hell shall ever be able to destroy. And you who have been enabled to flee for refuge to lay hold of the hope of the gospel, rejoice in that dear name; to him bring all your cases, and to him as the mighty God, the everlasting Counsellor, the Prince of Peace," commit your soul; he is not only able, but he is indeed willing, yea, he ever "waiteth to be gracious," and in the plenitude of his love will commune with thee, and communicate to your wants all needful supplies. Were not this the case, how could David with propriety invoke all the powers of his soul to wait upon him? He knew the Almighty arm was not shortened, and that no human power could afford him the least consolation: his own heart often condemning him, enemies pursuing hard after him, and under a multiplicity of outward trials. Though a king, he was even to his wit's end, beset with powerful temptations, and sometimes through the depravity of nature fell a prey to the desires of his enemies. But oh! the triumphs of grace, the victory of faith, the over-ruling of Jehovah's love, ran counter to the whole; so that he could indeed say, " My soul, wait thou upon God: for my expectation is from him." Trace him from the sheepfold to the throne, from thence to old age, and we shall discover the discriminating choice, love, and favour of free grace on his behalf. And blessed be the all-glorious Trinity of Persons as manifested in our day to the Lord's people, who can sing of healing virtues as David did, and upon the same golden altar do offer praise. How consoling is the thought-how animating the desire to seek God in his appointed means, who saith, " to this man will I look, who is of a contrite heart," who gives this heart, who sanctifies it, who makes it cry night and day under sensible need, taking no denial till like Jacob of old it prevails as a prince before the Lord. thou upon God: for my expectation is from him.” "My soul, wait What great encouragement is here for the weak-hearted, the poor burdened soul, that tremble and is afraid lest the Lord should shut out his cry, and will have no pity upon him. If my reader be one of this stamp let me tell him, in Jesus is found no vindictive wrath, he will have compassion. That which begins in groans shall end in joy: the Lord will speak in his own time, and " though the vision tarry, wait for it." God is not a man that he should lie, but when the fit time is come to favour Zion, all such little ones shall prove the faithfulness of a covenant Lord, and under the delivering hand of his Spirit will sing of mercy, and shout from the top of the mountains. However dark things may appear at this period of the church, the Lord hath not left the earth; there are many poor afflicted souls that are driven up and down in this cloudy and dark day, whose cries the Lord regardeth; these shall not defile their garments, by saying, a confederacy with those who drink in error as a full cup, and cannot love the truth. It is the duty of the servants of Jehovah to gird up their loins, and in the true spirit of their divine Master march forward through all the troubles allotted unto Jacob. troop shall overcome Gad, but he shall overcome at last." every fresh application to the blood of the Lamb makes thee a conqueror, and at length will launch thy love into endless joy, where the Canaanite shall no more annoy, my soul, wait thou upon God: for in him is my expectation." "A Since This is our God, we have waited for him, may the church exclaim; for notwithstanding every thing in the world renders this life a gloomy waste, the foundation of God standeth sure, and under her is the everlasting arms. And who can spring the eternal mine of God's decrees?" Jacob have I loved," saith the eternal Three; and upon the palms of Jehovah's hands are engraven the names of all his people; not one of them shall be lost. Though Jacob's language often is, "all things are against me,"glory to the God of Israel, our unbelief cannot make the promise void. Look then, reader, at the promise and not the providence, which under many circumstances may have a frowning aspect; call upon the Lord that he may enable thee to commit all thy ways into his hands; and under a faith's reliance upon his faithfulness you will ever find him a God nigh at hand unto thee. The writer can prove, from more than thirty years experience, that the Lord will not cast out the prayers of the destitute. David is not the only one who fled unto the God of heaven in time of distress. The whole cloud of witnesses trusted in God, and we know" these all died in faith," and are now surrounding the throne of God and the Lamb, where perfect harmony is for ever enjoyed. To this glorious end let all our thoughts and expectations rise; and whatever be the trials and afflictions to pass through, may we wait upon the God of our salvation, who is our hope and portion for ever and ever. The Lord's ways may be in the great deep, and your case very much " ike Peter's, who beginning to sink cried, "Lord, save or I perish. Calling thus upon God you shall never sink, whatever be the weight laid upon you: all is in covenant affection, sent in order to wean you from self and sinful things; "this is not your rest, it is polluted.” And in proportion to your misery and wretchedness so shall your prayer be poured out at the divine footstool for help in time of need. Oh! the wisdom and love of our everlasting friend. If there is any consolation, it is in him who knows how to succour the tempted, to relieve the weary, to raise the fallen, to strengthen the weak, to heal the wounded, to give eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, that they may walk and rejoice alone in their Saviour. 