...the Gospel, and " by reason of use have our senses exercised to discem good and evil." 1 67. Before I was afflicted I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word. THE seductive temptations of a prosperous state, and the too successful hindrances, which it offers...

...he says, " It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word." And then he adds, " Thou art good and doest good: teach me thy statutes." Thus acknowledging the goodness...

...man that he bear the yoke in his youth." Lam. iii. 27. The Psalmist found it so, cxix. 67, " Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word." In Heb. xii. 11, there is a remarkable expression respecting chastisements, or bearing the cross :...

...instruction which otherwise would never have reached farther than the ear. David saith, " Before 1 was afflicted I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word." (Psalm cxix., 67.) The fourth chapter of the Philippians was this day read to Le Fevre ; and when Mr....

...and of reminding him, like the prodigal in the parable, of his Father's house. Many a child of God, can say with David, " Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word." 7 Many a careless sinner, under the softening touch of sickness or sorrow, has given way to the influence...

...unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge ; for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good, teach me thy statutes." A more consoling and exhilarating subject than...

..." " I will give you that, which I hope, under your guidance, my future life may prove : ' Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now have I kept thy word.' " " A twelvemonth hence I shall do it more justice, I hope, so you must allow me to substitute this...

...demoralizing effects of a prosperous fortune even good men have experienced and lamented. " Before I was afflicted I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word." This was the confession of the holy Psalmist ; and the inference from it is, that as prosperity is...

...well as Luther, may call affliction one of his best schoolmasters; and with David may say, " Before I was afflicted, I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word." Many thousand recovered sinners may cry, "O healthful sickness! O comfortable sorrows! 0 gainful losses...

...readiest and surest way to ultimate concurrence in the blessed experience of the Psalmist — " Before I was afflicted I went astray ; but now have I kept thy word." Others there are, again, who come under neither of the characters I have described ; whose situation,...