A Goodly Heritage

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise, Psalm 17. But we must always remember these three things about all our spiritual sacrifices: 1. That as they must be all of his requiring, so they must be of his providing. We have nothing to offer to God that he will accept, till he give it to us, and till he first work it in us. David's broken heart was first given to him. Dreadful sins first lay quiet in his hard heart, till God broke it. 2. That a broken heart is always a humble heart. It begins to grow whole again (and quickly it will, unless the breaker of it keep it broken) when it begins to be proud. Such as have a good opinion of their own hearts, know not what a broken heart means. He that hath a broken heart, is broken with his vile heart; as the Lord speaks of his grief at mend whole hearts, Eek. vi. 9. 3. That all our spiritual sacrifices, and a broken heart, must be offered to God for acceptance on the right altar, and by the right High priest, Jesus Christ.

THE COVENANTERS. [HARVEY'S PICTURE OF COVENANTERS WORSHIPPING AMONG THE HILLS OF SCOTLAND.] It came from out the silent glen, The mingled prayer of armed men; Their swords in sheath for one calm day, "And let us worship God," they say. ⁠They met—in fear, but not of man; ⁠In hope—but not of human aid; ⁠In faith—that dreads no mortal ban; ⁠In trust—mid perils undismayed. As wearied travellers seek the brook, They ask refreshment from "the Book!" The fountain gives them strength for strife, And Freedom will be bought with life. No Temple made by human hands Is that in which the Pastor stands; Around him mighty mountains rise, Pillars to yon vast roof, the skies; ⁠But Freedom consecrates the glen; ⁠And girlhood, boyhood, age, and youth, ⁠Utter or breathe a stern "Amen" ⁠To words that Reason stamps with Truth; For God and Nature bade them be All—like their free forefathers—free; Such message yon good Pastor brings— A message from the King of kings! Say,

Hugh Binning points out that the most profound thing that we can say about God is also the simplest. “The Lord gives a definition of Himself”. It is short and we may not think it says much—”I AM” (Exodus 3:14). When people seek to exalt themselves they want to be described in grand and majestic ways to flatter themselves. But there is more majesty in this simple title “I AM” than in all others. This is spiritually discerned. To compare God with others and say that He is best gives too great significance to the things which we use for comparison. Thus, the Lord calls Himself “I AM”, meaning “I am as if nothing else were”. Not, “I am the highest, the best and most glorious that is”. This assumes other things have some being and glory that is worth taking account of. Rather it is “I am, and there is none else; I am alone”. Nothing else can say, “I am, I live, and there is nothing else”. Everything else is dependent on God. Thus, nothing besides God, can say, “I am”. All things are only b