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OTHER NECESSARY DISPOSITIONS.

Read Ps. xlii., lxxxiv.

I. I will satisfy her poor with bread. Ps. cxxxii. 15.

It is the poor, poor in spirit, emptied of themselves, leaning upon God, hungering after Him, these shall be satisfied with His spiritual food. Am I such? S. Luke i. 53.

II. If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. S. John vii. 37.

Athirst! really feeling dry and parched up, longing earnestly, longing to drink of the water from the well of everlasting life. Have I such ardent desires? God grant them to me. Rev. xxi. 6.

III. When thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room. S. Luke xiv. 10.

Well may I, for who is He who bids me, and who am I? Of all graces most necessary to one who would receive Him, is humility, deep humility. Do I know what it is to be truly humble? Such will He regard, receive, and fill with good things. S. Luke i. 48.

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He giveth food to the hungry. Ps. cxlvi. 7.

THE EFFECTS OF WORTHILY PARTAKING.

Read 1 Cor. x. 16, 17.

1. They looked (flowed, marg.) unto Him, and were lightened. Ps. xxxiv. 5.

Enlightening of the understanding-faith to see God-opening of the spiritual eyes, such were the effects on the disciples at Emmaus. For He is the true light (S. John i. 9). Grant, Lord, that I too may see. S. Luke xviii. 41.

II. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Ps. ciii. 5. Fresh power and strength to renew what is decayed. When the soul languishes, and its desires are faint, here is a remedy, and here is strength. How I need it, God only knows. Phil. iv. 13; Ps. xxxiv. 8.

III. Mary arose in those days, and went into the hillcountry with haste. S. Luke i. 39.

This was immediately on the conception of our Lord, whose blessed body and blood are verily and indeed taken and received by the faithful in the Lord's supper; with Him dwelling in us we may be girt up to active and difficult service apart from the world, in communion with those that are His. Ps. xviii. 29; 1 Kings xix. 8.

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They shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint. Is. xl. 31.

OTHER EFFECTS OF WORTHILY PARTAKING.

Read S. John vi. 27-57.

I. Man did eat angels' food. Ps. lxxviii. 25.

Not that the angels partake as we, though they too live on Him. But men become as angels, freed from earthly, endued with hea venly desires. Is such the effect on my soul? S. Matt. xviii. 10; 1 Pet. i. 12.

II. As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God. S. John i. 12.

To all that believe, and receive Him as their Saviour. Then surely no less to those who, believing, receive Him anew in His Sacrament. Am I then a son? Is God my Father? Is Christ my brother? O mystery of love! Rom. viii. 17.

III He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. S. John vi. 56.

Once more remember these blessed words. Not sonship only, but actual oneness with God. For this one thing is needful that all that is of self should die, that God alone may live in me. Gal. ii. 20.

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(The) mystery of glory. Col. i. 27.

Christ in you, the hope

THE INFINITE PERFECTION OF GOD.

Read Job xxxvi. 22, &c.

I. Of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things. Rom. xi. 36.

Whatever can be conceived of perfection, goodness, holiness, beauty,-all is infinitely present in God. And all things which have any good in them are of Him. Thou alone art worthy of love and adoration, O Lord: we are nothing. Ps. lxxiii. 25.

II. (In*) Him are all things. Ib.

Not only in their actual existence, but as examples of perfection for His creatures to follow. Man made after His image! What an example for me to follow! Do I compare myself with Him? What a miserable sight! (Eph. v. 1.) Yet, in Christ, I am in Him.

III. (In*) Him are all things. Ib.

Not only scattered about among His creatures, but gathered in one in Him, in the unity of the Godhead; one in purpose, in action, in perfection. Are my intentions, is my eye single? What is the result? S. Matt. vi. 22.

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Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. S. Matt. v. 48.

*Several translations have "In" for "To."

THE WISDOM AND OMNISCIENCE OF GOD.

Read Job xlii. 1-6.

I. All things are naked and open unto the eyes of Him. Heb. iv. 13.

He knows, He sees, He disposes all things. The knowledge of angels may be great, but it is ignorance compared with His! Do I believe this, and adore Him? Yes, Lord; but how unworthily! Job xxxiv. 21, &c.

II. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight. Ib.

All past, present, future,-what I was, what I am; what I shall be, while yet I am not; all seen and foreseen,-my temptations, dangers, trials, falls, recovery, help, every thing. Blessed be God, in this is my warning, my encouragement. Gen. xvi. 13.

III. Thus will I magnify Myself, and sanctify Myself. Ezek. xxxviii. 23.

And He who hates vainglory and self-esteem will magnify Himself; for He only is all-wise. He only can contemplate Himself all-perfect, all-good. Oh, that I also could contemplate Thee till I know and love Thee as I ought. Jer. li. 14, 19.

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By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord. Gen. xxii. 16.

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