The Twelfth of April.FEAR NOT --- John 12:15."Fear not, daughter of Sion." --- John 12:15. "But greatly rejoice and shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation." --- Zechariah 9:9. "For the Lord hath taken away the judgments: he hath cast out thine enemy; the King of Israel, even the Lord, is in the midst of thee: Thou shalt not see evil any more." --- Zephaniah 3:15. "Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by me; whosoever shall gather against thee shall fall for thy sake." --- Isaiah 54:15. "Let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them." --- Jeremiah 15:19. How strong soever thine inward enemies, thy corruptions, may be now, fear not, and be not discouraged. Thy King is bound by his office, love, and promise, to help thee with strength to overcome: even the hardships of a Christian work together for his good in this world, and brighten his crown of glory in the world to come. Too oft, instead of casting and leaving a burden on the Lord by faith at once, we parley with temptation, and undertake to heal ourselves by a thousand false contrivances; the effect of which is, to make a conflict long that might have been short, 2 Chronicles 16:7, 8, 9. Lord, give me grace to be watchful, and to keep on the armour of faith, that, as I pass from conflict to conflict, I may pass on conquering and to conquer, daily pressing forward, and experiencing Jesus every hour my mighty King and Saviour. My Lord, my Conqu'ror, and my King, Great Prophet, let me bless thy name, |