66 O believer, wait thou upon God; and remember that you, like Esther, put on your court robe to go in before the king, and then shall you have the golden sceptre of his love held out unto you. Poor needy souls, to whom besides him should you go, he hath eternal life, and trusting your everlasting concerns in his hands you can never come into condemnation; you are one with him, and by virtue of that eternal union subsisting between him and his dear bride, " all things are your's." Your riches are treasured up in him, infinite riches; and, though it does not yet appear what you shall be, when you see him you shall be like him. He is now preparing you for that noble purpose. This is his way which he takes with you in the wilderness, that you may know him the only true God and Saviour. Prayer is as needful as food is for the subsistence of the body. And such as have no cause for prayer can never cry mightily unto God, or know any thing of him as a prayer-hearing and prayeranswering deliverer. If we take a view of the old testament saints, we shall find their experience like our own; often pressed down with sorrows, and exercised with affliction, and on many occasions the Lord was pleased to bring them to the last extremity, that his power and goodness might appear the greater. And to the praise of his almighty name, he never is at a loss for means to effect the purposes of his eternal mind towards Zion. Journeying as we are from this sinful world to a better, we should look stedfast to the end, and come what may, in humility of soul, be still and know all is well. This will be the case when grace is in exercise upon the mind; the sovereign ways which the Lord takes to teach this to his people, are various; and though sometimes we cannot see a simple inch of ground before us, the God of Israel will open a way, and it will be a right way, " which leadeth to the city of habitation." And when the great account of his providence is revealed, we shall find that there has not been one trial too many, nor one cross too heavy, since all is for the glory of God and our real good. O my soul, be still and trust where thou canst not trace, and instead of finding fault be thankful. Of the love of Jehovah to creature-man, human conceptions cannot be formed, nor can angelic minds explore its vast depths: it is an infinite mystery dwelling in himself, and can never be fathomed; but must be felt and enjoyed more or less, according to the measure thereof bestowed upon its happy partakers. When the Eternal Spirit breaks up the great fountain of iniquity in the heart of a poor sinner, mercy is sure soon to make her appearance, and deliver such a one from going down to the pit, because in Jesus is found a ransom price equal to all demands of inflexible justice. And under his teaching the chosen jewels of Immanuel are led on till they each of them feel gospel liberty to 66 say, my Lord and my God." This, dear reader, is encouragement indeed for you to wait on the Lord: for in him alone is your expectation. You are often writing bitter things against yourself, by reason of sin which dwells in your carnal hearts, but, wonderful mystery to the believer," sin shall not have dominion over him," for grace shall reign and overrule all things for the glory of God and the good of Israel. Grace will teach you every day of your pilgrimage the worth of a crucified Saviour, and a high priest continually before the throne for you. Come then, with all your load of guilt and misery, a burden which none but God can remove. The rule of his conduct to you is, "call upon me in the day of trouble, I will hear and deliver, and thou shalt glorify me." The eye of the Lord is upon thee, and the Angel of the covenant shall protect thee. What more need you? "I the Lord will bless thee, and keep thee in all thy ways." What ways are thine, poor soul? The Lord bringeth a heavy charge against his people, and declareth" they have forsaken him days without number;" and daily experience testifies they are prone to backslide, and yet such is the goodness of our God he still bears with our sinful manners in the wilderness, and is ever making his own promise good to our hearts, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." You may be left to pour over your misery and wretchedness within, and thereby meditate terror so long, as to lose all sight of Christ; but when you can come by faith to behold him standing in your place as a sufferer, and groaning under the ponderous load of your crimes as a victim to divine justice, you will sing with Kent, 66 "It rises high and drowns the hills,— Has neither shore nor bound." My soul, wait thou upon God: for my expectation is from him." "Where the voice of a King is there is power." Never may the dear people of God disregard that voice, since it is a voice of love, of mercy, and of grace: in doing so, we lose much. The Lord is pleased to inform us, " him that honoureth me I will honour," and that "the diligent soul shall be made fat.' "Then shall ye know if ye follow on to know," and be blessed in doing the Lord's commands. How encouraging are all things so written for the church's |