Part 20

M. A. SCHIMMELPENNINCK.

March 14

I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God: incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.--PS. xvii. 6.

Ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.--PS. lxii. 8.

Whate'er the care which breaks thy rest, Whate'er the wish that swells thy breast; Spread before God that wish, that care, And change anxiety to prayer.

JANE CREWDSON.

Trouble and perplexity drive us to prayer, and prayer driveth away trouble and perplexity.

P. MELANCTHON.

Whatsoever it is that presses thee, go tell thy Father; put over the matter into His hand, and so thou shalt be freed from that dividing, perplexing care that the world is full of. When thou art either to do or suffer anything, when thou art about any purpose or business, go tell God of it, and acquaint Him with it; yea, burden Him with it, and thou hast done for matter of caring; no more care, but quiet, sweet diligence in thy duty, and dependence on Him for the carriage of thy matters. Roll thy cares, and thyself with them, as one burden, all on thy God.

R. LEIGHTON.

March 15

Hear me, O Lord. for Thy loving-kindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies.--PS. lxix. 16.

Let, I pray Thee, Thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Thy word unto Thy servant.--PS. cxix. 76.

Love divine has seen and counted Every tear it caused to fall; And the storm which Love appointed Was its choicest gift of all.

ANON.

O that thou couldst dwell in the knowledge and sense of this! even, that the Lord beholds thy sufferings with an eye of pity; and is able, not only to uphold thee under them, but also to do thee good by them. Therefore, grieve not at thy lot, be not discontented, look not out at the hardness of thy condition; but, when the storm and matters of vexation are sharp, look up to Him who can give meekness and patience, can lift up thy head over all, and cause thy life to grow, and be a gainer by all. If the Lord God help thee proportionably to thy condition of affliction and distress, thou wilt have no cause to complain, but to bless His name.

I. PENINGTON.

March 16

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.--I COR. x. 31.

With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not unto men.--EPH. vi. 7.

A Servant, with this clause, Makes drudgery divine: Who sweeps a room, as for Thy laws, Makes that and th' action fine.

G. HERBERT.

Surely the truth must be, that whatsoever in our daily life is lawful and right for us to be engaged in, is in itself a part of our obedience to God; a part, that is, of our very religion. Whensoever we hear people complaining of obstructions and hindrances put by the duties of life in the way of devoting themselves to God, we may be sure they are under some false view or other. They do not look upon their daily work as the task God has set them, and as obedience due to Him. We may go farther; and say, not only that the duties of life, be they never so toilsome and distracting, are no obstructions to a life of any degree of inward holiness; but that they are even direct means, when rightly used, to promote our sanctification.

H. E. MANNING.

March 17

Where hast thou gleaned to-day?--RUTH ii. 19.

What have I learnt where'er I've been, From all I've heard, from all I've seen? What know I more that's worth the knowing? What have I done that's worth the doing? What have I sought that I should shun? What duties have I left undone?

PYTHAGORAS.