IX.

"I BELIEVED, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: I said in my haste, All men are liars."

Verses 10, 11.

WHEN Jesus would confirm the faith and sustain the hope which He was so soon about to realize, He said to the trembling and sorrowing sister of His friend, "Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (John xi. 40.) In our hours of despondency, of sorrow, or of temptation, we may hear the same gracious voice, so full of love and power, encouraging us to trust in the Divine omnipotence and Divine love, which the same Saviour is willing, is ready, to exercise on our behalf. But let us consider the words before us: they are alluded to by St. Paul, in 2 Cor. iv. 13. May "the spirit of faith " which dwelt in the writer of them, and in the apostle to the Gentiles, be in us also for Christ's sake, and may He graciously bless these thoughts to His own glory in the salvation of souls! The words we are now considering seem to shew us the Psalmist's faith, and his temporary fear. On the outside

view it would appear that some of the Bible saints are represented as failing in the very grace by which they were generally particularly distinguished. I say on the outside, because I wish to speak with reverence, and not to sit in judgment upon these holy men of old. It has however, I believe, been remarked by other writers, of Moses, the meekest man, and Peter, whose denial of our blessed Lord seemed contrary to the courage and boldness of His usual demeanour. This may be to teach us that man can never glory in himself, but in his infirmities. The tenth verse shews us the Psalmist's spirit of faith, "I believed;" the eleventh his fears, “I said in my haste, All men are liars."

Who among the servants of Jesus has not suffered with His Master, from the reproaches of men, the strife of tongues? Remember Joseph, hated by his brethren; remember the career of David; even in early youth his brethren misjudged his motives. (1 Sam. xvii. 28.) Saul was jealous of him, (1 Sam. xviiii. 8, 9,) deceived him, (ver. 19,) and attempted his life (1 Sam. xix. 10,) and we all remember the love he bore to Absalom, which all the ingratitude and treachery of the son could not exhaust. David had indeed cause to say with the patriarch of

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old, "My brethren have dealt deceitfully with me." (Job vi. 15-17.) Listen to the complaint of Jeremiah, "All my familiars watched for my halting, saying, Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him." (Jer. xx. 10.) Hear the cry of the evangelical prophet: "My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me! the treacherous dealers have dealt treacherously; yea the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously." Similar was the experience of St. Paul: "At my first answer," he says, 66 no man stood with me, but all men forsook me." (2 Tim. iv. 16.) Christian, art thou, too, conformed in this respect to thy Master, and to many of His people of whom the world was not worthy? Has the friend whom you loved proved utterly unworthy of your confidence? Let this trial bind you more closely in love, as it will in fellowship, with Him who endured not only the contradiction of sinners against Himself, but the neglect of friends, the treachery of a companion. Let this and every other sorrow bring you to the adorable "Man of sorrows." Let the disappointment of earthly hopes, the failure of human friendship, open your heart more fully to the love which can never disappoint, the Friend who cannot leave

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nor forsake, who sticketh closer than a brother," so shall earthly loss prove heavenly gain.

A few words to those who, from whatever cause, more especially mental affliction, may have been led to say, "All men are liars." First, I would call upon you to praise the Lord; you have, with the Psalmist, had cause to say, "I was greatly afflicted;" but can you not also say, "Heaviness may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." You said, with him, "All men are liars;" thank the Lord that it was "in haste." You have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy. "He wounds to heal, He bruises the heart that He may pour into it the oil of joy; He empties of earthly satisfactions that He may fill it with Himself. Yours are peculiar trials; yours are peculiar consolations; you have seen the greatness of the Lord's chastisements; you have experienced His wondrous power and love in restoration. Seek that the life which He has given, redeemed, restored, may be so far as is possible, through Jesus, one continued thank-offering of greatful praise. Secondly, let the Word of God be to you a storehouse of guidance and consolation; "a lamp" to your "feet," a "light" to your "path;" your distress will have endeared to you its pages, let them

henceforth be your

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comfort," (Ps. lvi. 10, Prayer-book,) your "rejoicing," (Jer. xv. 16,) your guide. (Ps. cxix. 105.) Are you weak? Remember the Divine promise: "To them that have no might He increaseth strength," (Is. xl. 29.) Jesus says, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. xii. 9.)

Are you tempted? "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Cor. x. 13.) "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." (James i. 12.) In warning us of the power and activity of our great spiritual adversary, the apostle Peter encourages us to "resist" him "steadfast in the faith," "knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." Let us not then be weary, or faint in our minds. We "have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin;" let us call to mind the gracious words and acts of One who for our sakes did resist, did triumph;